Disqus - Latest Comments for cherisblog

Re: http://cheri-thomas.blogspot.com/2009/04/south-dakota-finds-clinic-reused-single.html

cherisblog — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:35:16 -0000

Thank you so very much for sharing your story! I am so sorry to hear that this has happened to you. I was immediately outraged when I heard about this story. I stand behind my original statement that criminal action needs to be taken against those involved.

This is outrageous!

Bless you and your family, as our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Re: http://cheri-thomas.blogspot.com/2009/04/south-dakota-finds-clinic-reused-single.html

cherisblog — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 21:09:11 -0000

If you have any "facts" that were not presented in the original CNN article on which this commentary was based, I would love to hear them.

In case you were not aware, we obviously specialize in commentaries, and what you read is my commentary based in the information available. If there has been an update on the information that CNN originally presented, I would greatly appreciate it.

However, I suspect that for some reason you are a sympathizer of the clinic. And if this is a case of sour grapes for not liking my commentary, then you need to get over it. Anybody in their right mind can see that what this clinic is accused of is appalling.

Re: Arizona State University Snubs President Barack Obama, Won't Confer Honorary Degree, Says "His Body of Work is Yet to Come"

cherisblog — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 02:36:08 -0000

I agree with you Mattie! This move on the part of the university was utterly disgraceful.

Re: If you're obese, rethink flying United!

cherisblog — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 02:34:43 -0000

Thanks for your comment!

While I see your point, in this country we do not make people with disabilities pay to be accommodated. If a person is so large that they cannot fit into a single seat, in my opinion their size actually qualifies as a disability.

It is for this reason that I disagree with policies like what United and Southwest have implemented. And as I stated in my article, I will not support businesses with discriminatory policies; whether that be against color, creed, race, religion,sexual orientation, or disability. I will vote on this one with my money and I choose to take it elsewhere.

Re: Mom stages kidnapping to get money from ex, feds say

cherisblog — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 21:19:15 -0000

If I were to witness the mother being tortured, I personally would look the other way. This was ridiculous!

Re: Melissa Huckaby, 28, Sunday School Teacher at Clover Road Baptist Church, Arrested in Murder of Sandra Cantu

cherisblog — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 15:52:02 -0000

Thanks for the update. I just saw this on CNN!!! Although I'm glad to hear that it wasn't the pastor, I am outraged that anyone connected with a church was connected with this crime.

Re: Sentencing a 14-year old to life without parole: Do you know who Quantel Lotts is?

Jeff — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 14:04:35 -0000

How is it an accidental killing? He stabbed the victim twice with a knife, correct? He accidentally picked up the knife and accidentally stabbed his step brother twice? He was also convicted of first degree murder so the jury obviously thought that there was not only malice but premeditation.

While his punishment will not bring the victim back it will save others from suffering the same fate as his step brother.

Re: Police to search Clover Road Baptist Church in Sandra Cantu's murder

David — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 09:57:43 -0000

I didn't mean to suggest that there was any difference in our views. In fact, when it comes to the pastor in this story,I have no view on him because I haven't formed an opinion on him. I know nothing about him except that the church where he ministers and the parsonage where he lives have been searched, along with other places in the area.

So far, it sounds to me like the police are doing their job. They can't eliminate people or places from possible involvement until they investigate. It's routine.

Perhaps the minister is a suspect. But no one has confirmed that. And, until he is charged with something, it is irresponsible to suggest that he might be involved.

It's always a good idea for a writer to keep in mind that libel cases are not criminal cases. There is considerable gray area in which juries operate. If they decide that the plaintiff has been damaged, they may award the plaintiff hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars in their judgment, regardless of the explanation that is offered.

Needless to say, it can be quite expensive to try to defend yourself against these suits. I suspect that's in large part why the CYA clause on this blog essentially says that writers are on their own.

A good rule of thumb is this -- simply because you think something does not mean you must express it.

Re: Police to search Clover Road Baptist Church in Sandra Cantu's murder

cherisblog — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:53:44 -0000

Well stated, and I don't think our views are all that different...

Re: Police to search Clover Road Baptist Church in Sandra Cantu's murder

David — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 23:34:37 -0000

You needn't tell me what a blog is. I write three of them.

Also, there are many things about internet communications that are still emerging and will continue to emerge in the law, especially now that internet sites are replacing newspapers in some places. Will the law differentiate between websites and blogs? Will fair comment laws change because it appears on a computer screen and not a page of newsprint? I don't know. But I do know a few things about the history of communications law.

I am simply saying -- and I did not intend to ruffle any feathers -- that, based on my experience, it seems wiser to wait until someone else raises the issue and then respond to the accusation, if there is one. At this point, I have seen no posts or comments that link the pastor to the crime other than yours.

Libel suits are typically filed against whoever raised the issue initially. Until this point of communications law is clarified -- and the only way to do that is with test cases in the courts -- it seems prudent to me to let others connect the dots first.

But you're free to do as you please.

Re: Police to search Clover Road Baptist Church in Sandra Cantu's murder

cherisblog — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:00:02 -0000

a blog: a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments, and often hyperlinks provided by the writer ; also : the contents of such a site. ~merriam webster (m-w.com)
_____________________________

Sir, this is a blog, and I am a blogger. I give my personal reflections based on the information presented. I would also argue that the pastor has been thrust in the spotlight as a public figure based on the attention this case is receiving.

I do however appreciate your concern. People can draw all sorts of conclusions from what someone writes that may or may not have been intended by the author. I cannot curb my reactions to these stories on the bases that someone might take it wrong. The best I can do is give an explanation when prompted.

As it relates to this case, I find it curious that the home and church of a pastor were searched in connection with this case. I am not saying that the pastor has done anything wrong. However this turn in the investigation has my eyebrow raised. In the end we shall see what becomes of the investigation...

