Former street preacher gets life in Smart case

Why are people attacking each other and debating this?


At any rate, here's my take on it.. I agree moreso Jillio. He's a sick man. I don't believe for a second he was incompetent to stand trial, but I do believe he is sick. As for justice, Elizabeth Smart got it; finally. However, as an abuse survivor, I'm not celebrating this. Actually, I'm rather sad. It saddens me when anyone goes through this kind of trauma. It changes you. All these years, it has appeared that Elizabeth is well adjusted, but I honestly believe she has a long way to go before she is free of this. Healing takes a long time for a lot of us. In fact, it can take a life time.
 
Oceanbreeze said:
Why are people attacking each other and debating this?


At any rate, here's my take on it.. I agree moreso Jillio. He's a sick man. I don't believe for a second he was incompetent to stand trial, but I do believe he is sick. As for justice, Elizabeth Smart got it; finally. However, as an abuse survivor, I'm not celebrating this. Actually, I'm rather sad. It saddens me when anyone goes through this kind of trauma. It changes you. All these years, it has appeared that Elizabeth is well adjusted, but I honestly believe she has a long way to go before she is free of this. Healing takes a long time for a lot of us. In fact, it can take a life time.
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Exactly. And he needed to be removed from society. However, there is a reason he is sick, and I see no reason to celebrate the fact that we live in a society that fosters such illness and then rejoices in punishing the sick.

Was he incompetent? No. That does not mean that he was not sick. And rejoicing in punishment or execution of the mentally ill is not a condition of a humane society. It is a sad fact that we have to remove people such as this from society for the rest of their lives. It is no reason to rejoice.
 
jillio said:
Exactly. And he needed to be removed from society. However, there is a reason he is sick, and I see no reason to celebrate the fact that we live in a society that fosters such illness and then rejoices in punishing the sick.

Was he incompetent? No. That does not mean that he was not sick. And rejoicing in punishment or execution of the mentally ill is not a condition of a humane society. It is a sad fact that we have to remove people such as this from society for the rest of their lives. It is no reason to rejoice.
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I will say I feel a measure of happiness FOR HER. Elizabeth can now continue to heal without the distractions of trials and hearings. It's probably more of a relief for her than anything. That is why people saw such a subdued reaction from her. In all honesty, I can see myself having a similiar reaction. I don't think we should expect anything more from her. Only ones who've suffered like she can has can understand what she went through...
 
Oceanbreeze said:
I will say I feel a measure of happiness FOR HER. Elizabeth can now continue to heal without the distractions of trials and hearings. It's probably more of a relief for her than anything. That is why people saw such a subdued reaction from her. In all honesty, I can see myself having a similiar reaction. I don't think we should expect anything more from her. Only ones who've suffered like she can has can understand what she went through...
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I agree. I am happy that that the entire trauma has now reached a point where she can seriously begin to work to integrate these experiences as a part of her past. Relief and exhaustion could well be the reason for her subdued reaction. I'm certain that she, more than anyone, understands what she faces in healing, and I'm sure that she also understands that venegeful feelings toward her kidnapper and abuser will not allow her to heal.
 
jillio said:
I agree. Her lack of emotion disturbed me, as well. She no doubt has a ways to go in integrating her experiences. It will be years for her to come to terms, I'm sure.

I, too, am glad that he is off the streets. However, there is no winner in this situation. It disturbs me that people seem to feel it necessary to celebrate a negative outcome to an already negative situation.:hmm:
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I think it good that she was strong is court and did not let the monster think that he had broken her spirit ! We have no idea what emotions she has gone through over the years. I think it a crime that tax payers will have to pay for
the monster time in jail!
 
whatdidyousay! said:
I think it good that she was strong is court and did not let the monster think that he had broken her spirit ! We have no idea what emotions she has gone through over the years. I think it a crime that tax payers will have to pay for
the monster time in jail!
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Mmmmmkay.
 
I am just glad that justice was served. Mitchell is behind bars and I'm hoping Elizabeth Smart will be able to move on quietly with her life. It seems like she has grown into a very strong woman since this ordeal. She appeared very well composed and I believe she is not seeking revenge based upon her personal morals. If she is happy with the outcome, then I am happy with the outcome.

Actually, as a mother of a daughter myself, I am happy that we have one less pervert roaming freely on our streets. Hopefully, Mitchell will come to his senses and realize the magnitude of what he has done and at least apologize for the harm and damage he has done to this young woman and her family. However, he may never realize the full-extent of what he has done as it has been speculated that he is mentally ill yet was deemed competent enough to stand trial.

FWIW.
 
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