Domestic Violence Law Repealed By Lawmakers In Topeka, Kansas

[LynneSin]

Domestic Violence Law Repealed By Lawmakers In Topeka, Kansas

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/11/domestic-violence-law-topeka-kansas_n_1006203.html

OPEKA, Kan. — Over the past month, one by one, people suspected in domestic battery cases in northeast Kansas have been set free with no charges against them. Prosecutors say they're overwhelmed with felonies and, faced with budget cuts, can't afford to pursue the cases.

Busted budgets have forced tough decisions by governments and law enforcement officials nationwide, but the Shawnee County district attorney's move to stop investigating domestic abuse and other misdemeanor cases has angered victims' advocates who say austerity has gone too far.

The advocates are also outraged by the response from the capital city of Topeka, where the City Council and mayor repealed the city's domestic abuse law Tuesday night – a move designed to ensure the city wouldn't be stuck with the bill for prosecuting such cases.

"I absolutely do not understand it," Rita Smith, executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said after the vote. "It's really outrageous that they're playing with family safety to see who blinks first. People could die while they're waiting to straighten this out."

[lunatica]

1. This has been posted at least 2 times from what I've seen

So don't be surprised if you don't get too many posts.

It's truly disgusting. What next? To cut down on anyone having to see the bruises will they make women wear burkas?

[City Lights]

2. What's the matter with Kansas?

:wtf:

Topeka has had at least 35 reported incidents of domestic battery or assault since early September. Those cases are not being pursued, and as of last Friday, 18 people jailed have been released without facing charges, according to Topeka police.

Just when I think I've heard it all, I read something that makes my :wow: again.

Rec'd.

[LynneSin]

5. I wouldn't want to be a woman and live in that city - that's for sure

They should be embarassed

[ensho]

14. agree, they stepped over the line big time

nt

[City Lights]

21. Nor would I. Their decision disgusts me.

If I had to stay, I'd do whatever I had to do to protect myself.

[Dogtown]

3. I just bet that they're still rigorously pursuing

Doobie Dudes.

:patriot:

[cyglet]

4. Yeh, gotta keep the pot smokers incarcerated

Really? This was really first on the list?

[Dogtown]

6. Domestic violence is probably

our most common crime, and the results are horrific.
But we're talking Kansas, where the Bible Belters think woman should be beaten (it's in the Good Book, after all) and child-welfare only exists until it leaves the womb.

Those damn socialist pot-smokers are a threat to the very fabric of the Family, though, *AND* the American Way!


:patriot:


(Caveat: Kansas isn't the *only* reactionary, woman-hating state in this union, but it sure is representative.)

Welcome to DU, cyg! :hi:

[Darth_Kitten]

7. Why bring pot into this?

Seriously, can we just talk about women and domestic violence? It's okay to think about just women, you know.

[Tsiyu]

8. Because it speaks to priorities

The people sitting in Topeka's jail for having a bit of weed are NO DANGER to the citizens of Topeka. They are victims of a drug war gone insane.

The people being set free for having bashed their partner's heads in or for slamming their kids against walls ARE a threat to society. How hideous this is!

What are they saying to the children of Topeka? "Sorry kid, that your mom has bruises all over her, but assault is perfectly fine if one is a battered woman." How many kids will be devastated to know their mothers have no recourse? It's the sickest thing I've heard a local government do lately.

Topeka is cursed. And they can kiss this woman's ass, all of them who chose this evil.

[Dogtown]

10. Thanks for the prop, Tsiyu!

That was exactly what I was saying.

The 'Thumpers can kiss my feminist ass, too.

[Tsiyu]

12. You are more than welcome

I can't believe more DUers are not outraged over this.

And that they cannot see why spending money to prosecute domestic violence cases is imperative in a civilized society. The majority of violent prisoners have been victims of abuse and violence. The toll it takes on families and societies is immense.

Pot smokers? They don't hurt anybody nor are they a threat if this is their only "crime." But the scumbags in Topeka LOVES that easy money from pot.

Call them! I posted numbers below, and to all the women too afraid to care, I hope you wise up here.


:yourock: Dogtown

[Dogtown]

9. As an indicator of their hypocrisy.

I believe emphatically (though I can't provide citations) that they are refusing to prosecute violent crime whilst enforcing harsh terms for non-violent behavior they find morally-objectionable.

Not all cannabis comments are support-for-stoners. I suppose I could have mentioned their anti-woman anti-abortion stance, instead, but then someone would have complained that I was being militantly-feminist (which I admit to) rather than being a dope-crusader.

Perhaps I should have explained my stance more carefully and avoided censure, but what's the fun in that?

Seriously, I thought folks would have seen the correlation I was positing, but I suppose sometimes I'm too subtle. Or the pot-rot in my doper-brain perceives connections that aren't really apparent to the Straights....



Hope that satisfies your concern, D-K.

[Tsiyu]

11. Call them and let them know how you feel

If you can get through...lines have been busy all morning.

I'm going to express my appreciation on behalf of the Taliban.

Topeka is now a perfect place to demand burkha-wearing and ban women from driving and having jobs.

Phone numbers:

http://www.topeka.org/pdfs/City_phone_guide.pdf

City Council: 913-368-3710

City Manager: 913-368-3725

Public Information Officer: 913-368-1642

[Dogtown]

13. Thanks for the research!

I'll call.

:grouphug:

[DainBramaged]

15. Republican Family Values at work.............

:puke:

[Rabblevox]

16. As a man, I am embarrassed, ashamed, and white-hot furious over this...

I have already left a message with the city manager expressing my outrage. One of my missions today is to find out what products and services are based in Topeka, and start a boycott list.

I don't know which shocks me more; that they would actually pass a law like this, or that there isn't a HUGE national cry of outrage over it.

[Tsiyu]

18. I'll warn you, their websites suck

Links don't work, etc. Although my hope is that it's from an overload of concerned Americans trying to get info on what NOT to buy or do in Kansas.

I went to their tourism site but no links would open. I want to call their board of tourism and tell them I will drive AROUND Kansas on my next trip west.

Topeka should now be named "Talibana"

Thanks for caring :hug:

[justiceischeap]

17. Women will have to find a way to use the Federal Violence Against Women Act

I don't know if they can but if this town doesn't have local laws, then state of federal laws would be an avenue to pursue.

[Tsiyu]

19. Ode to Topeka by Tsiyu

Ode to Topeka

It’s good to be a man in Topeka
You can beat your woman as much as you want
But don’t bring no reefer to Topeka
The DA brings the hammer down if you smoke pot

Oh, we believe in the rights of man -women not so much
So welcome to Topeka if you got that Taliban Touch

It’s hard to be a kid in Topeka
Watchin daddy beat Mama and drag her by her hair
Remember in Topeka she deserves it
Don’t expect help cuz the cops in Topeka don’t care

Oh, we believe in the rights of man - woman not so much
So welcome to Topeka - Land of the Taliban Touch

It’s tough to be a woman in Topeka
Where equal justice don’t apply to you
And if you’re bruised and bloody, that’s too bad now
The City Council will abuse you, too

Oh, we believe in the rights of man - women not so much
So welcome to Topeka and that Taliban Touch


Supposed to be writing songs this morning anyway for my new band.

I think they'll love this one!

[Rabblevox]

20. love it!

[Tsiyu]

22. Thanks!

Changed a few words, but I'm runnin' with it. :)


(Three chords and the truth...)

[NMMNG]

23. Women aren't humans worthy of protection after all

They're just baby vessels and housemaids. So long as the beatings don't harm any fetus they may be carrying or impair their ability to tend the homestead why bother wasting tax money on the matter? :sarcasm: