November 21, 2007 - 1:52pm
Where is Fred Leonhardt’s loyalty to protecting children?
By Wally EdgeLife has got to be a bit uncomfortable these days for Governor Ted Kulongoski, who finds himself under some pressure to talk about what he knew (and didn't know) about ex-Governor Neil Goldschmidt's sexual relationship with his fourteen-year-old babysitter. There are calls for Multnomah County Sheriff Bernie Giusto to step down.
Now Goldschmidt's former speechwriter, Fred Leonhardt, is back in the news with renewed claims that he twice told Kulongoski, who was Attorney General when the scandal broke in 1996, about allegations of child abuse charges committed by Goldschmidt while he was serving as the Mayor of Portland in the early 1970's.
Here's an interesting question worth of some consideration: If Fred Leonhardt was that concerned about Goldschmidt's behavior, where was his police report to the local authorities? Why not contact the Department of Human Services on his own, rather than take the gossip route?
Now the Oregon State Bar will force Kulongoski to go on the record to state what he knew (or didn't know) back in 1996. But if Leonhardt wants to brag about a continued relationship over the past decade he had (or didn't have) with the Governor to Steve Duin at the Oregonian, then maybe he should be able to answer the tough question himself.
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July 3, 2008
"This resolution is a recognition that our civilization has advanced to the point that we should be able to provide basic health care for children."
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That's a fair question,
That's a fair question, Wally, one that I have addressed innumerable times over the last four years to more than a dozen reporters, editors and columnists. I also addressed it in my letter (easily found on the internet) to the agency investigating Giusto. The answer is, I was wrong. My excuses are many: I didn't realize that child sex offenders repeat their crimes, the statute of limitations had expired, Neil had reached a confidentiality agreement with the victim, etc. None of these is a valid excuse. I should have reported him in 1989. Instead, I waited until 2003, when I told my story to The Oregonian.
But then again, Wally, I did report Neil's crime to one high authority as early as 1994 -- the Attorney General of Oregon, Ted Kulongoski. To my great regret, I took my lead from him, and he did nothing.
One more point: I would never "brag" about a relationship with a man who knowlingly appointed a child rapist to the state board of higher education, and then looked the people of Oregon in the eye and lied about it. On the contrary, I am ashamed I ever counted the governor as my friend.
Mr. Leonhardt - Shoot me an
Mr. Leonhardt - Shoot me an email when you get a chance with a number I can reach you, I'd love to ask you a couple of questions. Thanks.
Goldschmidt Leonhardt
How come the Attorney General at the time Goldschmidt announced he was NOT running for re-election in early 1990, David Frohnmayer (now President of U-of-O) has escaped questions and challenges regarding, "what he knew and when he knew it?"
reporting to a system (AG) that does nothing (hint:it's involved
This is not only an issue for psychologists about individuals, but is an issue for social psychologists about the influence of systems on individuals. There is such a thing as 'system smarts' which is analogous to 'street smarts'. To understand the issues, I suggest you do some reading:
Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts by Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson (Paperback - Mar 2008)
The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil by Philip Zimbardo (Paperback - Jan 22, 2008)
People do things that seem "out of character" because they are part of a system. And their behavior affects others who are not part of the system and may not even be aware of the system, as well as others in the system. From the outside, the behavior seems inexplicable, but that kind of system changes the thoughts, feelings and even the biology of those inside it. If you have ever had the feeling of "sticking your neck out," that is your body telling you, "you are not conforming to the group norm." Here we have a dominant norm of hypocrisy about protecting children vs a less populated, weaker norm of upholding the law and also about protecting children from adults.
Systems protect themselves, at the expense of the people involved.
So don't blame or excuse yourself, just learn what to do.
BTW do all states have statutory rape laws with a statute of limitations? Is there any discussion about the relative merits of having a statute of limitations for this crime?
What needs to be done about it
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