Inquiring Minds @ MyFoxAustin

I was in another part of the same highway and noticed this fire engine that decided to take the upperdeck of the highway at about 4pm that day with its lights on. Normally, not a bad decision as the traffic begins to build up later. Couldn't get a good shot of it stopped in traffic from where I was near 29th on the east side of the highway.

Drove around to the west side of the highway past 26th and headed to 19th (MLK) off of Red River. Turned back when I saw that I could catch a glimpse of it through the UT practice fields' gate.

Drove up to the gate at an angle and walked to the gate to capture this picture of the fire engine. It has given up moving forward after sitting there for 45 minutes and turned off its lights by this time. Hoping that there was no fire it still needed to respond to...I hope that all turned out well in the end on Tuesday, June 26th.

In following up on my Bits and Pieces posting, I had mentioned that Baby Emilio Gonzales' Mother was fighting hard to keep Baby Emilio, at 17mos old, sustained on resuscitation equipment for just a little bit longer.    On April 17th, the Court heard the matter and extended the hearing awaiting on other findings.  On May 8th, the Guardian ad Litem for Baby Emilio agreed with the doctors that the baby should no longer remain on resuscitation equipment and filed a legal brief so stating the decision.   While the legal brief had been filed in agreement with the doctors, it is unclear to the reported articles on MyFoxAustin whether or not the baby, at the time being 18mos, was actually taken off the resuscitation equipment or Baby Emilio Gonzales has actually died yesterday on his own as a direct result of the Leigh's Disease, a disease that attacks the central nervous system, last night, May 19, 2007.

In an Austin American-Statesman blurb, "Emilio Gonzales loses battle with illness", it is stated simply, "Mother who fought to continue son's treatment cradles 19-month-old at end."

In accordance with the Austin American-Statesman article, "Baby on life support dies of natural causes: Mother who fought to continue son's treatment cradles 19-month-old at end", serves to confirm that, in the end, Baby Emilio dies of natural causes and, as his attorney (JerriLynn Ward) puts it when interviewed, "God chose to take Emilio at this time".

It is disheartening to every Mom when their own child dies, much more so when your only child (and possibly your only child ever), Emilio Gonzales, dies in his Mom, Catarina Gonzales', own arms.   Much heartfelt sympathy will certainly be felt by the Lockhart community she and the baby are from, the Austin community where she and the baby stayed for the majority of his life, and communities around the world who have heard of the plight and fight for sustaining his life in the hospital. 

As per the Austin American-Stateman's article, it goes on to say:

"According to Texas law, once doctors give notice that they want to stop treating a patient against the family's wishes, they can start a process in which the family has 10 days to transfer the loved one to another facility.

The hospital and the court had given Gonzales and her supporters more time to find another facility, but months of searching had failed.

In recent weeks, a court-appointed guardian for Emilio had filed legal briefs backing the doctors' and hospital's intentions to stop treatment. The next court hearing had been scheduled for May 30.

[JerriLynn] Ward [Baby Emilio's attorney] said that Emilio's mother's fight was against the law permitting doctors to decide when to end treatment and that she didn't know if Catarina Gonzales would press the fight."

Whether or not Catarina Gonzales has the strength now to fight the fight to change the law should be a moot point, the legislation in the Texas' chambers should be continued to be fought for some degree of change because it is likely right around the corner there is another mother having to make that frightening decision of whether or not to continue resuscitation of her own child.  The laws need to be made clearer.  

In the meantime, whether or not you agree with Catarina Gonzales', the mother of Emilio Gonzales, decision, she should be put down in history as one of the strongest mothers in the world to have to fight for the right to her son's life in spite of the dismal prognosis of the son's fight with the illness of Leigh's Disease.  Hopefully, her fight will not be a futile one and laws can be changed to be clearer, as well as giving the loved ones more of a chance and voice to make such grueling decisions, as well as more of an awareness of the disease and more research can be given to a possible cure for this gripping and fatal disease in the future.

May peace be with Emilio Gonzales as he no longer suffers now.

