stmarysmead
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2010
- Messages
- 5,302
- Reaction score
- 16,930
I have tried to think what exactly might be said about Phoebe...that could somehow shift the blame from the actions of the defendants onto her.
I suppose the line of thinking is that she was unstable BEFORE the harrassment began..therefore their alleged cruelty was inconsequential. However, if a group of thugs make a habit of shoving people to the street day after day...and one day they choose a heart patient who subsequently dies...oops...that's a crime.
Likewise, if a drunk driver crosses the highway and kills another motorist...the fact that the other motorist was a "cutter", or "depressed"...hardly mitigates the actions of the drunk who crossed the line.
If these kids harrassed her in the fashion that has been alleged...they "crossed a line" too.
Furthermore, if it is proven this intense bullying occured and these Bullies go unpunished because of some flaw or "secret" about Phoebe...we might as well establish a "Register of Legal Targets to Torment for Sport" in our public schools...because it will be open season if we condone this type of torment toward any child.
In other words, if any "fault" of Phoebe's is used to free these kids from guilt...any kid with that "fault" can be tormented at will...right?
But what do you think?
What can they say about Phoebe that makes their relentless campaign of cruelty...just an okay-fun-day-at-school that nobody should be upset about?
I suppose the line of thinking is that she was unstable BEFORE the harrassment began..therefore their alleged cruelty was inconsequential. However, if a group of thugs make a habit of shoving people to the street day after day...and one day they choose a heart patient who subsequently dies...oops...that's a crime.
Likewise, if a drunk driver crosses the highway and kills another motorist...the fact that the other motorist was a "cutter", or "depressed"...hardly mitigates the actions of the drunk who crossed the line.
If these kids harrassed her in the fashion that has been alleged...they "crossed a line" too.
Furthermore, if it is proven this intense bullying occured and these Bullies go unpunished because of some flaw or "secret" about Phoebe...we might as well establish a "Register of Legal Targets to Torment for Sport" in our public schools...because it will be open season if we condone this type of torment toward any child.
In other words, if any "fault" of Phoebe's is used to free these kids from guilt...any kid with that "fault" can be tormented at will...right?
But what do you think?
What can they say about Phoebe that makes their relentless campaign of cruelty...just an okay-fun-day-at-school that nobody should be upset about?