# More human waste.
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490
**Category:** The BBQ Pit
**Created:** [July 28, 2005, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490 "2005-07-28T00:30:56Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 3
### Author:  [@Greathouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greathouse)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2005, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490/41 "2005-07-28T13:09:09Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#):
>
> Again…has anyone considered the woman may be MENTALLY ILL? What the fuck is wrong with you people? You’re all set to burn this woman at the stake without having any information on whether or not she’s even competent enough to realize what she’s doing! You’re a vicious lot, you are.
Did I just get whooshed? 😕
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### Author:  [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2005, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490/42 "2005-07-28T13:15:00Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#):
>
> **Metacom** , do you have some sort of real objection to anything I said? If so, what?
It seemed like you were being overly sensitive and were just itching to be offended. I was sardonically making fun of that rather then seriously accusing you of attacking judges.
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### Author:  [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2005, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490/43 "2005-07-28T13:19:22Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#):
>
> Why did you put “invsetigated” in quotation marks? Was it not really an investigation? Was there any REASON you were investigated? Hmmmm?
Have you at long last no decency?
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### Author:  [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2005, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490/44 "2005-07-28T14:04:32Z")
> [@Honey](#):
>
> I think it’s possible that she can be treated with just some vitamins and exercise. :rolleyes:
and Dianetics! Don’t forget the Dianetics!
> [@Honey](#):
>
> Seriously though. That poor little boy needs lots of hugs. ☹
But no Dianetics for him, he’s suffered enough.
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### Author:  [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2005, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490/45 "2005-07-28T14:09:04Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#):
>
> I’m sure some people can cite some valid abuse stories from some overzealous individual workers, just like it’s possible to cite abuse stories by **cops** , by doctors, by priests, by soldiers, by hockey coaches, etc. But if anyone tried to smear any of those professions as a whole, tehy’d get crucified here.
[:dubious:](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=6353290&postcount=17)
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### Author:  [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2005, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490/46 "2005-07-28T14:15:52Z")
> [@Greathouse](#):
>
> Did I just get whooshed? 😕
No. I find it appalling that you guys can rip this woman to shreds when you have no idea whether she’s ill or evil. Listen to yourselves…
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### Author:  [@Silentgoldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silentgoldfish)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2005, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490/47 "2005-07-28T14:18:48Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#):
>
> No. I find it appalling that you guys can rip this woman to shreds when you have no idea whether she’s ill or evil. Listen to yourselves…
Lack of information has NEVER stopped one of these self righteous circle jerks, you’ve been around long enough you should know that!
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### Author:  [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2005, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490/48 "2005-07-28T14:22:15Z")
> [@Silentgoldfish](#):
>
> Lack of information has NEVER stopped one of these self righteous circle jerks, you’ve been around long enough you should know that!
I know. But it still amazes me that mob mentality can set in via the internet.
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### Author:  [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2005, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490/49 "2005-07-28T14:29:18Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#):
>
> I know. But it still amazes me that mob mentality can set in via the internet.
Heck, I was just waiting for someone to speak approvingly and hopefully of the inevitable prison justice.
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### Author:  [@MadderMitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadderMitch)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2005, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490/50 "2005-07-28T14:36:39Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#):
>
> No. I find it appalling that you guys can rip this woman to shreds when you have no idea whether she’s ill or evil. Listen to yourselves…
Hey waittaminute, that’s not fair, look at posts 3 and 5. _Someone_ raised the issue of “why?”
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### Author:  [@Psycho\_Pirate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Psycho_Pirate)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2005, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490/51 "2005-07-28T14:36:53Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#):
>
> Again…has anyone considered the woman may be MENTALLY ILL? What the fuck is wrong with you people? You’re all set to burn this woman at the stake without having any information on whether or not she’s even competent enough to realize what she’s doing! You’re a vicious lot, you are.
[Link](http://www.newschannel8.net/news/stories/0705/247180.html)
Let me help you out: abandoning a toddler on a highway is an evil thing to do, regardless of your mental state at the time. Mental illness, madness, eating too many Twinkies, etc., is **NOT** an acceptable excuse, nor should it be an acceptable legal defense.
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### Author:  [@MadderMitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadderMitch)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2005, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490/52 "2005-07-28T14:39:27Z")
> [@Psycho Pirate](#):
>
> [Link](http://www.newschannel8.net/news/stories/0705/247180.html)
>
> Let me help you out: abandoning a toddler on a highway is an evil thing to do, regardless of your mental state at the time. Mental illness, madness, eating too many Twinkies, etc., is **NOT** an acceptable excuse, nor should it be an acceptable legal defense.
That’s a pretty pointless definition, since when you’re crazy (literally) you don’t know any better.
Evil implies a conscious choice.
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### Author:  [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2005, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490/53 "2005-07-28T14:57:29Z")
Crazy or criminal, either way she doesn’t need to have a child in her custody.
Poor little boy…I hope he finds a loving home…
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### Author:  [@Psycho\_Pirate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Psycho_Pirate)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2005, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490/54 "2005-07-28T14:57:56Z")
> [@MadderMitch](#):
>
> That’s a pretty pointless definition, since when you’re crazy (literally) you don’t know any better.
