Articles were sensationalism
This is in response to the stories about John Stevens, the Auburn panhandler, printed Oct. 29 and Oct. 30.
I should preface this by mentioning that though this letter may sound somewhat liberal, I'm hardly a liberal; I grew up in a family of mill workers, police officers and servicemen, which instilled, if anything, a conservative bent in my personality.
However, I was dismayed by the lack of responsible journalism shown in those two pieces. Yes, Stevens is a convicted pedophile, and if he were to re-offend, especially against someone I care for, I'd be among the first looking to take some retaliatory action. However, as it stands at this moment, and as it did when the stories in question were published, he had paid his debt to society.
The initial story was not as bad as the nearly cheerful followup; the story made it clear that Stevens did not want his past divulged, yet the Sun Journal did not honor his request. An editor interested in responsible journalism should have had the reporter rephrase nearly the entire document.
It's clear that, human nature being what it is, those stories could have led to Stevens' injury or even death just as easily as they did to the recriminations displayed, as far-fetched as that might seem here in Maine.
The articles were sensationalism, and not worthy of the Sun Journal.
Jonathan Ross, Biddeford
queenhoneeybee says
You never know mad dad-just how things and life may be for people until we walked a foot in their shoes... we are in a economic crisis and have the highest unemployment rate thus far. Companies are firing and NOT hiring! I would hope that next time a person sees a panhandler-that they just may have a little compassion/empathy and maybe view them as a separate person and separate situation-a different story.
I agree with a lot of what you are saying John. People think that just because they are an offender that they deserve to be spat on, disrespected, violated, attacked, murdered... they forget the fact that they are human beings that HAVE paid their debt to society. I believe there are those who are high-risk... but not all. I think SJ's article only heightened John Stevens' already difficult times.
Positive reinforcement/events can do many wonderful things for people-even those whom some may consider 'evil'. Especially in a time of need. Sorta like 'kill them with kindness'.