In response to the "ass groping thread"

anonimo says on Feb 25, 2006, 16:42:

The key words in your comment are "In the U.S." The ass-groping did not take place in the US.

I think there is a problem with the US justice system, that only gives a guy found guilty of manslaughter 4 years in jail.

morphus says on Feb 25, 2006, 16:50:

You can make lots of different arguements. Some might say perverts in Colombia deserve more time than perverts in other countries because they have less of an excuse. Why is groping such a problem in Colombia when there are so many 10k prostitutes roaming around that they can grope? Others might say that its not a problem. Its just boys being boys.

morphus says on Feb 25, 2006, 16:56:

I read a few months ago about a guy that molested a woman on a airplane. He put his hand down her pants while she was sleeping. This was in the U.S. They sentenced him to 7 years in prison. Thats more than manslaughter. Its hard to compare the 2 crimes. One is an accident while the other is intentional.

YANI-34 says on Feb 25, 2006, 17:27:

anonimo. I think the problem is that the colombian justice system is flat out retarted.

mzzmerized says on Feb 25, 2006, 17:46:

My 2 cents on the groping incident Sometimes a precedent has to be set...for this individual 4 years for ass groping appears harsh...but the public groping of women in Colombia and the rest of Latin America has to stop...these incidents are nothing more than sexual assaults that have been winked over for decades. NO ONE has the right to physically attack another person who is walking on the street minding their own business. The sexual nature of these attacks is something that has needed to be addressed...it has happened to me from Mexico to Peru...from some asshole's hard-on pressed into me on a crowded bus to having my tube top pulled down by a passing motor cyclist (and scratch wounds). I DO NOT think 4 years is excessive. I applaud that judge...you guys need to walk a mile in our shoes if you think that it is just a "guy being a guy" type of offense.

Andy-NY says on Feb 25, 2006, 20:14:

mzzmerized,

I agree that the guy should be punished, but I think 4 years in jail is absurd. I'm not saying that the guy should walk away without being punished. I think an example should be made here, but sentencing him to jail is not the answer. Jail is for criminals, not for some stupid guy who grabed a girl's butt.

My recommendation: He should do 200 hours of community service, pay the girl 1 months pay, and he should get 2 years probation.

Andrew-NY

poco says on Feb 25, 2006, 20:44:

Colombia seems to be changing Maybe closing some of the gaps if compared to the U.S. The 4 year sentence seems appropriate if it was believed necessary to send a message.

Becoming extinct in the U.S. are sexual innuendos and comments in the work place along with wife beating. The penalties and social stigma are harsh indeed. I’ve concluded the real penalties are loss of income and a low public opinion of the individual and it matters little whether they are actually found guilty or the length of the sentence.

40 years ago this was not the case.

When I see something like the “ass grabbing incident� my first reaction is, man,, that is a long sentence, next might be “what a dummy�. The assignment of “stupidity� is better reserved for the perpetrator because he has dominion over his actions. The judgment is strictly an opinion.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

ColombiaBoard says on Feb 26, 2006, 08:10:

My two cents I'd like to add a few comments here that may help explain the big controversy surrounding this case.

First of all, I agree with those here and elsewhere in Colombia who think that the sentence is ridiculously high and out of context for such a small misdemeanor. I agree with those who think that there should be harsher penalties for those who commit sexual abuse crimes (for example child abuse, sexual harassment, etc.) but in this case the sentencing was ridiculous.

A punishment more appropriate for this case would be community service, a fine, a short sentence at some low security prison. But not four years, the truth is this poor idiot has been chosen as a scapegoat. In any case, the case will go now to a higher court for appellation and the guy is has his home as prison.

I've seen some interviews on tv and the legal experts are saying that the problem stems from the fact that recently there was a major change in the way these cases are handled. Before the change, this was classified as a minor misdemeanor and the guy would be charged under the section of "code misconduct", similar offences included being drunk on the street (not drunk driving), public disorder (like screaming in public, littering, etc.). But with the new change in the law everything is treated as a felony or crime, therefore this case has the same importance as murder or things like that and that's why it went before a judge, something that would have never happened before.

morphus says on Feb 26, 2006, 09:32:

GringoD, its an accident when a person gets drunk and runs somebody over with a car. Sometimes it just might even be a coincidence. If the driver was sober it still might have happened anyway. The society we live in, on a whole is responsible. Alcohol is legal. Alcohol affects people differently. Some can control it and some can't. Bars and restaurants have parking lots. If you live in a rural area the only way home from a bar is driving. Some people can't make the right decision while intoxicated.

caulfield2 says on Feb 26, 2006, 09:43:

I wonder what was the economic status of the person that committed the crime? Usually, examples are not made out of the richest people in a society (well, the US is changing a little now, with the likes of Enron and Martha Stewart, to name just two).

Generally, those are the people who have good lawyers and bribe themselves out of any situation. It is always the poorest in a society that suffer...and there are occasions when their upbringing has not provided them the internal barometer to distinguish right from wrong. Of course, the person accused must have known what he was doing was not RIGHT, but how WRONG it was is something that often differs between socio-economic groups.

poco says on Feb 26, 2006, 11:04:

Hummm, maybe an accidental murder? Morphus Says: GringoD, its an accident when a person gets drunk and runs somebody over with a car.

Accidental Murder and Alcohol This type of article is all over the net. The trend appears to make the charge murder. That's just fine with me.

