Parents Neglected Children To Point of Starvation Playing Dungeons & Dragons Online

Collarspace Discussion Forums

Home Login Search

Parents Neglected Children To Point of Starvation Playing Dungeons & Dragons Online

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid >> Parents Neglected Children To Point of Starvation Playing Dungeons & Dragons Online

Page: [1]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Parents Neglected Children To Point of Starvation Playi... - 7/21/2007 9:16:18 PM

trustingsub

Posts: 36
Joined: 7/17/2007
From: VA
Status: offline

A couple who authorities say were so obsessed with the Internet and video games that they left their babies starving and suffering other health problems have pleaded guilty to child neglect.
The children of Michael and Iana Straw, a boy age 22 months and a girl age 11 months, were severely malnourished and near death last month when doctors saw them after social workers took them to a hospital, authorities said. Both children are doing well and gaining weight in foster care, prosecutor Kelli Ann Viloria told the Reno Gazette-Journal.
Michael Straw, 25, and Iana Straw, 23, pleaded guilty Friday to two counts each of child neglect. Each faces a maximum 12-year prison sentence.
Viloria said the Reno couple were too distracted by online video games, mainly the fantasy role-playing "Dungeons & Dragons" series, to give their children proper care.
"They had food; they just chose not to give it to their kids because they were too busy playing video games," Viloria told the Reno Gazette-Journal.
...
Last month, experts at an American Medical Association meeting backed away from a proposal to designate video game addiction as a mental disorder, saying it had to be studied further. Some said the issue is like alcoholism, while others said there was no concrete evidence it's a psychological disease.

The girl, who when born weighed six pounds, was a mere 10 pounds. Medical staff said they had to hold the girl up because she was too weak to roll over or move on her own. She couldn't walk or hold her head up due to minimal muscle development.

A nurse had to wash her hair, which was matted with cat urine. The little baby was so dehydrated that when she cried, she produced no tears and only urinated after getting fluids via an IV. She had dirt under her nails and was not interested in eating. Doctors also discovered she had an infection in her mouth. A nurse also noted that she still had some sort of baby hair on her body that usually disappears by now in well nourished children.

Meanwhile, her brother was also malnourished, police said, and he had an infection on his genitals. Officials noted that his behavior was not typical of a 2-year-old and that he seemed to be slow-acting. He also had difficulty walking because of minimal muscle development.

how pathetic... these people should be locked away and starved, bastards!

_____________________________

~You do not own me until i allow You to~

Profile

Post #: 1

RE: Parents Neglected Children To Point of Starvation P... - 7/21/2007 9:23:05 PM

Jacobthm

Posts: 237
Joined: 7/9/2007
Status: offline

I could not agree more.

Yes you CAN get addicted to video games (and online bbs ;p). If anything else this sort of case provides further evidence. The problem is that exactly how do you determine an addiction that has no physical symptoms. With alcoholism you at least have discrete stages. In video game addiction I'm not sure there are.

I'm not, mind you blaming technology or even the gaming community, hell I love fps. But there needs to be a modicum of comon sense here. If your kids are starving or if you spend the majority of your time hooked to a computer, get the hell off! (Metaphorically speaking that might actually help)

Just my 0.02
Damn typos

< Message edited by Jacobthm -- 7/21/2007 9:29:00 PM >

(in reply to trustingsub)

Profile

Post #: 2

RE: Parents Neglected Children To Point of Starvation P... - 7/21/2007 9:29:24 PM

Aileen68

Posts: 6091
Joined: 8/2/2005
Status: offline

They obviously found time to fuck twice.
Lock em up.

(in reply to trustingsub)

Profile

Post #: 3

RE: Parents Neglected Children To Point of Starvation P... - 7/21/2007 10:04:43 PM

trustingsub

Posts: 36
Joined: 7/17/2007
From: VA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Aileen68

They obviously found time to fuck twice.
Lock em up.

lmao...i totally agree!

_____________________________

~You do not own me until i allow You to~

(in reply to Aileen68)

Profile

Post #: 4

RE: Parents Neglected Children To Point of Starvation P... - 7/21/2007 10:15:15 PM

CuriousLord

Posts: 3911
Joined: 4/3/2007
Status: offline

I'm pretty sure that, psycologically, it's entirely possible to justify their actions, as to their causes and even the victimization of the parents. Still, the same is true for many criminal activities. Society deals with such individuals in a rather sick way- locking them up. It is, regardless of the vulgar aspect, fairly effective in deterring others from following suit.

