River Valley Blogs

Man, oh, man!

I got back to work this morning after a long Christmas weekend to see my e-mail inbox had exploded with comments from people upset about La Crosse County's new jail alternative program for women, which I wrote about in the Dec. 21 Tribune.

Apparently the story got noticed by a men's rights blogger or two, and they were off to the races. Most galling to them was Supervisor Keith Belzer's quote, that women are almost always in the criminal justice system “because of some kind of relationship with a man.”

I can't possibly respond to all the e-mails, some of which are also letters to the editor. I don't know how many of those will get printed, so I decided to just post everything I got here on my blog.

It's interesting how many of the writers jumped to conclusions about diferences in how men are treated in La Crosse County. Here are a few facts:

Since 1997, women prisoners have been housed in an antiquated, substandard jail that the state has been threatening to close. Men have been housed in a new jail. Some men might argue that the new jail is worse than the old one.

La Crosse County has a Justice Sanctions program for both men and women. Justice Sanctions supervises both sentenced and unsentenced inmates who are on a combination of electronic home monitoring and regular drug and alcohol testing. This women's alternative program actually equalizes some disparities that keep women from getting out of jail like men are able to. One of the many criteria for getting into the Justice Sanctions program -- for both males females -- is having a stable place to live. Many women don't have anywhere safe to live, which is why they sit in jail while men get out.

Here's the mail:

Re: "Sometime next year, La Crosse County might let all its female prisoners out of jail."

If we don't take women's violence and abuse as seriously as we take men's, why should we take women's opinions as seriously as we take men's? After all, according to ideological feminists' own -- and correct -- definition of hate crimes, violence is merely an opinion acted out, a view transformed into behavior.

From:

"Letter to Judiciary Committees on the Violence Against Women Act" at http://battlinbog.blog-city.com/at_male_matters_letter_on_vawa_faxed_to_senate_and_house_jud.htm

Sincerely,

Jerry A. Boggs

Male Matters

http://battlinbog.blog-city.com/

Too Often Our Greatest Barrier to Positive Change is Our Fear of Being Wrong Which Breeds Our Need to be Right.

Have they lost their mind letting dangerous women go?

I know of more cases where women have attacked men

than vice versa.

Women are very dangerous and often likely to repeat

their crime.

What's up with your government there to practice such

blatent discrimination against men?

Craig Craig [verveguy001@yahoo.com]

To the Editor:

I am repulsed by the story (December 21, 2007) that LaCrosse County might allow all female prisoners out of jail, apparently because they are “not dangerous.” I read the story to the end to see how LaCrosse planned to deal with those men in jail who also happen to be “not dangerous.”

Not a word. Apparently non-dangerous male prisoners won’t be handed a “get out of jail free” card, and the sole reason is that they made the mistake of being born male. This is the epitome of unfair gender stereotyping. Why are gender stereotypes perfectly acceptable when they unfairly target men as opposed to women?

Supervisor Belzer’s comment that “women are almost always in the system ‘because of some kind of relationship with a man’” was particularly repugnant because it suggested that the guilt of convicted women should be mitigated -- because a male was involved in the crime for which they were convicted, presumably either as victims or accomplices, and that the male is really to blame. The unchallenged misandry in this suggestion is breathtaking.

If LaCrosse County wants to be fair, it must give the non-dangerous males the same beneficial treatment it’s giving the non-dangerous females. Somehow, I don’t think anyone up there cares.

Timothy Murray, Esq.

Murray, Hogue & Lannis

http://mhandl.com

Co-Author, Biannual Supplements to Corbin on Contracts

3400 Gulf Tower

Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Direct Dial: (412) 263-5245

Main Phone: (412) 263-5650

Facsimile: (412) 263-5660

I’m not surprised by much anymore after nearly fifty years of living.

One of my earliest memories is of the assassination of our sitting President.

I’ve seen civil rights leaders assassinated in their prime.

I’ve seen abortion legalized.

I’ve seen a sitting President forced to resign in disgrace.

I’ve seen a President appointed by the Supreme Court.

But I never thought I’d see this day.

I never thought I’d see the reckless disregard for the Constitutional Rights of so many people. You should all be ashamed of yourselves and you don’t deserve to call yourselves Americans. When I think of all the good people who died in vein, so criminals like you can urinate, and defecate, on the Constitution in this manner, it makes me ill.

