Sad story

[OmegaBob]

:shame: Here is the sad story of the starvation murder of Danieal, a 14 y/o girl with cerebral palsy. It's well worth the read.

Sadly, it makes me angry. Angry at a society that would think it's OK for the mother in this case to shoot out 10 babies, by 5 different fathers, and not force tie her freakin tubes as well as her not giving a damn about any of her children (obviously, she only had all those kids for a nice check from the government every month). Angry at a city agency that would allow this to happen! Angry at the outsourced company and their lack of heart as well as their attempts to cover up their lack of inaction.

I'm disgusted by by city and everyone involved right now. :shame:

Side note: everyone who defended the former mayor of Philly when I attacked him over waiting in line for an iPhone... this happend on his watch!!! This is another reason why he was the worst mayor this city ever had! Allowing this to happen during his two terms? Stupid people in the city voting for him only because he is a Democrat??? He and everyone, who voted for this scum bag, have some blame in this!!! :shame:

Cover up (http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080801_Cover-up__Documents_were_forged__and_falsified__report_s ays_.html)
Nine indicted (http://www.philly.com/inquirer/front_page/Nine_indicted_in_fatal_neglect_of_girl.html)
Timeline (http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/20080801_A_Timeline_of_Neglect.html)


*** WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES AND DESCRIPTIONS ***
Grand Jury Report -PDF (http://media.philly.com/documents/Grand_Jury_DHS_new.pdf)

[Wyrmlord]

How can so many people simultaneously have been so indifferent? I just read that report, and absolutely no one bothered?

This sort of moral corruption in so many people, from where does it spring?

[MicheleWhite]

I only got to p. 83 or so last night, but...

Is this the direction our society is moving in?
How can the good people of Philadelphia stand by and not take immediate action? It's taken 2 years for things to get this far, and how many children have had to suffer in the mean time? I fear this isn't even a location specific problem, as the living conditions described can be found in most cities and yes, even in rural areas like mine. Apathy is destroying our society and killing our children.

[OmegaBob]

Wanna know why this type of thing continues?

Here is your answer from today's paper:

they don't care

The criminal charges have left workers at DHS reeling, with some proposing that they walk off the job in protest - an idea that was squelched yesterday by union officials.

"They should not be going to jail for the work they do," said Boles, president of District Council 47, Local 2187, of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

"This case traumatized the agency when it came out two years ago, and it has been very alive since then," she said. "Not to diminish the case, but the [district attorney's] report is using testimony about a time that isn't today."

source (http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080802_Phila__health_official_resigns_in_DHS_fal lout.html)

I've dealt with these types of employees from time to time an trust me, some (not all) city workers don't give a damn. As soon as they land a job with the city, it's like one big vacation. Seriously, they don't care. :shame:

[OmegaBob]

OMFG! It gets better:

Danieal Kelly's parents sue the city (http://www.philly.com/inquirer/home_region/20080813_Danieal_Kelly_s_parents_sue_the_city.html )


The lawsuit - filed in federal court in Philadelphia - names the city, its child-welfare agency, the state, and several caseworkers, saying they failed to protect the girl and should pay the family to compensate for its loss.The suit blames Danieal Kelly's death on caseworkers for DHS and MultiEthnic Behavioral Health Inc., a firm the city hired to provide support to the family.

1 - I think I have lost all faith in humanity.

2 - Any lawyer that would even take this case... present this case... is the epitome of scum.

I would say more... but I'm in shock.

[kyleh]

Lawsuits are just a question, if the answer is yes then you should complain.

[MicheleWhite]

OMFG!!!

I'm not at a loss for words, but those words are unacceptable in this forum!

I'd love to hop on a plane and...but then MY kids would be in foster care.

[Virus002]

I cannot even fathom there are people in this world taking up space and depriving others of oxygen. These parents are nothing but bottom feeders looking for handouts and no responsibility They were with that child daily and let her die their neglect is the reason she died the city workers failed to stop this.

[stingray]

There is no limit to human depravity and cruelty. There are examples of this coming to light almost every day.

[JadedMage]

There have been examples of this coming to light since there were human beings.

Yeah, it's awful. But unless we're going to do something about it, what's the use in getting all worked up about it? On a gaming forum, of all places.

Of course, if somebody on this forum is actually doing something about it, then my apologies.

If not, this is just emotional masturbation with other people's tragedies as material.

[OmegaBob]

There have been examples of this coming to light since there were human beings.
So does that mean one should turn a blind eye to such things?

Nice

Yeah, it's awful. But unless we're going to do something about it, what's the use in getting all worked up about it? On a gaming forum, of all places.
The last time I checked, I posted this in a subsection of the... wait for it... GENERAL DISCUSSION forum.

Ya, know... where anything not related to... wait for it... GAMING... can be posted (within reason).

