foolmenot.comThe Lansing State Journal puts partial blame for the tragic life of Ricky Holland on the Republican Legislature for not constructing another level of bureaucracy to oversee other layers of bureaucracy who oversee other layers of bureaucracy… Guess what? The Republican Legislature seems to be complying in typical bureaucratic fashion!
OK… For you Republican strategists; here’s what you do… Convince the public you have a candidate for Governor who will hold individuals responsible and accountable, in memory of Ricky Holland, if for nothing else!
For you Democratic strategists; here’s what you do… Keep releasing little innuendos via the media that Republicans share the blame; you can’t pin it on them entirely, so hope for the best. Also, find a scapegoat; that will help get Granholm through this election cycle. Make sure it’s not someone who is friendly with the Mayor of Detroit, you still need him… Then, get Governor Granholm to give a speech that shows good intentions- she’s good at fluff-talk; even some Republican legislators are captivated by her speech-giving and how friendly she is!
Nuff said!
Full article follows…
Published March 6, 2006
Verdict in: All of Michigan had a role in tragedy of Rickys life
A Lansing
State Journal editorial
The magnitude of the guilt in Ricky Holland's death mounts with each revelation stemming from the ongoing prosecution of his adoptive parents.
But this isn't about the two people in Ingham County court. A judge and jury will determine their fate.
Outside the courtroom, though, the evidence is in: Michigan is guilty, every single one of us.
In the last two weeks, here's some of what the public has learned about Ricky Holland, the 7-year-old whose disappearance sparked a massive search before it was finally learned that the boy was long dead:
• A nurse from a Jackson school testified that Ricky begged not to be sent home with his mother. She also testified that she reported small bruises on Ricky to Child Protective Services.
• Two pathologists told the media that Ricky's body exhibited a pattern of abuse in his face and upper body.
• The state Department of Human Services apparently received repeated reports about abuse.
It seems impossible that the people of Michigan could look on this case and not be pushed into action by the guilt for what was done or not done in their name. Yet, such seems to be the case.
In the wake of Ricky's death, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the Legislature have engaged in political finger-pointing. Granholm tried to argue the Legislature had failed to move on requests for child protection resources. Lawmakers pointed out that Granholm had only recently asked for more caseworkers, forcing the governor to backtrack.
Last week, House Speaker Craig DeRoche created a special committee to review the state's child protection services. Hmm. Wasn't the Legislature already charged with such oversight - with or without a committee?
Meanwhile, the rest of us carry on with our lives. We may shake our heads or tut-tut about these courtroom revelations. But when push comes to shove, what is the public going to do after being shown that children in our charge can simply fall through the cracks?
A child is dead. He can suffer no more. But there are more children out there. And they can suffer still.
Will we let them?