Topic: Professions & Institutions The Nice Magistrate (10/12/2009)
And they say that the justice system
has no heart! Iowa Magistrate Judge Benny Waggoner
was told that Randy Barker, who was serving a 10-day jail sentence for
interference with official acts and violation of a protective order, had
been planning for months travel to Kansas City and see the Royals play
the Red Sox. "Randy's always been a Red Sox fan," Norman
Barker told TV station KCCI. "The Red Sox got a knuckle ball pitcher.
I have an 11-year-old grandson that plays baseball, pitches perfect knuckle
ball and that's why we're going." It was a big family event;
Randy and his family hadnt been to game in 25 years. A judge actually interrupts a prison
sentence so the guy doesnt have to miss a family outing! Isnt that great?
Of COURSE is isnt great. Its
wrong and irresponsible, not to mention unfair. If someone is sent to
jail, that means they are supposed to endure punishment. Prisoners
miss the births of their children, see their relationships fall into ruin,
miss out on every simple joy from sniffing a rose to jogging in the rain…and
this guy gets a special temporary release so he can go to a RED SOX
GAME?? The judge has taken all integrity
out of the justice system and made it a joke. Lance Morris, whose family
was the one Barker harassed sufficiently to get sent to jail, is understandably
perplexed. Barker called Morriss mother more than 60 times in one night,
he told reporters. "His therapist has called me to say she has a
duty to warn me that he told her he wanted to get a gun and shoot me,
said Morris. But he wants to go to a ballgame so they let him out."
One can only imagine what excuse
the next prisoner will offer Waggoner to persuade him to grant a vacation
from jail. A high school reunion, perhaps. A Super Bowl party.
All those who have no respect for
the justice system are just nodding their heads. See? they are thinking.
Capricious, random, illogical—just like we told you! But so nice!
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© 2007 Jack Marshall & ProEthics,
Ltd |