Kevin M. Merck [kevinmmerck@yahoo.com]

United States Citizen

Jesus, mate, your country's being turned into a joke by liberals and feminists. Dont you guys realize what a bunch of clowns you've become to the rest of the western world?

Michael Claymore [michaelclaymore@yahoo.com]

It is a basic premise of the highest laws of our nation that "we the people" receive equal treatment under law. La Crosse County, Wisconsin, I am ashamed of the un-American way you inequitably and hatefully treat your male citizens. While I am certainly not advocating that anyone should be excused for their misbehavior, more and more in America, we see men getting sentences and women get services for the same misbehavior. If the people of La Crosse County, Wisconsin choose to allow their government officials to egregiously discriminate against their male citizens based on their sex, they are no better than other hate organizations like the KKK.

I am going to go out of my way to make sure none of my money ever goes to Wisconsin ever again. You see, I don't believe in supporting hate movements, whether they are a despicable, insular hate group, or a despicable, established, misandrist government.

Very Truly Yours,

Ray Blumhorst

Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

(818)-990-6803

(818)-262-9347

It's true! The world has gone mad and it's started in La Crosse County. Crime does pay, if you're a woman.

Personally, I'd like to hear how many males are in jail because of relationships with women. The father that can't pay child support. The man arrested for domestic violence when his spouse started a fight in a drunken rage. The drug user who got hooked trying to impress a woman. The thief who wanted to steal jewelry to give to a girlfriend. You get the idea.

Of course, men were expendable before the femi-marxist revolution, and they are more-so now.

If I was a juror in that county, I'd be pissed!

Justice in La Crosse county is a whore and Keith Belzer is a pimp.

Anthony L. Sprout

4377 Cooper Rd

Lowellville OH 44436-9775

330-536-2009

I just wanted to say you guys are doing a hell of a

job up there in Wisconsin.

Pretty soon they'll be marching us men off to gas

chambers and then you won't have to worry about

"women's relationships with men".

Come and get me f**kers!

Cavan Clark [gamenode@yahoo.com]

Speaking of the female sentencing discount, La Crosse County,

Wisconsin has decided to let all of its female prisoners out of jail.

Supervisor Keith Belzer, one of the architects of the policy, says

that women who are in jail are almost always there "because of some

kind of relationship with a man." Wow.

I would be sueing these morons for sexual discrimination. What programs are being created for the male criminals? these Blooming idiots are opening themselves and others communities to more crimes committed by females because these is no punishment.

I can see the crime rate going up in that community of La Crosse then these fools trying to figure a way to play males for it. What neanderthals.

Keith Owen

Fathers Justice

419-435-5166

RedWriters@aol.com

Dear Editor,

I'm sure your headline, "County approves alternative jail program for women," will cause a flurry of responses from a variety of readers.

Supervisor Keith Belzer, a criminal defense attorney, expressed his opinion that only an individual who is "dangerous and needs to be locked up for the safety of the community" should be incarcerated.

I guess that means those poor dead-broke dads whose only crime is a failure to pay an arbitrary amount of child support are dangerous. Or else Supervisor Belzer speaks with a forked tongue.

Don Mathis

1800 W. Washington # 202

Sherman, TX 75092

903-819-9438, fourteenpercenter@yahoo.com

Dear Sir or Madam,

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2007/12/21/news/z01jail21.txt

this is nothing short of sexism and promoting women to refuse accountability for their actions. Men already get blamed for any & everything and now women will be effectively coerced into blaming a man so she can avoid any responsibility for her crimes.

I am so sick of this sexism against men.

Regards,

Karl Mathews

[marx@antimisandry.com]

letter to the Editor

Dear Editor:

Pertaining to the article on 21 Dec07 , " County Approves Alternative Jail Program for Women":

Is the following quote some kind of misprint?? Belzer said women are almost always in the system “because of some kind of relationship with a man.”

Here too we have the 'women' getting the money spent on 'rehabilitation' services. Here too the jail will be converted for more 'men' to be housed.

Hey, it wont be long in Lacrosse to see some thing like a Snake Farm along an incoming road where a woman can legally pitch tomatoes at incarcerated men, forgiven of course, because it was a man at whom and with whom she did the deed.

Robert Gartner

6319 Sheringham

Houston, Texas 77085

[planetaryg@yahoo.com]

Supervisor Keith Belzer, one of the architects of the policy, says that women who are in jail are almost always there "because of some kind of relationship with a man."

