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 HelloReturn to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. A NH solider is killed in Iraq. Medicare reform and Hate Crimes are debated in Concord. A Judge resigns amid scandal -- and, the North country gets some much needed attention. Joining us this week from Concord: Josh Rogers from N-H-P-R, & Colin Manning from Fosters Daily Democrat and here in Durham, Edith Tucker from the Coos County Democrat, and Mike Pomp, News Director and Talk Show host at WTSN AM/FM. |
| NH Marine Killed Iraq Return to index of stories... |
We begin with the war in Iraq hitting home in New Hampshire. A Marine from Merrimack -- & 30 others died in a helicopter crash Wednesday in Iraq. 23-year-old Corporal Timothy Gibson -- was killed when his chopper went down in a sandstorm during a security sweep west of Baghdad. A Massachusetts marine was also killed. Gibson graduated from Merrimack High School in 2000 -- where he played football and baseball. Gibson is the 7th NH soldier killed during the conflict. Q Devastating news for Gibson's family. Our hearts go out to them. ** This, certainly TESTS American Will -- as casualties mount. WE'LL KNOW MORE NEXT WEEK ABOUT THE PRE-VOTE violence in Iraq. The Election is Sunday. |
| Intro Medicaid Vo Return to index of stories... |
In Concord this week -- The public had a chance to weigh-in on Medicaid Reform. Governor Lynch invited community agencies and health care providers to present ideas for reducing costs in caring for the poor and elderly. "The Granite Care" plan proposed by Health and Human Services Commissoiner John Stephens calls for reducing nursing home use by 30-percent-- and shifting to more home and community based care. The Governor made it clear he wanted FRESH ideas --and NOT just comments on "Granite Care". Q COLIN/JOSH: That doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement of the Granite Care program? Q Just today we heard that Health and Human Services made a 70-million dollar COUNTING error --which doesn't help the BUDGET team any. million dollars of presenting a balanced budget to the governor when they found a the error ** The department D0UBLE COUNTED payments from the federal Medicaid program. Lynch's budget adviser, STAN ARNOLD says " " Health officials have been spending too much time on Commissioner John Stephen's Medicaid reform plan, and Not enough paying attention to the books." OUCH!! Q EDITH: Another public session slated for the North Country. I imagine he'll get an EARFUL?? Q Any new ideas floated that had MERIT??? |
| Hate Crimes Return to index of stories... |
Hate Crimes --on the agenda this week at the capital. Some NH lawmakers want to repeal the state's hate crimes law -- saying the state is Prosecuting people for unpopular beliefs -- not actions. The bill sparked some "lively" debate. Under current law if someone commits a crime in NH -- they can be sentenced more harshly. if the act was motivatef by RACISM or other discrimination. Q COLIN/JOSH: Wha's the crux of the argument in this one? ** infringes on Free Speech. penalty based on VIOLENCE NOT the VICTIM. ** law leaves it up to jury to decide hate crime Q The law has been on the books for more than a decade. Back than UNANIMOUS support -- state considered in FOREFRONT of protecting civil rights. Much SUPPORT for this measure? Q 4-hours of Testimony -- some of it very emotional -- those who've been targeted. ** openly gay lawmaker: Jim Splaine of Portsmouth: attacked by 2 men -- not for his money but for his lifestyle. Please keep law. Q How soon can we expect a vote - and what's the likely OUTCOME? PENALTY ENHANCEMENT. |
| Intro No Country Ball Return to index of stories... |
The North Country getting a nod from Governor Lynch who has promised to pay close attention to the region's needs. He brought his inaugural celebration to the North Country - where he also met with several citizens groups. ======= Q EDITH: Governor Lynch appointing a STAFF member dedicated to North Country issues. What's been the response to that? Q COLIN/JOSH: Is this is FIRST, as the Governor suggested? Q |
| Ed Cmsr & Plan Return to index of stories... |
The Governor --reaching out to the State Board of Education for suggestions on Who should be the Next Educatoin Commissioner. A decision is expected next month. As for his Education FUNDING plan, -- that's expected to be released next week. Q COLIN/JOSH: What's the latest on that front?? Q Looking for a SPONSOR? Q EDITH/MIKE: Lynch's plan to eliminate the statewide property tax -- and target Aid to needy districts -- WELCOMED NEWS for North Country -- and what about SEACOAST? |
| Judge Jones Return to index of stories... |
Rochester District Court Judge Franklin Jones RESIGNING Wednesday. That came the same day a judicial Panel recommended he NOT be allowed to return to the bench. He was suspended last year for groping 5 women at conference. Q COLIN/JOSH: Bring us up-to-speed on this one. Q The 5 women worked as victim advocates in Jones’ court. All but ONE have since quit. Q Many of the victims believed Judge Jones would get different treatment than a private citizen would get in court. DID HE? Q Sounds like this was DIVISIVE -- with police , prosecutors, lawyers and even a lawmaker SUPPORTING Jones at his hearing. Q EDITH: I understand the CRIMINAL Charges against Jones were heard in a North Country courtroom back in September. MIKE: What message does this send. JOnes resignation? Q COLIN/JOSH: This all harkens back to the Peter Heed case. The Former Attorney general's behavior at the conference raised eyebrows -- and eventually lead to his resignation. Q Like that case -- the Resignation goes to the Executive Council for action? Q I understand -- Both Governor LYNCH -- and the Justice Broderick have spoken out about this case? * What Happens NEXT? Does Court still act on this? ** Can expect the COURTS to examine its POLICIES & attitudes on sexual harrassment. |
