Mar 8, 2012
StrangerFan commented on The Biggest Bullies.
I try my hardest to put myself in others' shoes, to give the benefit of the doubt in situations where people behave in a manner that I wouldn't choose. But I'm a parent, and the idea of rejecting my child completely, of casting him out of my life, for ANY reason much less one that doesn't harm any living creature, produces a blank wall of total incomprehension. What kills me is that these are often the same people that trumpet "family values," including working their hardest to make sure every fetus becomes a kid. But once those kids are in the world, and develop into someone you don't agree with? They're screwed. Horrible.
Feb 17, 2012
StrangerFan commented on Vagina Is For Probers.
Um, anyone else noticing the "protect the unborn: vote to overturn roe v. wade" ad on the right hand side of this column? WTF Stranger, did you need ad dollars THAT badly?
Feb 15, 2012
StrangerFan commented on I, Anonymous.
so, the $4k donated is being taken directly from poor and sick children? please. these are DONATIONS, they're optional, don't believe in the cause? don't donate. i don't donate to the salvation army, but that doesn't stop me from donating to something I do believe in.....and what's wrong with acupuncture for pets? we're all mammals, with nerve endings, if it works for people why not canines.
Nov 10, 2011
StrangerFan commented on Penn State Students Are the 99 Percent of College Football.
Not just "sex abuse scandal." Cover-up of CHILD RAPE. Paterno gave 10 extra years of the ability to abuse children to Sandusky and never reported eyewitness accounts of child rape to the police. Wonder how those students would feel if it were their 10 year old brother who was anally raped in the locker room shower. Oh that's right, the victims were kids in an at-risk program, so socially miles away from these football-worshiping, privileged idiots.
Oct 27, 2011
StrangerFan commented on What Does It Take to Get Expelled From Union-Scioto High School?.
I sent the following message to all of the contacts Dan lists in his post, and I encourage everyone who has time to post a comment to SLOG to channel that energy and write to the school administration and police as well:
The Union-Scioto student who was caught ON VIDEO (as in, there is no question of debating circumstances or identity) repeatedly assaulting a fellow, 15 year-old student this week, should be charged with assault. The three-day suspension he received sends a message of tolerance of criminal behavior to every other student in the district, and does nothing to protect the attacker's fellow students from he or his peers repeating this behavior.
It has become clear that the victim's sexual orientation - he is openly gay - may well have influenced the decision to impose such a light penalty on the attacker. The attacker had previously harassed the victim on Facebook (so, again, ON THE RECORD) regarding his orientation, so we do know it was the motivation. Ask yourself: if the victim had been a black student and the attacker an open racist, would the punishment have differed? If so, then shame on the school administration, as NO child - and a 15 year old is a child - should have to live in fear of physical harm being done to him at school.
Apart from the morality of the situation (i.e, it is inherently wrong to not impose consequences on the attacker at level with the crime committed) - technically speaking, beating up anyone is without doubt a criminal activity, and should be treated as such.
I assume some of you may well be parents, as I am. Ask yourselves: what if your child had been assaulted? Would you even for a second hesitate in bringing to bear the full power of the law? The administration is charged with providing a secure environment in which children can receive an education, without fear. The police are charged with enforcing the law in their communities. DO YOUR JOBS.
More...
The Union-Scioto student who was caught ON VIDEO (as in, there is no question of debating circumstances or identity) repeatedly assaulting a fellow, 15 year-old student this week, should be charged with assault. The three-day suspension he received sends a message of tolerance of criminal behavior to every other student in the district, and does nothing to protect the attacker's fellow students from he or his peers repeating this behavior.
It has become clear that the victim's sexual orientation - he is openly gay - may well have influenced the decision to impose such a light penalty on the attacker. The attacker had previously harassed the victim on Facebook (so, again, ON THE RECORD) regarding his orientation, so we do know it was the motivation. Ask yourself: if the victim had been a black student and the attacker an open racist, would the punishment have differed? If so, then shame on the school administration, as NO child - and a 15 year old is a child - should have to live in fear of physical harm being done to him at school.
Apart from the morality of the situation (i.e, it is inherently wrong to not impose consequences on the attacker at level with the crime committed) - technically speaking, beating up anyone is without doubt a criminal activity, and should be treated as such.
I assume some of you may well be parents, as I am. Ask yourselves: what if your child had been assaulted? Would you even for a second hesitate in bringing to bear the full power of the law? The administration is charged with providing a secure environment in which children can receive an education, without fear. The police are charged with enforcing the law in their communities. DO YOUR JOBS.
Sep 29, 2011
StrangerFan commented on SL Letter of the Day: Bad Tattitude.
"If you can't love that child too, lady, and if you can't see your boyfriend's feelings for his daughter as a credit to his character, then there's something terribly, terribly wrong with you."
One of your best clear, concise statements ever, Dan.
One of your best clear, concise statements ever, Dan.
Sep 27, 2011
StrangerFan commented on The Hateful Bigots Aren't All at Jamey Rodemeyer's High School.
There is a Taco Bell in the real town of St. George, UT.....but I still think this profile's a front for someone else.
Sep 20, 2011
StrangerFan commented on Bullied Teenager in Buffalo, NY, Takes His Own Life.
@sarat I agree, Williamsville is not a backwater town.....but all that you say in your second paragraph was true in the 80s and is still true today (I fell into the "not as wealthy" category, as well as the "screw you I'll dress as I please, listen to non-top-40 music and befriend all the other freaks" category). HOWEVER - as evidenced by my friend's daughter (cheerleaders were brutes in my time), as well as the experiences my nieces & nephews have had in the Wmsvl school system, I do think the atmosphere's improving. Unfortunately for Jamey, not enough though.
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