So it's come to this? Men are the root of all evil? Women are not responsible for their actions? Women only break the law because a man made them do it?

This is a dispicable policy, and sends a dispicable message to men and women across our nation. You have a lot of understanding to attain if you truly believe this. If you subscribe to this logic, and release all women from jail because they "are almost always there because of some kind of relationship with a man" then you should release ALL male prisoners that are imprisoned because of some kind of relationship with a woman. Fair is fair right? I thought that's what justice meant.

I personally believe everyone is responsible for thier actions and decisions in life. . .

Sincerely,

Preston W. Kincaid

Kincaid Direct, LLC

CEO/Creative Director

Monterey:

472 Calle Principal

Monterey, CA 93940

(831) 274-6017

Hollister:

125 Fourth Street, Suite-A.

Hollister, CA 95023

(831) 274-2558

Toll-free:

1-877-335-1877

Are you kidding me? Is this some type of joke? Keith Belzer stated, woman are in jail "because of some kind of relationship with a man"?

Isn't every person responsible for their own actions? They're going to let all women out of jail? This is one of the most absurd things I've ever heard...disgusting. I guess being a male, in today's society, is a geat disadvantage. Animals have more rights in this county than us guys do.

PJ Kane [pjkaneiv@gmail.com]

Wow-- so commit the same crime in your community -- if you are male you go to jail and if you are female you.. relax at a halfway house ? You guys up there ever heard of the Equal Protection clause of the US Constitution ?.. I love the moron who opined that all women who are jailed are there because apparently-- a man made them do it or made them go bad. Think that might be grossly sexist ? Its circular, that's for sure.. why don't we just tell women commit crimes whenever you like-- its always some man's fault and you can relax at the halfway house while your male accomplice-- who forced you into it by definition, resides in jail. Its equality under the law-- feminist style ! JH Edwards

Etahasgard1986@aol.com

Dear Mr. Belzer,

I do not know why you want to absolve the women in your county jail of responsibility for their own crimes, but it seems very silly to say that they would be there "because of some kind of relationship with a man", implying that but for their relationship, they would not be in jail

Well, Mr. Belzer, would you go so far as to say that the men are in the county jail for the same reason? Or do the men somehow have more responsibility for there own actions than the women in your county jails?

In fact, I find your quote insulting to the women in the La Crosse County jail, in that it deprives them of autonomy, integrity, and personal responsibility.

Steve Maynard

15 Fox Drive

Narragansett, RI 02882

Steven Maynard [stmay@aol.com]

Hi. I have heard about the story about letting the lady prisoners out. All anybody has to do is keep up with Men's Rights issues via the Internet just to get a taste of how thick the double standards are in this culture. It sickens me to see every night on the news female school teachers who run off with their student lovers to Mexico like one did recently and when she gets caught she says that the boy was controlling her mind, etc. And prosecutors and defense lawyers take this stuff seriously. I think your legal system there is evil if it carries out this grandiose double standard. The Bible talks about just weights and just measures. But what you have there in your region is a fake legal system. Sincerely, D. Arp. daniel arp [daniel_arp@hotmail.com]

Just in case there is a single responsible person in Lacross County, they might wish to begin understanding the mentality of the beings who are set apart from society through criminal action. I doubt anyone, who decides to "save money" by assuming a woman or man behind bars might not really need to be kept there, really has a grasp on how the criminal mind functions.

This may be a good start when one thinks he can put cheap ahead of security.

http://www.cassiopaea.com/cassiopaea/psychopath.htm

Eric Rice [adirondack_1@hotmail.com]

Dear Ms. Magney

I read your article on the county letting all female prisoners out of jail because "most women are in jail because of some issue with a man". I am an abused husband and there are many of us out here. 40% of domestic violence is initiated by women. If the husband defends himself and the wife winds up with a bruise or a bump the husband is accused of being abusive because they defended himself. Do you think the man should let the woman kill him?

Saying all women are in jail because of problems with a man is like saying all children are in jail because of poor parents. We know that is not true. Wake up, find the facts and write both sides of the story in the future if you want to call yourself a reporter.

