Re: Kidd/Walker

[Douglas342@xxxxxxx]

     I certainly can't argue with your thoughts here, but add in a word or 
two of caution in general on this topic.  I haven't read much about the 
specifics in Kidd's case recently, but did read that he did some classes, 
paid a fine, and the case was dismissed.  That sounds like a pretty common 
deal on a low-level domestic violence case.  There is also the thorny issue 
of what constitutes "domestic violence."  Tying her up and beating her with a 
bat?  No doubt.  Punching her repeatedly?  No doubt.  A strong two-handed 
push to keep her away during a heated argument?  One-handed?  What if he 
pushes her aside so he can get out of the house to avoid further conflict but 
she blocks his way?  What if the victim trips and falls?  Is there bruising?  
Has it happened before?    
     Taking such a case to trial is expensive (which wouldn't matter to Kidd) 
and traumatic.  If the victim is reluctant, it gets more complicated.  Trust 
me - I have dealt with this stuff in family court for ten years and in 
criminal court for a few months - it's a morass.  But again, I certainly 
won't argue with your reaction because it is just that - YOUR reaction and 
you're entitled to it.
    As for Bird, I think he WAS married in college and had a daughter whom he 
ignored until the last few years.  Maybe it was by his wife, maybe not.  
Don't remember.  Poor girl looks a lot like him.  And that isn't in the same 
universe as beating a woman?  Maybe, maybe not.  Again, what if the "beating" 
is a mild push, but the daughter grows up without a father?  Take a guess at 
the percentage of people in prison who grew up without fathers.  
 - Sorry for the occupation-related rant
 - Doug

In a message dated 5/15/03 2:02:24 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
shizzjr@hotmail.com writes:

> You make a good point and I completely understand it. But it doesn't change 
> how I feel about Jason. I would never be able to root for him. I know from 
> personal experience what abuse can do in a relationship and personally I 
> could never root for someone like Jason, even if he were here. I understand 
> 
> some Celtics from the past have had issues. I think the most recent was 
> Parish and I was about 15 or 16 when he retired so I don't really remember 
> it too much. I can't say how I would have reacted to him or others that 
> came 
> before him and did the same.
> 
> I can say how I feel about Kidd though. he is a no class bum who beat a 
> woman. The worst I've heard of Larry is that he had a child out of marraige 
> 
> and then didn't have a whole lot to do with her while she grew up. That is 
> still wrong, but not even in the same universe as beating a woman.