May peace be with Catarina Gonzales and the families of them as they properly grieve their child missing from their arms.  May Catarina Gonzales, also, find peace and strength in the future, no matter which path she chooses (continuing to fight the legislation battles, making an awareness known more about the Leigh's Disease and a movement for a cure, or any other number of proactive measures in the memory of her son). 

 

Additional Information about Leigh's Disease:

National Institute of Neurological Disorders

Madison's Foundation - Moms & Dads in Search of Needed Support

Wikipedia:  Leigh's Disease

Addtional Information about Futile Care Legislation:

Futile Care Debate:  Prolonging Life or Suffering? (May 6, 2007)

Highlights from Texas Legislature (May 14, 2007)

as initially posted by me today in Worldly Inquiring Mind blog

I can understand that there is a reason to be quiet about notification rather than send the residents into a panic; but, geez this apartment complex needs to exercise some sense. They are talking about an alleged sexual assault (just because it is alleged doesn't mean that it didn't happen; just means that the crime suspect is innocent until proven guilty).

Is the apartment complex going to sit there until all the facts are in? Perhaps, at least, a confirmation that a report has been made (either to their office or to the police authorities).

Are they going to wait for trial before they announce that the sexual assault predator was on their property? Now, that would indeed seem preposterous as everyone knows that the trials can take for-ever to come around and the suspect may or may not be actually found guilty from a matter of 6 months to a year, perhaps more -- all depending on the caseload upon the Courts already -- although everyone is entitled to a "speedy trial".

What about the children of the residents who tend to play outside (sometimes even unintended)? Wouldn't it make sense that the parents be notified so that they can keep an extra close eye on their children outdoors. After all, how can the apartment complex make the decision that just because the alleged MO might have been an adult to adult situation; how could they determine that the predator was someone who prefer children but merely found an opportunity of an adult?

What about those who tend to come in after sunset? Don't they deserve to know that, while they probably do exercise caution and basic awareness of their surroundings, they might want to exercise an extra set of caution and awareness? How can the apartment complex (even if it is based on the Austin Police Department's Detective recommendations) assure that the predator won't continue to prey? Are they really willing to make that risk?

How would their ownership insurance of the property feel about the increased risk caused by the lack of response and concern to the safety of their residents? I think that they would be extremely alarmed by the slow reaction time of the management.

In Fox's article, Neighbors Upset with Police for Not Being Told About Sex Assault, they mentioned:

"Neighbors are angry and frightened after they say Austin Police left then in the dark about a sex crime in their own backyard. Residents at the Jefferson at Canyon Creek Apartments in Northwest Austin say they learned about the sex assault from the local news one month after the crime occurred. As FOX 7's Foti Kallergis reports, the sexual assault suspect is still on the run."

In Fox's subsequent follow up article (appearing on the site on the same day), Sex Assault Suspect Still on Run, stated:

"One month after a man sexually assaults a woman in Northwest Austin, police have released a sketch of the suspect.

Investigators say last month, a woman was walking her dog near the Jefferson at Canyon Creek Apartments in the 11000 block of Four Points Drive shortly after 1:00 a.m. Police say just as she was opening her door to get into her apartment, a man came behind her, forced his way in, and sexually assaulted her.

For the last month, the victim has been working with A.P.D. to help identify the man.

He is described as:

White male
21 to 22-years-old
6' to 6'2''
Muscular build, clean cut
Last seen wearing a baseball cap and long sleeve shirt..

Police describe him as a preppy fraternity boy meets construction worker. The victim was also able to describe a class ring attached to a chain and a thick belt buckle. You can see the police sketches of the suspect and his belongings in the photos associated with this story.

At this time detectives believe it was an isolated incident and even say the suspect may be living at the apartment complex.

"[The suspect] said he was very intoxicated, so he could have been someone who was coming home from drinking or something. It was more of a crime of opportunity than someone who was hiding out," says Det. Scott Stanfield with the Austin Police Dept.

If you recognize the person in the sketch, you are asked to call the A.P.D. sex crimes tip line number at (512) 974-5095."

A few things bother me, besides the story and story's follow up have been posted on the same day, that (1) the incident occurred several months ago, (2) lack of response of the apartment management to notify the residents about the incident having occurred on the property a month ago when it occurred, (3) lack of duty of care from the management to make the residents safe, (4) them presuming that it might just be an isolated incident, and the possibility that the alleged perpetrator may live on the property.

