Sickness in our society.

[Lyric]

Some of you might have heard about the Tonya Craft case, in which a kindergarten teacher in Georgia was accused of molesting several little girls. She was acquitted of all charges today, but only after losing her home, career, marriage, and custody of her daughter. Wonder if she'll get all that stuff back? Not effing likely. This is the article about the acquittal, but it's not the case itself that I wanted to point out: http://www.aolnews.com/crime/article/georgia-elementary-school-teacher-tonya-craft-found-not-guilty-of-child-molestation/19473521

I had never heard of this case before today, so I Googled it and found this article from back in April, detailing part of the trial in which the mother of one of the alleged victims testified against Ms. Craft (http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_173857.asp). This part really shocked me to the core--not because of the teacher, but because of the actions of the mother of one of the "victims":

Concerning an incident that happened between (name withheld) and (name withheld), she said the girls were playing in the bedroom at her home when things got quiet, so she went to investigate.

When she arrived she could not see the girls, but heard whispering. She said she heard (name withheld) say, “See how that feels? Now do it to me.”

“I looked under the bed and saw (name withheld)’s hand down my daughter’s pants. So, I pulled them from out from under the bed and I lost it. I told them that type of behavior was not tolerated in my home.”

Mr. Gregor then asked about Ms. Craft’s response. “She didn’t say anything; she took the belt from me and barely tapped (name withheld). I thought it didn’t bother her as much.”

This woman found two little 5-year-old girls exploring their bodies in the bedroom, and what does she do? She tells them THAT sort of behavior will not be "tolerated" in her home, takes a BELT to her own daughter, and then seems peeved that Ms. Craft only "tapped" the other girl with the belt. As if not beating the shit out of the child is somehow proof of abnormal behavior.

What kind of sick, deranged parent BEATS a small child with a belt for something as innocent as body exploration? And what kind of sick society are we when a parent can come into a courtroom, testify right out loud that she committed this kind of sick atrocity against an innocent child, and not be even slightly afraid that SHE might be the one charged with child abuse because SHE is considered the "normal" one!!

Jesus, these bigoted freaks make me want to puke.

[Atticus]

1. Okay to teach them, by example, to hate those who are weaker or different; okay to

let them see you abuse alcohol or drugs or food; okay to encourage the worship of material wealth; but, DAMN! Don't be lettin' your babies TOUCH PEE-PEES!

[jotsy]

2. To use children as weapons...sick works.

It also seems odd that jurors would be denied access to a relevant video, and that being state law?

A life in shambles because she would not extract the proper pound of flesh in the eyes of a warped authoritarian. Stories like this remind me why I worry what our future could hold if our judicial system would lend life to such railroading.

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. I have followed this case closely.

It mirrors an event in my own life. I am only glad her story ended happier than mine. I cannot believe what drives people to do this. I am only hopeful that Ms. Craft can regain the respect she so rightfully deserves.