SOL = Statute of Limitations = Unfair and unjust…

by R. C. Danon | Jul 11, 2017 | Brokennews

“Child victims frequently do not discover the relationship of their psychological injuries to the abuse until well into adulthood — usually during the course of psychological counseling or therapy. They may not even discover the fact of such abuse until they undergo such therapy.”  

SOL – Statute of limitations…
“A statute of limitation is a law which forbids prosecutors from charging someone with a crime that was committed more than a specified number of years ago. The general purpose of statutes of limitation is to make sure convictions occur only upon evidence (physical or eyewitness) that has not deteriorated with time. After the period of the statute has run, the criminal is essentially free.” More here:

Very disturbing…
“While statutes vary according to the policy objectives of each state, one common feature is that the severity of the crime generally differs in relation to the age of the child. Statutory rape laws, for example, create strict liability for offenders who have sexual intercourse with a child who has not reached the age of consent. The age of consent for states varies from ten to eighteen years of age, therefore, consent is not a defense to statutory rape. For offenders to be liable, it is also not required that they had knowledge of the child’s age when they committed the crime.” Sexual offenses against children by state view here:

The opinion of this non-attorney is…
Seems to me, there are numerous laws in this country that might serve us all better if they were federal laws as opposed to state laws… the point being, if a particular law, equally serves every person in every state, throughout the country, all would benefit. One federal law, instead of 50 variations. For example, take Drunk Driving laws. If someone kills or injures someone with an automobile… injured is injured or worse, dead is dead. 50 states, multiple laws, but dead. One Federal law might make prosecution and punishment more simple and just.

How about Divorce Laws? A deadbeat dad or a deadbeat mom, can often avoid paying child support, by moving from state-to-state to avoid their responsibilities… it doesn’t seem just. And the parent in pursuit of the short-changing parent is often stuck with paying their attorney to pursue the guilty party. Neither case seems fair or just. One law, for all people, and all states, might produce better and more just results.

Now because I’m not an attorney, and not well versed in all the laws in all the states, I’m quite sure there are many out there who would criticize, and/or offer numerous examples of the illogic of my logic… so lets bring the topic into a “frequently in the news” perspective which I find particularly offensive- Sexual Child Abuse, often committed by those most trusted by the victim and their parents: Doctors, Coaches and Priests.

Since September, at least 95 women and girls have said former MSU doctor Larry Nassar sexually assaulted them as early as 1992. At least seven women now say they raised concerns about Nassar starting in the late 1990. Matt Mencarini/Lansing State Journal (Photo: Julia Nagy/Lansing State Journal)

Doctors, and Coaches and Priests… OH MY!!
In so many instances, young children have been sexually abused at such an early age that many aren’t even aware they have been abused. Still others aren’t prepared to express or expose the abuse for years, after the actual act.

Matt Mencarini, of The Lansing State Journal, writes- “Former Michigan State University,  Doctor Larry Nassar is  being sued by more than 115 women and girls going back to 1992″- You can read Mr. Mencarini’s July 08, 2017 article here:

With regard to USA Gymnastics, in August of 2016, three writers from the INDYSTAR Newspaper wrote an article titled- “Sexual predators left off list of banned USA Gymnastics coaches.” The article covered  relevant topics from the very incomplete list of those sexual predators up to and including information on how to protect your child from sexual predators. Read about child abuse safety here:

The Penn State child sex abuse scandal was an incident in which Jerry Sandusky, a former assistant football coach for the Penn State Nittany Lions, was charged and convicted of multiple  counts of sexual abuse of children. (GENE J. PUSKAR/AP)

The Penn State Child Sex Abuse Scandal is only one example of hundreds if not thousands of examples of similar stories to once again bring attention to those who abuse the trust they are granted with their positions. You can pick your “Sandusky, Penn State Story,” here:

Australian Cardinal George Pell after making a statement at the Holy See Press Office at the Vatican on Thursday. (Credit Alberto Pizzoli/Agence France-Presse – Getty images.)