Phil Hefner

314-616-8615

pahefner01@aol.com

Dear Divorced Dad's:

Presumably, like all family law, this would be applied in a gendered manner, so that women would rarely, if ever, be arrested under its provisions. And speaking of the little woman, this bill seems to assume that she is helpless and cannot support herself while you are gone -- and no exception just because you and she are childless.

Respectfully,

Stanley R. Bradford

95-B Flintville Rd.

Flintville, TN 37335-5126

H. (931) 937-6942

C. (931)-625-5660

IBsnatchin@aol.com

What an idiot.

Frank Hudson [traveling_joe@sbcglobal.net]

Hi Reid,

I was fortunate to come across your article, “County approves alternative jail program for women.” How did the County commissioners square that with “Equal Protection under the Law”? Probably a good number of the men in jail are there because of some “relationship with a woman,” so why isn’t treatment equal

And, why didn’t the Commission just let out everyone who was in there and not a “danger”? I thought the written prescribed the sanctions for breaking and, thereby, set what was worth jail time and what was not. There are lots of people in jail for non-violent crimes, one that’s particularly clearly non-violent is “contempt of court’ n that’s disrespect to one person with whom the typically jailed person simply disagreed n why not let them out too?

Our society needs the rule of law, equally applied regardless of sex, race, or creed n La Crosse is not a free place any more.

Hope you investigate, think and tell your readers more.

Best wishes for the New Year,

Jim Quinlan [jquinlan@wellcount.com]

Hello,

I was alarmed and outraged to find that La Crosse County, Wisconsin

has decided to let all female criminals out by citing some kind of

relationship with a man (according to Keith Belzer). First, it's a

misanderistic attitude to let a female criminal out of jail by simply

blaming a man for her crime. Second, Supervisor Keith Belzer is a

public servant who has taken an oath to protect and serve both men

and women. The repulsive attitude he has shown is troubling and

shocking. I don't believe he would make such a harsh statement if

these were men (roles reversed). The constitution is supposed to

protect both men and women from violence. He needs to be warned about

his comments and lack of concern for men in violent situations. I

believe he should resign from his duty as a peace officer.

This individual has not only disgraced law enforcement, but mock men

who are confronted with violent women. A woman who's violent needs to

be incarcerated. I am sick and tired of these public officials not

being held responsible for their lack of duty and responsibility.

It's time to expose individuals such as Keith Belzer to make them

accountable.

Also, I will write to the State Senator and the Governor to end this

type of behavior. End the Misandry now!

RICK PANDITARATNE [rickpan125@mac.com]

To add to my previous email, I would like to inform you that we are

currently seeking jailed inmates who can file an equal protection

lawsuit against the County. The ACLU and the United States Justice

Department will be notified of the criminal violation Keith Beltzer

has caused. I believe this is such a crime! Shame on the people

who've supported this idea.

Adolph Hitler wrote on Jan 12, 2008 10:34 AM:

" The Women People that get lighter sentences have a problem keeping their legs together during the process and word gets around and goes from one to another and there fore the sentence is reduced to merely a slap on the wrist. But the no tell rule is in effect on this one. "

Slider wrote on Jan 12, 2008 10:25 AM:

" No need to release these women remember they have equal rights now so if they do the crime they do the time. I know put them and the men in camps like during WWII, triple high bunks, guard towers then they will have room to serve their time in a dignified place, and be able to have company of one another at the same time. I am sure there is pleanty of used primator wire some where at a few military bases they would probally haul it too!!! "

cowboy wrote on Jan 10, 2008 6:42 PM:

" Same politics, different day in LaCrosse Co. judicial system.
Men are always the bad guys and "We gotta protect them women."
I have been physically assaulted 2 times in my adult life by women without physical provocation by me, and both times i have been found guilty of physical abuse as i felt the need to protect myself from the abuse.
In LaCrosse Co. somebody is going to jail on a domestic call and it's always the Man.
Wake up LaCrosse and give women the equal rights they have been fighting for for so long
"

Soldier wrote on Jan 4, 2008 2:25 AM:

" Bill Bix, You are correct.A woman can strike a man, even while police officers witness the assault. They laugh about it but, if the man even rasises his arms to blocked the punches,he will be facing felony assault charges,especially in Nashville,TN. Misandry rules that city and that state. Google the name: Mary Winkler "

BOTTOM LINE wrote on Jan 3, 2008 1:16 PM:

" La Crosse County is building a new jail again because of lack of cell space. They are trying to cut corners by putting female elsewhere, like the streets and halfway houses. It's still would be unequal justice. "

Did you know.. wrote on Jan 3, 2008 12:16 PM:

" When a man is placed on probation for a domestic crime, a condition of that probation is a 24 week program in counseling. However, there is only a 12 week program available for women abusers. "

Akhi wrote on Jan 3, 2008 7:51 AM:

" The writer is oblivious to misandry (if not openly supportive of misandry).

