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(default) Archive for: October 2006
Re: on Abbott's Proposed Death Penalty for Child Sex Predators
David, I support your candidacy and I usually agree with you. I can't in this instance. Fortunately for both of us, I don't agree with Greg Abbott, either.
My lesser point: I am philosophically opposed to the death penalty under all circumstances, even for murderers. I am content to see life without parole be our most severe punishment. Far from timid, however, I would have few qualms about its broad application.
My major point: given that the death penalty is a reality of our legal system, there are some crimes that are as heinous as capital murder, perhaps even more so. Whatever we adopt as our most severe form of punishment, I cannot accept that its use be limited to capital murder alone.
~ Al Lowenstein
Ah, but I'd rather have someone giving opinion on death penalty with SENSE, than one without it.
Which is to say I agree with you, Al. But I also don't hold my own opinion as god; I don't always like it, but think David makes just calls on Law. Always. And Real Law (he tries to change that hurt-everyone nonsense they call 'law'; he ain't blind). Why I like him. I actually like disagreeing with him on this one. But yes, he's no capitol punishment nut.
And I'm gonna do this, straight up. *breathe* Sorry David, best use of my fury at moment...
While posting this (I'm your webmistress--I don't post as self much for that reason), yes, I care, and very, very, very personally.
I am out of a broken home with a sex predator as described (I ran away). Apparently I alone was unscathed (the black sheep and loudmouth)--and mind you these phonecalls are coming in from family AS I WRITE THIS--David just heard me cry. No joke. And I don't cry much.
HEY ABBOTT--that death penalty thing? NO WAY. They ain't calling the people with guns right now (and they're aplenty in my family); they're calling their one aunt they trust and thinks may have sane input. They didn't even call the police--they called ME, the only one that got out. They don't trust the police.
They want help. Help. Not a bullet. Not a chair. Help. THESE ARE HIS CHILDREN you think they'd call me with a death penalty applied?!?!?!
Less than my usual logic at moment, but I wanted people to know exactly what it's like on this end. This is actually way personal to me.
PS: This just got real different than the comment that didn't take--I guess that's why it didn't; I cared cuz I knew. But I didn't know. It's on voicemail at a mile-a-minute right now.
Abbott, you're asking me to chair my brother. MY BROTHER. I hate his guts, but I'd sooner put a bullet in his head myself than send him to you.
And I'm sure I'm not the only one. This proposed law is stupid, stupid, stupid, and I think an attempt to have "crime" numbers drop, simply because more crimes go unreported. Period.
And that makes me REAL MAD. As I'm here to HELP.
~ snarko!
The frustration and pain Snarko articulates is almost palpable. In 1992 I felt a similar anguish after a phone call from a young friend of the family. She told me that someone in the family had sexually assaulted her (no penetration but other acts). I knew who it was before she finished the sentence because he had molested me when I was 16. Although she was 19 then, she looked 15 tops. Through details I'll spare the reader, we realized that in the 15+ years between my experience and her's he had molested (or worse) countless adolescents -- his age preference.
We both had lots of therapy. Yet my guilt for failing to protect all those other girls continued to wear upon my psyche and health. Over the phone, a decade after my young friend's call and almost three decades since my own molestation, I finally found the courage to confront my sexual predator. I'd had surgery earlier that day and was strung out on residual anesthesia and pain meds. I don't recall exactly what either of us said but I do remember a sense of relief.
He thanked me for finally saying something that he had been afraid to; apologizing and telling me that he had recognized his sickness and also had lots of therapy. My sister nearly left him but didn't. She and I still haven't talked about it and she's the type who probably never will. My neice has since his claims.
Do I regret not reporting him to authorities (or at least my sister) those many years ago? Sure but I had my 16 year old reasons. After an argument with my dad, he and my sister had been banned from our house for over a year. I didn't want to lose my sister again.
Here's the kicker...in every other regard, this sexual predator is a good man. He helped raise two wonderful children (to my knowledge, never molested either)who now have children of their own. He has been a "friend in need" to many even some he didn't know that well.
In light of the general attitude toward and legal subjegation of those labeled sex offender or pedophile -- including those unjustly convicted -- I'm glad I never reported him and would probably not report him if it happened today. I would however if I knew that he'd be mandated intensive therapy and close observation -- but still allowed the basics of human survival (a place to live, employment, a chance to redeem oneself).
Not only does Abbott's plan threaten children abducted or molested by someone sick enough to kill his (or her) victim. It also threatens children who would not wish to sentence their uncle or brother-in-law to possible death. Those who don't address the psychological damage caused by this conflict might grow up to victimize other children or like me carry it around in their gut wondering "why am I in such pain?"
Don't get me started on the situations such as some poor slob convicted because of an ugly breakup, vengeful ex, and inept public defender. Or registered sex offenders who are already in hiding or on the run because of the catch-22 between the facts homelessness and parole violations. Nobody wants pedophiles living in their neighborhood or shelter (I've tried to help some RSO's seek housing...it ain't easy) but if they don't have an address to report, they go back to prison. Martha Wong's idea to lock them up for life might actually be more compassionate than releasing them to a world where they have no where to sleep and cannot get a job; much less take medications and maintain therapy appointments. At least in prison, they had a cot, food, and sometimes a job.
I'm honored to support an attorney general who will have the intellect, logic, empathy, and compassion to consider all issues involved in the safety of our most vulnerable. Thank you David for being the voice of reason.
~ Anonymous
Re: Don't Build Walls; Just Enforce the Law!
What about legal immigrants who are already US Citizens and are disabled and was employed by Attorney Greg. I was unfairly terminated due to my disability, and I do not think he cares. He is handicapped himself, but he terminated one of his employees who was and can be a hard worker if given the chance. Grounds to sue, but no one in Harris County is willing to go up against the Federal Government. How fair is that?
