OT - Politics, Religion... the taboos

[Irulan]

In a way I feel sorry for the guy, such a waste of talent. He was my teacher after all. Supremely talented, gifted but at minimum he's deeply flawed and possibly downright evil. I'm sure he knows that if not for that he'd be a master instructor by this time. Oh well.

I would never, ever feel sorry for someone who makes a choice to use their power/position inappropriately no matter how much supposed "talent" is being thrown away. How many abusers have had people make concessions because they were only caught once, they were an asset to the business or community in other ways, or they had a lapse in judgement or any of 10000 other excuses that charismatic abusers get away with. He made the decision to do the things he did, no one forced him or coerced him, unlike his victims.

Irulan

[Trek420]

poor choice of words on my part...First of all I've never understood why no legal action was not taken at the time, why he's not in jail .... or worse. As far as I know nobody sued, prosecuted...

I wasn't around the school when the "fit hit the shan" but I don't think there is a statute of limitations on this heinious (sp?) crime and even if there is it would not have been passed then.

The fact that it's around a martial art is most deeply deeply disturbing to me. that's the whole thing with power and the implication to a kid ... I'm surprised the guy is still on the planet.

and no I don't think pedophiles could ever ever change, rehabilitate whatever you want to call it, some people just take up space and oxygen on the planet that could better be used by others or ferns or whatever.

[slinkedog]

Okay, I'm chiming in, now. I grew up Catholic, but converted to Protestantism a long time ago. I am one who does not view pedophiles as homosexuals and vice versa.

I have to say that I do feel somewhat sorry for those who perpetrate crimes. We are all operating from some level of damage. Some of us are more damaged than others. Some of the severely damaged can go on to lead very healthy lives. Some cannot. I don't know if that is a matter of choice or a matter of frailty, but I don't think it's up to me to decide that. All who have been hurt have my compassion. Yes, I feel angry when I hear about someone being subjected to violence or abuse. It turns my gut. I do believe there is evil in the world, but I believe it's kind of a trickle-down effect, if that makes any sense at all.

This is not to say that I don't think people should be held responsible for their actions. We most certainly should be. However, I still feel badly for everyone involved. And I am thankful for the grace that has been bestown upon me by others all my life. I've needed all of it that I've gotten and then some!!

[Veronica]

And I am thankful for the grace that has been bestown upon me by others all my life.

I like that. It just struck a chord for some reason. Me - I thank god - or whoever is in charge - that I have it so good. I don't know how I got to this place, or if I deserve it, but I'm awfully thankful to be here.

V.

[slinkedog]

I like that. It just struck a chord for some reason. Me - I thank god - or whoever is in charge - that I have it so good. I don't know how I got to this place, or if I deserve it, but I'm awfully thankful to be here.

V.

Well said, V.

[spazzdog]

I hear you... I thank the gods that I am only a little crazy when I see what all the other crazies are doing.

As to molestation/rape not being about sex, I agree. It's all about power, control, intimidation.

I'm kind of "show no mercy" on the punishment of these folks though. That goes for priests, doctors lawyers, indian chiefs or Cardinals of the church. Either shoot 'em or throw them into gen pop in a prison sooner than later. Child molesters last about 2 wks in prison, if they're lucky.

spazz

[Trek420]

well said both V and Slink. Both posts remind me of a Carribean family saying from a friend of mine, goes a little something like this "don't envy other peoples burdens because what they carry lightly might break your back".

You never know what others have gone through, though their lives may look charmed or very lucky.

[doc]

Homosexual does not equal pedophile. One is an expression of love/desire between two adults, the other is the crime of rape. And pedophilia happens to boys and girls. Almost always by men. So instead of homosexual = pedophile maybe we should say male = pedophile. Well that sounds ridiculous doesn't it? Because it is!!!

I am straight, and -shhhh don't tell - liberal. Yet I find myself suddenly in the South. Talk about a fish out of water. When I read the newspaper I am frightened every day. The politicians here not only say outrageous religious right ****, but they are proud to say it and face NO Backlash. From anyone!

They regularly say stuff like, "Well they may think homosexuality is ok in NY, but down here we think it's a sin". "And so is nudity". These are real quotes. This whole country voted for the religious right agenda and that scares me too.

Question, how could gay marriage, in any way shape or form, ruin the sanctity of my straight marriage? These people are paranoid, probably closeted homosexuals, and persecuting others in the name of god. That karma is hopefully going to come around and bite them in the ***.

Anyway, thats just my opinion. That and $3.00 will get you something at starbucks.

[trayc]

I haven't read all of the other posts yet so this comment might have already been made. As I am not catholic I don't know this information but isn't it true that boys make up most of the altar boys or other areas in church? If so, then that is the only reason that the priests abused boys. Pedophilia is a crime of opportunity and manipulation so it stands to reason that it was boys not girls abused because the priests had more of an opportunity with boys and not girls. It doesn't make the preists gay because they chose boys to prey on, they just had more of an opportunity to prey on these boys.