Of course, if somebody on this forum is actually doing something about it, then my apologies. If not, this is just emotional masturbation with other people's tragedies as material.
Is not making other people aware of such things like this not actually 'doing something about it?' Awareness is the first step, the next is up to the individual.

Seriously, I'm shocked by your uncaring and cold attitude about this. I can sort of see your POV with everything up until the last point. Essentially, according to your philosophy, we should be just sheep or cows, that do nothing, as we are led to the slaughter.

Nice.

It seems to me that mayhaps someone... won't name names... has done a lil too much mental masterbation on their own to cause them to be jaded and pessimistic.

[kyleh]

I tend to agree with Jadedmage. Acting locally is very important, and obviously this issue is local to you Obob, but from here in Texas there is really nothing I could do about it other than be depressed.

I read the entire PDF, btw. Very depressing stuff, especially the fact that lesser neglects were almost certainly happening at the same time due to the inactivity of the one social services organization.

Edit: Before you go nuts, I'm not insinuating that this topic isn't worth discussing or should not have been posted, I'm just saying that it's counter productive to be angry about it. You live in Philly, fix it. :D

[OmegaBob]

And here I thought this was a discussion forum... a place to discuss things (which is what we are doing now actually, hehe). I posted the story (in the heated section of the general forums… not the gaming section), made my own comments and updated the story when there was news. Nothing more... so please, quote me if I am wrong, but I do not recall ever asking anyone to do anything about it. Just making people aware of a… SAD STORY (like mentioned in the subject line).

As for it being counterproductive, I would disagree. I posted, shared and vented and mentioned my opinions. Others have posted as well (as well as stated their opinions). I’m not really understanding why this thread is causing… certain… people to get bent out of shape as well as seemingly get offended.

Like when… certain… people read the newspaper, view news broadcasts or read internet stories… do these same people send emails/letters to the editors asking them not to publish stories like that b/c these types of things have been happening all throughout time? Or, it’s not local, so I don’t care?

It’s just a sad story that I shared… nothing more… and I find it odd that people are questioning it.

However… lookie at this:

Rediculous statement. War is always logical, from the point of view of the perpetrators. It's a bloody expensive business and generates a crapload of bad pr for whoever starts it. There's always a reason for it, even if the onlookers can't figure it out. In this case, we have a country that is at such a strategic location, as a buffer, that Ghost Recon did its first set of scenarios there, as well as the prospect of control of strategic oil routes from the Caspian Sea.
link: http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSLC43425220080812
That's even more logical rationale than the invasion of Iraq had. (which had to be rationalized with the terrorist and HMD boogeymen until we were so embroiled that there was no pulling out...) But even that war has its logic, from the US point of view.

Just curious as to why this… person… didn’t reply like he/she did in my thread… hmmm… I’ll do this person a favor by modifying it for him, so that he/she can copy and paste or edit his original post in the Russia/George thread:

Russia invading Georgia means nothing. There have been examples of this since there were human beings. Yeah, it's awful. But unless we're going to do something about it, what's the use in getting all worked up about it? On a gaming forum, of all places. Of course, if somebody on this forum is actually doing something about it, then my apologies. If not, this is just emotional masturbation with other people's tragedies as material.

People have differing opinions and thats great: either thats a sad story or I dont care or it sucked to be her. But certain peoples’ comments just remind me of the social workers who were assigned to her case... so certain people proved my point as to why this can still happen in this day and age.
:D

[OmegaBob]

Note: was thinking... obviously, everyone is entitlted to their opinion.

Some people think what happen to that girl was sad and tragic. Others are indifferent.

Who am I to judge?

[stingray]

emotional masturbation

Wow, I learn something new every day, I'll file that right next to verbal diarrhea. :rules:

Oh, and y'all don't forget to buy a Prius, even if it won't save the world, it'll make you feel better.

Seriously though, it's a sad story but this is a forum and I don't see a problem discussing anything on it as long as it's done in a mature and adult manner. Showing a little empathy hasn't hurt anybody on a forum yet, but it won't save the world either.

[JadedMage]

(Jeez, I kept checking back for the longest time on this thread, and then skipped a day and the place is suddenly alive!)

@ obob.

Kyleh was much more succinct than I. Basically, if it angers you so much, then do something about it. Forum posting, while a good way to clarify your thoughts, doesn't make the slightest difference in issues like this one.

Emotional masturbation: if the issue is ugly enough, then getting your feelings out by posting on a forum is nothing more than that.

Unless your rave is actually a jumping off point, (or a practice session? I'm searching for words here) it does nothing but water down that beautiful riteous anger that is the source of so much good in the world.

Nah, what I feel about this is the farthest thing from indifference. You've got a massive amount of creativity and energy Obob, and that should be used to make the world you live in a better place. Seeing even a little bit of that heat wasted ****es me off.

CertainPeople (aka JadedMage)

[gorilla325]

there's nothing to discuss about it... except expressing my sympathy to the girl, anger towards the incredibly bad parents, corrupted agency, and moan the sad humanity...

