Steubenville, 'Innocence Lost or Par for the Course?'

It's a sad way for an Ohio community to become national news.

One of the remarks made about the victim

(CLEVELAND) - A judge found two Steubenville teenagers guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl at a series of parties in a case that drew major attention to teenage alcohol use and tawdry text messaging.

In fact the attorney general in Ohio now plans to continue seeking indictments in the case. Attorney General Mike DeWine says the girl's rape was an example of a cavalier attitude displayed toward sex, he believes it is a larger problem affecting more people than we will ever know.

The judge in the case, Thomas Lipps, found 17-year old Trent Mays, and 16-year old Ma'lik Richmond, guilty of rape. Judge Lipps also found Mays guilty of disseminating a nude photo of a minor.

Sexual acts against the victim in this case were exploited through social media, and the two football players, who apologized to the victim and her family, will serve one and two year sentences.

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Steubenville, 'Innocence Lost or Par for the Course?' “I think that if rape is inevitable, relax & enjoy it” said Bobby Knight, It is not this kind of attitude allowing athletes to think rape is all right? He is a well respected Division I coach, a high paid analyst for ESPN, And his commercials for Applebee’s, with this attitude will it ever end? Lawrence Taylor, a Hall of Fame Linebacker with a Super Bowl win, Acquitted of the charge rape of an underage girl ok, here we go again, Thousands of people sign a petition regarding news coverage by CNN, Focusing on damaged lives of football players, is this where it begins? 9 state titles this Steubenville sports franchise puts the city on the map, When this gross imposition happened last summer not even a wrist slap, Attorney General Mike DeWine launches a probe via the Grand Jury, A coaching staff fully aware is where citizens should address their fury. “The promising futures” of the two convicted teens was injustice for sure, Not enough emphasis on the 16 year old female who’s forced to endure, The video with these guys carrying her was accompanied amid laughter, Therefore, they were not the only ones who deemed this, not a disaster. A petition posted to Change.org was signed by over 30 thousand strong, But, was the coverage by CNN and other news outlets criminally wrong? If this act happened within the confines of a Spanish club or debating team, Would any media outlet be consumed with the future of anybody’s dreams? It is reality, OJ beat Nicole unrecognizable before putting her 6 feet under dirt, While the judge gave the, “Juice” a break to keep doing commercials for Hertz, Is Steubenville isolated, not by a long shot & only because of cell phone videos, Without posting on the social, “You Tube” would anybody really care or know? A guilty verdict on Sunday 3/17/13 was only on the books for one single day, When a Monday, “Tweet” had death threats to the victim delivered her way, 2 teen girls younger than her, related to the players vented frustration via hate, The County Sheriff’s Department took immediate action before it was too late. Whereas, the rumors are flying faster than a 60 yard spiral touchdown pass, About the victim’s character pursuant to prior behavior and her lack of class, Whether true or false is it pertinent to the lack of cooperation from day one? So, where were the parent’s of the daughter, likewise parents of the sons? Is this behavior indicative of the TV series Friday Night Lights, take a look, Coaches, parents, athletes, cheer leaders opened more booze than books, Underage intoxication is a national trend and getting worse, what’s the deal? Thinking about Manti Te’o’s girlfriend you cannot assault something not real. Somewhere in life shouldn't responsibility intervene against alcohol and drugs, As all involved were juveniles, mom & dad it takes more than kisses & hugs, It was not until the guilty verdict was announced did anyone show remorse, Incident in Steubenville, Ohio was it, “Innocence Lost or Par for the Course?” By Luke Easter

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Luke Easter is a poet who writes about things that are very close to the heart of Salem-News.com. Another former U.S. Marine, Luke heals the world with an approach that reaches people on a different level, one known for centuries, yet too often forgotten in the one we live in.

We live in a world of social & economic injustice. The main reason for founding America in the first place was to relieve the oppression of the King of England. Patrick Henry said it best, “give me liberty or give me death.” And yet, all too often death seems to be the only way out. Why is there such a high suicide rate especially among teens, in the land of the free & the home of the brave? What makes headlines? Good news? Ha! More depressing stories than anything else. I feel poetry takes an edge off the hurt of bad news while still delivering it but in a, “glitzy” sort of way. Giving a different perspective. Kind of like slap in the face as opposed to a knife in the back. At least with the slap you’ll live to see another day and you will know whom it’s from. I wasn’t here for the beginning of the world but at 59, I just might be here for the end.

Even though it’s still a knife, rhyme poetry helps to dull the blade. And that’s my job. You can write to Luke Easter at: lyricsfromlucas@aol.com