| Shipyard Return to index of stories... |
The fight to save the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard heated up in Washington this week. Four community leaders and the head of the Seacoast Shipyard Association traveled to the Pentagon to argue on behalf of the yard. The Pentagon is reviewing military bases around the country and is expected to recommend closing more than 100 bases later this year. Q MIKE: It doesn't look good for the Shipyard. do you think this trip helped the fight? |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
My thanks to Josh Rogers and Colin Manning in Concord and Edith Tucker and Mike Pomp in Durham. And, thank you for watching. I'm Beth Carroll. We'll see you next time. |
| Tonight at 10 Promo Return to index of stories... |
Monday on New Hampshire Outlook Mapping the ocean. A local project brings teams together from around the world to better detect giant ocean tidal waves. Join us Monday at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Public Television. =================================== Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook: Mapping the ocean. A local project brings teams together from around the world to better detect giant ocean tidal waves. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Public Television. |
| daycare? Return to index of stories... |
Childcare Providers Ask State to Update Rates Dan Gorenstein, 2005-01-25 Daycare providers from across the state testified today/Tuesday that it is increasingly difficult to stay in business. They complain while their costs are soaring, their compensation is painfully flat. The state subsidizes child care for low and moderate income parents. And providers reminded lawmakers that reimbursement rates haven't gone up since 2000. New Hampshire Public Radio's Dan Gorenstein has more. listen: No audio currently available. Order on tape or cd. Email this story Write to the Editor Printer-friendly version ......... Related stories: 2001-10-23 Governor Outlines Efforts for Children ......... Related shows: see more A rough transcript: Here's the dilemma facing Dover Children's Center Executive Director Mary-Lou Beaver: For a baby under three the state's reimbursement rate falls anywhere from $100-120 dollars short every week. About 60% of the families she serves are low and very low income. And she says if she raises her prices, she believes many parents won't be able to afford the service. So to make up the difference, Beaver exercises a few options. She constantly fundraises, she writes grants, and she keeps her employees' wages low, and she worries. T.14 1:52 what it means is somebody is going to be suffering. It's my staff, or parents are going to have to make up that difference. Or I am not going to be able to buy all the construction paper I need in the classrooms, or get in the things the kids needs, asking people to supplement me with the basics, the paper, pencils, the paint. And when that happens, quality is affected. Beaver was just one of about a half dozen childcare providers to tell the Senate Health and Human Services Committee the same thing: money is unbelievably tight. The state hasn't increased its reimbursement rate since 2000. The Committee is considering a proposal to boost that daily rate $2-4 dollars per child for families that earn up to $24 thousand dollars a year. Marylou Beaver says that might cover their costs today. TAPE: Ideally we would like to meet all our expenses, and put a little aside. We are not asking for that. We are asking just to get up to 2005 and have cost of living increases. And to give a little bit of an easement to the parents who can least afford it. Many of the providers serve low-income parents who are either searching for jobs, training for jobs, or in low-wage jobs. In the words of one person who spoke at the hearing theses are not people at home watching Jerry Springer and eating bonbons. 24 year old parent Christen Moddy drove that point home. T.6 :18 I am here to tell you my story. It's not a sappy story, it's not my way of making you feel sorry for people who have been in my situation. Moody became a single parent when her son was 9 months old. She returned to school, going nights. During the day she earned $10 dollars an hour, doing clerical work. With the help of state aid she put her son in Little Frogs and Polliwogs daycare. Then, she got a 20 cent raise. And Moody got kicked off state assistance. She told the senators, at that point, she had to figure out her priorities.housing, childcare or food. She elected to skimp on the day care. 3:12 in the end, my son was not getting the best child care he could have been getting. He was placed in front of a television all day long. And if you ever watch cartoons for kids our age, it's violence, and it's a negative impact. I wanted more for him, and there was nothing I could do. In response to the financial squeeze, Moody took in a roommate to split costs and started working Saturdays in addition to school and her full-time job. After two years, she finally graduated, received a raise, and got her son back into Little Frogs and Polliwogs. 