Lastly, and it seems forever, the never ending scandal of Pedophile Priests… “Australian Cardinal and Aide to Pope Is Charged With Sexual Assault… Sydney, Australia,  senior Roman Catholic prelate, and one of the Pope’s top advisers, has been charged with sexual assault, the police in the Australian state of Victoria said on Thursday.” This is only the most recent of many similar cases it’s difficult to really comprehend. But wait until next week… there will be others… There always are. Pope’s top aide story here:

The bottom line…
In 2003, The Boston Globe won the Pulitzer Prize in Public Service for the outstanding investigative reporting by the paper’s SPOTLIGHT  Unit: “For its courageous, comprehensive coverage of sexual abuse by priests, an effort that pierced secrecy, stirred local, national and international reaction and produced changes in the Roman Catholic Church.” The winning works by the Globe can be read here:

The movie SPOTLIGHT  was released in November 2015 and won two Academy Awards in February 2016, for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay. I have found the movie and the overall story upsetting, gut-wrenching, and one of the finest movies I have ever seen. I strongly urge you to see it if you haven’t.

Unfortunately, it seems very little changes… So now I’m thinking that all cases of rape, and other sexual abuse crimes should all fall under a “No Statute of Limitation,” federal enforcement program. And that little idea can be passed on to Mr. Cosby…

Peace. I am Bob Danon, and integrity does matter.

You will find The Brokennews NeWerd Dictionary by clicking here:

For future reference: The Congressional Switchboard: Let your voice be heard…

Call your Representative or Senator- 202-224-3121

Proud to be… But nervously so.

by R. C. Danon | Jul 4, 2017 | Brokennews

Proud to be an American, Linwood, KS (Photo by Bob Danon 06/03/2017)

The first time I went sea kayaking around parts of the island of Crete, off the southern coast of Greece, was September 2002. It was quite common then to see proud tourists from the States, wearing hats and t-shirts with Old Glory on them. Not so much anymore.

Ever since 9/11, that bold sense of pride has diminished year by year, especially after the US went into Iraq in 2003. Please don’t get me wrong, most of us, are still quite “proud to be…”  But in today’s world, it has gotten less safe. And I do believe that in “today’s world,” now monopolized by our mindless and unaware “Tweeter in Chief,” it will continue to get even worse, and far less safe.

Bits and pieces…
Well, where does one begin? Kinda hard to choose these days… Between Mr. Trump and his insulting and embarrassing tweets, the guy with the missiles in North Korea and the continuing and deepening, multi-level, Russian saga- well, it’s much too much to comprehend or even try to explain with any clarity… so let’s combine the three and see what we get…

Duh! I really don’t get much of anything…  (graphitepublications.com)

Former head of Russian Intelligence to meet with the head of US no intelligence…
Trump and Putin will meet face to face this week and no one knows what to think or expect. Trump will of course tell you- “I don’t know Putin, I know Putin, we have never met, yes we have met…” yada, yada, yada. And of course, any stories of Russian hookers, collusion, money laundering, loans, Syrian gas attacks, a Russian-Syrian-Iranian Alliance, or Russia filling the gap(s) when China strengthens sanctions against North Korea, Mr. Trump can easily plead partial or total ignorance. And is China really helping Mr.Trump with any of this?

There is the ever popular Trump quote- “I spoke indirectly and directly with President Putin, who could not have been nicer… and I got to know him very well…” More click here:

I think we’ve got Don Boy exactly where we want him…
(Credit: Reuters/Yves Herman)

First chair in the orchestra, Trump or Putin…?
The 2017 G20 Hamburg Summit  will be held July 7-8, in Hamburg Germany. The world economy will be at the top of the discussion list and how the G20 members can work together. But I see the interaction between the United States, Russia, South Korea and Japan, playing a most significant role in whatever “stabilization” there might be.

Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin are expected to have some sort of sit-down, face-to-face discussion later this week, and many expect, Maestro Putin will continue to play his * Trumpivarius,  with the fine precision he has exhibited for months, and possibly for several years. The lesson here… follow the lies, follow the $$$$, follow the lying tweets. It will all come out eventually, and then and only then will the country have a chance to say goodbye to Tweetybird. TweetyBird (a.k.a., POTUS45) – The orange-headed tweeter is a silly, often offensive and vulgar creature, lacking knowledge, direction, and purpose. It squawks “Nobody” and tweets mindlessly, in search of another distraction.

Kim Jung Un, of North Korea continues to keep pressure on the world community with his  aggressive behavior and missile testing program. The latest test of July 3-4 only brings the United States and various allies closer to taking probable and necessary action to quell Kim for good… but the price will be enormously high. Even without the use of nuclear weapons, hundreds of thousands could die in South Korea alone, with the expected short-range missile and heavy weapons barrage crossing the border from North to South.

Clearly, Mr.Trump and his often insulting, name-calling, tweeting fiascos will come into play, whether its about collusion, his Russian buddies, the National Inquirer, or prompting China to get their neighbor in North Korea to cool it. We can all expect the worst, from the worst.

Be very, very concerned…
As the investigation(s) into Mr.Trump, his taxes, possible collusion with the Russians and their hacking into American websites, servers, databases etc., we must now worry about military conflicts to the west with Korea (Russia and Iran both could be involved in that), and to the east with Syria, Russia and Iran.

We don’t want or need nuclear or chemical weapons threatening the world. But if it all comes at us at once what do we do then? Can anyone imagine the fight with North Korea, Syria, backed by Russia and Iran, and ISIS all at the same time? ISIS, and their continued, World War III excursions into numerous countries around the world makes it all even more difficult to comprehend. And how do those countries unite to stop that effort?

The bottom line…
Back to Mr. Trump, because so much begins and ends with the competence, or lack thereof, of the American President.  It never ends with this Trump character, and he is a character of the lowest order. Republican commentator Anna Navarro said it best on CNN the other day while being interviewed by Wolf Blitzer- “CNN’S Ana Navarro Goes Ballistic Over Trump Tweet: ‘Lunatic Man Baby’ Must Stop…” Click Here:

Has anyone ever said it better?

Peace. I am Bob Danon, and integrity does matter.

This week’s NeWerd is… * Trumpivarius.

Trumpivarius “According to their reputation, the quality of their sound has defied attempts to explain or equal it, though this belief is disputed.”

You will find The Brokennews NeWerd Dictionary by clicking here:

Got something to say… Make that call.

For future reference:  The Congressional Switchboard: Let your voice be heard…

Call your Representative or Senator: 202-224-3121

The Great “2 Scoop” Coverup…

by R. C. Danon | Jun 25, 2017 | Brokennews

Do not, under any circumstances, attempt to read this blog with out the proper security clearance…. What the hell, go ahead.

The Great “2 Scoop” Coverup…

As reported by Jeannie Moos on CNN, Mr. Trump does like his desserts.  Click here to learn more:

This is probably the second biggest coverup in the Trump Administration… The truth be told, it would seem that Mr. Trump wears extra long ties in an attempt to try and “coverup” the apparent increasing size of his tummy. Maybe longer and wider is now called for.

Thin tie, BIG EGO! Newsweek cover 1987

Donald Trump, owner of New York’s Trump Tower, holds the bridle of a polo pony while talking to Andy Warhol on Nov. 4, 1983. Yale University polo player Eric Stever sits astride the horse.    (Credit: AP / Mario Suriani)

From left, Donald Trump, owner of the New Jersey Generals, Fred Wilpon of the Mets, Sonny Werblin of Madison Square Garden, and George Steinbrenner of the Yankees attend a breakfast forum dealing with the future of professional sports in the New York metropolitan area, Thursday, Dec. 16, 1983 in New York. (Credit: AP/ David Pickoff)

Meryl Streep mimicked Donald Trump’s attire, including tie habits, during a performance at the 2016 Public Theater Gala.

