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I also think that the charges here are too severe, and the Steubenville rape sentences were too light. But they are not comparable. The rapists could have recei

I also think that the charges here are too severe, and the Steubenville rape sentences were too light. But they are not comparable. The rapists could have received far more than two years and Kiera Wilmot will probably receive less than five.

vlad_k 13y ago
Even a day would be an absolute travesty of justice for this. She's getting the book thrown at her, not for reasons of safety, or education, but simply because the book exists to be thrown. Yes, she did something stupid. But if stupidity were a crime, we'd all be doing time. I can't see how society would be safer... Or better off, by destroying this woman's future.
- psutor 13y ago
  This is a great way to put it. I agree, this is only happening because administrators see a way to use their "book." Disclaimer: the same thing happened to me: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5637272 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5637272
- deleted 13y ago
  [deleted]
InclinedPlane 13y ago
She's being charged with essentially the same crime as entering a school with a loaded gun and shooting inside the school. The fact that jail time is even on the table is a problem, even if she is likely to receive less jail time than convicted rapists (isn't that comforting?)
keithpeter 13y ago
"probably receive less than five" In a UK school that would be 'probably less than five minutes in the head teacher's study being told off'
- protomyth 13y ago
  I'm sure a proper telling off could go as long as 20 minutes with a probable preamble of the student standing in front of the head teacher's desk in silence for a good five minutes while the head teacher collects his/her thoughts, but that would be the end of it.
  - keithpeter 13y ago
    Yes, true. And in these days of 'safeguarding' there might be half a day suspension or Mum might be phoned. As an outsider viewing this kind of thing in the US from the media (like the wrong end of a telescope) it seems as if there is a huge legal machine that just crushes away irrespective of the need and actual severity of the case. Am I wrong?
    - protomyth 13y ago
      You're not wrong. "Zero tolerance" swept the land and there is precious little the average person can do to change how schools work. Running for school board requires a commitment that most people cannot accept (need to feed the family). This whole thing is pretty much why I support parents picking the school the kids go to with the money following that choice. It is really the only way that parents will be heard.

vlad_k 13y ago

Even a day would be an absolute travesty of justice for this. She's getting the book thrown at her, not for reasons of safety, or education, but simply because the book exists to be thrown. Yes, she did something stupid. But if stupidity were a crime, we'd all be doing time. I can't see how society would be safer... Or better off, by destroying this woman's future.

psutor 13y ago
This is a great way to put it. I agree, this is only happening because administrators see a way to use their "book." Disclaimer: the same thing happened to me: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5637272 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5637272
deleted 13y ago
[deleted]

InclinedPlane 13y ago

She's being charged with essentially the same crime as entering a school with a loaded gun and shooting inside the school. The fact that jail time is even on the table is a problem, even if she is likely to receive less jail time than convicted rapists (isn't that comforting?)

keithpeter 13y ago

"probably receive less than five" In a UK school that would be 'probably less than five minutes in the head teacher's study being told off'

protomyth 13y ago
I'm sure a proper telling off could go as long as 20 minutes with a probable preamble of the student standing in front of the head teacher's desk in silence for a good five minutes while the head teacher collects his/her thoughts, but that would be the end of it.
- keithpeter 13y ago
  Yes, true. And in these days of 'safeguarding' there might be half a day suspension or Mum might be phoned. As an outsider viewing this kind of thing in the US from the media (like the wrong end of a telescope) it seems as if there is a huge legal machine that just crushes away irrespective of the need and actual severity of the case. Am I wrong?
  - protomyth 13y ago
    You're not wrong. "Zero tolerance" swept the land and there is precious little the average person can do to change how schools work. Running for school board requires a commitment that most people cannot accept (need to feed the family). This whole thing is pretty much why I support parents picking the school the kids go to with the money following that choice. It is really the only way that parents will be heard.