Misandry is as bad as misogyny and not as well known.

Men's rights activists are just trying to let the world know of the probelm when misandry is as unknown as misogyny once was. "

Akhi wrote on Jan 3, 2008 7:48 AM:

" If this had been included in the original article, we might NOT have thought that women were getting special treatment not offered to men.

"Since 1997, women prisoners have been housed in an antiquated, substandard jail that the state has been threatening to close. Men have been housed in a new jail. Some men might argue that the new jail is worse than the old one." "

Bill Bix wrote on Jan 3, 2008 5:24 AM:

" On the buses and on streets, I see women attacking men knowing they can get away with it.

But the idiot journalists insist everything is men's fault.
"

The Egg Man wrote on Jan 2, 2008 12:00 PM:

" Well, Rob, on the other hand we don't need crack whores, dealers thiefs etc. to reproduce. Jailing them seems more of a benefit society. "

Rob wrote on Jan 2, 2008 8:05 AM:

" The reason people get so upset with Belzer is that what he says rings true - yet it conflicts with what they've been taught to believe. Result: Cognitive dissonance and deep upset.

A successful human society cannot hold women to the same standard of behaviour as men. If they do they get out-reproduced by the cultures that don't, successful cultures validate women's (moderately) bad behaviour in order to maximise births and populations.

The root cause of this inequality is that women possess all our species' scarce reproductive resources while it only takes one man to father a nation. Societies that have succeeded in the past have been those that tried to share this reproductive control more equitably (in feminism's terms: patriarchal societies).

We're not gender equal, and never can be while one sex possesses all the scarce reproductive resources. "

Christian J. wrote on Dec 31, 2007 10:37 PM:

" The blaatant anti-male sexism continue as women are held in higher esteem than others. Women can do no wrong so why should they spend any time being accountable for their actions.

Another feminised bit of hypocrisy. Let women out than let men out as well.. "

Randall Shake wrote on Dec 31, 2007 2:24 PM:

" It is clearly obvious that this move is without justification. It is a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. And calls into Judgment the elected Officials. Who should be recalled for this insanity. This will only serve to damage the reputation of those in Public Office in WI. "

Willie wrote on Dec 31, 2007 10:26 AM:

" This type of scapegoating will set the criminal justice system back about 40 or 50 years. What ever happened to accountability and responsibility that were the criminal justice "buzz words" when I was in college 10 or 15 years ago? It is just like calling alcoholism, drug abuse, and gambling diseases. It gives those people an excuse NOT to change their behavior. Now the system has become the enabler. "

Brian wrote on Dec 30, 2007 9:23 PM:

" "But these disgusting comments about how women are to blame for everything- heh, yeah right."

Straw argument on your part. I don't see much at all of "blaming women for everything." I see a lot of folks who simply want men and women to be treated equally all the time -- not just when doing so will benefit women.

"It's interesting to me how many of these letters are from 'mad dads' from places like Florida and Ohio."

I'm not a "mad dad" but you make it sound as though fathers never have anything to complain about. What if I dismissively used the phrase "mad moms"?

"Man, oh man," indeed. "

Ross Mitchell wrote on Dec 30, 2007 7:57 PM:

" I was sickened to read that most women are in jail "because of some kind of relationship with a man."

The same could be said for most men in jail, so is being in a relationship a valid reason for escusing one of committing a crime.

blog.myspace.com/fleuroman "

Willie wrote on Dec 30, 2007 12:04 PM:

" andyk..."Those are places that wouldn't dream of doing something like our justice sanctions program, which has been very successful." Please define "highly successful" to me. Jane Klekamp once said that her programs could reduce the jail population and reduce recidivism. If that is true, then why are we building more jail space? If that is true why isn't our crime rate markedly lower than everywhere else? I'm skeptical on just how successful this Justice Sanctions program really is. "

Greg Allan wrote on Dec 30, 2007 2:47 AM:

" I draw the attention of those responsible for this decision to the goddess Justice. She serves as the emblem for many judicial systems throughout the western world. Notably she wears a blindfold. Now that you insist on checking the genitalia of offenders I presume you will cease using both the name of the goddess and her image. "

Dan G wrote on Dec 30, 2007 1:09 AM:

" wow, this is definitly a big shocker. Wheres all the feminist on here? Arent they suppose to believe in equal rights for men too? hmmmmm. I think this guy forgot to leave out the article about how "they are gonna make halfway houses for men too". So is their gonna be a starbucks in these halfway houses too? Maybe the contract is taking time to go through. Jail is NOT a place to get less treatment or better treatment. So why are females getting less treatment? you know.... in the long run, halfway houses are probably gonna cost more than a jail. "

Lucia wrote on Dec 29, 2007 7:19 PM:

" ["Let's take a look at history and see just who has caused the most problems in history: White men."]

If your going to blame white males for all the problems caused throughout history you must also mention the many positives aspects they've contributed to society. Its seems the "umbrella" of political correctness does not apply to white men. They've become the scapegoat for every problem in this nation. I really feel bad for all the white boys who will inevitably become manipulated with the fallacy that because of their race and gender they are guilty of crimes towards humanity. "

ray wrote on Dec 29, 2007 4:26 PM:

" Dear Reid Mangey:

Nice try weaseling out of the righteous outrage over your county's interest in continuing America's descent into Gynogulag.

Perhaps one day upon achieveing manhood you may desist from oppressing your brothers and face the (verified) fact that in US arrest, charging, sentencing, and incarceration stats, the CHIEF DETERMINANT for action/length of sentence at each level is the GENDER of the accused, with females greatly favored at every level.

Sure are a lot of cows in Wisconsin. Too bad there are so few men. "

Mike Hunter wrote on Dec 29, 2007 2:27 PM:

" "I've watched WAY too many violent men not even go to jail for their crimes. ...they're a part of the Good ol' boys club."

Where exactly is this good old boy's club and how can I sign up?

Because the last time I checked females that are arrested are 70% more likely to get a not guilt verdict then their male counterparts who are sent to jail in record numbers.

Also female sentences are routinely lighter even if they are judged to be guilty. This is commonly known as the ‘female sentencing discount’ by sociologists. With the latest most egregious example being Mary Kate Winkler who shot her husband, with a shotgun, at point blank range, and then received only probation.
"

roy wrote on Dec 29, 2007 2:00 PM:

" I have reposted this site and its excellent dialogue onto the mens' rights blogosphere.

Newspaper?

We don't need no stinking newspaper! "

Kevin Merck wrote on Dec 29, 2007 12:48 PM:

" There is no excuse for blatant discrimination like this and anyone who supports it is a “criminal” not deserving of the title of U.S. citizen. "

mensactivist wrote on Dec 29, 2007 12:46 PM:

" matriarchal chaos theory states..

Holding women accounteable for their actions is sexist!!

so we tumble further!! "

mensactivist wrote on Dec 29, 2007 12:43 PM:

" welcome to matriarchal chaos. "

Nathan Hansen wrote on Dec 29, 2007 11:45 AM:

" I am originally from Lewiston, MN which is just half an hour from LaCrosse, and I say that this new initiative is sexist and misandrist. I would not mind if the gender for these release programs was not an issue, but saying that "A woman is in jail because of men," is horribly sexist and letting them get off for the crimes they have committed. La Crosse should be ashamed of itself for its mistreatment of men and child like pandering of women. "

andy k wrote on Dec 29, 2007 7:45 AM:

" It's interesting to me how many of these letters are from "mad dads" from places like Florida and Ohio. Those are places that wouldn't dream of doing something like our justice sanctions program, which has been very successful. Those are also places with ridiculously high crime rates - much higher than ours. I've lived here for 20 years and I've never been "swarmed" by a "crack hoe" or "taken advantage of by the local ladies" whatever that means. We're on the right track here with our alternative sentencing programs. I'm happy that my county board supervisor supported this. "

Recall! wrote on Dec 29, 2007 7:13 AM:

" RECALL CHAIRMAN STEVE DOYLE (District 28) "

MichaelClaymore wrote on Dec 29, 2007 5:31 AM:

