James, I typed up a very good response to this and my internet connection went nuts on me since its always being mean to me these days at least it seems that way.....but until I can find the right words again to convey to you what I read with nonjudgmental eyes and heart in your words in this post I just wanted to tell you quickly that I am reading, and have also myself questioned how so many commit crimes that are truly unfathomable and never feel remorse or wonder when/how long or how they can ever redeem themselves and wash off that label from their long ago past mistakes that the now regret entirely. I wonder where the line is drawn between a serial killer/mass murderer who takes out an entire town or rids the world of 15-18 people in 2 yrs without being ever suspected (because they later admit they didnt care and still dont care, so their crime does not bother them, and then the media slowly makes sure to stop bugging them after 1-2 yrs and no one can harass them again much less even know what prison they are even in despite what horrible life altering (ON MANY LEVELS and FOR MANY OTHERS) crimes he has to live with and seems perfectly capable of doing so? Does that make sense? If someone like that is never expected to redeem themselves, and if they are its done by calling them crazy/insane by psychologists.....then what about lesser crimes that did not carry such evil that cant be taken back EVER in this lifetime? I just want you to know I feel where you are coming from, and the post Id written out before losing my connection online was great so I hope to type it up again shortly for you. Please know I am reading and commend you for speaking your true feelings, so I will speak mine as well. -CC

When is enough, enough? What you request; 'forgiveness' is not unreasonable.

You may have once been a rapist... does it make sense to think that is all you are still, or all you are capable of, even after more than 2 decades.

Those of us on the outside have the privilidge of growing and changing over time. It is not only expected of us, but occurs naturally. Why should you not? From a sociatal perspective, I say you are not given any incentive to be anything more,unless we reach out the hand of forgiveness to you and trust that you are capable of more.

I don't live in the USA; my country sentences more fairly I believe and doesn't write people off for a lifetime because of bad decisions made in a moment. In fact one of my old school friends did two terms of imprisonment for charges of rape yet now, as a free man who has been provided with the opportunity to do better; has a stable job, a wife and family and the incentive to make good choices each and every day. It saddens me that you are not given that opportunity. We are all more than our worst act and you should be awarded the opportunity to prove that to yourself, your victim, your loved ones and society through the positive contribution I believe you are (we all are!) capable of. How do we as a society expect you to do better if we do not provide you with those opportunities? We cannot.

James, you have committed no crime against me, it therefore makes little sense to me to offer you my forgiveness... yet from my position as a member of the human race; I want you to have the opportunity to 'raise (as a man), with your head held high', just as I hope your victim does.

I hope in turn you are able to forgive a rigid system and the ignorance of many to see only your crimes and ignore your potential.