O'Reilly: The Most Dangerous States for American Kids

billoreilly.com ^ | 3-17-06 | Bill O'Reilly

[cgk]

The Most Dangerous States for American Kids
By: Bill O'Reilly for BillOReilly.com Thursday, Mar 16, 2006
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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[FOG724]

You notice that most of them seem to be liberal east coast towns. I don't see anything very far west on that list.

[Treader]

I agree! Yet, you are the first person to respond on this FreeRepublic forum, even though I have mentioned Stogner vs Calif. several times prior to this well intentioned thread. O'Reilly has an agenda of pushing individual child molestation cases for flash & cash- much the same as Greta. There is no media traction to be found on Stogner vs Calif, much less, any interest on a conservative forum like FreeRepublic. I will not be amazed at the response- when these fine folks start hearing about the consequence of aftermath, by this SCOTUS abomination. They will howl & wail, and our children will pay the piper.

[Treader]

I will also add that not only were 840 convicted child molesters released without a hold of any kind, but over 200 pending cases were dropped.

[cgk]

Pretty stunning, I thought. I was amazed that ID and WY were included, as I thought they were probably safer than say, CA or WA...

[FOG724]

I've never thought my kids were in danger here in CA. They have roamed all over since they were quite young. Always knew where they were and what they were doing. Even now as teenagers they check in.

[Treader]

also...There will be no other queries or responses to your post or mine, in regards to Stogner vs Calif. The sheep are grazing while their lambs are being assigned a living death.

[shelterguy]

So, can you give us the condensed version of it please?

[lizma]

but where do you get off claiming "we"?

Calm down dear one!

I didn't personally attack you, I was attacking the liberal mind set that puts themselves before their children. You can't deny that doesn't exist today. We see many parents today who won't take their time to raise their kids let alone sacrifice for them. Those are the "we" I was talking about.

My great grandparents sent their kids away so they would never become the kind of Russians you and your family fought. The first job my grandfather and his brother had when they moved to America was with the US Army. My grandfather came back, his brother did not.

There is no "genetic" superiority in fighting for a cause you believe in, freedom. Do I think that people that lay down their lives and sacrifice for freedom are superior to those who do not? Yep, count me guilty. But do I think most Americans are up to the task? Absolutely not.

What did I do? Did I join the military? No. I married a guy in the Uniformed Services who teaches our military doctors how to take better care of our wounded and what to do if we face a biological attack, when he's not deployed. My father and my uncles fought in WWII. My nephew just joined the USAF last summer and my cousin just became a Commander in the Navy 2 months ago. Few more did their time a long the way. I think my Russian grandfather would be proud of us.

You might need to cut your fellow freepers a little more slack sometimes. Remember we're on your side and respect your service! One of the few places today that truly does.

[R. Scott]

She is going to be REALLY REALLY upset Delaware is not listedin this column - poor baby.

Give it time?

[nutmeg]

FoxFan ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my FoxFan list. *Warning: This can be a high-volume ping list at times.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!