Because I do live in Austin, I heard Channel 42's News mention the name of the apartment complex of Tintara at Canyon Creek in their news broadcast tonight and on the video, while the stories written mention Jefferson at Canyon Creek. They are really two separate properties although they have access between the two properties since they are owned by the same owner, which is really a moot point. There are neighboring apartment complexes, residential neighborhoods, and businesses that deserved the right to know as well. As soon as they had the composite sketch, they should have posted it at the mailboxes of all the communities and windows of all the businesses. The chances that they would have the perpetrator by now would have dramatically increased by the prompt action.

Of course, the news broadcast mentions that the victim had just come along to the police station to provide a sketch description of the perpetrator this week; however, the sketch should have been released immediately.

UPDATE: Tintara Management respond as per Channel 42's News, but blames the security officer for just notifying them of the incident. Somehow, I don't think that the residents are going to be comforted any by that response read on the station.

Sad. Very sad.

Just in! This young girl, at Matagorda High School, excused herself from a band class and self-inflicted a wound upon herself. When the girl hadn't returned to class, the teacher sent another student to check up on her and found her dead.

At the end of the article, they mentioned that they were uncertain how the gun had been brought into the school. Oh, my gosh!

It is reported that she had been recently depressed. It is too bad that she didn't get the help that she needed in time and felt that she needed to resort to suicide. No reports yet on what set everything in the spiraling motion for her.

If you, or someone you know, is depressed, please know that there is help out there to help you.

High School on Lockdown After Student Suicide

Need Someone to Talk To? Samaritans are available 24hrs/day

Depression Help for You

Depression Help Prevention

Depression through NAMI.org (National Alliance for Mental Illness)

Depression Treatment, Medication, Help, Symptoms: Anxiety Attacks Depression Test, Types, ADHD Causes

Just kidding a bit; however, everyone knows that the attitude that many Missourians have is “Show Me”, which has been the motto of their state as well.

News has flied all over that President George Bush has vetoed a bill — the second only during his terms of offices — yesterday that involved in funding of the armed forces; but, also included a drawback of the forces beginning in October. It really should be no real surprise; after all, President Bush has made no bones about what his stance has been about any stance — especially, this one!

I am certainly not for any war; however, on the other hand, I am torn and certainly for getting the bad guys that are a threat to our very existence. If we are not achieving that, then we certainly need our generals to go back to the drawing board and revise their strategies; after all, that is there job — right???

After 911, we haven’t had any terroristic threats on our lands; this may be largely due to our presence in Iraq, as well as some other middle eastern countries. If we withdraw our troops in total, I wonder if we also loose some ground on having presence strategically placed.

Some of the complaints that I have seen from families of the armed forces is that they have been extending their tour of duties rather than bringing in the freshness and energies of new troops. I remember when my father was in Viet Nam when I was little. If the news kept coming back that my father’s tour of duty had been extended, I am sure that I would have been exasperated as well. Although just in the second grade at that time and not understanding the whole concept of the necessity of the war, I would be staying up each night and watching the news with my Mom — hoping and praying for his safe return to our family.

That being said though, I am certain that President Bush has his reasons to continue his stance of maintaining the troops presence in Iraq and in other countries. The funding does need to go through to support our troops; and, hopefully, for a refreshment of troops so that our troops are not continually having their tours extended.

I do know too that there are many civilians over in the war zones attempting to rebuild what has been torn down and helping them to build up a government that is more resembling a democracy form of government. Without the presence of the troops, are we not also putting our civilians there in danger?

I don’t have all the answers and do not profess to know all the ins and outs of the wars at hand. I do want the bad guys to be dealt with so that our threat to our very existence, which is often the basis of the wars, is diminished. One thing with certainty is that President Bush seems to be stating clearly, “Show Me!” that the necessity of pulling the troops will be in the best interest and safety of all. It will be interesting to see what the US Legislators come up with to resolve things in the best interest and safety for all!

Can I imagine? Yes!!!!!