(PAUL ZIMMERMAN/WIREIMAGE, LUCAS JACKSON/REUTERS)

(GQ.com, Joe Raedle)

Do golfers ever where ties? Just wondering… (Sportingnews.com)

The bottom line…
Whatever the case, I’ll stick to my
2 Scoop” Coverup theory. But here is a more expert opinion The Wardrobe Whisperer speaks…

* Trump’s long ties… 

Peace. I am Bob Danon, and integrity does matter.

You will find The Brokennews NeWerd Dictionary by clicking here:

Got something to say… Make that call.

For future reference:  The Congressional Switchboard: Let your voice be heard…

Call your Representative or Senator- 202-224-3121

Joy to the world…

by R. C. Danon | Jun 18, 2017 | Brokennews

Xavier Joy memorial service 30 min. prior to the start of the service. By that time, nearly every seat at Rockefeller was filled, while others were standing along the side aisles (Photo taken by Bob Danon)

This past Friday morning (06/16), was the memorial service for Xavier Joy, the young man who was gunned down on Chicago’s south side, two blocks from his home, at 10:00 pm, on the night of June 08, 2017. I did not know Xavier, or “X”, as his father and friends called him. But his step-grandmother, Fran Joy is a friend of mine. Fran is a wonderful artist and recently had an exhibit in my Evanston art gallery, The Danon Gallery. Last week, I posted a column about Fran the artist, a particular painting she had done which I purchased, and the murder of her grandson. You’ll find that article of June 12 here:

The service itself was unlike anything I have ever experienced. It was held at the Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago. Because I grew up in Hyde Park, I was familiar with this structure. And although I had not been inside in decades, one never forgets. Wikipedia will tell you that- “Rockefeller Chapel is a Gothic Revival chapel on the campus of the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. A monumental example of Collegiate Gothic architecture, it was meant by patron John D. Rockefeller to be the “central and dominant feature” of the campus; at 200 feet it is by covenant the tallest building on campus.” But until you have been inside, those few Wiki- sentences don’t come close to the grandiose architecture, inside and out.

Like many important structures of religion, the potential greatness is often not realized until the people have filed in, the music has been played or until the actual words are spoken or sung, reaching the highest and most distant corners, the carved ceiling beams or the highest of the stain glass windows. Such was the case on this particular morning. There were easily 1200 to 1500 people at this service. And barely a dry eye in the place. So sad…

Almost every pew was full, while still others in attendance stood on the side. The faces were black, brown and white. There were young children with their parents, dozens of teenagers. There were adults of all ages- young, older, old and still older. Many of those in attendance were friends of the Joy family.

The service began with a musical tribute by Orbert Davis, followed later on in the service by the beautiful voice of Dee Alexander. A procession with  African drummers marched down the long Rockefeller aisle, a musical  tradition by the Drum Ensemble from the Muntu Dance Theatre. The Opening Prayer and Reading of Scripture was given by the Reverend Dr. Reginald Williams Jr. The Speakers included: Jan Schakowsky and Bobby Rush, both U.S. Congressional Representatives. Michael Stautmanis was there representing President Barak Obama and read a touching letter from the President and his wife, Michele.

Other speakers included Rebecca Huffman and Michael Brown from City Year Chicago. Gabriel Sanchez, the love of Xavier’s young life spoke with a beautiful smile, and tears, of a past together and a future snuffed out just a week earlier.  Xavier’s mother, Nykea Pippion McGriff, her eyes hidden behind large, dark sunglasses, remembered the pride and joy she found in her son’s young life with memories that will live on forever.

