No, we don't need to forgive Homolka

[Pooldude]

It’s OK to still be angry at Karla Homolka. It’s OK to be angry at her for the rest of her life. Don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise.
Canadians were outraged to learn last week that serial killer Karla Homolka had been volunteering at her children’s school in Quebec.
Parents all across the country were distraught at the idea that a woman who had killed school girls was now being trusted by a school in the Montreal area to take kids out on field trips.

The school, which is run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, offered initial reactions that only upset parents further.
They admitted they knew exactly who Homolka was but let her volunteer in spite of that.

Then troubling reports surfaced that parents who complained to the school were told that maybe they’d have to be the ones to find a new school.
Thankfully, the school has now smartened up and changed their tune. Nobody with a criminal record will be able to volunteer with kids now.
The subject even came up in Parliament last week, during which NDP leader Tom Mulcair offered bizarre remarks to reporters.

After condemning Homolka’s horrific crimes, Mulcair said that the issue of her being in schools is first a safety issue and secondarily “it really becomes a question of forgiveness.”

Mulcair continued: “I guess that’s part of this discussion and whether or not someone who’s paid their debt and if you’re ensuring the safety of the kids, beyond our revulsion at the horror of the crime, is there any way for atonement and forgiveness?”
Both the school board’s initial reactions and Mulcair’s comments are misguided. There’s nothing wrong with Canadian parents being outraged at the prospect of Homolka being in the vicinity of regular school kids.

“Karla Homolka did not pay her debt to society,” Tim Danson, lawyer for the victim’s families, told the Sun's Joe Warmington.
“Through deceit, deception and manipulation, Karla Homolka got away with murder,” said Danson. “She breached the conditions of her plea resolution and she should have been in the prisoners box with Paul Bernardo and also serving a life sentence.”

No, we most certainly do not need to forgive Karla Homolka.

No, we don’t need to forgive Homolka | Editorial | Opinion | Toronto Sun

 

[Madman]

She served her time and although I vehemently disagree with her sentence and believe she should be rotting in jail next to Bernardo, she has served her time and unless she re offends she should be left alone.

 

[demien3k5]

I think there is a difference between forgiveness and trust. While I am fine with those that will either choose to forgive, or not, as they see fit, I am not ok with those same people arbitrarily extending any degree of trust to that individual on behalf of others who may subsequently be placed at risk. This is especially true in the case of children or other vulnerable members of society.

Frankly, in a world where even the most upstanding citizens are forced to go through exhaustive hoops before ever being allowed to work/volunteer/coach children, I'm astounded that this organization would ignore not only a criminal record, but a conviction for such a heinous crime as murder. This makes me question whether or not THOSE people are even deserving to be placed in a position of trust. Hmmmmmm

 

[Analme]

I think there is a difference between forgiveness and trust. While I am fine with those that will either choose to forgive, or not, as they see fit, I am not ok with those same people arbitrarily extending any degree of trust to that individual on behalf of others who may subsequently be placed at risk. This is especially true in the case of children or other vulnerable members of society.

Frankly, in a world where even the most upstanding citizens are forced to go through exhaustive hoops before ever being allowed to work/volunteer/coach children, I'm astounded that this organization would ignore not only a criminal record, but a conviction for such a heinous crime as murder. This makes me question whether or not THOSE people are even deserving to be placed in a position of trust. Hmmmmmm

Exactly! I would fire the entire administration staff who has anything to do with the staffing of volunteers.

 

[InfidelHarper]

I think there is a difference between forgiveness and trust. While I am fine with those that will either choose to forgive, or not, as they see fit, I am not ok with those same people arbitrarily extending any degree of trust to that individual on behalf of others who may subsequently be placed at risk. This is especially true in the case of children or other vulnerable members of society.

Frankly, in a world where even the most upstanding citizens are forced to go through exhaustive hoops before ever being allowed to work/volunteer/coach children, I'm astounded that this organization would ignore not only a criminal record, but a conviction for such a heinous crime as murder. This makes me question whether or not THOSE people are even deserving to be placed in a position of trust. Hmmmmmm

What he said.

 

[papasmerf]

She and her husband deserved the DEATH PENALTY. They deserve the Mercy they showed their victims.....If I recall correctly one of the victims was this MURDER'S sister.

 

[Creepy]

She and her husband deserved the DEATH PENALTY. They deserve the Mercy they showed their victims.....If I recall correctly one of the victims was this MURDER'S sister.

That's right. You reckon the dudes that made the deal sleep well at night?.

 

[papasmerf]

That's right. You reckon the dudes that made the deal sleep well at night?.

I reckon they know they will have to explain this to a Higher Power someday......

 

[Jessica Rain]

She served her time and although I vehemently disagree with her sentence and believe she should be rotting in jail next to Bernardo, she has served her time and unless she re offends she should be left alone.

I believe for the most part, she has been left alone. She is married now with two kids. Something her victims parents will never have. But as you said, she served her time, so she is free to do what she wants. Her rights and freedoms have not be violated in any way.

In this case however, the parents were also well within their rights to disagree with their children being around her, engaging with her, etc. Just because she has been freed to live her life, does not mean that others have to engage with her. They can leave her alone, and expect to be left alone by her as well.

This school was wrong way before this for not already having in place a rule about criminally convicted people volunteering. That was just stupidness on their part.

 

[Flash Bazbo]

... That was just stupidness on their part.

Stupidity?

 

[papasmerf]

Stupidity?

 

[demien3k5]

I believe for the most part, she has been left alone. She is married now with two kids. Something her victims parents will never have. But as you said, she served her time, so she is free to do what she wants. Her rights and freedoms have not be violated in any way.

In this case however, the parents were also well within their rights to disagree with their children being around her, engaging with her, etc. Just because she has been freed to live her life, does not mean that others have to engage with her. They can leave her alone, and expect to be left alone by her as well.

This school was wrong way before this for not already having in place a rule about criminally convicted people volunteering. That was just stupidness on their part.

Well said Jessica. I'd have thought she would have realized that after 12 years in jail for murder 'You can't go back to the way it was before. Not ever.' If she was smart, when she got out she would have tried to find the most remote, hidden, and out of the way place to live out the rest of her life in total obscurity and anonymity. Instead, she seems to think she can go back to being a regular 'jane doe citizen' and live life like everyone else. Frankly, she's probably lucky Kristen or Leslie's father hasn't already put a bullet in her head.

 

[Jessica Rain]

Well said Jessica. I'd have thought she would have realized that after 12 years in jail for murder 'You can't go back to the way it was before. Not ever.' If she was smart, when she got out she would have tried to find the most remote, hidden, and out of the way place to live out the rest of her life in total obscurity and anonymity. Instead, she seems to think she can go back to being a regular 'jane doe citizen' and live life like everyone else. Frankly, she's probably lucky Kristen or Leslie's father hasn't already put a bullet in her head.

That would be narcissism at its finest there. A narcissist would never understand why people will not simply forgive and forget because she said sorry and served jail time. In her eyes, I bet any money, she feels like she is a victim now. A victim of the horrible press and the bad parents who just won't let her live her life.

Sadly, I dated a narcissist. I learned way to late in the relationship that he was in fact a narcissist and the amount of emotional abuse I suffered from it will haunt me for life. Their brains are wired so differently and yet they seem so normal, it is scary. You begin to think you are crazy. I wouldn't wish that one anyone.

 

[Maurice Boscorelli]

I just have the feeling she is thumbing her nose at the rest of us.

So no I don't forgive her in any way.

Tell the relatives of the victims of her crimes that she has paid her debt to society. See what they have too say.

 

[peace]

+1