It is what I have been complaining about all along. People say that, if you don't have insurance, just apply for Medicaid. It isn't all that simple and this article, "Public Citizen: Texas Medicaid Program One of the Country's Worst", on the American-Statesman reiterates my point exactly.

In fact, the article states:

A new report from Public Citizen, a national, non-profit consumer advocacy organization, ranks the Texas Medicaid program 48 out of the programs in the 50 states.

Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance program that covers around 55 million Americans, varies widely from state to state, said the report, which ranked states on eligibility requirements, benefits and quality of care.

“Where you happen to live can make all the difference,” said report co-author Annette Ramirez de Arellano, a public health expert at Public Citizen.

The report said that even the highest-ranking states had serious weaknesses but that Texas was one of the worst, scoring higher than only Idaho and Mississippi.

Texas “is the only state that places consistently at the bottom,” the report said. “Unlike other states that have made a policy decision to cover more persons for fewer services, or vice-versa, Texas ranks extremely low in both eligibility and scope of services.”

See Public Citizen for more details.

Shocking is the news of the killings and woundings found at Virginia Tech this morning from a gunman that went on a rampage and killed 31 and wounded 29 with his shootings at two different buildings on campus two hours apart -- a dormitory and some classrooms in another building. This sends chills as we all remember the
Columbine High School and University of Texas massacres in the past. More information will be divulged in due time; it is my understanding that the gunman has been killed -- either by the fire of the police or through taking of his own life. We may never know the whole story; but, rest assured, it will be marked in history as one of the most tragic events in US History. At this time, I understand that this may be a domestic violence issue because he was seeking out his girlfriend. Nothing has been said so far, to my knowledge, whether or not his girlfriend was among those killed, wounded, or witnessed the tragic series of events today.

Another blogger stated, "It seems, even at this early hour, the Virginia Tech shooting seems to have been triggered (um), by domestic violence. We shouldnt take domestic violence lightly, and I dont think this is an issue that has to do with "bad" men, because women are just as likely to commit acts of violence. Just the other week there was a shooting at the University of Washington that also involved a domestic dispute, in this case, stalking. Unfortunately, it takes a public incident like today's shooting to highlight the brutality of personal violence." I agree.

 

In my email, I have also received communication about the pro-life/abortion issues. They seem to want to pinpoint the fault of the abortion laws being pushed actively by Nancy Pelosi, Teddy Kennedy, and Hilary Clinton to allow for funding under Medicaid for abortions, etc. Whoever is to blame is not the point. Pro-life activists state:

"Both Pelosi and Clinton are getting stronger and stronger as the weeks and months go by. Every week they are in power, over 26,040 abortions are performed in our United States. Every month they are in power, over 111,600 babies die in abortion. That’s one baby every 25 seconds. Since 1973, that’s over 47 million babies. Babies who were going to be named Jack, Sara, Timmy, Adam, Claire, Ben, Elizabeth, Catherine, Mary, Abraham, Daniel, David, Michael, Salvatore and so many more….We cannot let Pelosi and Clinton set the agenda in congress for the next 2 years and stand idly by when over 2.6 million babies will die during abortions!"

No matter what your viewpoint on abortion/pro-life, those are some staggering numbers indeed. One can't help but feel how future generations will be affected by the availability of more abortions. If you go by the adages of the survival of the fittest, it would seem that these potential children of the world are not given the opportunity to survive; they are not given a choice and many children who could be the future leaders of their generation are lost. Just think it is so very sad to think about.

On a brighter note today, this week is "National Volunteer Week". I would certainly go read my posting about this week and look to the right column for some ideas of resources where you can look to do your part in today's society to make it a better place for living for all concerned. At least, find a volunteer and hug them this week, letting them know that you appreciate all that they do to help make your community a better place to live, if you do nothing else!

Sometimes, out of the madness of events, can come some good. Austinite, Lawrence Wright (previously a staff writer for the New York Times), has provided a prime example of this. After the 9/11 tragedy, he went on a pursuit to find out what had happened and wrote a book called, "The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11." Today, he was notified that he has won a Pulitzer Prize for his work endured to create and write the book. Many kudos to his deligence and hard work!