Now you know so pleading ignorance won’t be a defense, not that it ever was, but might get you paroled a little sooner. Having an apologetic and tearful reply to the judge might have an effect on whether or not you get 10 years or life.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

morphus says on Feb 26, 2006, 11:12:

Alcohol is the devil's drink...ha ha

jccg says on Feb 27, 2006, 08:10:

Dear Gringoinbogota It seems that for the first time since I read and post in this PBH, I will agreed with you. I don realy now the case, so if someone point me to it, I will apreciate the gesture.
But, touch the butt of a girl is not as bad (althoug the story in the airplane is different, it was a real violation of the intimity). The drunk driver is responsable for the damage he makes, so he must get all the punishmente, when somone that touch the butt (I am understanding "dar una palmada en la nalga" or "agarrar la nalga") is just an idiot, he can be punish, but not more than a killer. I will give a drunk driver for years only for be putting people in danger (before the "accident" happen)

This is just the true!!

jccg says on Feb 27, 2006, 08:34:

mmmmmmmm..... "I think a lot of this security to prevent hijackers is a complete waise of money"
I suppouse you mean "waste", and I agree, it is just to keep the "paranoic state" of the people to have them support foreing policies.
"The people who did had no idea that was what was going to happen to them and the ones that did they kicked some ass"
I remember the first report about it was that a militar airplane shout a missil. Then they said the fairy tale about the people that kill themselves to protect the president and show the tape of the woman that "ever record the conversations with her housband" (por si las moscas no mas!). Finally the international investigation said that all is exactly as if a missil shoutdown the plane. But if you still thinking that a USA citizen will drop the plane and kill himself to protect the holy president, it is ok.

This is just the true!!

Miguel_Clavo says on Mar 1, 2006, 00:52:

He was given 4 years of HOUSE ARREST.. And ***NOT PRISON TIME*** In case your were not aware of that...



Miguel_Clavo

"Ignorance is a Weapon of Mass Destruction..."

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

Andy-NY says on Mar 1, 2006, 04:23:

Well this does change things quite a bit. I just responded based on what I read in the initial "ass groping" thread. I still think 4 years of house arrest is too much.

Ideal punishment:
1. 200 hours community service
2. pay the equivalent of 1 month's salary
3. 2 years probation

Andrew-NY

poco says on Mar 1, 2006, 09:12:

Suggested Punishment You forgot:

4. Grope therapy

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

Mario says on Mar 1, 2006, 10:26:

My wife thinks it fits. About 10 years ago the exact same thing happened to her, except the bicyclist used a tennis raquet. That's assault, hand or raquet, and also enough to scare the shiite out of someone. And then what? You can't even walk down the street in peace without looking over your shoulder to see if another unexpected and sudden assult is on the way? Her only recourse was to yell "HIJUEPUTA!", and that's too bad. I'd have liked to seen her put those extremely pointy shoes to good use and cork his ass with one right through his pants. There, how do you like a sudden assault on the ass buddy? The resulting facial expression would probably be about the same.

"The angle of the dangle is directly proportionate to the swerve of the curve."

emperor-for-life says on Mar 1, 2006, 16:33:

groping and drinking and driving, my ass My, what a bunch of self-righteous turds you all are. Noone should get four years for drunk-driving or ass-groping. If the penalty were commensurate with your witch-hunting ideas, all yanks and one quarter of all Colombians would be beheaded. As for the chicken-shit airport so-called boogeyman prevention security, well, don't get me started. tarantula verde

tarantula verde

poco says on Mar 1, 2006, 17:36:

No excuse but maybe understandable Colombians love Soccer, still no excuse. Self restraint is usually learned at an early age. Whats so hard about understanding "keeping your hands to yourself"

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov

Andy-NY says on Mar 1, 2006, 17:59:

Emperor,

Why don't you read the thread before making stupid comments. Here, I'll make it easy for you. This is what I wrote:

"drunk driver who 'KILLS' someone in a DWI car accident? In the U.S. the person driving drunk who 'kILLS' someone would likely get less than 4 years in jail if the charge is Manslaughter and not murder. In most cases the charge would be 'Manslaughter'.

But you are right; nobody should get 4 years for a regular DWI or ass-groping. I think 4 years is not harsh enough if the person driving drunk kills someone. It should be at least 10 years.

Andrew-NY

morphus says on Mar 1, 2006, 18:26:

Groping (ass grabbing through clothes) is only a misdormeaner here in New York if you get caught. Probation or a few months in jail the most. Murder can get you 25 years to life. In Colombia, murder only gets you around 10 years. I would like to know how many years you get in Colombia if you kill somebody driving drunk? I would'nt be suprised if its less than ass groping.

Miguel_Clavo says on Mar 1, 2006, 20:01:

Sexual Battery like "groping" in California... Here in California it is considered a sex crime (misd)and as such the offender has to register as a sex-offender for life, which qualifies him/her to being an open target through the internet based Megans Law which lists all the special sex offenders in the state....great way for them to meet their neighbors!

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo

"Ignorance is a Weapon of Mass Destruction..."

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

poco says on Mar 1, 2006, 21:50:

Don't flip someone the finger in Texas !!!! The official charge is MAKING OBSCENE GESTURES. Not something you put on your Resume.

"Violence is the first refuge of the incompetent" - Isaac Asimov