5:26 language, social, emotional and physical development, that's what we want for our children. Our children our our future. What else can we ask for? I want to give them the best care. And today I ask you to do that. Thank you. No one testified against the bill. As drafted, the legislation projects it would cost 6.4 million dollars a year to increase reimbursement rates. The money would come from the state's welfare program, managed by the Department of Health and Human Services. The department is not taking a position on the bill. But supporters are optimistic HHS will see this measure as a way to achieve a goal shared by all: improve child care services. Republican Senator Joseph Kenney, who chaired the hearing, said it's clear the state's childcare reimbursement rates are out of touch with other increases. His chief concern is whether siphoning nearly six and a half million dollars annually would hurt the state's welfare program. 1:05 it would be a domino effect to affect other services. That dollar amount probably has to be dropped, but they came in with a very aggressive plan, and we can probably work with them to get something done. Even while there is some reluctance to allot the full 6.4 million, providers say that number would not do much more than be a place holder. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee is expected to vote on the proposal next week. For NHPR News, I'm DG. 207 North Main Street, Concord, NH 03301-5003 |
| shipyard Return to index of stories... |
Supporters of the Portsmouth Naval Ship Yard say they are hopeful about the outcome of a rare meeting at the Pentagon today. New Hampshire and Maine community leaders were in Washington to make their case to several Defense Department officials. The business leaders say the timing is crucial, because US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is expected to issue a list of recommended base closures in just a few months. NHPR Correspondent Julie Donnelly has more from Washington. listen: ......... Related shows: 2005-01-28 The Iraq Election 2005-01-27 Cell Phone Culture 2005-01-25 Medicaid Madness see more A rough transcript: Use a stop watch, and don't talk about economics. This was the advice Congressman Jeb bradley and other New Hampshire and Maine Congresspeople gave to their constituents. The constituents were a group of business leaders who came to washington to convince the Pentagon NOT to put the shipyard on the Base Realignment and Closure, or BRAC, list. Use a stop watch because the DOD officials would cut them off after half an hour. And don't talk about economics, because any community around the country, forced to close a base, will clearly have economic woes. Congressman Jeb Bradley says the key is to talk about how the shipyard is unique. "when you compare the cost, efficiency,. this should make a compelling case for portsmouth. but we also khow it's going to be a tough brac round" The Pentagon will use eight criteria to determine whether a base should stay open. They comprise everything from the environmental impact of the base, to how useful the base is in joint operations. Unfortunately the ship yard isn't much use to the army or the air force. But Bradley says the Department of defense should instead consider the shipyard's homeland security uses - such as protecting the port, and the Seabrook nuclear power plants. "there are assets in the area that are very valuable, and i think the possibilities for homeland security have been underutilized" The next major step in the process comes on March 15th. President Bush is scheduled to announce the nine members of the BRAC commission. That commission will then recommend a list of base closures to Secretary Rumsfeld. Bradley says the makeup of the commission will likely have an impact on which bases escape the knife. "we hope at least one member will be from new england and understand the quality of the base and the economic impact on the community" After the commission is chosen, it's just a quick two months until the closure list is announced around the 16th of May. Captain Bill McDonough from the Seacoast Shipyard association says unlike previous base closure lists, this one will be final. "the sec of defense is closing a fabulous number of bases, 24, 25%. When the list comes out, there is going to be a political firestorm across the country" If the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is on the closure list, the prospects for redevelopment seem dim. Dick Ingram from the Portsmouth Chamber of commerce says the Ship Yard is very different from say, Pease Air Force Base, which has been turned into an economic redevelopment zone. "you don't have the same opportunities, because geographically." There is one way to make the ship yard LESS likely to close - find it more work. The business leaders say that while the ship yard will be busy until two thousand and eight, after that the work drops off. So they are looking for homeland security projects, public private partnerships - anything to keep the ship yard active into the future. But in the end, the decision, affecting the livelihoods of over four thousand granite staters, will be made by one man - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. For NHPR News I'm Julie Donnelly in Washington. |
| priest ? Return to index of stories... |
