OF CRIME AND PUNISHMENT

I cannot begin to imagine what life must have been like for poor little Jaycee Lee Dugard who was kidnapped by Phillip Garridoin in 1991 at when she was only 11 years old, held for some 18 years, during which period, she was constantly raped and impregnated twice, starting at the tender age of 14.

One other real tragedy coming on the heels of this entire blood curdling affair, is the role of various state agencies. For example,the fact is, Garridoin's character was well known and in no sane country would this monster, once discovered and convicted, be out of jail and free to rape and torment other women and children after a very short sentence.

For in 1976, he had kidnapped and for some 8 hours raped Katie Callaway who was 25 years old at the time. For that crime he was convicted and sentenced to serve 50 years but for some strange reason he was released after serving a mere 11 years. How does that compare to the thousands of young black men who are given very long stiff sentences for drug use in the federal system in the USA, a crime which hurts no one but themselves? It seems to me the US justice system is riddled with racism and to some extent, sexism, as men invariably seem to get off lightly there when women are the victims and blacks get ridiculously long sentences for mere misdemeanors..

I wonder too if the policeman who was sent to investigate a tip that children where living in the backyard of the known pedophile but went no further than Garridion's front door, is still "serving and protecting" as an honourable member of the police force there?

You know, had that entire incident not had such a devastating effect on Jaycee and her children, it would provide excellent grist for an excellent comedy.