You didn't make a mistake, you did an evil thing

In My Humble Opinion
1

Seattle Supersonics forward Ruben Patterson pleaded guilty (sort of) to rape charges yesterday. I was watching ESPN SportsCenter when the story came on. As the camera showed a weeping Patterson addressing the judge, I flinched, knowing what was coming, but powerless to stop it.

Don’t say it, Ruben! Nooooooooooo!

“(sob) I made a terrible mistake. (sob, sob)”

Aarrrrrrrghhhhhhhhhh!
If I had been the judge pronouncing sentence, I would have responded in this manner:

"Mr. Patterson, you stand before me today because you attempted to rape your family’s nanny. This is a serious offense, for which you have accepted less than full responsibility by entering a modified guilty plea, signifying that you are not admitting to a crime but believe that a jury might well find you guilty.

I do not believe you displayed genuine contrition
in your remarks to me.

Your acts did not constitute a “mistake”. A mistake is when you accidentally tie a knot in your shoelaces, or forget your keys leaving the house. You committed a vile, criminal act. You brought pain to another human being and shame upon your family.

Normally, in a third-degree rape I would suspend a portion of the sentence. You have a previous assault conviction on your record, and your remarks here today indicate you do not understand or do not wish to acknowledge the gravity of your acts. Evil behavior is a reflection of a character defect which you must try to repair. Society will evaluate your subsequent behavior not only during your prison term, but for a lengthy period thereafter.

I sentence you to one year in prison, the maximum allowable under law.

Take him away."
It seems that every sleazeball in America has latched on to the “I made a mistake” defense. There should be extra penalties for this evasive crap. You’re a criminal, bozo! Deal with it.

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Ah yes. Athletes and rape…it’s like the words should be merged together.

what I particularly enjoyed about mr. patterson’s weepy apology was that I heard he apologized to his wife for “cheating on her”.

OK.

And I’m sure she’ll stand right by him to the bitter, money grubbing end.

Must be cool to be a pro athlete, and get away with everything, up to and including murder.
jarbaby

3

sigh

This is another one of the reasons I don’t consider myself a liberal anymore. We’re edging deeper and deeper into that territory where nobody does evil things anymore. They just make “mistakes”.

No, no, no. If you’re a seven-year-old who rapes his three-year-old sister because he’s watched his mom get raped and beaten by his father, that’s a mistake. If you’re a 20-something professional sports star and you rape your children’s nanny, you committed a crime, and deliberately hurt another human being in one of the worst possible ways. You go to jail. For a long time.

I don’t give a flying falafel about how valuable you are to the local economy because you’re part of the team.

I don’t care if you have your whole life ahead of you. You should be spending it with Louie, your new cell-mate who thinks you’re damn cute.

I don’t care if you don’t want to spend the next 20 years with a bunch of druggies and criminals…oh, wait. That’s what’s on your agenda with the NBA…

He raped someone. He pled guilty, regardless of the type of “guilty”. Send him to jail for twenty years. And hand over half of his current net worth to the nanny. She deserves it. I’ve known people who were raped (men and women both). Adult rape is, next to child rape, the most vile, evil, irresponsible, rage-inducing thing I’ve ever watched people experience. He should be in jail for a very long time.

jayjay

4

Um…just to clarify: I haven’t watched people actually experience a rape, per se (and thank whatever god(s) have kept me from having to see that happen). I have, however, watched helplessly while they experienced the entire complex of post-rape emotions and injuries.

If I ever had witnessed a rape in progress, there would be one less rapist with the equipment to pursue his “calling”.

jayjay (usually a gentle bear)