LadyeHawke

Pittsburgh, PA

Poll: Pa. Voters Unhappy With Rendell, Lawmakers

Harrisburg is in need of "redding " up; from top to bottom. May we PA taxpayers remember in November. Some of these people have to go ... to jail, as far as I'm concerned. Some others have to go because they're followers and not leaders. Watch. This budget will be brokered behind closed doors. The "Sunshine " law will be broken yet again. Just watch.  (Jul 25, 2009 | post #7)

Pittsburgh, PA

90 Grave Markers Toppled At Pittsburgh Cemetery; Beer Cans Left...

I agree with you. My neigbor's wife is buried there. He is still grieving her death just this past February. And, now, this. Even though her stone won't be placed until next year, after the ground settles, this vandalism just added to his sorrow. He wants to do something... something. He just wept on our porch yesterday. I just wanted to share how just one family has been affected by this crime.  (Jul 8, 2009 | post #2)

Pittsburgh, PA

Western Pa. Child Rapist Faces Up To 40 Years

Yes, sir...few and far between who have taken the time to speak with me when I've shared in a public forum. They tell me how sorry they are that that happened to me. It's not about the perpetrator, FP, it's about letting another human being know how they feel for what they went through...nothing more. That has been my experience. No talk about rights, etc. For in that situation, it's not the time to talk about our Constitution. I'll continue to share in public forums. And, only a few people will personally come up to express their sympathies. The others who share will be those who themselves are survivors of assaults. Few of them have gone into counseling for various reasons; I encourage them to get the help because they are worth it. They have a difficult time believing that.  (Jul 8, 2009 | post #20)

Pittsburgh, PA

Pa. Man Charged In Rape Of 5-year-old Girl

He was drunk. Whattaya know about that? Sooo, he ought to be excused for his "bad-boy " behavior? Ohhhh please! Opps, he has rights, we must remember. The little girl will have this to remember, to be sure, for her entire life. And, yes I understand that we are to be grateful for our Constitution. I just can't help but think that this was not the intent of our founding fathers.  (Jul 7, 2009 | post #2)

Pittsburgh, PA

Western Pa. Child Rapist Faces Up To 40 Years

Thank you, Old Cynic. When I share my story in an audience, without fail at least one person will inquire as to how I was dressed and how I was acting. No compassion; no even wanting to understand how such a violent act could happen without much resistance on my part. I was about four years old when the incest began. What else is there to say? My parents are in denial that anything happened. My mother says that I'm a liar and that I'm crazy and should be locked up. My children --2 grown daughters & 2 grown sons -- have had no involvement with my parents since I severed connections with them some 25 yrs ago. They've run into them over the years and it has been ugly with my father making a big scene. Sooo, I am grateful for your willingness to share what you think. I can tell you that people such as you are few and far between.  (Jul 7, 2009 | post #18)

Pittsburgh, PA

Western Pa. Child Rapist Faces Up To 40 Years

Hi FP. Interesting that you mention the Constitution. Some years ago, I attended a gathering of folks who appeared on KDKA. The topic was pornography. I shared briefly how I had been sexually assaulted. Following the TV broadcast, two ACLU members made a point to inform me that Amendments #4 and #14 did not apply to me. There was no compassion, no understanding; they spoke matter-of-factly. As the fourth Amendment deals with unreasonable searches and the forteenth Section 1 deals with abridging priviledges or immunities of citizens, to this day, I don't understand their comment. I'm not requesting another's rights to be removed; I'm simpling reminding people to please remember the victim. That's all.  (Jul 7, 2009 | post #12)

