Dying Girl Denied Chance To Visit Father

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by jsarno

It's not about his daughter, it's about him. That's what people are not seeing. I already explained I feel for the daughter, but it's the sins of the father that need to be punished.

Sorry, this IS about the daughter. Yes, the "sins of the father" need to be punished. As far as I can tell, he is still subject to the sentence he is currently serving, and no one (to my knowledge) is suggesting that his sentence be commuted or that he be paroled. Rather, there is desire by some members of the family to expedite a change in the terms of his incarceration - a change that is due to occur and, as I stated earlier, will create a benefit for an innocent member of the public (the man is scheduled to enter the facility in something like 60 days).

The daughter, who has done no wrong, is being denied a means by which her suffering can be eased - that denial is being done by the State. True, a benefit will accrue to the criminal by the nature of the benefit given to the innocent. So what? the criminal will still be punished by serving his term. Instead, and as I have said earlier, in addition to carrying out the State's mandated punishment, the State can demonstrate that mercy is an element of governance.

Originally Posted by jsarno

Meth on the other hand is a concoction of man, and it's amazingly addictive and kills people. It ruins people's lives. How many people has this man indirectly killed? How many people's lives has he ruined with the Meth he sold them?

And so, the State should contribute to the suffering of one more innocent harmed by this man's dealing of meth?

The father has been and will be continue to be punished by the knowledge that he has been unable to be with his daughter during her time of need (as he continues to serve the final 10 months of his incarceration). Now, on her deathbed, the daughter desires something that the State can grant without compromising the punishment of the criminal. I, for one, think the State should do what it can do to ease her suffering. (You have suggested that the family should blame the father - fine, they may very well be doing so. Perhaps, however, they are more focused on creating a solution for the child and saving there recriminiations until after her death - at which time they will all have a lifetime to hate him).

Rules are rules - we cannot ignore them nor should we have too much compassion for those who break them. At the same time, a slavish dedication to and a merciless application of rules creates a heartless society that ultimately forgets that the rules serve the society, not vice versa.