Posted on 03/17/2006 5:59:17 PM PST by cgk
The Most Dangerous States for American Kids |
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| By: Bill O'Reilly for BillOReilly.com Thursday, Mar 16, 2006 |
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| For those of you who still believe the justice system in America is working, consider the following. For three years, 46-year old Andrew Selva sexually brutalized two boys, ages 5 and 12, in a small town outside of Columbus, Ohio. In a plea bargain, Selva admitted to the court that he raped the boys in a variety of ways. By all accounts, it was savage criminal activity. But when Selva appeared for sentencing before Ohio Judge John Connor, he received no prison time at all. Instead, Connor placed him on probation, saying, "He's got a disease like I've got a disease. I don't know that prison would have helped, except for revenge, and revenge is not in the sentencing guidelines." What the sentencing guidelines did call for was a ten-year stretch in a state prison. But Connor believes he knows better, so it is probation for a child rapist. By the way, the "disease" Connor referenced in his own case is apparently alcohol-related; the judge has at least two DUI convictions on his sheet. This kind of sentencing insanity is increasing across the country because many states, like Ohio, have no mandatory minimum prison terms for child predators and, as we all know, there is no shortage of loony judges like Connor. While some states have passed Jessica's Law, which harshly punishes child molesters, other states simply will not do anything. The following are the most dangerous to a child's welfare. Vermont: Even after the national scandal of Judge Edward Cashman sentencing the rapist of an 8-year old girl to just 60 days in prison (under pressure, Cashman later revised the sentence to a paltry three years), the Vermont legislature failed to pass mandatory minimums for child sexual predators. The effort was blocked by Democrats, and Republican Governor Jim Douglas refused to get involved. New York: Despite overwhelming bipartisan support for Jessica's Law, Democratic Assemblyman Sheldon Silver continues to single-handedly block any vote. Governor Pataki vows to go around Silver. Maryland: No mandatory minimums for sexual crimes against children. The Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Democrat Joseph Vallario, has consistently blocked efforts to pass Jessica's Law. Massachusetts: Absolutely no mandated protection for kids who are brutalized sexually. The judge is free to bestow any sentence. Speaker of the House Sal Dimasi, a Democrat, has killed every piece of tough sex offender legislation that has been introduced. Wyoming: No minimum prison sentences and no GPS tracking for convicted sex offenders. Governor Dave Freudenthal, a Democrat, doesn't seem to care. Arkansas: No minimum prison sentences. Governor Mike Huckabee, a Republican, doesn't seem to care. Tennessee: No minimum prison terms for child sex crimes. Democratic Governor Phil Bredensen doesn't seem to care. Idaho: No minimum prison terms for child sex crimes. Republican Governor Dirk Kempthorne doesn't seem to care. North Dakota: No minimum prison sentences for any sexual acts with minors. Governor John Hoeven, a Republican, says he is "studying" ways to change that. Also, the states of Colorado, Wisconsin, Maine, Kansas, and Montana have weak laws protecting kids, but at least there are politicians in those states trying to change things. In the Ohio case where the child rapist received parole, and in the Vermont case where the man who raped the little girl initially got 60 days, the three victims were poor kids. Their parents had no money, no influence, and no hope of challenging the wicked judges. I submit those awful sentences would not have been handed down if the rapists had abused wealthy children. But be that as it may, any state that will not severely punish an adult who rapes a child is a disgraceful state. And everybody living there should know it. |
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What states would be in the last 2 decades? Careful!!!
Sure, Big O'Really is casting a spotlight upon these horrible injustices. Yet, when he was made well aware of the SCOTUS reversal of Stogner vs Calif., he never made a peep. He still hasn't! For those unaware- the SCOTUS reversal of Stogner vs Calif., caused the State of California to release 840 convicted child molesters. SCOTUS based the reversal upon English law from the 1700's. I'm sure it was just coincidence, that this abominable decision was made public at the same time as the Texas Sodomite ruling. Guess which one got all the attention?
My great grand parents knew the communist revolution was bad news, sent their kids away to America and never saw them again.
Tough stuff. Doubt we could match it.
The MSM is too worked up about the sacred privacy right of Osama bin Ladin to make phone calls to terror cells in the U.S. Of course they don't have time to question the decisions of lenient and corrupt judges. Now if that Ohio judge had given out the most severe sentence allowable you would hear the MSM second-guessing the judge.
Gosh, I'm real sorry. I'm guilty, I guess, of not staying on top of conviction rates relative the rest of the nation. My only defense is that I know, and can vouch for, some fine citizens of several of these red states.
If only the state legislatures and the judicial branches were occupied by more of those folks...
That's right, sheriff, that big old rooster caught Clyde molesting the chickens again and done him in."
Yeah, something like that. P
That is one list I am glad to see that Virginia is not on.
That "day" hasn't passed yet. It just doesn't make the news. :-)
Officer: How'd the accident happen?
Concerned farmer: I accidently ran him over with my tractor..........four times.
Yup...something like that. :-)
Stogner vs California certainly needs to be brought to public attention.
Me too. Good for O'Reilly. He has done a real service here.
Me, too.
There is a really dimbulb wench on a Delaware forum I frequent who is really oging to be upset to see this as she claims that Delaware is the easiest state in the nation on child sex offenders and they know it is a safe haven because the state and all employers welcome them with open ares. She is going to be REALLY REALLY upset Delaware is not listedin this column - poor baby.
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