Friday, November 15, 2013

Cheap Shot at Gansler

Letter Published in Nov. 15, 2013 Baltimore Sun


Susan L. Burke’s letter that links Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler to enabling the culture leading to the horrible proliferation of rapes and sexual assaults  in our society is a cheap shot if I ever saw one (“Gansler’s comments reflect ‘boys will be boys’ culture, Nov. 12). 
 
Moreover she also besmirched the reputation of the Landon school solely because convicted murder George Huguely had attended it and a few morons maintained a “fantasy sex league”.  And by extension because Gansler’s son attended that school,  she implied he should be associated with those rotten apples.

It is outrageous that an attorney such as Ms. Burke, who understandably feels compassion towards the victims she represents and animus towards the assailants, would paint with such broad strokes on a “guilt by association” canvas.

I have  viewed a video from the point in that much-publicized party when Mr. Gansler entered the room.  From my perspective there was no definitive evidence of underage drinking going on at that particular instance; all I can determine was a bunch of kids dancing and having a good time.  It certainly wasn’t “blatant” as Ms. Burke states.

Granted ,some of those present acknowledged that drinking did occur prior to Mr. Gansler’s entrance.  But there were at least two adult chaperones present prior to Mr. Gansler’s arrival, so it would be their responsibility to exercise adult authority if such offenses occurred in front of them. 

Ms. Burke is correct in that there is a “boys will be boys” culture.  It is quite evident when parents of pre-teens and teens resist stronger measures that would curtail, if not eliminate, bullying in schools.
As we have observed, bullying whether in person, in social media or by text, has led to tragic consequences.  Don’t blame that on Mr. Gansler, too; in fact, he has made concerted efforts to stop bullying.

Steve Charing
Ckarkvissle, Md.

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