Kansas isn”t just a blue state anymore.
It”s black-and-blue, well, the Capital, Topeka, anyway.
Just in time for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the city council and mayor repealed the city”s domestic abuse law on Tuesday. The group didn”t want the city to be stuck with the bill for prosecuting the cases.
Say what?
Misdemeanor domestic violence cases are not being pursued and 18 jailed people were released without facing charges, according to the Topeka Police. Prosecutors and police have refused to discuss details of the criteria.
The state will prosecute cases that involve weapons, because those are felony cases.
According to a Tuesday Associated Press article, “Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor has said he knew his decision would upset people but contends his hand was forced by the 10-percent cut in his budget for 2012, which he said will force him to lay off staff. He considered employee furloughs and “every angle” before making his announcement in early September.”
His hand was forced? Wow, Mr. Taylor, your slip is showing.
This decision begs so many questions, that I, for one, would love to hear the answers to.
Have non-violent criminals been released?
Would a person who abuses animals still be prosecuted in Topeka?
If a stranger assaulted or threatened someone would they, too, be released? Or is the person required to profess his/her love in order to be eligible for release?
And finally, will Topeka tout this decision in tourism ads, to the tune of, “Consequences? Who needs consequences? Come to Topeka if you want to terrorize your loved ones.”
I think Taylor is the Wicked Witch of the Midwest.
He has not only added insult to injury, he has compromised vulnerable citizens and sent a clear message to those who are attempting to leave domestic violence situations.
He is essentially letting them know they do not have the same rights as other citizens and they will not be protected.
It”s difficult to leave a domestic violence situation and once a victim takes the brave leap to notify authorities and seek help, abuse and threats typically escalate.
Sadly some of those incidents end in deaths of one or more people.
“I absolutely do not understand it. It”s really outrageous that they”re playing with family safety to see who blinks first. People could die while they”re waiting to straighten this out.” Rita Smith, executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, was quoted saying to the Associated Press in response to the action.
Seriously, who is Taylor”s golf partner, O.J.?
Taylor has put a price on the heads of the victims. They are not economically viable. I”m pretty sure people who are battered already feel like garbage. Taylor is sending them the message that indeed they are.
City councilwoman, Denise Everhart, who opposed the repeal said, “I just ask everybody to consider the message we”re sending.”
Many domestic violence cases also have other victims — children. They are the innocent bystanders absorbing what they see, hear and feel while living in fear.
The cycle of abuse tends to continue for them when they become adults, either as the victims or the abusers.
Anthropologically speaking, Taylor”s move could be construed as an indication of the beginnings of the decline of this civilization.
The history of humankind is marked by patterns of growth and decline. Some declines are gradual, occurring over centuries. Others are rapid, occurring over the course of a few years. War, drought, natural disaster, disease, overpopulation and economic disruption lend to the end.
In the interest of safety and fairness this ludicrous decision should be reversed immediately, complete with apologies to the victims.
” ? in Topeka on a Monday night. Every saint has a past, every sinner has a future ?” — Ludo
Mandy Feder is the Record-Bee managing editor. She can be reached at mandyfeder@yahoo.com or 263-5636 ext. 32.
