UNITED STATES
Hamilton and Griffin on Rights
Abolitionist and former slave Harriet Ann Jacobs knew something about tough times. But writing about spring, she noted “when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.”
Thankfully, it is indeed springtime. So let’s focus on some good news:
–A concerned parent tipped off SNAP leader Joelle Casteix that a priest who sexually assaulted a San Diego teenager was working in an Oklahoma parish. Within hours, in a rare but encouraging burst of public parishioner courage, Catholics were picketing and Archbishop Paul Coakley quickly reversed himself and sent Fr. Jose Alexis Davila packing.
–Ex-House Speaker Dennis Hastert, the highest ranking government official to admit molesting kids, will got a more severe prison sentence and will soon be behind bars longer than prosecutors had recommended. His horrific wrongdoing – child sex abuse, financial shenanigans, lying to the FBI and trying to frame a victim as an extortionist – has rightly led to one of his pensions being yanked and his name being taken off buildings and programs.
–One Hastert victim who is suing him has won the right to protect his privacy. (Shame on Hastert for trying to force the survivor into publicly revealing his name.)
–In the wake of the Hastert scandal and others (Bill Cosby, Jerry Sandusky, campus rapes etc.), the admirable efforts of brave Pennsylvania victims and their advocates are paying off. Progress is being made to pass a “civil window” bill that will stop more child sex crimes and cover ups by exposing and deterring those who commit and conceal them, thanks largely to the incredible courage of Rep. Mark Rizzo and the admirable persistence of survivors like John Salveson, Tammy Lerner, and others.
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