Good morning all--Forgive my absence but I have a seizure disorder and had a doozy yesterday morning. It takes me a while to crawl my way back into a lucid brain. Please PM me if I ramble or expose my missing IQ points.
So, porn and sex toys--yuck. Because I think I'm the only one on board to have actually perused some of these exact magazines (as I discussed up thread--due to my special needs son bringing home a stash), maybe I can answer a few questions. The magazines in question, and which are apparently offered on Amazon, do NOT include photos of minors. The "actors" appear to be young--often 14-16 years old but there are many disclaimers that they are all over the age of 18. Totally disgusting but also completely legal.
Also, please realize that the incest depicted is not all young daughter/father incest. There are all sorts of "couplings" depicted. About everything you really don't want to think about. One thing I remember vividly (and I only saw them for about 30 minutes a year ago) is that they are shot under a very bright light--not air brushed as the photos in Penthouse. I found that even more appalling as the "details" really jump out at you.
I'm still confused whether "true" child porn has been discovered as the articles are not being careful with their wording. I'd appreciate anyone posting clear info about this.
FWIW, the pornography in our children's rapist's room was admissible. They were Playboy and Penthouse magazine and were presented as evidence. The judge found that they were "very" disturbing and indicative of a pattern of behavior. There was testimony by our children that they had been shown the porn. I just checked our appeal and it's even covered in there. So the fact that a teen boy had porn openly in his room was a red flag for "our" court. It held up even under strong objection.
I agree that everyone needs to be highly concerned about Burrell Sr.'s not so secret stash. If I were his relative, neighbor, fellow church member, I think I'd be distancing myself at this point as we're not talking about a stack of Playboys. I, too, am waiting anxiously to see if it is reported what is on the homemade videos. I would assume that they do not include SM (what is she doing there anyway!!??) as I doubt she would have handed those off to LE. If they include the 27 year old, who is reportedly cooperating with police, I doubt she would be readily cooperating--unless she was compelled to participate in some way. Is this the woman who was initially reported as disabled? I wonder if she is a family member, survivor of earlier abuse, or merely a young woman Burrell and SM were possibly caring for.
I carefully read all the posts this morning to catch up and was angered again by the church's denial about these men's involvement with children. There is a statement in an earlier article where a fellow church member, a Mrs. D, says that Burrell Sr. baptized her son. I really beg to differ with the church but I do consider baptism as having close contact with a child. When I was baptized as a young girl, I remember meeting with our pastor (a lovely man) to discuss my understanding of my choice. I must have been alone in his office with him for 30-45 minutes while my mother ran errands. I have a strong suspicion that the church is back-pedaling as it seems highly likely these men moved about the congregation with impunity.
One last thing, I am not in any way trying to make myself Board Sheriff. That job is well taken care of by the very considerate mods. However, in reading the last several pages of posts, and knowing a little about many poster personalities and past experiences, I have to say that we need to be cautious of others' feelings. Several of the posts have made me cringe--knowing that the words are cutting to the quick for some members.
Pax is an attorney and strongly advocates for "fairness to all" and "innocent until proven guilty". He is plain spoken and direct. I respect his position. Pax, I humbly ask that you reflect on who the other players at this table are. Many many are here to share their own experiences and to offer insight into this type of crime but are fragile. We find it hard to banter and debate objectively about some of the delicate issues.
I'm going out on a limb here and trying to say this as kindly as I can. I don't wish to hurt anyone's feelings. Pax, I get the impression that your children have not been abused. If that is correct, consider yourself blessed and/or fortunate. However, I hazard that you have lost someone dear to you...a parent, a sibling, a close friend. Can you imagine being present while someone discussed the semantics of grief and processes concerning death with nonchalance or even, glibness? Not malice or mean-spiritedness--just glibness. I think you might possibly be greatly pained.
You certainly have a right to voice your opinion and you have many valuable points to add to the discussion. Your approach is often refreshing and thought-provoking. I beg you though, to be thoughtful and tender on this subject--to step lightly around some delicate issues. Those of us on WS are working on strength and are on a pathway to healing. We choose to bear witness and help "sleuth" these crimes. There's a certain cathartic essence for us. We have been wounded, though, and would truly appreciate some consideration. And to those of you who I know are shedding tears over this case, please pace yourselves and step away when the pain becomes too great. Turn to your supports and ask for comfort.
Thank you all and I'll climb off this darn soap box now.
Oh, no--more discoveries!!