>
> Evil implies a conscious choice.
Fair enough, and I see your point. But I think we can all agree that leaving a child to fend for himself on a busy interstate is not a good thing to do.
I probably came across as upset in my previous post, but I’m just tired of people who go through their lives in a perfectly normal manner…until one day they snap for whatever reason. Instead of taking responsibility for their actions, they claim “temporary insanity” or some other ridiculousness. Not only is this an insult for those Americans living with mental illness, it is a cop out used to avoid the legal consequences of their behavior.
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### Author:  [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2005, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490/55 "2005-07-28T16:33:55Z")
> [@Psycho Pirate](#):
>
> Fair enough, and I see your point. But I think we can all agree that leaving a child to fend for himself on a busy interstate is not a good thing to do.
>
> I probably came across as upset in my previous post, but I’m just tired of people who go through their lives in a perfectly normal manner…until one day they snap for whatever reason. Instead of taking responsibility for their actions, they claim “temporary insanity” or some other ridiculousness. Not only is this an insult for those Americans living with mental illness, it is a cop out used to avoid the legal consequences of their behavior.
No one suggested it was a good thing to do. No one claimed they “snapped.” No one is claiming “temporary insanity”. You, however, are assuming that this woman acted willfully in harming her child, and that is an unfair assumption. And the violent rage with which others here have reacted is pretty damn frightening. You people need to be sedated.
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### Author:  [@SusanStoHelit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SusanStoHelit)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2005, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490/56 "2005-07-28T16:38:40Z")
According to [this link](http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-57827sy0jul28,0,5929976.story?track=mostemailedlink), she was only caught because she struck an oncoming vehicle about _100 miles_ from where she abandoned her child.
Her explanation? He wouldn’t sit down “like he was supposed to.”
I’m guessing there was alcohol involved, at least.
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### Author:  [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2005, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490/57 "2005-07-28T16:41:15Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#):
>
> No one suggested it was a good thing to do. No one claimed they “snapped.” No one is claiming “temporary insanity”. You, however, are assuming that this woman acted willfully in harming her child, and that is an unfair assumption. And the violent rage with which others here have reacted is pretty damn frightening. You people need to be sedated.
Furthermore, the linked story notes that the cops bagged her after she was involved in an accident a few hours later. No details on how it happened, but it’s at the very least suggestive that this woman was in some degree of mental turmoil. From what cause? Of what duration? What severity? With what manifestations? We can only speculate.
Hell, for all we know, the woman could have been contemplating suicide and tossed the kid out so as not to take him with her. We simply don’t know, beyond the bare bones of the horrifying thing that the kid went through.
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### Author:  [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2005, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490/58 "2005-07-28T16:42:41Z")
But she did act willfully in harming her child. It’s not like she was being forced to do it.
Its possible to be mentally ill and evil at the same time, just like its possible to be mentally ill and good at the same time. Like the guy who kidnapped Elizabeth Smart is crazy as a loon, AND he’s evil. He kidnapped and raped a young girl. That’s evil. On the other hand there’s the crazy guy who hung out on the street outside of my old job. He would mumble to himself and beg for change and lived out of a shopping cart and slept in the bushes, but he wasn’t evil. Or my aunty who wasn’t quite right in the head and was constantly on lithium and other drugs and who happened to be a very sweet person. Do you honestly think the Son of Sam wasn’t evil? He was crazy too, but that didn’t make him any less evil.
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### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2005, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490/59 "2005-07-28T16:42:46Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#):
>
> No one suggested it was a good thing to do. No one claimed they “snapped.” No one is claiming “temporary insanity”. You, however, are assuming that this woman acted willfully in harming her child, and that is an unfair assumption. And the violent rage with which others here have reacted is pretty damn frightening. You people need to be sedated.
You know part of these postings is venting steam. Get a grip. I don’t think anyone on the board is suggestion we form a lynch mob and get her. It is a reasonable expression of outrage to say nasty things about the mom.
In fact by venting, it might decrease dependency on sedatives. So if I was unreasonable, I would have to challenge your credential to be prescribing mind altering drugs to entire groups of people on the basic of a few sentences.
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### Author:  [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)
#### Post date: [July 28, 2005, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/more-human-waste/314490/60 "2005-07-28T16:50:15Z")
> [@SusanStoHelit](#):
>
> According to [this link](http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-57827sy0jul28,0,5929976.story?track=mostemailedlink), she was only caught because she struck an oncoming vehicle about _100 miles_ from where she abandoned her child.
>
> Her explanation? He wouldn’t sit down “like he was supposed to.”
>
> I’m guessing there was alcohol involved, at least.
Could be. I’d note, though, that it wasn’t “her” explanation. It’s what the little boy told the authorities, which leaves it open to more than one interpretation of what happened. You’ll also note that the linked story describes neighbors’ impressions of her as an excellent mother.
Yes, indeed, one can be evil, wickedly evil as well as mentally unbalanced. At this point, though, we’re seeing only one side of the story. I’m not excusing the woman at all, just waiting to find out what brought her to that point.
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