VT- Grandstanding about crime

7-18-2008 Vermont:

It appears that Gov. Douglas and Lt. Gov. Dubie are politically grandstanding on the understandable emotions resulting from the recent tragedy.

Lots of talk of "penalties" and "retribution," as if the threat of penalties served as realistic "prevention." Lots of research to show that long and harsh penalties fail to serve adequately to "prevent" a majority of these crimes.

It is not the stalking sex predator near our schools and playgrounds that we most need to fear. It is known a majority of sex crimes against young people occur within families, committed by family members or close family friends. This rarely makes headlines nor gets votes. Where are the sensational headlines in highlighting our families and friends?

By all means, I feel there should be strong sanctions for these crimes to separate predators from the community. However if we really want to address the problem, we also need to develop ways of better identifying young people who are being abused in their homes and working to protect them.

There appears to be very little in the administration's belated "call for action" which seems to recognize and address the real problem. The oversimplification and grandstanding to have the Legislature immediately deal with a long-standing administrative issue totally misses the boat — but then the loud administrative focus on prison terms instead of prevention makes much better press during an election year, doesn't it?

Can reason prevail within the political arena? ..News Source.. Opinion of: ALAN TAPLOW, Plainfield