New Hampshire's Roman Catholic bishop is preparing to testify against a defrocked priest charged with raping children in Massachusetts. Bishop John McCormack will testify against Paul Shanley, who goes on trial today in Cambridge on charges he raped a boy at a Newton, Massachusetts, parish in the 1980s. Shanley became one of the most notorious figures in the clergy sex abuse scandal after documents released three years ago showed church officials knew about abuse complaints against him as early as 1967. As an official in the Archdiocese of Boston, McCormack investigated allegations of sexual misconduct against priests. He has maintained he did not know of any allegations of sexual misconduct with a child against Shanley until 1993. |
| jones Return to index of stories... |
CONCORD - Judge Franklin Jones, suspended for groping five women at a conference last year, resigned Wednesday, the same day a committee emphatically recommended that he not get his job back. “I wish to again express my apologies to those who have been impacted by my inappropriate conduct,” the Rochester District Court judge said in a letter to Gov. John Lynch and other state officials. Jones, 56, said he regrets any embarrassment he may have caused the judiciary. Jones’ letter became public about 90 minutes after the Judicial Conduct Committee condemned his conduct and said he should not get his job back. “The committee finds that the conduct in question was egregious and without justification,” the committee said in its six-page report. “Of particular concern to the committee is Judge Jones’ apparent unwillingness to acknowledge that what happened was not only assault but sexual assault.” It said Jones had “demeaned his judicial office and cast reasonable doubt in the eyes of the public on his continuing capacity to act in an impartial manner.” Joan Sergio, one of the women Jones groped, said she was relieved by the decision. “I certainly don’t want to nail Mr. Jones to the wall, but I think they’re doing the right thing,” Sergio said in a telephone interview. “I think it will show the general public that justice is served.” Lynch said Jones made the right decision, while Judge Edwin Kelly, administrative judge of the district courts, called it a good opportunity to examine and adjust policies and attitudes regarding sexual harassment. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Broderick said the courts will do everything possible to prevent harassment. His spokeswoman said Broderick has asked to meet with the five women to discuss the system’s policies, and that two already had agreed to do so. The report was based on two days of hearings during which Jones testified that his misconduct was out of character and never would be repeated. “I would hope the 30-plus years I spent trying to do the right thing would be an indication that this is nothing but an aberration,” he said. The committee praised Jones’ past professionalism, but said he violated three provisions of the code of judicial conduct during an after-hours party at a state-sponsored conference on sexual assault and domestic violence last May. The committee’s recommendation goes to the state Supreme Court, which will consider the case despite Jones’ resignation, a court spokeswoman said. The five women worked as victim advocates in Jones’ court. All but Sergio have since quit. Jones avoided jail time in a plea bargain that required him to attend alcohol treatment. The first day of hearings on Jones’ actions drew ire of many as several police officers, prosecutors, lawyers and a lawmaker expressed support for Jones. Sergio said that support demonstrated how much still must be done to ensure sexual assault is taken seriously, even among people who work in the field. Though painful, she said the process has been worthwhile. “No matter what, people are talking about it again and hopefully it will work toward people understanding the seriousness of the crime, whether it be touching or rape,” she said. Sergio said she expects the judge’s supporters will blame her and the other victims. “It’s already had that rippling effect,” she said. “Hopefully in the long run it will have a positive effect on both Judge Jones and his family and in the business, re-educating people about this.” People who opposed his reinstatement said alcohol abuse neither explained nor excused his behavior. Sandra Matheson, director of state support services for victims and witnesses, faulted Jones for “blaming the victims” by testifying that not all of them told him to stop. All, she said, “said ‘no’ in every way possible other than verbally.” In a plea agreement in September, prosecutors reduced sexual assault charges against Jones to simple assault. He pleaded no contest and spent seven days in alcohol treatment. Subscribe to The Telegraph === Rochester District Court Judge Franklin C. Jones, apologizing to the five women he groped at a statewide conference on sexual abuse and domestic violence, resigned from the bench yesterday. The Supreme Court's Judicial Conduct Committee issued a report yesterday recommending the most severe punishment it could mete out, indefinite suspension. The committee urged that he never be reinstated. JUDGE JONES Jones, 56, tendered his resignation to the Governor and Executive Council immediately after the report came out. Five women who attended the May 20 state-sponsored and federally funded conference on sexual and domestic violence at the Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods accused Jones of grabbing their breasts and buttocks in a hotel bar. The women regularly had appeared in Jones's court as advocates for victims of sexual and domestic abuse in cases that often allege the same type of behavior the judge exhibited. The judge's conduct resulted in both the formal ethics complaint that was the subject of yesterday's JCC report and criminal charges heard in a North Country courtroom in September. Judge Jones was never charged with sexual assault, although the criminal complaints say he touched the women "about the breast and buttocks." In a plea bargain, Jones pleaded no contest Sept. 10 in Coos County Superior Court to five counts of misdemeanor simple assault. He was given a one-year sentence, suspended, and one year on probation, and he was to either spend a week in a residential alcohol treatment center or a week in jail. People convicted of sexual assault are required by law to register as sexual offenders with their local police departments. Jones will not have to do that. The victims had been expressing doubts that the system would treat Judge Jones the same way it treats private citizens who appear before the court. They said he would have no credibility in sexual and domestic violence cases and they didn't want to see him back on the bench. They were also angry that several lawyers, prosecutors and others spoke in favor of Jones' remaining on the bench during two days of hearings before the Judicial Conduct Committee. Restoring faith Supreme Court Chief Justice John T. Broderick yesterday asked the victims to meet with him to discuss ways of bolstering confidence in the system. A court spokesman said two of the women have accepted the invitation. Joan Sergio, one of the victims, said she will welcome the opportunity to talk with the chief justice after "it settles for a bit." "I'm willing to do whatever I can to restore people's faith in the system. It's the only system we have, so we have to get people trusting the process," said Sergio, a registered nurse who has worked in the domestic violence field for 15 years. She is now with A Safe Place, a domestic violence crisis center in Rochester. Sergio said Jones' resignation ended a painful ordeal for everyone and she was relieved it was over. "I hold no resentment for him trying to keep his job. I'm sure he's very sorry," she said. "I believe certainly alcohol played a part in it, but alcohol isn't an excuse." She added, "It was tragic because he was a good judge, so there is a loss there, too." Justice Broderick called Jones' resignation "the appropriate end to events that have caused so much pain and so much embarrassment to so many, most particularly the victims in this case." Jones' resignation spares the high court from having to take action on the Judicial Conduct Committee's report. A court spokesman said the report has been docketed, however, and it will work its way through the system. The chief justice said the court had been reviewing its sexual harassment policy prior to the May conference and is seeking guidance from outside experts to "ensure these events never happen again." Jones was not the only one whose behavior at the conference was criticized. Then-Attorney General Peter Heed's exuberant dancing raised eyebrows, and a report that he might have touched a woman inappropriately prompted an investigation. The investigation eventually determined Heed had not done anything for which he could be charged, but Heed had already turned in his resignation; Gov. Craig Benson refused to give it back. Resignation letter Jones admitted at the Judicial Conduct Committee's hearing earlier this month that he was intoxicated when the actions in question allegedly occurred. But he said he didn't remember groping the women as charged. In his resignation letter, Jones said: "I regret any embarrassment that I may have brought upon the New Hampshire judiciary, which is populated by men and women of honesty, integrity and character, who strive on a daily basis, to provide the people of New Hampshire with a quality justice system under sometimes difficult and trying circumstances and conditions." The JCC's recommendation to indefinitely suspend Jones came on the heels of public statements by Karen Ronnlund, one of the women Jones assaulted. Back in May, Ronnlund, a Maine resident, was working as a victim assistance advocate for the Sexual Assault Support Services in Portsmouth, but she has since left the field. She told the New Hampshire Sunday News in an article published Sunday that the assaults and the way the matter was being handled procedurally had undermined her belief in the system. "I don't want to work with victims anymore," she said. "I don't feel like I can answer the phone at the crisis line and say to somebody, 'Trust the system'... I don't want to say you'll be treated fairly." Rules violated The Judicial Conduct Committee found that the judge had violated three rules of professional conduct: He had engaged in inappropriate sexual contact with five women he would likely be in contact with as judge of the Rochester District Court. His conduct violated the canon prohibiting behaving with impropriety, undermining public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary. He engaged in unlawful sexual contact with five women in a public place, raising doubts about his ability to act impartially when presiding over sexual assaults cases in the courtroom. The Judicial Conduct Committee found that Jones' conduct was "egregious and without justification." The committee said it was particularly concerned over Jones' "apparent unwillingness