WTF!?!?!?!?!

[Diva]

A judge is under fire for sentencing a man to 60 days in prison for molesting a girl beginning when she was 6 years old.

Judge Edward Cashman said he did not require Mark Hulett, 34, to serve more time because Hulett could not receive sex offender treatment while in prison. "The court viewed the defendant as a dangerous man, likely to engage in future crime unless he has proper and timely treatment," the judge said in court documents filed Tuesday.

Once released, Hulett must undergo treatment and will be under state supervision. If he fails to abide by the terms, he could be sent back to prison for up to 10 years for aggravated sexual assault.


I... I'm speechless. The judges' reasoning is that he had the emotional maturity of a 12 to 14 yr old and did not understand why others were so upset by his actions. Bullshit. At that age I knew right from wrong. Kids were having sex at that age. The key is that they're both the same age. Six and THIRTY FOUR are not even close. He ruined that little girl's childhood and scarred her for life. That deserves PUNISHMENT. I don't care WHERE you house that fucker, lock him up.

This judge is sending a message to the public that offenders have more rights than the victims. The judge needs to go... and someone needs to re-examine this case. Don't give me that, but if he 'fails to abide by the terms he'll go to prison' crap. That's like saying 'This one's a free-bee. But the NEXT little girl or boy's life you destroy will cost you'.


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[Bassmama]

Huh- I wonder if the Judge would let this guy babysit with his own kids? Maybe he should move the guy in with him.

Better yet- send the judge to prison & let HIM get raped a few times & see if HE likes it. And send the pervert my way- I'll make short work of him & he'll NEVER molest another kid. Or anyone else, for that matter.

[Unforgiven]

Bullshit. At that age I knew right from wrong.

It's hardly accurate to assume your state of mind and mental development is the same as his.

[Diva]

It's hardly accurate to assume your state of mind and mental development is the same as his.

Never said that is was. But saying that someone has that 'emotional' level doesn't mean he should be treated like he slapped someone.

Another article (http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=4345951&nav=4QcS):


Prosecutors had requested that Hulett get at least eight years in prison as punishment, but at Hulett's January 4 sentencing hearing, the judge announced that 25 years on the bench had convinced him that punishment just doesn't work.

"I started out as a just-desserts sentenced. I liked it. Cross the line, I popped 'em. But then I discovered it accomplishes nothing of value. It doesn't make anything better. It costs us a lot of money. We create a lot of expectation. And we feed on anger," said the Judge addressing the family of the young victim.

The judge also explained that the short sentence was the only way to get Hulett out of prison and into sex-offender therapy quickly because, under prison rules, Hulett is ineligible for treatment behind bars. However, Cashman also ruled that Hulett faces a potential life sentence if he gets out of prison after 60 days and fails to take part in the sex-offender therapy program.


Again, he's more concerned with the offender's well being than the victim. Especially since he stated that he "viewed the defendant as a dangerous man, likely to engage in future crime unless he has proper and timely treatment." At 34 years old he's not going to learn anything any faster. What he DID learn is that he got away with raping a child. Our judicial system is far from being decent, but it's all that we have. Saying it doesn't work so I'm going to let this one slide is unacceptable.

[Unforgiven]

I'm just pointing out a fallacy, not saying I disagree with you. Or agree, for that matter. I 'm rather unconcerned, if anything.

[Bassmama]

I'm just pointing out a fallacy, not saying I disagree with you. Or agree, for that matter. I 'm rather unconcerned, if anything.

Unconcerned? UNCONCERNED????????

That comment just torqued me a bit, but then I have to remember your stance on other issues- like capitol punishment, for instance. I've chalked a lot of your opinions to your youth, innocence, naiivety, inexperience; at one time I wondered if you were taking certain stances just to try to torque others. I no longer wonder.

I think you need to get out of your protected little cocoon that you're living in & get a good dose of reality. Work where you're exposed to some victims & their struggles to live after that. Put yourself where YOU get raped & tell me it's no big deal. Become a cop.

