Oprah's gift

[Kiouni]

Oprah Gives Audience Members Debit Cards

On a show that aired Monday, Winfrey gave more than 300 audience members $1,000 debit cards sponsored by the Bank of America to donate to a charitable cause

snip

"You're going to open your hearts, you're going to be really creative, and you're going to spend it all at once on one stranger or spend a dollar on every person," Winfrey said. "Imagine the love and kindness you can spread with $1,000."

more: http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=2615899

The reason I mention this is that this has caused quite a stir in little old Omaha, NE. One of the audience members who was a Nebraskan took the debit card and gave it to a convicted rapist who was being recently paroled to help him get on his feet. (sorry couldn't find a link, heard this on radio)

While controversial I belief this sparked a much needed debate on what our society is really doing to rehabilitate criminals. In Nebraska a Convict on exiting prison gets $100 dollars, a pair of pants, a jacket and a pat on the ass.

Some may say, "too bad he's a rapist!" But that really is another issue. If you don't feel he has atoned for his crimes then we need harsher sentencing requirements and not added punishment after he has supposedly "payed his debt to society."

[DURHAM D]

1. Do you have a link to the rapist story? n/t

[Kiouni]

3. no I tried google-ing

it and went to all the local news websites and even the radios home page Q98.5 omaha and still couldn't find it. They talked about it all morning and the callers were pissed that she gave him the card.

[Qanisqineq]

2. That's very interesting

I can understand the outrage but as you explain it the other side makes perfect sense. I think Oprah should have this Nebraskan on her show and devote an episode to discussing this very thing.

If you find links to the story in Nebraska, please post them. I'd be interested in reading more on this story.