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Donald Lathrom

Saturday, February 25, 2006

Is This Criminal?

"There are 869 forms of lying, but only one has been squarely forbidden. Thy shall not bear false witness against they neighbor." Mark Twain

"A lie gets half way round the world before the truth gets it's boots on." Usually incorrectly attributed to Twain. The actual author is unknown.

Over the years, I have spoken of this outrage as a crime. I wasn't speaking figuratively. I can't imagine that a group effort, motivated by nothing but malice, designed for the sole purpose of severely damaging or killing outright another human being is not covered by statutes. However, I am not a lawyer. I have tried to get the local authorities to investigate and prosecute, at least, some of the individuals involved. My pleas have been ignored or brushed off. No one has suggested that there aren't sufficient statues to cover this outrage. I simply encountered indifference or apathy. However, at this point in time, the question of criminality is academic, although I am furious that a group of people could perpetrate such a crime without consequence.
I have been under siege for twenty years. My life has been destroyed. The pain that I live with is compounded by constantly encountering people who take obvious pleasure in the damage done to me. Make no mistake about it, that damage is comprehensive, encompassing every aspect of my being-spiritual, moral, financial, physical and emotional.

I don't know where I go from here, but I do know that I can't begin to live again, until I put an end to this abuse and obtain some kind of justice. Perhaps, my greatest pain comes from the knowledge that there are millions, who have observed something, but haven't come forward to offer their testimony. I am left in this wretched state, while so many withhold help that could put an end to this ordeal and, in doing so, help me heal.