Xavier’s former school principal at Whitney Young High School, Dr. Joyce Kenner, spoke… her words brought laughter and tears. She mentioned his smile, and his caring personality. She spoke of Xavier’s accomplishments along with so many others she has had the honor to guide over the years, she too cried in her closing… a mother to so many. She has seen and heard of so many young black children losing their lives. She said it must stop, She said “we must give back to Xavier…”

The last to speak was Ra Joy, Xavier’s father. He made us smile, he made us laugh, he made us cry. The pride in his son was seen and heard over and over with great sports stories, stories of trips to water parks, “X” being a proud big brother, about his son’s competitive nature whether in football, shooting baskets, or playing chess.  

Hearing the mother and father speak of losing their wonderful son reminded me of that very sad expression- Children are not suppose to die before their parents. I’ve known a few other families over the years when parents buried a child and I can not imagine anything as painful.

Xavier Joy was a graduate of Whitney Young High School. He was a good student, an accomplished athlete, a wonderful son, and a great friend to many. He attended Morehouse College for a short while, returning home, to mentor young students in both the Chicago and Evanston School Systems. He gave back… Xavier gave back because he learned from his family that, that’s what one does.

A young man, Vic Mensa, my guess a friend of “X,” closed out the service with a rap song. It wasn’t difficult to sense his feelings during this moment. He was so involved, so terrific with the words pouring from his heart.

The bottom line…
For over a week now, I have learned about, and thought about Xavier Joy. This was a terrific kid. And for that week I’ve been crying, and I suspect I will always cry when I read what I and others have written, and I didn’t even know him. His grandmother is my friend and I feel her pain. And on this morning, over a thousand people, in a beautiful setting, laughed, and cried and hurt so deeply. And all I can really think of is how many times a week this type of terrible thing happens to our black youth… To Chicago’s black youth. Yes, the circumstances of each shooting and murder are different. But losing a loved one, particularly a child is unacceptable. Not just because a loved one’s life is so quickly and brutally taken. But because the loss of even one child, or one person, gunned down can be stopped. And it should be stopped. So why hasn’t it?

Peace. I am Bob Danon, and integrity does matter.

For future reference: The Congressional Switchboard: Let your voice be heard…

Call your Representative or Senator- 202-224-3121

You will find The Brokennews NeWerd Dictionary by clicking here:

It’s about way more than just violence…

by R. C. Danon | Jun 12, 2017 | Brokennews

“INEQUALITY SPARKS BLACK FLIGHT FROM CITY…”

When I first read Mary Mitchell’s column in last Sunday’s Chicago Sun-Times, June 04, 2017,  I was a bit stunned by the numbers she was quoting. It wasn’t just the shootings and deaths- “Over a 15-year period, there were 5,600 murders and nonfatal shootings in three predominantly black Chicago neighborhoods: Englewood, West Englewood, and Austin.” Mary pointed out that- “Those neighborhoods also had a 28 percent decrease in black population.” You can read Mary Mitchell’s entire column here:

As Mary went on to explain, it wasn’t just the violence, it was also the lack of opportunity for blacks in Chicago. “After a lifetime of living in Chicago, my husband is seriously talking about moving away. He cited high taxes, crime, and bad politics. Black people are are fleeing the city’s predominantly black neighborhoods on the south and west sides. Chicago, once a haven for the black middle class, is no longer seen as a place of economic opportunity for African Americans.”

Mary and her husband have lived the “black experience” their entire lives. I have only observed that experience. I did however observe it in ways up close and personal,  to a far greater degree, than experienced by many I have met over the years and many of those I know today. You see, I grew up in Hyde Park, on Chicago’s south-side, back in the 1950’s-60’s. It was an amazing childhood both through elementary school and high school. There was racial balance, respect and lifelong friendships as a result. I have always been proud to say that my Liberal roots were sewn in Hyde Park. Just as many in Evanston can make that same claim.

From the time I was seven, much of my early life was spent at the Hyde Park Y.M.C.A. During the school year I took various after-school classes there- gymnastics, swimming lessons and swim team, basketball, and leadership programs. The summers were spent at either a Y.M.C.A., or  Chicago Park District Day Camp. There was “racial balance and respect throughout.”

