Women can be predators

Women sexually assault children too! The Angela Comer case reminds us that males don’t hold a monopoly on such reprehensible behavior. While Ms. Comer’s deeds have made for recent local drama, there have been numerous similar cases throughout the United States in recent years. When adult women sexually abuse boys we don’t think of it the same way as when adult men sexually abuse girls. Girls who have sex with adult men are seen as victims while boys who have sex with adult women are seen as “getting lucky.” I believe that boys who have sexual contact with adult women are often damaged emotionally, can produce children that they never intended to and can generally be manipulated into behaving in ways that they would not normally behave.

At several Web sites, including Court TV’s Crime Library (http://crimelibrary.com), there are descriptions of female child molesters and their sexual exploits. Mary Kay LeTourneau is the infamous woman who at 34 engaged in sexual encounters with a 13-year-old student. This “relationship” ultimately produced two children who I believe have suffered from having a young teenage father and a mother who found it acceptable to engage in sexual activities with a pre-teen. In the late 1980s in New England, Pamela Smart, who was in her mid-20s, developed a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old boy. Ultimately, this manipulative relationship ended in the boy murdering her husband at her reported request. He was sentenced as an adult and is serving a 40-year sentence. In Colorado, a 35-year-old Nicole Andrea Barnhart, a social studies teacher, began a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old boy who was later thought to be suicidal, according to About.com (www.crime.about.com).

What makes women sexually abuse kids? According to Crime Library it has to do with having a low self-esteem, being self-centered and needy and feeling controlled in some part of their lives. They enjoy the adoration and control they experience when they are having sex with someone younger than they are. Whatever the reason, many experts believe that female sexual offenders are not taken as seriously even though the damage they do is serious.

So why should you be worried about female sexual offenders? First, they operate under the radar; people are watching for men to be abusers, but not women. Second, a grown woman who would manipulate/force a child to have sex is not a healthy person. When a woman sexually abuses a child there is much more going on that just sex. Oftentimes, the woman becomes obsessed with the child, uses him/her for her own purpose. Third, if your child is having sex with an adult that adult may also be buying your child alcohol, drugs or pornography. Make sure that your children don’t become victims of sexual assault from either a man or a woman. Know the registered sex offenders in your area by visiting http://kspsor.state.ky.us/.

Daniel W. Phillips III, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice

Lindsey Wilson College

Columbia

Glasgow man will vote to keep city dry

I recently read, with some alarm, a story on the front page of the Daily Times. A number of Glasgow citizens are getting a petition together in hopes of getting a wet-dry vote on the November ballot.

The reason, it seems, is that it will attract more potential industry to our area. Should we go with the status quo? God forbid.

Being dry in Barren County might have been the reason our county was voted the best place to live in America.

Many of us live every day with the tragedy that alcohol has caused. Let us think seriously about this and not let our greed override our good judgment. Please vote no and let’s keep Glasgow and Barren County dry.

Earl R. Wood

Glasgow

Writer takes offense to paper’s coverage

It is with disgust that I read the black and white print in the Thursday, Aug. 9, issue that you considered to be a news article. The so-called article was regarding the start of the new school year and included comments you chose to print, in which a local school was slandered.

Shame on you for allowing this to be printed. I’m well aware that everyone has their preferences and school of choice, in which they are entitled. However, for you to choose to include the unnecessary slander of a local school is disgraceful.

This particular portion of the article was no where near newsworthy and was very tacky on your part, to say the least. Did you consider the number of your customers who have ties to this school? Well, here is one, among others, who has taken offense to your blind eye.

Why anyone would choose to include a personal and negative attack on one of their own local community schools is beyond me. What poor untactful judgment on your part. Perhaps next time you will take your readers into consideration before printing unnecessary slurs.

I sign this as a proud Eastern parent, PTO member, parent volunteer and former student.

T. Diane Reece

Edmonton