to acknowledge that what happened was not only assault but sexual assault." "What occurred that evening is more likely than any other type of conduct to call into question the integrity of the judiciary," the JCC report said. The committee recommended unanimously that "Franklin C. Jones be suspended indefinitely from all judicial duties, without pay, and that he not be considered for reinstatement at any time in the future." Gov. John Lynch, upon hearing the judge had resigned, said that his action was the correct one and the matter serves as a lesson to public officials. "I think he made the right decision," Lynch said. "I think the decision he made is an appropriate one and going forward, as I said, we expect all our officials, all of us involved in public service, to adhere to the highest standards of ethics and integrity." The Executive Council meeting was winding up yesterday when Jones' resignation came in. The counselors did not immediately act on it. A lesson for all Edwin W. Kelly, administrative judge of the district court, placed Jones on paid suspension within days of the May 20 conference. Jones was placed on unpaid administrative suspension after his convictions. "His resignation brings to a close the investigative, prosecution and punitive phase of the events of last May, but it opens what I hope will be a long, candid and collaborative review and period of introspection by everyone who was at the event or witnessed the event, or involved in any of processes that occurred after the event," Judge Kelly said yesterday. Kelly said the annual conference on sexual and domestic abuse is critically important to the 500 to 600 professionals who attend annually. "It would be a travesty if that conference fell victim to the events involving Judge Jones," Kelly said. Kelly said he was informed of the incident by voice mail on a Friday night, the night after the conference. Information was gathered over the weekend and the matter was reported to Chief Justice Broderick the following Tuesday. Kelly said within an hour, the high court suspended Jones. He said while the matter caused trauma for the victims and Jones, too, it also serves as a lesson. "It created an opportunity for all of us, not just those in the court system, to take a look at how we deal with sexual abuse," he said. Attorney General Kelly A. Ayotte said she agreed with the JCC's report and recommendations. "They obviously considered the evidence in the case and the effect it had on the public's perception of the judiciary in coming to this decision," she said. She said it would have been better for everyone if Jones had resigned after his criminal case ended. "It's too bad the victims had to go through the judicial conduct proceeding at all," she said. This article was prompted by the case in NH in which a judge sexually assaulted five victim advocates at a dance party. This party occurred at a sexual and domestic violence prevention conference. He was allowed to plead no contest to reduced charges did no jail time and was sentenced to one week of alcohol counseling. Several months later he returned to the Judicial Conduct Committee asking for his job back. That decision is still pending. I hope this case becomes an opportunity for the general public to examine more closely its assumptions about the causes and consequences of sexual violence. Scott Hampton, Psy.D. Director Ending The Violence Home of the Consexuality Project 90 Washington Street Dover, NH 03820 endingviolence@aol.com Alcohol and sexual assault: The connection The recent Judicial Conduct Committee hearings on the Judge Jones case has focused our attention on the overlap between alcohol use and sexual assault. The purpose of this article is to explore that relationship. Alcohol and sexual assault often happen together. According to Greenberg , 30 percent of all sexual assaults occur when the perpetrator is under the influence of alcohol. In some cases, the victim is also intoxicated. Drinking makes it easy for the perpetrator to ignore sexual boundaries, while the victim's intoxication makes it more difficult for her to guard against an attack. A common misunderstanding is that if people commit sexual assaults only when drunk, then the drinking must have caused the assault and sobriety and alcohol counseling are adequate to prevent future assaults. These erroneous conclusions confuse correlation and causation. To illustrate, consider the correlation between consciousness and sexual assault. Perpetrators of sexual assault typically commit sexual assaults only when they are awake, but it would be ridiculous to suggest that being awake caused them to commit sexual assaults. So, what is the relationship between alcohol and sexual violence? First, alcohol use does not cause sexual violence. Putting alcohol into your system does not cause you to commit a sexual assault anymore than putting gasoline into your car causes you to drive to the airport. Gasoline makes it easier to do what you want to do while alcohol also makes it easier to do what you want to do. If you do not at least think about doing something when sober, you are not likely to do it when drunk. For example, no one worries about becoming so intoxicated that he will lose control and stab himself in the eye with a fork. Why? Because he would never consider doing that when sober. Alcohol acts as a permission slip. By reducing inhibitions, alcohol often makes it more likely that someone will choose to sexually assault another person. As one