It's likely that video-game addiction will be dealt with as many other things, in two manners. The first of which will be the helpful manner- people trying to help others avoid/recover from/manage such an addiction. The second will be legal reprocutions- scaring people away from allowing such an addiction to cause them to act in criminal manners.

In the end, were the parents, in a way, victims of ignorance? Certainly. Did this cause them to bring suffering onto others? Also, correct. In a perfect society, what would be done with them? Help: education. In our practical society, what should be done with them? An example be made to deter others from wanting to be like them, less public help for them, to help them resume their own lives afterwards.

(in reply to trustingsub)

Profile

Post #: 5

RE: Parents Neglected Children To Point of Starvation P... - 7/22/2007 8:39:19 AM

Termyn8or

Posts: 18681
Joined: 11/12/2005
Status: offline

This whole 'criminal is a victim' shit makes me sick.

To mistreat or neglect a child is a CRIME.

Selling or using drugs, cheating on taxes, even drunk driving (without a wreck) are not crimes. There is a difference.

Believing that the punishment should fit the crime, I'd say 12 years is too long, too long for what I would have in store for them. Their meals, served every other day would consist of bread and water. And they get to watch the guards eat a steak dinner every day.

The guards should completely finish their meals before serving the 'guests', and should have a computer around in case they want to play a game before feeding the guests.

After a year of this I don't think they'll do it again.

T

Oh, and the sentence would be 12 years unless they agree to sterilization.

(in reply to CuriousLord)

Profile

Post #: 6

RE: Parents Neglected Children To Point of Starvation P... - 7/22/2007 8:49:22 AM

CuriousLord

Posts: 3911
Joined: 4/3/2007
Status: offline

People aren't so rational as they would think of themselves. We are, by the physical definition, computers. We compute what's best for us, then act accordingly. Education is like programming- whether it's from school, thought, study, talking, or even just feeling the comfort of a pillow against the skin.

People have feelings, in some manner or another, too. These feelings are what we value, due to empathetic concerns. These two adults will now suffer for their poor decisions. Their failure to think properly.

There is this understanding that, when children misbehave, that they should be punished and talk to. This really is for the best. When one becomes an adult, there seems to be this gross misunderstanding that such an individual is now rational, that decisions it makes are made solely in malicious intent.

I know this probably sounds arrogant, but do hear me out. If I had the time- and the power- to do this (which I don't), I'd take criminals and educate them. Let them understand logic and arguments, help them to see the effects of their actions and better ways of going about to get what they need. This is what society should, in idealism, be able to do. But, like me, society isn't powerful enough (nor, unfornuately, does it have the will), so it uses an artifical method. Instead of showing people better ways to do things, it just tries to make methods that are, in its perception, opposed to its interests carry a heavy risk of dire punishment, in order to avoid people from doing so.

I maintain the notion that law enforcement, when it comes to judges and jails, are often monsters- but necessary monsters.

(in reply to Termyn8or)

Profile

Post #: 7

RE: Parents Neglected Children To Point of Starvation P... - 7/22/2007 10:42:08 AM

Termyn8or

Posts: 18681
Joined: 11/12/2005
Status: offline

After studying a bit of psychology it seems everyone became a subject for study. I don't know if this is unfortunate or not, but it is a one way street.

There are a few notable classes of criminals. What I define as criminals is those who steal or harm. As far as I am concerned they can let all the drug dealers out, because of my harsh judgement of our insidiously harsh reality. They simply sold something. Value given for value recieved.

Those who kill themselves on drugs, well, have at it. Of course it is a crime to give an addictive substance to a child, so a true drug pusher, which is very rare, goes to a schoolyard and starts giving out hits of crack, they should get the death penalty.

That is only one aspect of crime. Stealing, boosting, breaking and entering. These people are fully aware of the consequences of their actions. Their victim no longer has what they (probably) aquired lawfully. They will now sell it for a fraction of it's value and move on. They know exactly what they are doing. And there is a class of them who firmly believes that if they decide they want it they shall take it, and they won't take any lip from it's previous owner. How do you propose to rehabilitate those ?

