As is my style here, I am going to re-visit an issue, but look at it from a slightly different perspective. The death of Brooke Bennett in a small Vermont town, and the circumstances of her death, along with some of the debate cry out for a different perspective.
It is doubtful that this unfortunate young lady did not die at the hands of her pedophile uncle. It is aslo equally as doubtful that her ex-stepfather didn't have a hand in both her potential victimization, and in her death. These facts alone are sufficient to bring up the lunch of the toughest of folks....
But the debate has moved to the parents...to the mother. The more than reasonable question that is being asked is : Where was the mother? Where were the parents? These are excellent questions looking at this from the "parental responsibility" perspective. Anyone who has read any of my threads knows I'm a big "personal" and "parental responsibility" person.
Folks, that is insufficient in this case. You can line up a hundred folks to tell me she should have known and I'll say back to them: She DID know! It is just humanly impossible to have a Level 3 classified (more than one convictions folks...more than one...) brother (brother in law?) who is a pedophile, and an ex-husband who aided him in his perverse criminal activities, without knowing. Please don't offer that option. It only helps the pedophiles.
Look at the house. A 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath center entrance colonial with a two car attached garage? New Construction? No other houses to be seen in the news footage? Puh-lease. How did he afford that? Level 3 sex offenders can't get a job flippin' burgers at the local Mickey D's, to say nothing of having the wherewithall to live in a house as big as mine!!! Puh-lease.
Here's the sad truth. What you have seen is the tip of the pedophilic iceberg in Randolph, Vermont. This "ring" was large, and profitable. And this mother knew about it. You see, she is a "perv magnet". She is around them, and they are around her. She was involved sexually with at least one of them (her ex-husband) and God knows how many else. She knew.
So let's stop making excuses. Let's stop asking questions that are completely relevant in other situations, but are grossly naive here. Let's acknowledge that where perverts exist, so do pervert magnets. And, let's hold them equally responsible. We need to do two things:
1. We need to broaden our perspective on accountability where child sexual abuse is concerned. We need to hold those, who are likely spectators, equally as responsible as the perpetrators. Legally responsible.
2. And, we need to develop a technology that can cure people of pedophilic urges. We need to invest as much money and time and emotion as we have to finding the cures for cancer or AIDS.
When all is said and done in Randolph, Vermont, we're going to find many many more perpetrators, and more victims...many many more victims. My guess? Mom was a victim at some point in her life...Not an excuse...an observation.
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nomorehacks
Jul 8, 2008 | 1:36 PM |
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Xantun
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Chip
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Marky49
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tod1214
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nomorehacks
Jul 8, 2008 | 4:16 PM |
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tod1214
Jul 8, 2008 | 4:17 PM |
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Chip
Jul 8, 2008 | 4:20 PM |
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tod1214
Jul 8, 2008 | 5:09 PM |
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TheEliteOne
Jul 8, 2008 | 6:19 PM |
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colleenagnes
Jul 8, 2008 | 8:51 PM |
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Chip
Jul 8, 2008 | 10:25 PM |
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tom1964
Jul 9, 2008 | 1:24 AM |
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Chip
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tom1964
Jul 9, 2008 | 7:29 AM |
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Patches08
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Chip
Jul 9, 2008 | 9:22 AM |
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heatherfont
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TheEliteOne
Jul 9, 2008 | 10:21 AM |
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Chip
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Just your average guy, married to a woman who is incredibly smart and possibly more conservative than I am. Father of three and grandfather of one soon to be two. Devoted Patriots fan and season ticket holder, snowmobile enthusiast and lifelong public servant.
Member Since: 9/26/2006