man in a violent offender program noted, “When I first came to your program I told you that I hit my wife because I was drunk; now I realize that I drank so that I could hit her.” He realized that alcohol did not excuse or even explain the abuse. Instead, alcohol was the way that he had tried to avoid responsibility for the abuse. Sexual assault occurs despite alcohol use, not because of it. When someone is extremely intoxicated, we call that person “impaired.” “Impaired” means that you have more difficulty performing tasks. Therefore, if you are going to sexually assault someone when drunk, you have to try harder, focus your attention and be more determined than if you were sober. In effect, people who sexually assault when drunk, do so, not because they are intoxicated, but despite their intoxication. They have to overcome the impairment to commit the sexual assault. Memory loss is not the same as lack of intent. If a perpetrator of sexual assault claims that he has no specific recollection of the assault, that does not mean that he had no intention of doing it at the time. All it means is that the perpetrator is currently either unable or unwilling to report his state of mind when the assaults occurred. For example, sometimes we hear perpetrators report on events that were acceptable but not the events that could result in arrest and prosecution. Or the perpetrator will not recall the offense, but will be able to assert with confidence what his state of mind was at the time. How can you NOT remember what you did, but be absolutely certain what your motives were when you did it? How does alcohol know which memories to delete and which to keep intact? Sexual assault and substance abuse are separate issues. If someone violates sexual boundaries while drunk, that person has two problems that need to be addressed. Taking responsibility for alcohol consumption addresses only half of the problem. The perpetrator also needs to take responsibility for the sexual violence. On the most basic level, the perpetrator needs to learn that all sexual contact without permission is sexual violence. To address this, good sex offender programs teach the principles of sexual consent. These principles are: Privilege. Sex is never a right; it is always a privilege, an honor, a gift that can either be granted or taken away by the person you wish to have contact with. Permission. Since sexual contact is always a privilege, you always must seek permission before initiating contact. In addition, you need to be sober enough to know whether or not you have been given permission. Permission requires that the other person is capable, at the time, of giving you permission If the other person is afraid to say “No” because you have a position of power or authority, you cannot know whether your potential sexual partner truly wishes to have contact with you. Justification/Intent. There is no excuse for engaging in sexual contact without consent. Sexually respectful people adopt the philosophy of “First Do No Harm.” Those who do not respect sexual boundaries should not be allowed to explain or minimize their use of aggression as the result of alcohol or other drug use, stress, deviant arousal patterns, loss of control or misunderstandings. Responsibility. The only person who ever is responsible for a sexual assault is the perpetrator. The victim never is. We, as members of their community, share responsibility for holding perpetrators accountable for their violence. How do we do this? By never blaming victims for the harm they suffered. By remembering that sexual violence is not “just a part of the disease of alcoholism.” By never letting a perpetrator’s sexual access and satisfaction become more important than the victim’s sexual safety and autonomy. By keeping these principles in mind, we can make great strides in achieving sexual safety in our community. |
| North country Return to index of stories... |
NORTH COUNTRY SHELBURNE, N.H. - Governor John Lynch renewed his commitment to help the North Country during a visit up north this weekend, then threw a second inaugural ball for the region. Lynch met with residents and business leaders and promised to appoint a staff member dedicated to North Country issues. SHELBURNE, N.H. - Governor John Lynch headed north for the weekend, meeting with business leaders and residents of the North Country before throwing a second inaugural ball. Saturday, Lynch met with the Androscoggin Valley Economic Recovery Corporation to hear about programs to improve the area economy. Group President Jim Wagner said they are trying to keep their children from moving away by developing a future workforce, promoting education, creating a regional technology center, revitalizing Berlin's downtown and attracting new entrepreneurs. Lynch said he found the discussion helpful and pledged to help the group. One step will be to appoint a staff person dedicated to North Country issues. |
| stephens Return to index of stories... |
A new problem has cropped up for New Hampshire's state budget. Governor John Lynch's budget team says officials in the Health and Human Services department made a 70-M-million-dollar counting error that is compounding their work writing a state budget for the next two years. Health and Human Services double counted payments from the federal Medicaid program. Lynch's budget adviser, Stan Arnold, says health officials have been spending too much time on Commissioner John Stephen's Medicaid reform plan, and not enough paying attention to the books. Arnold says the mistake went unnoticed for months before being recognized Tuesday. Health and Human Services gave The Associated Press a timeline today that shows the agency provided Lynch with correct figures in November. But Lynch spokeswoman Pam Walsh said the correct figures were not included in budget documents until much later. |
