All I know of the McClure matter is what I've read in this column, but I have an opinion on a relevant, more fundamental topic.
It is simply that laws awarding authority should exact an equal measure of responsibility.
For examples;
1. A parole board decides that Joe has been a good prisoner, does not need the remainder of his dose of rehabilitation, and frees him. At some time when Joe still should have been in jail, he murders an elderly woman in her home. I believe members of the parole board that permitted this atrocity should bear a share of the murder rap.
2. Psychiatrist Bill examines abusive husband Sam and concludes that he is no longer a threat to his wife and need not be restrained to live apart from her. A week later Sam attacks his wife, breaks her nose and arm, and sends her to a hospital. I believe Bill should share Sam's penalty, because he approved the situation in which the brute was able to injure the woman.
3. Pancho is picked up on some charge or other and is found to be in the country illegally. This is a "sanctuary city," however, so Judge Roy Bean puts him back on the street. The next day, Pancho rapes a 7-year-old girl. Assuming the sanctuary city feels he should be punished for rape, I believe that, since he made the crime possible, Judge Bean also should be charged with rape.
Those that blithely release harmful predators among us should be punished for the crimes committed by the agents of their criminally bad judgments. Those authorities would be far more conservative and circumspect in their rulings if they knew they would be punished for their mistakes. This would be better for us, the pool of prospective victims.
Larry Stanfel
Roundup
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