~ T.N.
I believe Greg Abbott did this "unconstitutional performance" because he knows the voters he is targeting want change. I also believe this to be true on the other "questionable" things he's recently done.
The reason there is a heavy early voting turn out is not for the same old same, but for change!
Good for David Van Os, that Greg Abbott is doing these questionable things so close to election day.
~ Shirley Adams
The Berlin Wall that we as Americans denounced so much for so long was, however, a solid wall completely separating East Berlin and the Soviet Nations from West Berlin and the remainder of the Free World. A fence along our border would not be 100% closed. It would allow for immigrants to come into the U.S. legally, aquiring all the major public benefits as us natural-born citizens. The fence would only discourage illegal entrance. Your proposal to instead bust law-breaking employers is a good idea, however, I am going to have to hear a more elaborate reasoning behind not supporting the idea of a fence being built. Aren't there more pros than cons to the fence?
Thank You for you provision of information.
~ Cody Wells, Stephenville TX
Cody,
Thanks for your feedback.
People in the Rio Grande Valley are in an uproar over the idea of a fence along the border. Retailers don't want it because of the economic effect, ranchers don't want it because of the eminent domain aspects, other people don't want it because of the disruption of the border way of life which has existed for many decades. Valley mayors are speaking out heavily against it.
People in the Valley do feel that it would be like a Berlin wall.
The elaborate and lengthy fencing will be enormously costly. Real terrorists will figure out ways to get past it. It will give a false sense of security. And it will be a cause and source of great resentment. It will become an odious symbol in many eyes just like the Berlin wall, even if not a solid wall with zero passage.
And truly, as an American, the imagery of a fenced national border seems out of character for our country, to me anyway. I think it is a step in the wrong direction for our self-image as the unique land which is a beacon of hope to the world. I still believe in that beacon.
But I don't want anybody to be violating our laws with impunity. The employment of masses of undocumented immigrants through the payment of substandard wages is a disaster for everybody.
Busting employers who offer such employment is I think a much better way to stem the tide of undocumented immigrants than building a big fence/wall. They are coming for jobs and it is the only sensible way to eliminate the employment attraction that induces them to come.
A year or two worth of a list of big busts will establish real deterrence I believe. And it will provide I think an improved measure of respect for the impartial rule of law in our democracy.
Maybe we don't agree on this, and if so that's OK. I don't insist on lockstep agreement with everything I think and I don't think you do either. One of the famous Texans of our past said, "If any two people tell you they agree on everything, one of them is a liar."
The thing to look for in those who offer themselves for public service to their fellow citizens is not 100% agreement because there's no such thing if people are honest, but whether they honestly call it the way they see it, whether they talk straight about it, and whether they are willing to keep an open mind to differing viewpoints.
You're not getting straight shooting from Greg Abbott; you're getting a packaged and paid for bundle of consultants' scripts.
~ David Van Os
Re: on Overhauling Child Support Enforcement
Praise God and David Van Os. Finally a politician that is telling the TRUTH. The Texas OAG under Greg Abbott and his band of Costellos has taken gross neglience to an all time HIGH. Never in ALL of my years of witnessing CROOKED politicians has there been one more evil and self-centered than Greg Abbott.
If I have anything to do about it and I do as a registered voter - Greg's days on the gravey train will be coming to an end. I wish he could be prosecuted for all of the pain and suffering he has caused my family.
His kangaroo system allowed the deadbeat dad to become 19 THOUSAND DOLLARS in ARREARS. All the while knowing exactly how to located him - he has his own business and has lived in the same residence.
Instead after years of run around and insults by his "administrative staff," I got upset and used a few choice words of my own. RESULT: Nope they didnt go after the dad - they came after me and REMOVED themselves from collecting on my case. But that is an oxy moron (just like Greg) because how can an agency remove themselves from providing services they never provided in the first place.
YOU GO DAVID - all the way to the winners circle and all the way to AUSTIN with my blessings. All I ask when you get there is PLEASE LET ME COME AND PACK UP GREG'S BELONGINGS!
I'll miss Greg like I'll miss a hemorrhoid - nothing more than a pain in the . . . . .
~ Sandi M, Dallas TX
David - I am so in your corner! Coming from the labor movement, I was able to see you in action. You are truly a person who cares about people. So, there is no question in my mind that you would take care of the families who use the child support system.
You have two certain votes in November IF THE ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEM IS NOT SCREWED UP!
~ Dee
I'm a republican but I am a conservative first and a non-custodial parent. What I find outrageous is the lack of accountability on the custodial parent of a child. My daughter is raised by a mother that only cares for the money and not for the daughter. I have gone to the government, but like the mother they only care for the money. I am also shocked to see how the government forces the non-custodial to earn and income yet does not force the same on the non-custodial parent. It's high time both partners are forced to work and the government to lay down the law. AND if the custodial refuses then the noncustodial should get the benefit of claiming that child on his taxes and some sort of benefit. Because right now fathers are almost always on the losing end of the stick. I am furious over how fathers are dealt with like we must be finanically punished while the mother gets tax free money and the ability to claim the child for taxes.
Will you address the injustice dealt to fathers/non-custodial parent? If so i will vote outside party lines for you. I WANT CHANGE!
I'm sick of feeling like my party does not care what conservatives say about child support and illegals in this nation.
Borders,Language, and Culture.A
~ Anonymous
Yes, sir. David will. I assure you. I have discussed this at length with him and the first thing he plans to do upon being elected is to create a TRUE ombudsman division who will review each and every problem case and sold them, no matter what it takes or what it costs.
You may think you are a Republican, but what have they actually done for you lately? In fact, what have they done for you at all?
~mpunfun
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