[Dean's World] Trudy W. Schuett: SAT a.m. DV rant

[notify at powerblogs.com]

Posted by Trudy W. Schuett:
SAT a.m. DV rant
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1173542401.shtml


   Yes, I'm going off on a rant here...

   This was triggered by the arrest of basketball guy Ron Artest.

   Over at [1]RecordNet, Lori Gilbert expressed an unusual point of view:

     You'd have to have the sensitivity training of a Neanderthal like
     Celtics announcer Cedric Maxwell to take any delight in Ron
     Artest's situation.

     Unfortunately, there's a lot of that mentality being exposed by NBA
     fans who range from amateur psychologists, to judge and jury, to
     just plain jerks as they weigh in on blogs, fan sites and talk
     radio about the Sacramento Kings forward, who was arrested Monday
     on charges of domestic violence.

     (edit sportspeak)... What's more important is finding a solution to
     Artest's volatility. The
     physical and mental well being for him and his family are at stake.
     That's the
     only discussion that needs to take place right now, and only
     licensed experts need
     speak up.

   This year I'll be 56, which is old enough for AARP but not exactly old
   enough to be considered "really" old. Even so, I've seen a lot. My
   life has been spent either in lower income brackets or working with
   non-profits dealing with serving human needs. I've witnessed terrible
   abuse, both by women and men, against people I cared about, and people
   I knew hardly at all. I learned firsthand the damage of psychological
   abuse, and the means of "setting aside the sadness" and moving ahead
   with life.

   We just can't keep up the pretense that domestic violence,
   interpersonal violence, abuse, whatever you want to call it, can be
   clearly defined and equally clearly cured. We cannot "end" domestic
   violence by putting anybody in jail, or making laws about it. Somehow
   we need to be able to look at the problem itself, aside from the issue
   of who is involved.

   We need to get those radical feminists who are running most of the
   shelters other jobs, so they can stop abusing their communities with
   their hatred and 19th century ideals. They have no job training, and
   mostly hold unmarketable degrees, so I suggest we find them the same
   sorts of jobs they find for their clients. Let them stand on their
   feet eight hours a day at McDonald's or Kohl's or WalMart and see how
   it feels.

   Let's also provide housing for them in the local project or low-rent
   district. Give them the gift of understanding what it's like to be
   torn from a nice three bedroom ranch with two baths into a
   bug-infested, stinking one-bedroom apartment, where the toilet doesn't
   always flush right and you get music piped in 24/7. That is, rap music
   from the next apartment.

   Sadly, we can't duplicate the horrors of a divorce scenario when there
   are children involved. I would if I could. Maybe we should just
   garnish their wages from their job and arrest them every time they try
   to visit Mom or their best friend. Then set up "counseling" or "court"
   appointments right in the middle of their work shift, and arrest them
   if they don't show.

   Let them spend a couple of days or weeks in stir, to see how that
   feels, too.

   Then let's see if they've changed their attitudes, and what they did
   with their "options." SHEESH!

   end rant

   Meanwhile, for those of you in the San Diego area, none other than
   Gloria Steinem is going to appear at an event called, "Tea by the
   Sea."

   From the event announcement: Keynote Speaker ~ Gloria Steinem, CENTER
   for COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS presents the 8th Annual "Tea by the Sea",
   Wednesday, March 14, 2007, Champagne reception and opportunity drawing
   viewing o 1:00pm - 2:00pm, Tea and Program o 2:00pm - 4:00pm, Book
   Signing o 4:00 - 4:30pm, Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, Harbor
   Island Ballroom, 1380 Harbor Island Drive o San Diego, California
   92101.

   I understand the cost is $75 to attend. Sorry, I have no idea what an
   "opportunity drawing viewing" might be. Let me know, please, if you
   go.

   My buddy Harry Crouch is entertaining ideas on ways to approach this
   event. :>)
   Here's his info:

   Harry Crouch
   Founder/Director, California Men's Centers
   President, National Coalition of Free Men San Diego (NCFM-SD)
   932 C Street, Suite B
   San Diego, CA 92101
   619-231-1909
   California Men's Center San Diego
   [2]http://www.californiamenscenters.org

References

   1. http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070308/A_SPORTS0202/703080336
   2. http://www.californiamenscenters.org/