Then there are the crazies. Stalkers, rapists etc. With the current justice system we know better than to call the cops. That is because we will take our own action and that would provide evidence. I will not describe the action, don't even know what it would be, but it would be effective, possibly even legal, but don't bank on it. But what of people who cannot call upon such favors. What are they to do ?

And last but not least, people who do not treat kids right. I would rather associate in a den of thieves and murderers than that particular ilk. They can sit there and simply forget they have kids ? You may be Curious but I am more curious, as to what the fuck you say to such people to get them on the road to recovery. I mean where do you start ?

Realistically, if those parents (sans capitalisation this time) were just as emaciated as the children I would consider some excuse, just a little. It doesnt abate the damage they have done. But from what I read they were eating just fine. As far as I am concerned prison is a pretty good monster right now, because it will keep each of them from members of the opposite sex. At least they won't make any more babies right now.

As one poster put it - they found time to fuck twice.

T

(in reply to CuriousLord)

Profile

Post #: 8

RE: Parents Neglected Children To Point of Starvation P... - 7/22/2007 10:48:52 AM

domiguy

Posts: 12952
Joined: 5/2/2006
Status: offline

I'm sure if the parents accumulated enough experience points the judge will have no choice but to let them go.

_____________________________

(in reply to Termyn8or)

Profile

Post #: 9

RE: Parents Neglected Children To Point of Starvation P... - 7/22/2007 11:33:56 AM

Jacobthm

Posts: 237
Joined: 7/9/2007
Status: offline

I still wish sterilization was part of standard procedure when crimes involving the abuse of children is involved. Let's help evolution out a bit shall we?

(in reply to domiguy)

Profile

Post #: 10

RE: Parents Neglected Children To Point of Starvation P... - 7/22/2007 11:38:00 AM

mistoferin

Posts: 8284
Joined: 10/27/2004
Status: offline

I wonder if their addiction also made it impossible to feed themselves? How underweight were they?

_____________________________

Peace and light,
~erin~

There are no victims here...only volunteers.

When you make a habit of playing on the tracks, you thereby forfeit the right to bitch when you get hit by a train.

"I did it! I admit it and I'm gonna do it again!"

(in reply to Jacobthm)

Profile

Post #: 11

RE: Parents Neglected Children To Point of Starvation P... - 7/22/2007 11:41:21 AM

Sinergy

Posts: 9383
Joined: 4/26/2004
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: domiguy

I'm sure if the parents accumulated enough experience points the judge will have no choice but to let them go.

I dont know what everybody is getting so tense about. See this behavior all the time with chaotic evil types.

Sinergy

_____________________________

"There is a fine line between clever and stupid"
David St. Hubbins "This Is Spinal Tap"

"Every so often you let a word or phrase out and you want to catch it and bring it back. You cant do that, it is gone, gone forever." J. Danforth Quayle

(in reply to domiguy)

Profile

Post #: 12

RE: Parents Neglected Children To Point of Starvation P... - 7/22/2007 11:42:31 AM

Sinergy

Posts: 9383
Joined: 4/26/2004
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: mistoferin

I wonder if their addiction also made it impossible to feed themselves? How underweight were they?

The old Internet diet, eh?

Sinergy

_____________________________

"There is a fine line between clever and stupid"
David St. Hubbins "This Is Spinal Tap"

"Every so often you let a word or phrase out and you want to catch it and bring it back. You cant do that, it is gone, gone forever." J. Danforth Quayle

(in reply to mistoferin)

Profile

Post #: 13

RE: Parents Neglected Children To Point of Starvation P... - 7/22/2007 12:26:22 PM

MusicalBoredom

Posts: 620
Joined: 5/8/2007
From: Louisiana/New York
Status: offline

The neglect that is the crime is simply inexcusable. I don't have a problem with determining if gaming is an addiction or not. I don't think it makes them victims -- simply addicts. If they find a reason then they might find something to better change the behavior of those doing it. Whether or not it is an addiction has nothing to do with holding them accountable for their actions. We don't let crack addicts off because they are addicted or alcoholics off after a DUI related accident. They still have to pay the consequences of their behavior. The only difference the addiction label makes is that after they do their time they may be offered some counseling to change their behavior. Like all of the addictions such as alcohol, drugs or gambling the message is "hey you don't do this well. If you do it at all you will loose all sense of reality. So don't do it." That doesn't make those things bad for everyone just to those that have a problem with it.

