Posted by ( Lakota55 ) on April 15, 2008 at 9:57 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Wow ,a kid who kept his mouth shut about being hot for teacher.I admit to be surprised that it took about a month for this tryst to come out.

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Posted by ( jeffreys821 ) on April 15, 2008 at 10:09 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Golly; why didn't she just call me?

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Posted by ( Frankie_Fla ) on April 15, 2008 at 11:25 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Hey army, your better off without them

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Posted by ( c_jay ) on April 16, 2008 at 1:53 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

That's right Justin_Case, you can't rape the will...

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Posted by ( dlf ) on April 16, 2008 at 2:37 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

I am sure that this has happened a lot more times than we have ever heard about. I just have to wonder why this gentle"man" was so anxious to be with her. Just the statis of being with an older woman or that he could get the alcohol?

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Posted by ( rjp ) on April 16, 2008 at 6:22 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

What's with the smiling mug shots, is this some kind of joke?

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Posted by ( zteam55 ) on April 16, 2008 at 6:43 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Instant replay ?

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Posted by ( thestone ) on April 16, 2008 at 7:32 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

let her do the math. i think if she wanted to teach sex ed she should have said so.

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Posted by ( NotPlayin ) on April 16, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

The 15 year old has been having sex with her for 13 months and never did tell. The only reason the investigators found out is because they confiscated her cell phone. He wasn't about to ruin his good thing and shouldn't be considered a victim!

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Posted by ( TylerDurden ) on April 16, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Should there be a "check off box" on the application to be a teacher?

Something like… Do you plan on doing any students or other minors while employed by HCPS? Y/N?

Maybe I’m going out on a limb here, but answering yes could indicate a problem

Is it really happening more or are we just hearing about it more? I always thought text messages were silly; turns out they are completely stupid if you’re a pedophile.

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Posted by ( InMyOpinion ) on April 16, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Spidyfan- They found text messages to the kid on her cell phone.

Hfelsh- i agree with you. Thanks Deb. Now our teachers think that they will only get community service and some house arrest. And if they are good (to an extent meaning they could have 1 slip up during house arrest) they can get off house arrest and convert the time to probation. Not much of a penalty if you ask me.

They need to make harsher penalties to deter these sickos from even thinking about doing these horrible crimes to our kids

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Posted by ( banglijk ) on April 16, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Right on, NotPlayin.

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Posted by ( 1voice ) on April 16, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

The really sad part is that this dog ugly,deprived, pedophile actually seems amused with herself showing absolutely no shame or embarrassment for her sick perverted behavior. I would hope her obvious lack of remorse weighs heavily when it's time for sentencing and that she be locked up for a very long time where others will have the opportunity to use her to satisfy their sick, disgusting perversions. What a LOSER!

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Posted by ( gina1108 ) on April 16, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

I don't understand how people can be so stupid.

Regardless if these children (yes, they are CHILDREN) were willing participants, she broke the law. Sure, they were probably thrilled that they were able to get into the pants of a hot (which i don't see, but whatever) teacher. But this animal broke the law.

I don't see how anybody can defend her.

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Posted by ( jviars ) on April 16, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Has anybody noticed that both of these boys have all A's?? Maybe she found a way to get to her students. Whats wrong with a teacher that will go the extra mile to do anything for her students. She deserves a raise!!

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Posted by ( robertj1954 ) on April 16, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

I can only hope they are piling on the charges to make an example out of her and those who follow or have followed in her path. You have sex with a child, irregardless of gender, you are going to prison. As for Ms Lafave, let’s just hope that type of sentence NEVER happens again. I still hold the judge responsible for his lack of guts when rendering HIS sentence.

Her only true legacy left to society. She has her own personal entry into Wikipedia:

From Wikipedia, >Debra Jean LaFave<, formerly Debra Jean Beasley, (born August 28, 1980) was a reading teacher at Angelo L. Greco Middle School in Temple Terrace, Florida, who gained infamy when she was charged with statutory rape, after having illegal sexual relations with a minor in 2004.

What a sick and disgusting legacy to bear for a life time! One criticism to Wikipedia, put her mug shot up there, if it’s a money thing, there are people willing to pay the cost for having it on there with her own personal definition of sick pedophile. In addition, judges please do not allow this dangerous felon to ever have the right to change her name legally. She created her legacy and she should have to live with it. Sends a great message to future pedophiles when they get caught.