My years at Hyde Park High School during the early-mid 60’s had a student population that was at least 60% black. We had no racial issues. There were parties, interracial dating, neighborhood clubs, scouts, church choirs, and of course the anchor I believe was the University of Chicago. There were so many interracial friendships I can’t even break it into numbers or a percentage.

My other life…
My life for the last 41 years has been owning an art gallery and a custom picture framing business. I own the Danon Gallery, in Evanston, Illinois, which in many ways was and is like Hyde Park. The art gallery pays the bills, but over the years, writing has been my passion. And that passion led me to my on-line blog brokennews.press. I’ve been writing it for a year now and I love it. The writing gives me a chance to vent, express, stimulate and to reach out, hoping to make a point or sway an opinion. At the same time, it forces me to often read or listen to other points of view I don’t necessarily agree with, but I have learned to appreciate the experience.

Six or seven times a year I hold art shows in my gallery called “3rd Thursday Gallery Shows.” The last one was May 18th and I featured two wonderful Evanston artists, Sarah Kaiser and Fran Joy. Fran painted the image you see at the top of this page back in 2014. The painting is of a young, teenage boy she met at Cabrini Green some 20 years ago while counseling his parents. At the time, the boy sat across the room, silently and maybe nervously fidgeting. Fran never knew the young man, but she has carried that experience, and that boy’s face in her mind and heart all these years.

The bottom line…
Of all the works Fran Joy has in my gallery, this one struck home the most. I didn’t realize why at first, I just knew I liked it. A little over a week ago I decided I had to have it, still not knowing why, until… Until a young couple came in my gallery last Saturday, 06/03. They admired all the work in the gallery but stood staring at “I want to live!” I proudly told them I was going to buy it from the artist. They asked me what it was that I saw in that particular painting.

I stared at the painting on the wall for maybe a minute. As I did, I started to get choked up, and fighting back the tears, and not very successfully I said- “when I look into his eyes, I see the liberal roots of my childhood, I see the fear and pain in his unfair world, that maliciously singles out boys like that… which forces those words from his lips.” I could barely hold it together. Several hours later I saw Fran Joy at another Evanston Art show and related this experience to her, again barely holding back my tears. She started to shake, herself ready to cry, feeling the pain and tension in my words across the three or so feet that separated us.

(Photo of Xavier Joy courtesy of Morehouse College)

He too wanted to live…
Last week, on the night of Thursday June 08, 2017, at 10:00 PM, Xavier Joy was gunned down, just two blocks from his home, on Chicago’s south-side. He was a graduate of Whitney Young High School who majored in political science and played defense  on the  Morehouse College football team. He worked mentoring young students in both the Evanston and Chicago Public School Systems. Xavier Joy was the son of Chicago political reformer, Ra Joy, the executive director of CHANGE Illinois. As reported by ABC-7 Chicago, Xavier Joy was 23.

Not knowing but fearing the worst, I emailed Fran Joy this past Saturday, inquiring about what I hoped wouldn’t be true. She quickly emailed back the following- “I was going to call you yesterday. Sad to say he is my step-grandson and we are all devastated. He was a good kid with great parents. I’ve known him since he was a baby. I’m very close to Ra, his dad. We are heart broken. Isn’t it weird how you bought that painting? Maybe you were plugging in to this nightmare. I was out to his dad’s last night. It’s so awful. Very close knit family. Thanks for reaching out.”

I am so proud to own this work of art painted by my friend Fran Joy. Yet, the sadness in my heart will always be felt, now more than ever, as I look into the eyes of the young man in her painting, and the words painted across his shirt- I want to live! Xaiver Joy, like many, has been denied.

Peace. I am Bob Danon, and integrity does matter.

Friday, June 16, 2017- There will be a wake at 11:00 AM, followed by a Memorial Service at Rockefeller Chapel, at the University of Chicago, at 12 noon. The address is 2800 South Woodlawn Ave., in Hyde Park.