I can no longer go on with this- because what I WANT to say will turn into a flame & I won't do that to the other NCTers. I WILL say that you have serious mental problems that need EXTREME treatment if you are so cold that something like this 'unconcerns' you.

From now on, I'll just ignore your idiotic (in my opinion) comments as if you never expressed them.

[Diva]

*blink* Bass, that WAS flaming. It's also unacceptable. The whole idea of a forum is to meet and discuss different opinions with people from all over. You're going to find people who think differently and deal with emotions differently. Not better or worse, just differently. You have had personal experience with this matter, so your opinion is going to be more passionate. It doesn't invalidate his.

There are a lot of people in this world who feel that unless it personally affects them they aren't bothered with it. They have become disensitized. We've gone through many changes in society, this is just another one.

[Bassmama]

OK- I understand your point, but it doesn't change my opinion. It just blows my mind that ANYONE can be unconcerned about something that horrendous. I expressed my opinion about his statement, and that was my reaction to his lack of reaction or caring. And it has nothing to do with whether I was one of them or not. Any disasters, pain or death of others affects me & when someone expresses a 'so what' attitude, it bothers me- the lack of compassion bothers me. I don't consider it funny if it was meant to be funny & if it wasn't meant to be funny, it bothers me that someone can go through life without feeling compassion for others less fortunate than they are- especially innocents like children. 9/11/01, the Tsunami, the Gulf Coast disaster, local disasters... I CARE. And so do a lot of other people, or there wouldn't have been such help given throughout the world. And- I happen to think that someone that has the 'so what' attitude DOES need help if they truely feel that way..

I just expressed MY opinion.

[User Name]

Just because one doesn't have a bleeding heart which gets torn apart by every pain or injury done to someone does not mean one goes through life never feeling compassion for anyone. It simply has to hit closer to home or there are better things to do, such as work, study, love someone near you, etc.

[Diva]

Bassmama: Yes, you did express it. I am not about to tell you what opinion to have, but as far as writing it down if it involves a negative personal comment about someone I think there are better ways to express yourself.

I am not speaking for Unfy, but his one sentence could mean different things. You assumed he meant that about the whole issue, which may or may not be right. But your description of him is way off. I have met MANY people who react the same way. First of all, this is a discussion. NOTHING is going to change from the outcome of this thread. So anything discussed here is simply to learn different views. There's really no reason to be outraged over him saying this thread is a non issue. Just because he didn't post a paragraph of anger about the injustice of it all doesn't mean he doesn't think it's a bad thing. I don't expect people to react like I do, and I hope you don't either.

As UserName said, if it was something that hit closer to home then he'd be able to give you more of a passionate answer. For him it's an entry in the newspaper. For most people it is. I look through all the stories, shake my head and hope it turns out better. Then I move on to the next story. If there is something about writing to someone or a petition I may check it out.

Again, just because he doesn't react to something the way YOU want him to doesn't mean he doesn't care.

ON TOPIC: What is your opinion about having the judge removed based on his decision?

[Unforgiven]

I love stirring up shit. That was beautiful, truely.

For the record, I'm unconcerned because it's outside of my control anyway, and I'm rather tired of being depressed, frustrated, or irritated by things I can't control and don't directly affect me anyway. When they come to me and ask what is to be done, I'll say so. Until then, it's purely a intellectually mastubatory action. The hell with it.



I WILL say that you have serious mental problems

This is entirely possible. It wouldn't be the first time I've wondered about it myself, actually. I'm probably just melodramatic about it though. But then, maybe I only ever thought of it because I'm melodramatic, brought on by some emotional/mental problem! Oh, the possibilities!


As the final part of the post, no need to get everyone going. It might technically be "flaming", but she had a problem with what I said, and said so honestly and without bullshit. I respect that, and I prefer it to her pretending to be cordial and then gossip or other chickenshit drama sprouting up.

[Bassmama]

I WILL say that you have serious mental problems that need EXTREME treatment if you are so cold that something like this 'unconcerns' you.

Unfy- make sure you connect the rest of the sentance when you qoute that, OK?