 

Blessings for all the victims and their families, as well as all the volunteers. May this Nation see some semblance of normacy in their lives, whatever normalcy may mean to them.

Brunch was good with my parents today, albeit the place I had picked out had happened to, of all days, be closed down due to an event that they were having in their parking lot, although they agreed to serve us. Mother is a picky eater these days and claimed that their golden brown pancakes and biscuits were burned, while my Dad and I kept trying to get her to eat some of omelet or migas. Dad and I enjoyed our meals though insomuch as we could while seeing her pout.

We continued to have a long conversation about the health care system and the quirks found within that don't seem to help the person who is working, albeit not able to afford health care insurance on their own, but doesn't work for a company that offers health care insurance to them because they are either (1) a small business owner or (2) claiming that the position that an employee works is just a part-time employee. What is wrong with claiming a person is working just "part-time" when they are putting in 40 hours a week?? Unfortunately, there are no laws governing this. According to a discussion I had with the Texas Workforce Commission several years ago when doing some research, they said that the employer has the right to dictate whether a position is termed "full-time" or "part-time". Of course, that was based upon research that I did several years ago; perhaps, it is time to revisit this question again to see if anything new comes up on this.

Of course, there is a law dictating that emergency rooms must treat the patient whether or not they have insurance. This, in turn, puts the burden of the emergency room to treat everyone who cannot afford to go to the doctor because they have no insurance, even those with ear infections, etc. Then the emergency rooms charge excess charges, such as a $600 charge I had a few weeks ago for a scrape on my leg that didn't require stitches, but was deep enough for some medical attention. That was the hospital bill, I am waiting to see the doctor's fee as well. :(

He agreed and even suggested that, while a doctor may charge a fee of $1500 for surgery, the insurance company might only pay for $400 of that fee. The insurance company then acts as an advocate to ensure that they don't have to pay more than reasonable fees for their clients that pay (either themselves or through their companies they work for) for the insurance. Where is the advocate, then, for the person who cannot afford the insurance and/or isn't offered insurance as one of their benefits from their employer?

Even Medicaid, which seemingly should be able to catch this group of folks that aren't covered by health insurance (whether it be because of lack of benefits offered by their employer or the sheer affordability issue of obtaining health insurance), has a 200% poverty guidelines and it is based on the number of folks in the household. It is no wonder that families keep having children in order to qualify for the Medicaid benefit. This, then, eliminates care for the single person and or "empty nester" couples.

At any rate, I commented towards the end of our conversation that I wasn't too sure that socialized medicine is necessarily the answer, but something needs to be done. He responded, "Maybe it is though in order to provide health care to everyone."

I was surprised to hear him say that since, in the past, he hadn't been a huge proponent of socialized medicine; however, I don't think that the health insurance for the "haves" and not for the "have nots" says too much about the value we, as a society, put upon the quality of life of our fellow human mankind who may be a family member, friend, neighbor, coworker, etc. that we know. If not socialized medicine then health care in some form needs to be affordable and offered to everyone to offer each person an equal chance of having a quality of life. My own husband died two weeks before he was going to be "eligible" for insurance with the organization he was working for; his death could have been prevented with proper care and attention to his heath concerns. Where does the whole issue behind the health insurance issue become a priority for resolution? When do we value the health of our society as a whole?

Medical News: US House to Consider Health Care Legislation Next Month

New York Times (4/12/07): Massachusetts Legislation on Insurance Becomes Law (making Massachusetts the first state to provide health coverage to all of its citizens)

Never say that those in the Lake Travis lack humor!! :D

 

In my prior MyFoxAustin blog posting entitled, Making Sex Dirty, abuse of power was clearly imposed upon on the loss prevention officer of the South Austin Kohl's location who demanded sex in return for letting the 16 year old go who had been accused of a felony level of shopflifting. 

Now, take that a step further.  What if you go to a psychiatrist, wouldn't you have the presumption that this would be a trustworthy relationship and, as a child, you could speak to them in confidence as well as an air of a safe environment.  Now, not only is this psychiatrist has a reputation as a psychiatrist which should hold a level of professionalism in itself, but this psychiatrist is also with the title of a child psychiatrist who once headed the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.  Dr. William Ayers, 75, is so charged with the allegations of molesting many children he has seen over the past four (4) decades, as per the FoxNews online article, entitled Noted California Child Psychiatrist Accused of Molesting Male Patients.  If you can't trust who go to for help, who can you trust?