" If the women's jail is so bad why not build them a new one and then keep them in it rather than letting them out? I also find it hard to believe that only some of the women have
accomodation problems, surely yours isnt the only County in the U.S with no homeless men? Don't you blokes have a thing called the Constitution up there? It's a great idea, but only if you actually live by it. Just paper otherwise. "

MichaelClaymore wrote on Dec 29, 2007 5:22 AM:

" I notice you dont actually address our primary complaint, namely that this is a female-only initiative. These women may not be Bonnies but then i doubt if any more than a minority of your male prisoners qualify for Clyde status. Instead of complaining about those of us who are concerned about how men are treated why not use your position to lobby for the release of all NON-violent prisoners? "

Hon. Rufus P. wrote on Dec 28, 2007 11:54 PM:

" The tone of your blog suggests you are disgusted by the comments critical of the plan to release non-violent women but NOT non-violent men. Do you think it is OK to give one gender preferential treatment over the other in matters of incarceration?

I suspect you have the idea that the father's and men's rights blogs that publicized your article, and Mr. Belzer's most peculiar comment, are part of some sort of right wing, KKK fringe group. You would be wrong. Glenn Sacks, for example, noted your story in his blog, and Mr. Sacks frequently comes under fire from some of his readers because he defends feminist/NOW positions on various issues.

I can't help but think that you would have exhibited less irritation in your blog's comments if women were writing to you about a subject that concerned them. "

Quit your whining wrote on Dec 28, 2007 12:42 PM:

" I've watched WAY too many violent men not even go to jail for their crimes. Why? Because they're a part of the Good ol' boys club and no one thinks that they could possibly do something so mean and nasty. If people aren't violant and can be trusted, they should be allowed probation- that should go for men and women. But these disgusting comments about how women are to blame for everything- heh, yeah right. Let's take a look at history and see just who has caused the most problems in history: White men. "

Jackson wrote on Dec 28, 2007 9:59 AM:

" Mr Belzer is a good man but I think he needs a break, maybe a vacation somewhere warm like where I am so he can be swarmed by crack hoes and taken advantage of by the local ladies. Its a zoo! So im wondering if by non violent criminal women he means drug user/ dealers because its common knowledge that the women of LaCrosse County are the biggest junkies you have and they choose to be that way of their own free will not because some MALE made them do it. "

Timothy Murray wrote on Dec 28, 2007 6:20 AM:

" Nice try. The commentators didn't "jump to conclusions" that women are treated better -- we relied on your article for our information that said non-violent women might get out of jail but it made no such reference to non-violent men. "

Watcher wrote on Dec 27, 2007 7:05 AM:

" It appears that the La Crosse County Board is determined to set womens rights back at least a half century. Rights and responsibility go hand in hand and cannot be seperated. Perhaps we should also not jail blacks, homosexuals or people over 55?
If the goal is to lock up less people perhaps the laws or penalties for specific crimes need to be re-examined. "

Administrator wrote on Dec 27, 2007 5:32 AM:

" Why no comments about La Crosse County leadership such as Steve Doyle, chairman, and an attorney, Steve O'Malley, Administrator, neutral he says, Vicki Burke, Law Enforcement Chairman, and I could mention many more. These are the Progressive Democrats in La Crosse County. There are a majority of Progressives on the County Board right now and the rest can't do much. By the way all Democrats are not Progressives, some are very good Board members, but they can't do anything either. This is why we have the mess we have. How are your meetings going Mr. Doyle? "

Willie wrote on Dec 26, 2007 12:22 PM:

" Cont. from previous...What will the county do to the women that snub their nose at the law and repeatedly re-offend because of their status in a "half-way house"? Most violent offenders are not violent all of the time, so defense attorneys don't see their potential. Even Irvin Ramirez's supporters couldn't see that he could have did what he did, even in the face of insurmountable physical evidence against him. "

Willie wrote on Dec 26, 2007 12:20 PM:

" Belzer is a defense attorney, I wouldn't expect anything different from him. I bet he would say the same of many of the male clients he has defended also. He should recuse himself from any decision making in this. His interests in this are clearly conflicted with his service to his female client. Jail is not only about public safety (although that should be paramount) it is about justice to the victims (would you want someone who offended against you running the streets without supervision?), retribution (consequences for breaking the law), restitution (i.e. child support and commitment orders for not paying fines), rehabilitation (they do learn some basic structure and that they need to follow rules in jail), and deterrence (they can't re-offend when they are locked up). "

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