Re: Police to search Clover Road Baptist Church in Sandra Cantu's murder

David — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:38:37 -0000

I understand about commentary. I've had a lot of experience as a working journalist in my career. Let me direct your attention to the last line of the post:

"Of course all suspects are innocent until found guilty, but to think that a pastor could have had something to do with this act is unfathomable!"

Yes, you said suspects are innocent until proven guilty, but in the next breath you connected the dots implying the possibility of the pastor's involvement. That, at least, is how I read this. If I am mistaken, I apologize. But I have seen many writers who were sued for libel and many speakers who were sued for slander.

And the ones who were sued successfully lost because the plaintiff's lawyer was able to persuade the jury of malicious intent. Writers have to be especially careful in the words they choose and how they use them. Juries can be very unpredictable.

Fair comment is a legal defense when the person being discussed is a public figure, like a pro athlete or a movie star. I'm not sure the pastor of a church qualifies -- some might, if their congregations are big enough or if the pastor is in the public eye a lot, perhaps as a host of a TV or radio program. It may depend on how a jury interprets the law.

But it just seems like an area where I would rather be safe than sorry.

Re: Sentencing a 14-year old to life without parole: Do you know who Quantel Lotts is?

cherisblog — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:37:32 -0000

I agree Shukura! The criminal justice system is extremely unbalanced with regard to the way that minorities are treated.

As far as Quantel is concerned, I agree that he needed to pay for the consequences of his actions, but life in prison is excessive.

Re: Sentencing a 14-year old to life without parole: Do you know who Quantel Lotts is?

cherisblog — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 20:34:29 -0000

Jeff, I am the author and I acknowledge that this is a tragedy all the way around. Let's get this straight. This was an accidental killing, not a premeditated murder.

If my child was killed by my stepson while they were playing, I believe that I would be devastated. At the same time, I also would understand that this was not something that was done in malice. Sending my stepson to prison for the rest of his life at the age of 14 would not bring my son back.

With regard to Quantel's comments from the article, I don't believe these statements indicate that he takes NO responsibility for his actions. Instead, I believe that he was pointing out that if he had received a fair judgment, the rest of his life would not be lost to prison.

I stand by everything I said in the article, and I completely agree with Quantel Lotts.

Thanks for your comments Jeff, and I look forward to more dialogue as you see fit!

Re: Police to search Clover Road Baptist Church in Sandra Cantu's murder

cherisblog — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:39:14 -0000

Thanks for your comments David!

Luckily this is a free country where I may speculate on whatever I like. I clearly stated that people are innocent until proven guilty, so what's your beef?

This article is a commentary, that's what we do here...

Re: Marie Moore, 44, Kills Son, Mitchell, at Shooting Range in Casselberry, Then Turns Gun on Herself, She Had a History of Mental Illness

cherisblog — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:01:48 -0000

How terrible!... what's going on in this country?

Re: White House Corrects Conference Call Number After Directing Reporters to Sex Line

cherisblog — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:48:06 -0000

LOL... you got a point there!

Re: New York charges Madoff 'feeder' Ezra Merkin with fraud - I say send 'em all to jail!

cherisblog — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:47:05 -0000

Absolutely, I'm almost ready to call for mob action on these criminals...

Re: Carrie Underwood's dress a BIG hit at the Academy of Country Music awards?

cherisblog — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:38:08 -0000

LOL... I was think it was cool just because of how big it was. Not the sort of thing she ought to do again, but funny as a one time stunt!

Re: NAACP, civil rights groups seek to ban Confederate flag in Homestead - Breaking News - Dade - MiamiHerald.com

cherisblog — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:26:15 -0000

Hi Mojstice, and thanks for your comment!

I agree with you on this; especially that they are on the right side of the fence with the gay rights issue. I just think that they really need to transform themselves in order to realign themselves with the needs of the community today.

Also, if they are going to expand their agenda to address all types of civil rights issues, then they need to stop giving the impression that they are specifically facilitating the advancement of "colored" people.

Re: Military mortuary open to media for first time since 1991 - CNN.com

cherisblog — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:20:14 -0000

Hi Michelle, and thanks for your comment. I can really appreciate that you know first hand what it's like. I agree that these first few stories are about the media, but after the newness of covering the caskets of our fallen, don't you think that the stories may begin to focus on the soldiers themselves?

I watched a CNN interview where a mother of a fallen soldier agreed with your position and said that she is concerned about the media using the images in ways that would dishonor the soldier--not necessarily now, but perhaps sometime in the future.

Do you have any thoughts on that?

Re: Is it okay to collect DNA from criminal suspects on the sly?

cherisblog — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:11:57 -0000

Thanks for your comment! I tend to agree with you on this one. In my discussion of this with other people, those who object seem to feel that once law enforcement had the DNA, it is questionable whether they might plant evidence, etc.

My answer to that is that is this type of misconduct is the exception, and not the rule. Therefore, we shouldn't pass on a opportunity to get the real criminals just because of concerns of misconduct by a few.

Re: Author Richard Wright honored by U.S.Postal Service

cherisblog — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 01:43:30 -0000

Yes! And it will be interesting to see exactly what it looks like. I'll be sure to post an update once the stamp is unveiled...

Re: Russia's Dmitry Medvedev Hailed President Barack Obama as "My New Comrade"

cherisblog — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 19:12:46 -0000

Blah, blah, blah...

Re: LaHeather Wilson's Seven-Month Old Baby Son Left in Car Overnight in Texas Found Dead, Mother Picked Up Three Sons from Daycare, Forgot One in Car

cherisblog — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:39:53 -0000

Agreed!

By the way, I have also written an update on this case. You can find it here:

http://cheri-thomas.blogspot.com/2009/04/laheat...