Comments on: My Arrest Was The Best Thing That Could Have Happened http://dewde.com/2009/06/my-arrest/ Just another WordPress weblog Sat, 01 May 2010 07:37:59 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jim http://dewde.com/2009/06/my-arrest/comment-page-1/#comment-493 Jim Wed, 10 Jun 2009 04:31:00 +0000 http://dewde.com/?p=650#comment-493 uh...i'm going to have to go back and re-read this ... uh…i'm going to have to go back and re-read this …

]]> By: Chris F. http://dewde.com/2009/06/my-arrest/comment-page-1/#comment-492 Chris F. Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:26:34 +0000 http://dewde.com/?p=650#comment-492 Yeah, trust me, I'm just as confused as you are! I think it's just Dewde's choice of topics. Interesting, but not as overtly controversial as some of his past posts. I'm still rabidly anti-religion in general, but other than that I generally subscribe to fiscally conservative politics and lean toward libertarian ideas. I liked Ron Paul, but most of the other republican options in 2008 seemed pretty poor to me. I'm not a huge Obama fan, other than that I was pretty excited to see a genuinely smart guy elected to office. Many of his choices so far, however, have left me a little disappointed. Yeah, trust me, I'm just as confused as you are!

I think it's just Dewde's choice of topics. Interesting, but not as overtly controversial as some of his past posts. I'm still rabidly anti-religion in general, but other than that I generally subscribe to fiscally conservative politics and lean toward libertarian ideas. I liked Ron Paul, but most of the other republican options in 2008 seemed pretty poor to me. I'm not a huge Obama fan, other than that I was pretty excited to see a genuinely smart guy elected to office. Many of his choices so far, however, have left me a little disappointed.

]]> By: Monger of War http://dewde.com/2009/06/my-arrest/comment-page-1/#comment-491 Monger of War Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:39:25 +0000 http://dewde.com/?p=650#comment-491 Farmer, it's a little disconcerting when we agree so often. Which one of us changed, you or me? Farmer, it's a little disconcerting when we agree so often. Which one of us changed, you or me?

]]> By: Chris F. http://dewde.com/2009/06/my-arrest/comment-page-1/#comment-490 Chris F. Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:00:02 +0000 http://dewde.com/?p=650#comment-490 I think that's a natural way to think about him.... hope for the best, but keep your kids away. I vote that you're not an ass for feeling that way. It's a practical approach, IMO. I guess the best way to insure that you feel safer when he's released is to support actual rehabilitation while he's in prison. I'm not sure how effective those kinds of programs really are, since they seem like great ways for inmates to game the system to qualify for earlier releases. I think that's a natural way to think about him…. hope for the best, but keep your kids away. I vote that you're not an ass for feeling that way. It's a practical approach, IMO.

I guess the best way to insure that you feel safer when he's released is to support actual rehabilitation while he's in prison. I'm not sure how effective those kinds of programs really are, since they seem like great ways for inmates to game the system to qualify for earlier releases.

]]> By: Monger of War http://dewde.com/2009/06/my-arrest/comment-page-1/#comment-489 Monger of War Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:18:49 +0000 http://dewde.com/?p=650#comment-489 Not sure I trust Billy. I think he believes he can beat his demons. I lack that faith. He may be a great guy, but I don't want him around my daughter. Perhaps I'm an ass for feeling this way. I hope he wins his fight, it's a tough one. Maybe one day he or someone like him can change my mind. And hopefully I won't regret it if they do. Not sure I trust Billy. I think he believes he can beat his demons. I lack that faith.

He may be a great guy, but I don't want him around my daughter.

Perhaps I'm an ass for feeling this way.

I hope he wins his fight, it's a tough one. Maybe one day he or someone like him can change my mind. And hopefully I won't regret it if they do.

]]> By: Miki http://dewde.com/2009/06/my-arrest/comment-page-1/#comment-488 Miki Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:08:01 +0000 http://dewde.com/?p=650#comment-488 Chris, When I first saw your blog title I thought, "Wow! Me,too." I was once arrested. You have only known me since I was that person long ago. Back then, I had stolen from my employers, stolen from a friend once and was stealing in stores constantly. I had been caught as a child and had to go to some counseling for it. They stated I did it for attention. To be honest, I still struggle with the urge and don't think I do it for attention. I don't need the items. I'm not poor. Who knows? I haven't stolen since being arrested. The point is, I too have a record and fight demons. Mine aren't physically and/or psychologically damaging to anyone other than myself. I made a decision to leave that person behind and start fresh. I do believe it can be done. To change you need to be completely honest and open with people around you. If you acknowledge the demon it has less of a chance to hide and wait. You also need accountability. Have those around you check up and keep you walking straight. I bought myself a necklace that is a kind of "chip" for myself. It reminds me how many days I have gone through without taking from others. The Miki you know and love was once a criminal. I acknowledge my weakness and forgive myself for having one. I pray this man finds that forgiveness in himself. I pray he can continue to be strong in prison and once out. Even with an arrest record, it is very difficult to admit guilt. I commend this man for continuing to do so. It gets easier. You know I think of your girls as my own. I don't think I could put them in that situation, but I wouldn't hesitate coffee with a criminal. The darkness we are aware of is easy to stay away from. It's the darkness you will never see that is scary. Chris,
When I first saw your blog title I thought, "Wow! Me,too." I was once arrested. You have only known me since I was that person long ago. Back then, I had stolen from my employers, stolen from a friend once and was stealing in stores constantly. I had been caught as a child and had to go to some counseling for it. They stated I did it for attention. To be honest, I still struggle with the urge and don't think I do it for attention. I don't need the items. I'm not poor. Who knows? I haven't stolen since being arrested.
The point is, I too have a record and fight demons. Mine aren't physically and/or psychologically damaging to anyone other than myself. I made a decision to leave that person behind and start fresh. I do believe it can be done.
To change you need to be completely honest and open with people around you. If you acknowledge the demon it has less of a chance to hide and wait. You also need accountability. Have those around you check up and keep you walking straight. I bought myself a necklace that is a kind of "chip" for myself. It reminds me how many days I have gone through without taking from others.
The Miki you know and love was once a criminal. I acknowledge my weakness and forgive myself for having one. I pray this man finds that forgiveness in himself. I pray he can continue to be strong in prison and once out. Even with an arrest record, it is very difficult to admit guilt. I commend this man for continuing to do so. It gets easier.
You know I think of your girls as my own. I don't think I could put them in that situation, but I wouldn't hesitate coffee with a criminal. The darkness we are aware of is easy to stay away from. It's the darkness you will never see that is scary.

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