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ew Hampshire town remembers Challenger loss CONCORD, N.H. - People in Concord, New Hampshire, today are remembering Christa McAuliffe. She's the young teacher who lost her life in the Challenger space shuttle disaster 19 years ago today. McAuliffe had been picked to be the first teacher in space. The Challenger blew up 73 seconds after launch, killing all seven crewmembers. McAuliffe's parents were in the crowd watching at the Kennedy Space Center. Her horrified students were watching on television. The Christa McAuliffe planetarium in Concord will hold a memorial program this evening, remembering the lives of the Challenger's crew. NASA held a Day of Remembrance yesterday in honor of the 17 astronauts who've lost their lives in America's three space disasters. %AP Links GRAPHICSBANK 136180 512x482 Sharon Christa McAuliffe headshot, NASA Astronaut, graphic element on black GRAPHICSBANK 404411 2000x1500 Space Shuttle Challenger crew: Michael Smith, Francis Scobee, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Sharon Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis and Judith Resnik, photo GRAPHICSBANK 404456 512x486 Space Shuttle Challenger crew members over Shuttle explosion after launch image, partial graphic AP-NY-01-28-05 0623EST |
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by provprovidMedicaid Reform p Commissioner Stephen's plan called Granite Care -- calls for reducing nursing home use by 30 percent by providing more home- and community-based care. It also calls for more aggressive management of mental health services and services to people with disabilities. The public has a chance today to weigh in on the issue of Medicaid reform in New Hampshire. Governor John Lynch has invited community agencies and health care providers to present their ideas for reducing the cost of the program, which provides care for the poor and elderly. Governor John Lynch has invited the public to present their ideas on Medicaid reform today in Concord. Lynch says the forum will allow community agencies and health care providers to weigh in on the state's discussion of revamping Medicaid. Medicaid, which provides care to the poor and elderly, is one of the largest of the state's expenses Health Commissioner John Stephen says change is needed. Stephen's plan calls for reducing nursing home use by 30 percent by providing more home- and community-based care. It also calls for more aggressive management of mental health services and services to people with disabilities. Lynch has said he will not make any changes to Medicaid without greater public involvement. |
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Cpl. Timothy Gibson, 23, was killed when a U.S. Marine helicopter crashed during a security sweep near the Jordanian border west of Baghdad. family learning this week that their son had been killed in Iraq. 23-year-old Marine Corporal Timothy Gibson was killed when his transport helicopter crashed Wednesday in a sandstorm. He graduated had been killed in a chopper crash caused bya sandstorm learned another local Marine was killed. 23-year-old Marine Corporal Timothy Gibson again this week. 23-year-old --as the family of Marine Corporal Timothy Gibson learned that he was among those killed when a Marine transport helicopter crashed Wednesday in Iraq in a sandstorm killing 30 Marines and a Navy Medic. The 23-year-old Gibson was based in Hawaii. He graduated from Merrimack High School in 2000, where he played football and baseball. Manchester Marine killed in Iraq |
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NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 1/28/05 HOST: Beth Carroll Length: 12:00 Hello. I'm Beth Carroll. Welcome to this Friday Edition of New Hampshire Outlook. A NH solider is killed in Iraq. Medicare reform and Hate Crimes are debated in Concord. A Judge resigns amid scandal and, the North country gets some much needed attention. Joining us this week from Concord: Josh Rogers from NHPR, & Colin Manning from Fosters Daily Democrat and here in Durham, Edith Tucker from the Coos County Democrat, and Mike Pomp, News Director and Talk Show host at WTSN AM/FM. We begin with the war in Iraq hitting home in New Hampshire. A Marine from Merrimack & 30 others died in a helicopter crash Wednesday in Iraq. 23-year-old Corporal Timothy Gibson was killed when his chopper went down in a sandstorm during a security sweep west of Baghdad. A Massachusetts marine was also killed. Gibson graduated from Merrimack High School in 2000 where he played football and baseball. Gibson is the 7th NH soldier killed during the conflict. PRODUCER/REPORTER: NAME OF PARTICIPANTS:Josh Rogers \NHPR, Colin Manning\Foster's Daily Democrat, Edith Tucker\Coos County Democrat, Mike Pomp\News Director, WTSN-1270 AM |
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Friday, January 28, 2005: We were delayed in taping about 20 minutes because Engineering was short staffed and the person working today hadn't had a chance to get ready for Outlook until 2pm. We started about 2:20pm. all else went smoothly. We finished by 2:45pm. |