Just the fact that you would consider that you may have a problem because of the 'unconcerned' feelings lets me know that you ARE NOT screwed up & in need of extreme treatment. I re-revise my opinion back to what it was before- I think you're young, inexperienced, naiive, over protected... and maybe it's part of your generational thing. Or a helpless feeling that there's nothing you can do.

(You have NO idea how much I hate saying the next phrase- I heard it all my life from my parents... but here goes-) 'When I was your age' (I'm going to PUKE now, thank you,...) people cared about each other. If someone's house burned down, you didn't think about it- you DID something to help. If there was a disaster somewhere, you DID something- even if it was collect money at halloween for UNICEF so other little kids in the world could eat. (I don't know why my mom didn't send them the food I hated so much... liver. YUK!) I came from a farming community that got together & helped each other, whether they liked the person they were helping or not. Everyone was PART of something- church, Grange Hall, community center... whatever. Everyone belonged & cared about each other- even if it was to keep an eye on each others' kids during a gathering if the parents were momentarily sidetracked, or help with a flat tire, or food when a death occurred.

I guess it's the 'so what- I can't do anything, so why give a shit' attitude that that bothers me & I reacted to. It seems to be infecting our culture like gangrene, and terrifies me. And should terrify the shit out of EVERYBODY. It's not just the blase' attitude about people far away, but about people that are right in your community. Kids at age 14 walking around with loaded handguns that think nothing of blowing somebody away just because they are wearing the wrong color socks, people hating others because of the color of their skin, little kids being grabbed off the streets & raped & tortured, women being kidnapped & tortured before being murdered- and too many people treating the whole thing like it's no big deal. What the HELL has desensitized this whole country to something like that? What GAVE everyone the idea that noone can do anything, so why bother anyway?

Look, Unfy- if you really wonder if you may have problems, TRY volunteering once a week at a homeless shelter, foodbank, church lunch program, crisis hotline... EXPOSE yourself to what's going on in the world (the immediate vicinity) and tell me after a year that you STILL have the same attitude & I'll agree that there's something wrong with you & anyone else that feels that way, but I have seen too much caring & emotion in between what you've written to believe that you WON'T change & start caring. And if your attitude comes out of personal tortures, the BEST way out of that is to help someone else. TRY to do something for someone that needs help- even if it's sitting at your computer writing letters to get a 'judge' off the bench that lets dangerous paedophiles off with a slap on the back of their hands. You CAN affect the world! There's strength in numbers, and baby- you can be a BIG number. EVERYONE can. And there are some AWESOME people out there that will join you with their strength. Take your lemons & make lemonade! I REFUSE to believe that you won't change.

I also refuse to believe that you don't (somewhere inside) care. A LOT. Prove me wrong- I dare you!

"This is entirely possible. It wouldn't be the first time I've wondered about it myself, actually. I'm probably just melodramatic about it though. But then, maybe I only ever thought of it because I'm melodramatic, brought on by some emotional/mental problem! Oh, the possibilities!" Unfy- you're talking about me here, too. Just the fact that you've thought about this PROVES to me that you're nowhere as messed up as you think you are. You just need to realize your strength & that everyone else is probably 10 times MORE fucked up as you worry about being!

[Unforgiven]

Just the fact that you would consider that you may have a problem because of the 'unconcerned' feelings lets me know that you ARE NOT screwed up & in need of extreme treatment.

That wasn't the reasoning.

[User Name]

Bassmama, you said you grew up in a farm community and when you grew up people helped each other. Others from your generation who grew up in big cities likely wouldn't be so vehement as you, particularily those who don't belong to a brainwash...er...church community. Growing up in a big city is different. Crime and tragedy are so common that if you allow yourself to have a bleeding heart over every little thing you'd likely kill yourself to escape the depression. (IMnot-so-humbleO)


I also think it's funny as hell that you suggested unfy help out at a church.

[Unforgiven]

I could hand out free books (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0131898345/qid=1137282133/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-8136439-8174514?n=507846&s=books&v=glance), maybe.

[Amaurote]

I had church for lunch once, but the steeple was a bitch to wash down, and in any case it doesn't really compete with the Atkins' for aggregate protein dosage.