(in reply to Sinergy)

Profile

Post #: 14

RE: Parents Neglected Children To Point of Starvation P... - 7/22/2007 1:34:13 PM

nyrisa

Posts: 1830
Joined: 11/20/2006
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: CuriousLord

If I had the time- and the power- to do this (which I don't), I'd take criminals and educate them. Let them understand logic and arguments, help them to see the effects of their actions and better ways of going about to get what they need. This is what society should, in idealism, be able to do.

A lot of the people who are in prisons are sociopaths: people who understand perfectly well the rules of society, the logic behind the rules, the effect their actions have on others, etc. But they just absolutely do not care. They are often skilled manipulators of people. They would find great amusement in your educational programs, be model students, and then have a good laugh as they revert to their chosen patterns.

_____________________________

A true lady takes off her dignity with her clothes and does her whorish best. At other times you can be as modest and dignified as your persona requires. Robert Heinlein

The last thing I want to do is hurt you...but it is still on my list.

(in reply to CuriousLord)

Profile

Post #: 15

RE: Parents Neglected Children To Point of Starvation P... - 7/22/2007 1:56:14 PM

luckydog1

Posts: 2736
Joined: 1/16/2006
Status: offline

I am going to agree with Narissa. I think Society taught these parnest many different ways of behaving other than ignoring a crying baby.

(in reply to nyrisa)

Profile

Post #: 16

RE: Parents Neglected Children To Point of Starvation P... - 7/22/2007 2:13:06 PM

CuriousLord

Posts: 3911
Joined: 4/3/2007
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Termyn8or

They know exactly what they are doing. And there is a class of them who firmly believes that if they decide they want it they shall take it, and they won't take any lip from it's previous owner. How do you propose to rehabilitate those?

Yeah, that's basically the problem. There's no practical way to rehabilitate such criminals at this time. With people still starving in this world, diseases running rampant in many areas, cures yet to be found, "higher" education difficult to obtain even for citizens of wealthy nations.. there's a lot forothers in this world to still do.

I feel the manner in which we deal with criminals today to be something of a necessary evil. I do fear, though, that it may be over-zealous and blind at times, though.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Termyn8or

And last but not least, people who do not treat kids right. I would rather associate in a den of thieves and murderers than that particular ilk. They can sit there and simply forget they have kids ? You may be Curious but I am more curious, as to what the fuck you say to such people to get them on the road to recovery. I mean where do you start ?

I'd start with showing them the value of kids. Why they matter. I doubt it'd be an easy lesson, nor one that could be conducted during a practical time period.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Termyn8or

As far as I am concerned prison is a pretty good monster right now

Looks like we conclude the same thing. I suppose my point was that it was a monster, and this was just a place to mention it; I agree it's a necessary one for us at this point in time.

(in reply to Termyn8or)

Profile

Post #: 17

RE: Parents Neglected Children To Point of Starvation P... - 7/22/2007 2:17:28 PM

CuriousLord

Posts: 3911
Joined: 4/3/2007
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: nyrisa
quote:

ORIGINAL: CuriousLord

If I had the time- and the power- to do this (which I don't), I'd take criminals and educate them. Let them understand logic and arguments, help them to see the effects of their actions and better ways of going about to get what they need. This is what society should, in idealism, be able to do.

A lot of the people who are in prisons are sociopaths: people who understand perfectly well the rules of society, the logic behind the rules, the effect their actions have on others, etc. But they just absolutely do not care. They are often skilled manipulators of people. They would find great amusement in your educational programs, be model students, and then have a good laugh as they revert to their chosen patterns.

Such education would certainly include empathy. Empathy is a rather largely selfish bit- sociopaths, so long as they value themselves, would be able to adopt it, should their brains not be damaged or malformed.

Education assumes one who is capable of learning. While not everyone's willing, in this idealistic view I'm talking about, one could be compelled. A brain-damaged person would likely have to have their mind repaired. As such resources and technology are still largely beyond us? Again, it's only an ideal- not something we can practically do.

(in reply to nyrisa)

Profile

Post #: 18