Unfortunately, this is part the ebb of the power that becomes abusive.  Some folks with the prestige and power that their position holds become greedy with money; others utilize their prestige and power to their own benefit.  Unfortunately, that can often lead to some illegal activity.  Anyone that uses their power and prestige to demand sexual acts has to be sick to some degree, especially when they think that they can truly get away with it.

Apparently, this man almost did.  Fortunately, the statute of limitations in California is 10 years or until the victim reaches the age of 28.  It took a four year investigation to put together the evidences that they have, but (hopefully) it will be enough to put this man away for his unlawful acts.

It is a shame that one has to "make sex dirty" and affect so many folks.  Making the awareness of that crimes do exist such as these mentioned in California, as well as here locally in Austin, Texas, helps to bring empowerment to the victim to know that their is hope that someone out there will actually believe them and that there is truly some hope for some degree of justice in the world -- even if it is years later!!

It is oh so frustrating as I am watching a tv advertisement stating, "Did you know that medicare covers for....???"  You just fill in the blank.  So many ads state that once you have medicare, you will have many free benefits.

In 2004, I was in an auto accident which part of my insurance did cover for part of my injury recoveries; however, it was only the tip of the iceberg and things have been made worse by not being able to receive the treatment that I deserve, if nothing else as a human being on this planet. 

For the past three years, I have fought hard to be considered for full-time employment and, while I am working on average of 40 hours a week,  I am considered only a "part-time" employee and, as a result, not qualified for insurance benefits.  Sometimes, I feel that I am being discriminated against in some manner.

There are various programs available to to the indigent for obtaining health care for themselves; however, if you don't make within the poverty guidelines, you dont' qualify for it.  If you work for an employer that is either too small for offering insurance benefits or doesn't offer insurance benefits to its "parttime" employees, you are up a creek because to purchase insurance on the own, it is so unaffordable to pay out of the wages that one does earn.

The alternative is to be hired as a full-time employee, hopefully, by a company that does offer insurance to its employees or wait until one turns 55 to begin qualifying for medicare assistance.  If I wait until I am 55, I will have suffered in pain for 10 years.  Why should I have to suffer in pain to wait to receive treatment for my health care problems?

It would seem that it would be in the best interest of the employers to offer insurance benefits to all of their employees; it just makes more sense to care for the health of the employees all along rather have to have them increase their health risks without being able to obtain the necessary care and treatments.

Who is the one playing God to determine who can and can't have health care?  What does that say about what we think of our fellow human beings in our society???

Auugghghghgghghghgh......

 

I can't stand Sanjaya staying on the American Idol show this season as much as the next person. My stomach just ties into a curl each week as he reappears.

Howard Stern is behind the ploy to vote for the worst, which is why supposedly that the worst has kept flying through the rankings each week and has managed to stay on despite that there are many other talented singers who certainly deserve to remain. The first knee jerk reaction I have is, "If Sanjaya actually wins, I am not watching the American Idol ever again!" But wait. Is that what, perhaps, Howard Stern's true goal is? If I, and all the American Idol fans who are soured by these antics, do suddenly not watch the show any more, then Howard Stern wins with his antics.

Can't help but wonder it the American Idol folks aren't secretly behind this in order to add controversy? or, maybe they had a bet with Howard Stern saying that their fans would outvote whatever votes that he would drive up because the fans would be determined that their favorite fan wins? Perhaps, in driving up the votes, they are hoping that they will actually meet the goals that they have set for themselves to for their charity; even Sanjaya's votes are actually helping them to meet their charity goals as well.

