What is sad is that the recent Poaching blog that you cant comment on, we take poaching more serious than drug crimes, violent crimes, and domestic violence crimes... We have some serious priority issues.

Cut services that help.

Father shall be held harmless in defense of their daughters who may be abused.. end of problem

Maxcap75 - Yes there is. We just need people to quit being stupid and recognize it.

There is NO way to prevent domestic abuse, there is always gonna be the losers that will beat up on another person, and animals for that matter. What we can do, but don't, is to let the punishment fit the crime!!!!!

'Isn't that just a case of abuse being in the eye of the beholder?'

To some degree. And if someone is abusing alcohol/drug they will absolutely deny they abuse it. I was there, I'm well aware.

But Bill, that doesn't mean that everyone who uses will abuse. THAT is what I want you to acknowledge. Far from it actually, I'd venture to guess it's a relatively small number of peeps who abuse compared to those who use, any drug. Honestly Bill, how many Americans consume alcohol in a responsible way and never hurt anyone?? Millions?? Daily??

'Alcohol and drug use is like drag racing. It's great fun until someone gets hurt.'

Absolutely. That doesn't mean ALL drag racers and ALL alcohol/drug users will hurt someone. Do you have any idea how many successful drag races they have?? Those people have fun without any harm in the end, yes?? Should we ban all drag racing because theres a risk of injury?? No, absolutely not, this is America.

To further your analogy, I would say there is less risk of physical harm when that drag racing is regulated by a governing body, than when there is no regulation and its people drag racing down Milton Ave. Agree??

A "monumental" difference, Tim? Isn't that just a case of abuse being in the eye of the beholder? Usually, the one who indulges in recreational use of intoxicants is the last to know when he's crossed the abuse line. When challenged about their substance abuse, they always react defensively. They insist they use but don't abuse. They demand the right to have their intoxicants and under our laws, until they do something illegal, they can have what they want. Mean time, the people around them suffer. Sometimes, it's physical abuse. But usually it's emotional abuse. Or daddy drank the milk money. Or junior is ashamed to have his friends see his sotted father passed out on the couch, so he doesn't have many friends.

Alcohol and drug use is like drag racing. It's great fun until someone gets hurt. If you drag race down Milton Avenue, eventually someone is very likely to get hurt. Some one who isn't drag racing. If you have a family and you use alcohol or drugs, someone is very likely to get hurt. Some one who never took a drink or smoked a thing.

We can choose to do these things, but to live well together, we need to give up some of the things we like to do for the benefit of our families, wouldn't you agree?

Enforce laws on the books. Hold DA's and judges accountable.

"shot" I meant- oops

I agree bill that we should take a harder stance against drug/alcohol ABUSE. That stance should include more treatment and less incarceration for sure.

That is unrelated to those Americans who consume 'recreational intoxicants' in a responsible, recreational way. I assume you would agree that there is a monumental difference between those 'use' alcohol and those who 'abuse' alcohol??

Taking a tough stance against drug and alcohol abuse would be the most effective way to reduce domestic violence. But getting people to give up their recreational intoxicants seems impossible in this self-indulgent culture we live in. We can't force anyone to put down the booze or drugs until they've broken the law. And then when they do break the law, our D.A. is more than willing to plea bargain again and again until something horrible happens, at which point, it's too late.

All we can really do is tinker around the edges of domestic abuse. We don't have the political will to do anything that would be truly effective early in the process.

I propose a website similar to the DUI one. Lets list all people that were arrested for a violent crime. Battery, assault, rape, and any domestic violence thing. Way more imformative than a stupid DUI website. I'd much rather know if a person living near me beats his wife than drinks a beer.
WHY DONT WE DO THIS????? Lots of talk on this issue... no action though.

A guy in Jefferson just shoot what is prob his girlfriend. He had already beaten her up and choked her in the past. Yes the girlfriend needs to be smart enought-strong enough to just get away. How know who was in the room first etc.Maybe she was trying to hid from him.
Maybe this time lock up the p05.But they say not sure self defence... whatever. lock the guy up.

lock up the poss'

What were the stats on domestic violence before women had rights?

Oh what a wonderful world it is. We are not alone, look at some of the other countries and the problems they have.

Right on saxcat. Ya think a society that blindly accepts the negative results of alcohol consumption might also be a factor?? I hope the Gazette looked into the amount of alcohol related domestic abuse situations before they share their perspective. Just sayin...

we must remember, sigma, that after we shine and shoot a deer, it doesn't come running up to the cop crying, begging that it's husband doesnt get arrested because it loves him.

...What is really sad is that a guy can beat up his girlfriend and get arrested and fined... but I see you have some kids shine a deer and they get punished way worse than the guy who beat his wife. What is up with that? You see the fines they got? Whats a battery fine? My friends ex got one and I think it was only a few hundred.... there is the start of our problems. Apparently shining a deer is 5 times more wrong than beating your wife.

If you are looking for a proactive approach to stop domestic violence there isnt. We dont or cant do anything about any situation untill something illegal has already happened. Similar to what I wrote in the heroin post, the laws that protect our rights also protect people in "potential" dangerous situations. I know people that lose their temper easy, nothing is done about people like that.... its just normal.....untill they stab or shoot someone. THEN you can do something about it....but unfortunately for the victim its too late. What do you do?...you basically cant do anything.

I know this is just a trailer article. You mention police, legislation, agencies, etc.

you fail to mention the most important aspect of this situation, the home.
If we raise our children to be caring, conscientious people, they will grow up to be caring conscientious adults.

NO. Unfortunately.