posted August 20, 2008
I am sure the homeowners are devastated about the rape at Heritage Landing and my heart and prayers go out to them, the 19-year-old girl and the girl's family. I am so sorry for them all,
But, can somebody explain to me the whole justification for house sitting in the first place? If it's to feed and walk the animals, then why would they need to stay there all night long? Is it to have someone there to call the fire department if the place is burning down? If so, any decent alarm system will do that for you.
The real reason is to create a buffer between your materialism and the contractors recently working at the house. To scare them away so to speak. Maybe the alarm system wasn't working so an intimidating barrier like a lone cute 19-year-old girl will work just as well.
I am sure no one would have predicted that this could have happened in that neighborhood. Hindsight is 20/20. But I think all homeowners should be put on notice that, regardless of the treasure you want to protect, saving a few pennies by using a lone teenager instead of a real security service or alarm system is not smart.
Dwayne Schnur
Atlanta
* * *
I am in such disbelief of your rant I will reinforce my response. You are seriously suggesting that a girl was raped due to the homeowner's materialism?
Sure, they probably had nice stuff in that house. They felt it would be a pleasant treat for a youngster about to resume a fall semester at college. They are in a gated community and not in a million years would anyone predict such a thing could happen.
In the aftermath of last week's event, no rational person would suggest the root of the problem would be materialism. Would it have been any different if, opposed to house sitter in a fancy neighborhood, a mother and father left a 19-year-old daughter at home watching a movie?
The homeowners are understandably devastated that such a thing happened in their home. Pointing a finger to shame them for their actions is not quite to the magnitude of the person who committed such a horrible crime, but it honestly sickens me just the same. I guarantee that if such a diatribe was suggested to an actual congregation outside the isolation of an Internet comment section, you would be promptly shown the exit door.
I am so mad I could spit.
Matt Craigge
Chattanooga
* * *
Like Mr. Craigge said, those comments make me so mad I could spit, too. This family and this young girl have suffered enough without being second-guessed and having their prosperity thrown in their faces. Their home was broken into and a young girl was raped, yet Mr. Shnur thinks its relevant to make their "materialism" an issue.
I think what Mr. Shnur is trying to say is that if you get robbed it's your own fault because you have too much "stuff", and your own "materialistic" nature and lavish show of wealth is partly to blame for the behaviors of others. Working hard, developing a set of skills that will afford you a comfortable life, enjoying the fruits of your labor...that's materialistic. How dare you beat your wealthy chest by hiring a house-sitter. You should be ashamed of your wealth and your penny-pinching nature. Look what it got you.
Such is the backward mindset of a person who would make such comments.
How about we point out the materialism of this wretched criminal who satisfied his own wants and desires not by honest work and free exchange, but by breaking into a family's home and taking things that did not belong to him. And, oh, by the way, he raped a young girl in the process.
Shane Beasley
* * *
It's amazing that Mr. Schnur believes he can proclaim judgment and offer advice regarding the tragedy at Heritage Landing.
Saying your "heart and prayers" go out to the victims and that "you are so sorry for them all" does not make your heartless, insensitive, and ignorant analysis of the situation any less reprehensible. You know nothing about the facts of this case. Stop trying to blame the victims.
Robert Pregulman
Seattle, Wa.
* * *
How presumptuous of you to assume that you know the circumstances and suggest that this young women's house sitting responsibilities included preventing burglaries.
Further, why would you want to bring such nonsense of blame while everyone involved is trying to heal? You are mean. What happened is a very serious crime against another person that never could have been anticipated by the home owners.
My neighbors have pets that have to be walked and fed, and may have contractors coming to the home to work while they travel for jobs or for vacations scheduled in advance. They hire house sitters and I would as well. My neighborhood is working class and small old houses. Are we "materialistic," as well? If we are, I accept the label, if you will accept the label of being a very mean person.
Al Edmonds
* * *
Mr. Schnur has made a very valid point. Maybe they would have been better off to get a Rottweiler or German Shepard to do their "house sitting".
Let's all be serious about what they wanted this young girl to do? She was there to protect their property while they were gone.
Mr. Schnur is just pointing out the obvious in this tragedy. We should all re-examine what we are really asking for in a "house sitter".
Gene Abrams
Greutli-Laager, Tn.
* * *
Dwayne Schnur's comments are so outrageous, I am dumbfounded. I hope he never has such a trauma in his own family. He would not speak in such a manner.
But one thing is for sure, why did that man (his cousin) inform him all about this young girl and her housesitting duties? He is an accessory to this crime for sure; he knew the content of this man's character. He needs to be brought up on charges as well, at least criminal facilitation of a crime.
After Reading C.W. Joel's letter a few days ago, it terrifies me to go anywhere in this town. Even workers in your own neighborhood are stalking people for criminal activities. Even worse, the rapist is a career criminal, and not his first time in trouble. They just get out again and again and again. A sad state of affairs.
My heart goes out to the victim.
Martha Martinez
East Ridge
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