This story is just another demonstration of the continuing debate (and collective confusion )about what prison is for. I've said it before and I'll say it again, but we need to make our minds up one way or another: as someone who believes in rehabilitation for the vast majority of criminals, non-custodial sentences for petty criminals and long sentences for serious offenders, I really don't care if the argument is resolved in favour of warehousing, the death penalty or prison as punishment, just so long as we resolve it quickly and disseminate that message to prison staff; at the moment the patchwork quilt approach simply isn't working.

[Bassmama]

Bassmama, you said you grew up in a farm community and when you grew up people helped each other. Others from your generation who grew up in big cities likely wouldn't be so vehement as you, particularily those who don't belong to a brainwash...er...church community. Growing up in a big city is different. Crime and tragedy are so common that if you allow yourself to have a bleeding heart over every little thing you'd likely kill yourself to escape the depression. (IMnot-so-humbleO)


I also think it's funny as hell that you suggested unfy help out at a church.

Why? Because I'm a non-believer? Churches (some of them) do a LOT of community good & if that is what would make someone's life easier to live, then I'd support it BIGTIME! Just because I'm non-religious doesn't mean I expect anyone else to be. I just don't want anyone feeling like they have to convert me or tell me all the 'WONDERFUL' points of becoming religious & joining their particular cult. I accept what others have come to believe as far as the holey moley issue, and all I ask is that they accept what I have come to believe.

Maybe it's because I remember what living in a big city USED to be like. I lived in downtown Albany in the early '70s & it was NOTHING like it is now. I could walk 10 blocks on dark streets at night in the poor section I lived in without haveing to worry about being attacked. I doubt a young woman alone could do that any more. Sure, there was crime, but not like it is now. Nowhere NEAR what it is now. It just wasn't commonplace- in or out of the 'big cities'.

In Jr High, there was a boy in my class that was always in trouble & in a crowded hallway between classes one day attacked a teacher with a knife. He was taken down & sent to reform school. The last time I saw him, he was passed out against a lightpost in my hometown- high out of his mind. He died about a year later of an overdose. I'm not saying it didn't happen- I AM saying that it wasn't acceptable, like it is now.

My younger half sister & 2 older half brothers grew up in Queens. I have family still living there. They talk about what it used to be like as opposed to what it's like now. Violence wasn't acceptable like it is now.

THAT'S what I don't understand- WHY is it so acceptable to your generation? WHY is it OK for deranged monsters to roam our streets looking for victims to prey apon? Don't you understand that you or someone you love could (& most likely will) become one of those victims? Don't you understand that sitting back & doing nothing except pretending that it 'happens to everyone else- not me' gives the monsters unspoken permission to continue committing their acts?

If that makes me a bleeding heart as far as anyone's concerned, then so be it. I prefer being called a 'pro-activist', thank you. Used to be when a woman was beaten to hell by her husband, she was told to shut up & take it & the police would do nothing. Women who were raped were asked what THEY did to be raped. Pro activism changed these things- by people that stood up and fought to have them changed. Getting crack houses & prostitution out of a once nice neighborhood is being changed because the residents of the neighborhood are actively stopping it. Discrimination, hangings of civil rights workers, segrigation, SO many things have been changed throughout history because people refused to accept what they felt was wrong. This country was born because of that- from the pilgrims to now, & it will keep going on.

My generation had it's chance & had GREAT potential- the change & spirit of the '60s was AWESOME, but it also was the precursor for what we have today. Drugs became more common & with it came unbelievable crime & the mess this society's in today. What a terrible legacy my generation left for your generation, & yes, I'm sorry that my generation did that to yours, but that doesn't mean that your generation has to accept it. After all, your generation IS the guardian for future generations. Everyone has the chioce of sitting back & allowing it, or speaking up to stop it. If you want to sit back & allow it, don't cry when that pidgeon comes home to roost.

And Unfy- if you want to hand out expensive books for free, go for it!

[User Name]

Oh yes, I find it terribly ok for people to run around committing crimes, killing, maiming, and doing other such things. As a matter of fact, I encourage it! As does the rest of my generation. All of us encourage it to no end!