I hope this is just a sick anomaly that has caught fire with media attention. It should NOT distract from the teaching professionals who perform a great service for our society. Keep your heads up teachers and do not allow these felons to effect your view of what is really important. A child's future! That is a legacy to be proud of and will last a life time.

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Posted by ( 1voice ) on April 16, 2008 at 9:05 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Yeah banglijk, I could tell by your "Right on" comment to Notplayin that you provide credible commentary on the subject of grown adults having sex with Middle Schools students. Appreciate your diatribe in response to my post. Now go buy a bag of candy and head down to your local Middle School where maybe you to can score yourself a 14 Y/O

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Posted by ( banglijk ) on April 16, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

1voice, I'm not condoning the teacher's actions. I do question at what point the "child" is held partially responsible.

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Posted by ( canegirl85 ) on April 16, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Two things...1) I would give anything to slap that smirk off her face. 2) What the hell was the judge thinking when he let her out on bail for a second charge within a month?

Aren't teachers supposed to be smart? Can they not read the papers or watch the news? If you have sex with your students...the student is going to tell someone and you're going to get caught. Is your career with a roll in the sack with a teenager? These stories make me want to home school my kids. It's disgusting. I'm just so proud to be from Hillsborough county....NOT!! Florida seems to have become the pedophile capital of the US.

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Posted by ( banglijk ) on April 16, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

...since her arrest a month ago, she's gained 29 pounds. What's up with that? I guess she has not been "working out" on a regular basis since she's been busted, huh?

Meow!!

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Posted by ( angryamerican ) on April 16, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

To all of you who wish you had a teacher like this when you were in school, I wish you had been able to have one also. I will not wish it on your children though.

I thank my God every day now for the descent, upstanding, ethical teachers that taught me through my 12 years of schooling, and the professors that taught me in college. I was there was a purpose.

My sexual education came from my parents and from my husband and that is where it is supposed to be taught. At least if I had been a teacher my husband would not have to be slapped in the face with the fact that his wife was having illegal sex with minors.

This place for posting comments has an agreement that you are supposed to follow, and all of these vulgar replies are not following those guidelines. If you want to spit out your vulgar comments, then get together as a bunch of "studs" and do your talking. Debra LeFave should be doing time for what she did, just as the man teacher is doing time. I hope her name can never be changed also, because she does deserve to have to live with the fame she has gained.

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Posted by ( 1voice ) on April 16, 2008 at 9:48 a.m.

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Posted by ( evilmunkies4 ) on April 16, 2008 at 10:20 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Why are these boys considered victims? Shouldn't they be considered adults if they consented, I mean if they killed someone they would be tried as adults why not for this and be charged for something as well? These boys and girls know better, I'm sorry but they do, and for the girls that lie about their age to some of these guys...they should be going to jail as well...

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Posted by ( Gene39 ) on April 16, 2008 at 10:29 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

14 Years old in Middle school is normal IKARUGA. A freshman is typically going to be about 15 a sophmore about 16 a junior about 17 and a senior about 18 pretty close to those ages....

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Posted by ( PJC ) on April 16, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

So none of you that are claiming these kids are "victims" ever had sex when you were 14?? This woman was a conquest to them...none of the "kids" were "forced" to have sex with this woman...20 times?? Think they may have liked it??? No victim here...no one shouting rape. Morally wrong but it seems they were willing participants...quit your whining.

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Posted by ( susan1065 ) on April 16, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Why? "She remains suspended without pay pending a vote by the Hillsborough County School Board." Fire her, take her teaching license away and have her fixed. She should never be permitted to have children nor ever be permitted to be around ANY children. EVER!!!!!

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Posted by ( wtf ) on April 16, 2008 at 10:57 a.m.

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Posted by ( BettyBoop ) on April 16, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Ms_Suess...
I hadn't thought of that. Hmmm...

wtf...
Please tell me you're kidding.

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Posted by ( Jen1897 ) on April 16, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

These comments would take on a very different tone of we were talking about a 28yr old man having sex with a 14yr old girl. The mental effects that this will have on these boys is debatable. What is not debatable is the fact that this woman is a pervert just the same as a man would be. I'm telling you from a 30yr old woman's perspective that if someone her age sees anything sexual in a 14yr old boy, she is sick. A 14-15 yr old isn't even done pysically maturing. EEEWWWW!

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Posted by ( BettyBoop ) on April 16, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Ikaruga, I was 13 as a Freshman too, but it is because I started first grade a year earlier than I was supposed to. 14/15 years old as a Freshman is normal.

