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LETTER: Where have humanity and compassion gone?

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Letter to the Editor

in Opinions

Monday, February 6. 2012

Comments (4)

Dear Editor:

I don’t know why everyone is coming down on the police department about this (the escape and capture of James Michael Self).

We all make mistakes and things happen beyond our control. Our Sheriff may not be perfect but then who among us is including myself.

I think the bigger tragedy here is what is happening to our youth and what drove a young man with so much potential to put his future in jeopardy this way.

This seems to be an alarming trend in our country and in our community these days.

Along with the zero tolerance we have for one another.

I sure hope that if any of you find yourself in trouble one day that others will show more compassion and understanding towards you, than have you shown towards others involved in this tragic story.

I only wish I had the power to change the world and make it a better place for us all but I do not.

It will take all of us together to do that, and with what I see happening in the world or in our community I have very little hope anymore that we are capable.

Those of you who make light of such tragedy should be greatly ashamed and embarrassed in your behavior. I weep in silence feeling helpless at a time when we all need each other the most. What has become of decency and humanity in the world and caused us all to lose our way? Nothing of this earth is really important but human life and when I see others who seemingly care so little about another human being, I find myself at a loss for words.

I just don’t know what else to say.

Sincerely,

John Fulford

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#1 Anonymous on 02/06/12 at 05:46 PM [Reply]

Poor John, you are indeed naive and probably a very nice guy. The criminal types around here would eat you alive. Bless you for being a kind man, but don't ever trust these criminals to do the right thing unless it benefits them.

#2 Resident Redneck on 02/06/12 at 08:02 PM [Reply]

John you are exactly right. Yes it was this young mans fault he got arrested but what about the adults who were supposed to mold this young man and teach him when he was a child that this behavior is wrong and not to do it? I believe somewhere in his life an adult he trusted has let him down?

#2.1 Virginia Moss on 02/07/12 at 06:46 PM [Reply]

You are quite right, RR. Mr. Self and thousands like him in our society have been influenced by poor values and anti-social attitudes through their parents and peers. It is a multi-generational occurance that continues exponentially and becomes more extreme with each generation. The question is, what do we do about them? How can society intervene in the family home to see that children are raised properly? Government isn't allowed to do that. Does poverty cause this or do the bad attitudes cause the poverty? Is it lack of good education or are these people just beyond the ability to be educated? I have my own answers, but they are not politically correct. However, I don't have any answers as to a remedy other than what is already being done.

When I retire I would like to try to mentor elementary school children at risk, if I can handle the emotional stress of it. I fear the agonizing helplessness against the child's home life that I may experience, not to mention possible backlash from the neglectful parents.

#3 Ms.K on 02/07/12 at 06:30 PM [Reply]

It seems to me Mr. Fulford was more concerned with the accusations against the sheriff's department. "We all make mistakes and things happen beyond our control." I do not accept the I-made-a-mistake excuse from anyone! I hear it used with every avoidable failure, especially by the thug culture. Michael Vick said he made a mistake in hanging dogs and watching them tear each other apart. That is not a mistake, people; that is a deep and evil character flaw! Not that our deputies have character flaws except to the extent that they were, in this case and a few others, lax and assumptive in their commitment to their duties. Few people seem to think perfection is worth pursuing. In my mind it is the only goal in anything one attempts to do. But like they say, it's good enough for government work.

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