Pittsburgh, PA

Western Pa. Child Rapist Faces Up To 40 Years

This is the problem. In my humble opinion, our justice system is in dire need of a serious overhaul. Any reparations ought to go to the victims; not the state. I've had much time to think this through, FP. I don't speak lightly about perpetrators or victims. In the case of abuse, in most situations, perpetrators are themselves survivors of abuse. My father came out of a violent, abusive home. We suffered from his violent outbursts. Now, those who have been convicted of such violent crimes...what are we, as a society, to do? As I've received counseling, I understand the importance of such help. The way our system is set up, convicted perpetrators receive little help, if I'm correct. At the very least, they may have 12 Step meetings...better than nothing. To be in such an atmosphere, though, how can anyone truly change for the better? It seems to me that we're creating more hardened criminals. These are just some of my thoughts. I think for a survivor of violent abuse, I'm viewing this situation rather well. I don't want them to be harmed, you understand. They've already experienced that. Yet, they must make some kind of "payment " for the harm they caused others. Victims must be remembered also. This is where I see monetary payments come in...at the very least.  (Jul 6, 2009 | post #10)

Pittsburgh, PA

Western Pa. Child Rapist Faces Up To 40 Years

FP, ahhh, indeed, you are a puzzlement to me. Sir, I'm not suggesting that those convicted of such henious crimes walk free. I'm merely commenting that they ought to also make reparations to their victims. I've had to pay out of my own pocket for my counseling. I'm just stating what I consider to be obvious... they ought to pay, not just in prison time; they ought to pay financially.  (Jul 5, 2009 | post #7)

Pittsburgh, PA

Crafton police officer charged in hit-and-run

Dear Dont Judge, it was dark and raining when I ran over something. I stopped my car to check it out. It was a dog. I took the time to move the dead dog out of the road so no one else would have to feel as badly as I did. This was what I did for a dog. Yes, I would stop. Now, my father who drank and drove ... I cannot speak for him.  (Jul 5, 2009 | post #9)

Pittsburgh, PA

Hazelwood cemetery vandalism upsets families

They ought to have to pay for what they did... whether they're paycheck has money taken out or it's part of their sentence. They ought to be held accountable and make the necessary reparations. For this kind of a crime, sitting in jail or prison only creates people with more issues.  (Jul 4, 2009 | post #4)

Pittsburgh, PA

Crafton police officer charged in hit-and-run

This is a concern of mine, to be sure.  (Jul 4, 2009 | post #6)

Pittsburgh, PA

Western Pa. Child Rapist Faces Up To 40 Years

Hi FP. Speaking as a survivor of sexual abuse, I'd like people such as this male pay for the care that this little girl will need. She may not want to go to counseling at the moment for what ever reason. However, the day will come that she'll want...need to. I'm saying this across the board for any and all criminals really. Sitting in prison while their victims must pay for care, for example, is morally wrong.  (Jul 4, 2009 | post #4)

Pittsburgh, PA

Crafton police officer charged in hit-and-run

I'd be interested in knowing just who the friends were in the other vehicle. They ought to be held responsible for not reporting this hit and run which caused the death of a human being. Yet again, alcohol and driving DO NOT MIX! Obviously, this message has yet to register in those who choose to imbibe and drive while under the influence. This holds true to judges, attorneys, and law enforcement as well as the general public.  (Jul 4, 2009 | post #4)

Pittsburgh, PA

The future of Pittsburgh: Stop blaming commuters

I'm attempting to understand, truly, where you're coming from on this particular issue. If, for example, you were involved in an automobile accident in the suburbs, you would not receive a bill from the police or the fire department for coming to your aid. These are services that we already pay for. Where I live, we pay a yearly subscription for ambulance service. When ever the volunteer fire department holds fund raisers, we gladly help out...and I'm not talking about throwing one or two dollars into the boot. If the commuter tax is raised again, it will cause us an additional burden. We're not rich by any means. We're just regular people going about our regular lives. Sorry...I'm going off of the topic.  (Jul 2, 2009 | post #19)

Pittsburgh, PA

The future of Pittsburgh: Stop blaming commuters

Hi Old Cynic. Once again, you come directly to the point. That's what I like about you : - ) Regarding the article... yes, Pgh w/out commuters would be in worse straits than it is already.  (Jun 30, 2009 | post #3)