And I found it funny that you suggest Unfy help out at a church because of his religious non-beliefs, not yours. I couldn't give a shit about your beliefs and haven't been around long enough to have the faintest clue about them.

[Amaurote]

Minister: "Could you hand out the tea to those homeless people over there, Michael?"

Unforgiven: "I could, but in terms of spatial rendering you'd be far better off with javascript."

Minister: "Get out."

[Bassmama]

Oh yes, I find it terribly ok for people to run around committing crimes, killing, maiming, and doing other such things. As a matter of fact, I encourage it! As does the rest of my generation. All of us encourage it to no end!

Escuse you?? And where did I point you out specifically? Or say that EVERY member of your generation thinks that way? YOU are the one that pointed out how common crime & tragedy are in the big city, not me. AND made the comment about "brainwash...er, church community". And I know people from a big city- New York City (which I suspect is a little BIGGER than yours) that are from my generation & ARE as vehement as I am- and many of them are doing things about the problems. As are members of EVERY generation. BTW- Unfy can tell you that I tend to use 'you' as a generalization sometimes. Sorry if it seemed as if I WAS meaning you directly.

And I found it funny that you suggest Unfy help out at a church because of his religious non-beliefs, not yours.

(And I knew this how?? You didn't say that. You don't need to believe or belong to help out at one of their programs that help others.)

I couldn't give a shit about your beliefs and haven't been around long enough to have the faintest clue about them

Then maybe you should find out BEFORE making assumptions. Like you did about farming communities being religious based- they were COMMUNITY based & had nothing to do with religion.

[JakeD]

Yeah. I lived in a "farming community" in Texas and there was nothing remotely involving religion there. There were religious people involved here and there, but that's about as far as it went.

[Bassmama]

Know what's funny, Jake? Up here in east wahoo where I live, people think that Long Island IS New York City- they assume that because I grew up on LI, I grew up in NYC. Then I bring out the pics of the farm & they STILL don't want to believe it. I spoke to someone that lived in California that didn't know that there was ANY farmland in New York State- she thought the whole state consisted of NYC. Got me laughing pretty good- her too.

I think from now on when I mean a generalized 'you' when I write something, I'm going to try to put in 'ya' instead so it doesn't seem so finger-pointy. I didn't realize it sounded so specific until I re-read it. Cripes- we (generalized) sent a man to the moon how many years ago, but we (generalized) can't come up with a generalized form of us, we, you, they... shit, I get caught up in the passion & meaning of what I'm writing & don't notice it can be taken more than one way.

AM- WHERE YOU BEEN, DARLIN??? I MISSED YOU- BUT MEBBE IT'S BEEN ME WITH MY FULL TIME JOB THAT'S BEEN MISSING!!

[Amaurote]

Happy New Year, upstate Lady. No, I've been here, but I'm in prison full-time now, so it's only recently that I've started browsing frenetically again.

[Mr. Bojangles]

I suppose that occasionally criminals get what they deserve, whether it's a midnight visit from Bubba and Earl down in cell block C, or a slap on the wrist for writing a hot check. However, most of the time you get a godawful conglomeration of fuckups that mostly just wharehouses the offender somewhere for a few years and then turns them loose again. Then the cocksucker commits another crime, and we start the process all over again. I don't think that there IS a solution to this particular problem.


As to the street violence, it's been my personal experience that most people don't know how or don't want to defend themselves. This wasn't the case in the 50's, 60's and early 70's. Unless you wanted absolutly NO trouble, or the other guy was armed, when some punk stepped up and said "gimme your wallet, motherfucker," you made him take it. Nowadays, that just doesn't happen anymore. I don't care if you're male, female, old, young, or middle-aged, if you REALLY don't want any trouble, make yourself a less desireable target.


On to what Unfy should do to learn to give a shit...nothing. He wouldn't be the same sour fucker we all know and love if he were any different, so we should ALL(you too, Sue) leave him be and do his own thing. Most of the time he's likely just stirring the pot to get a reaction anyway.