[OmegaBob]

1 - Do you contact your local newspaper, broadcast news sources etc and ask them not to do stories about issues such as this? Or any 'news' stories? Like, when you hear this (http://www.philly.com/philly/news/26909284.html), do you call the editor of the paper and demand that they stop publishing stories like that? Do you say to yourself, "well the rape already happened, so since I can't do anything about it, I don't need to read about it."? After 9/11, did you just shrug yer shoulders and go, "oh well, sucked to be those people in the towers."?

2 - If you had a difference of opinion about the incident, thats one thing... you don't. You have issues with the actual thread, which makes no sense. Please get it through your head: I was just posting a SAD STORY -one that I was shocked to see occur in the area that I live in. Also, I lamented over how such things could happen to... wait for it... THIS girl (not other girls… this one). Yes, poop like this happens (or has happened) before, but according to you, we should all close the shutters to block out everything that is bad (place our little rose colored glasses on, hold hands and sing kumbaya). People post other news articles, jokes, stories (even personal), so why do you take offense with this?

3 - How's the Russian thread going for ya? Funny how you can't do nothing about the conflict and yet you find that story worthy of replying to (no offense to Alaric, just using it as an example). Very odd... what... what's the word for someone like that again??? Hmmmm.

4 - Remind you of you?
Cartoon Wars, part 1 (http://www.southparkstudios.com/episodes/103230/)
Cartoon Wars, part 2 (http://www.southparkstudios.com/episodes/103233/)
US non-interventionism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_non-interventionism)
Hope the sand you bury your head in works out well for ya.

5 - Ya know, if certain people on this forum would actually do something, like complain to a mod about the existence of the thread and ask that it be deleted, rather than post their personal drivel, then maybe certain people’s comments won't be seen as mental masturbation.

[Alaric]

Ha-ha-ha!!! Obob, those cartoon wars are bloody hilarious!!! Thanks!

[kyleh]

Technically, Jadedmage is discussing the issue just as much as anybody else in the thread is. I think that the level of vitriol being thrown his way is almost completely inappropriate considering the simple comment he made.

If Jadedmage said "This topic is stupid and Omegabob is obviously a shallow and stupid human being for posting it.", then that would be a personal attack expressed along with an opinion, which is one thing that is ok on the forum and one thing that is against the rules.

Replying to Jadedmage and saying "I posted it because I thought it was interesting and you are also a sheep who has no awareness of the world and probably some kind of communist or maybe somebody that has a headwound." is also a personal attack expressed along with an opinion. Again, one thing is fine and good, one thing is at the very least treading the line.

What I'm trying to say is, keep it civil. More civil than it is getting to be. I certainly don't want to participate in or discuss a topic that is heading this direction.

p.s. I don't read the paper. The news exists to make you afraid, not to make you aware. The PDF was interesting though.

[JadedMage]

3 - How's the Russian thread going for ya? Funny how you can't do nothing about the conflict and yet you find that story worthy of replying to (no offense to Alaric, just using it as an example). Very odd... what... what's the word for someone like that again??? Hmmmm.

Actually, one reason that I responded to that is that I AM doing something. Or rather, one of the things that the organization I work for has been doing for the past 18 years has been to work in that region, bringing national leaders into dialog with each other, helping ease the Central European transition to a market economy... Things like that.Not that it was able to stave off the current situation...

1 - Like, when you hear this, do you call the editor of the paper and demand that they stop publishing stories like that? Do you say to yourself, "well the rape already happened, so since I can't do anything about it, I don't need to read about it."? After 9/11, did you just shrug yer shoulders and go, "oh well, sucked to be those people in the towers."?

2 - Yes, poop like this happens (or has happened) before, but according to you, we should all close the shutters to block out everything that is bad (place our little rose colored glasses on, hold hands and sing kumbaya).



And with that, I give up. Maybe it was my phrasing or something, but you're completely missing what I was saying. I'll give it one last try, but this is taking too much energy that could be used on, well, actually doing something.

My points:
-Yes, it is a sad story. (Okay, I added this one. I thought it was too obvious to mention, but I guess not.)
-Since the situation is so awful, something needs to be done.
-The best people to do it are those who are closest and most directly affected by the problem. In this case, angry people living in Philadelphia.
-Posting on a forum but then actually doing nothing is a waste of good anger.

Extra stuff:
As you say, burying your head in the sand regarding the evil around you is wrong. I would add that it lets the evil keep growing until something awful happens.

But while it is perfectly fine to post news like this on these forums, it's not exactly an effective pursuit. In fact I wonder if it might even be a negative pursuit because it gives us a vague feeling that, by posting we have actually done something, and that it is okay to move on.

That's all I'm saying. But deliberately or not, you're making me out to say things that I haven't said, and not acknowledging those that I have.

So like I said, it's taking too much energy to make a point that doesn't seem to have much chance of being heard, so I'll just leave you to it. Enjoy.

JadedMage