Maybe the fault is American Idol in itself for having some weak singers this season; very few truly stand out above and beyond the rest. The real contest is going to start when it comes down to what I consider the top 6 -- Lakeisha, Melinda, Phil, Blake, Chris R, and Jordan. All of these folks have talents and ways of entertaining that surpass all the others. Haley holds her own because she is beautiful despite she really doesn't have that pizzaz; Gina has her distinct moments when she can entertain (although last night was clearly not a good night for her); but, Sanjaya actually did a decent performance with his determination that he could sing (although he showed the world that he is indeed an entertainer despite that over all he just really can't sing all that well to warrant continuing to move up the ranks). Perhaps, that is the reason that Simons' only comment after Sanjaya's performance was "incredible" (demonstrating his whole frustration in the Sanjaya phenomena). By the way, it certainly won't surprise me at all if this whole antic will go into the Sociology or Marketing textbooks as the "Sanjaya Phenomena".

All that being said though, one certainly has to ask where are all the American Idol fans? The only way I see to combat the evilness of Howard Stern is to out vote his following (or, maybe create a new worst to vote for????).

What do you think????

In reading an Austin American Article that passed its way through my email today entitled, "Department Store Officer Charged with Indecency with a 16-year-old Girl:  Police Say He Asked Girl to Have Sex Instead of Being Charged With Shoplifting", wherein the South Austin's Kohl's Department Loss Prevention Officer demanded sex in return for not filing a felonious shoplifting charge.

I guess he didn't count on this girl speaking out for fear of having to face the consequences of her shoplifting actions.  It is my guess that this alleged intimidation factor he pressed on with is now going to scar her far worse than any consequence the Courts could have implemented.

It is such a shame that this gal may have a long time before she can look at sex in the loving, initimate manner that it should be because of his actions.

Of course he may have thought he was doing her a favor in light of the TYC (Texas Youth Commission) problems that have been surfacing recently and is currently under massive overhaul; at 16 years old and with a felony type of charge, she would have likely been forced to go to TYC for her actions otherwise.

Who knows what he was really thinking???

Is it any wonder why some teenagers are so confused about sex???

Somehow, it wouldn't surprise me any if there were other similar cases that begin surfacing.  It is a clear abuse of power and this sort of thing should never be tolerated.

In accordance to the article, there are witnesses that will make it harder for this guy to squirm out of some degree of a conviction.  Hopefully, he will suffer the consequences of his own actions to the fullest extent of the law and be prevented from being in any similar position in the future.

No one should suffer the abuse of power, young or old.  It is commendable that this teen had the gumption to speak up, in spite of the consequences she might have to pay for her own alleged shoplifting actions.

Couldn't help but get miffed at reading an article online about the domestic dispute last night that resulted in the officer shooting one involved in the traumatic event, and wondering what was the purpose of the sentence, "Buchman said the officer is white and the suspect is a Hispanic man." as the first sentence in the next to last paragraph of the article. What does that have to do with the price of beans in China???

 

(1) Domestic violence knows no boundaries of classes, ethnicity, etc.

(2) Police officers aren't going to sit back and wonder what the ethnicity of the person is when he heard "“what he believed to be a round being chambered into a weapon,” on the other side of the door. Buchman said that when the officer moved away from the door, the man came out of the house, shooting."

 

What is the editor thinking when they proofed the article for publishing? They could have put in the article that, for instance (emphasis used only to show the insert):

"A hispanic man who shot at a police officer in Northeast Austin after police responded to a domestic dispute is undergoing surgery this morning after being hit by the officer’s return fire, an Austin police spokesman said."

However, what does that do to truly improve the article??? If the suspect ran away, they could state that they were looking for "a 43 year old, hispanic, male", for instance, since that would be essential to the description of the man.

 

I just don't think it was necessary to seemingly make an issue of the ethnicities by bringing it into focus like a sore thumb. It means nothing and the editor should have taken that out of the article on the domestic dispute event last night.

 

~ Being a bit disappointed in the quality of the article

ARTICLE:

APD officer is fired at, shoots back and hits suspect, police say

You would have thought that with the development of the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (aka, "ARCH") in the past years, it would have helped to have alieviated the need for homeless folks to sleep in obsure places, such as the trash dumpster.  It seems such a senseless death.  What has happend in this society where this 53 year old man has found the need to sleep in a dumpster as indicated in the story of the Austin American Statesman entitled, Police think man found dead in trash truck might have slept in Dumpster Authorities identify victim, think he was homeless???, with all of the different facilities that Austin does have for the homeless.