Resign, Judge G. Todd Baugh -- UPDATE. PETITION

[seabeyond]

Kate Olp <[e-mail]>

Yesterday I started a petition for the resignation of Judge G. Todd Baugh, in light of the horrifying comments he made regarding a tragic rape case on Monday. In just 24 hours, that petition has received over 12,000 signatures. After reading Judge Baugh's apology in the Billings Gazette, I feel that it is important to reiterate why I started this petition, and why I stand by it.

Judge Baugh's comments on Monday revealed a dangerous lack of understanding about the plight of sexual abuse victims, and an equally dangerous sympathy for the perpetrators of such violence. Yesterday, Judge Baugh underlined his ignorance when he tried to minimize the seriousness of the victim's plight by stating that her case wasn't "violent, forcible horrible rape" or "beat-up" rape -- implying that victims of sexual abuse who aren't physically beaten suffer fewer psychological consequences. This fact is clearly contravened by the victim's subsequent suicide.

In Judge Baugh's apology today, he notes that he is "not sure" what he was trying to say. These remarks paint a picture of a man who is ignorant of the realities of abuse to a degree that, in my opinion, makes him unfit to judge cases involving such matters. As a result, I believe we are right in petitioning for his resignation, and I thank everyone who has given their support.

If you are in Billings, please join us tomorrow, Thursday, August 29 at 12:15 PM at the Veteran's Memorial Park next to the courthouse dowtown (217 North 27th Street Billings, MT). We will be hosting a silent protest in support of the victims of sexual abuse. For those of you in Montana and around the world, please write a letter to your editor expressing your feelings in this case and in support of victims worldwide. We will only overcome the ignorance that allows these kinds of remarks to exist by speaking out and educating our communities. Thank you again for your time and support.


please sign the petition.

http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/resign-judge-g-todd-baugh?source=s.fwd&r_by=8654444

[ismnotwasm]

1. Signed

And posted on FB. I'm getting the hang of it

[seabeyond]

2. lol. really? man i started. and all these people i knew started friending.

then suggesting all these people i do not know be friends also. i got overwhelmed and walked away. i am going to have to wade back in soon.

scary stuff.

[ismnotwasm]

6. I accidentally friended someone I dislike

And haven't friended people I do like. I'm being very careful.

Edit the person I dislike-- he's a pervy stalker (long story) and I believe he belongs in jail--actually messaged me" I can't believe you want to be my friend, you don't like me"--just like a damn kid.

I told him it was an accident. Heh.

[seabeyond]

7. ya. i friended someone i should not have. i am going to have to send an email,

tell him i am unfriending and not to take it personally. just so everyone is more comfortable. that is when i took the step back.

[mercuryblues]

8. no reason to send an email

just unfriend. The person most likely will not even notice.

[seabeyond]

9. extended family. if it was someone less in my circle, then ya. good to know.

i like figuring they would not even notice.

[CrispyQ]

10. If someone has 500 friends, how many friends do they really have?

Seriously. When you have that many 'friends' you have to make a point of going to your real friends pages to see what they are posting, cuz your home page will be overwhelmed with all your other 'friends' posts. I have less than 25 friends.

[Arcanetrance]

3. signed and shared on my facebook

[seabeyond]

4. i have never posted on my facebook. but, you all are making me jealous. i can do this.

gonna try.... maybe, lol

[Arcanetrance]

5. Yeah facebook can be a bit much at times

I've streamlined it by eliminating those from my page that drive me nuts