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Posted by ( NotPlayin ) on April 16, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

WTF, If they ran a train on her, your buddy and his friends are not too bright. Any man who is willing to go in right after another man is nasty as hell!

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Posted by ( sunnyda ) on April 16, 2008 at 12:11 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Must be something wrong with my eyes. I can't see the "hot" teacher. Must be true beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, cause man some of you guys are seeing things.

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Posted by ( secksfenders ) on April 16, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

This teacher is NOT hot looking - she looks crapped out to me. The boys probably looked bad too for them to be with this wacko. The school system is not doing their job in keeping these sexual perverts and predators away from students. Whatever happened to background checks? She is a predator and needs to be locked up for life or else make it legal for everyone to have sex with minors - men and women. Equality of the law needs to be enforced.

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Posted by ( lulu ) on April 16, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

ARE ANY OF THESE RAPIST GOING TO PAY FOR THE NASTY STUFF THEY ARE GIVING TO THE PEOPLE THEY ARE RAPING???DO YA THINK.NOT.....CAN'T WHACK HER PP.SHE AINT NOTHIN BUT A CHILD RAPIST.....

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Posted by ( mikiec ) on April 16, 2008 at 2:09 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

A quote from another poster.

"A 14-15 yr old isn't even done pysically maturing. EEEWWWW!"

I hate to tell you, but the part that counts is physically mature. What is the difference if he was having sex with a 14-15 year old girl or a 28 year old teacher? And don't tell me 14-15 year old kids aren't having sex. The only difference is the age.

Now if she was giving him favorable treatment over other students in class, then that is a problem. There is no rape going on. Did she threaten him physically or in any other way if he didn't perform. If not, it was consensual sex on the part of both parties. 14-15 year old boys and girls know enough about sex to give consent. No one is tricking them into something they would not normally do.

What has happened is the world has changed. 14-15 year old kids are not the young innocent kids of years gone by. This goes for girls as well as boys. The genie, (Read:SEX) is out of the bottle and no matter how hard you try, can't be put back in.

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Posted by ( banglijk ) on April 16, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

He's just a child,,,,,,probably didn't even know what he was doing.

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Posted by ( InMyOpinion ) on April 16, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I see an awful lot of people mentioning background checks. One would think this is standard. But what happens when they do a back ground check and it comes back clean because maybe by some chance the teacher hasnt committed a crime yet. Im in no way sticking up for the teachers but It seems to me that some people think that if a background check had been done this could have been prevented. There is always a first time for everything

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Posted by ( ozzythewarrior ) on April 16, 2008 at 7:11 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I guess she could not have the kids shack up with her parents like Elvis Presley did with Priscilla till she was 18 yrs old. Which sometimes I ask myself, Did he keep his hands off her?

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Posted by ( Jen1897 ) on April 16, 2008 at 9 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

mikiec
No...14-15 yr old boys have peach fuz, not beards. It sounds like you dont think there is anything wrong a 28yr old having sex with a 14 yr old. Am I right?

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Posted by ( tparich ) on April 16, 2008 at 11:17 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I agree with mikiec. Many people in their early teens are very well developed sexually. Sex talk among middle schoolers is common. There are some who believe sexual activity is also common.
Remember "friends with benefits"?

As far a the a 28 year old having sex with a 14 year old.... it is against the law. Even if the "adult" isn't more emotionally or mentally mature than the teen, the law presumes he/she should be. Thus the "adult" is charged, not the teen.

In reality, many teens are just as culpable as the adults they are with.

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Posted by ( spidyfan ) on April 17, 2008 at 1:57 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Guys. I have to believe this is all a joke. And I'm beginning to think that all the laughing/smiling is because Ragusa thinks so too. Has this boy said anything new? No. Sounds like any boy who can read the internet & went to Davidsen can come forward now. We SHOULD instead start talking about how to punish false allegations.

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Posted by ( bdog ) on April 17, 2008 at 2:04 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

What planet do you all live on ? I am 49 and I remember when I was 14 and the young girls bending over the male math teachers desk ( exposing their assets ) batting thier eyes at the theacher asking that math question. They were purposly flirting with him. I KNOW it has to be worse in todays society then it was then !!!! And how about my 7th grade english teacher in the mini skirts bendinng over ( to answer a question, wink wink ) in front of the boys ! Time for a reality check......THIS AIN'T NEW NEWS !

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Posted by ( spidyfan ) on April 17, 2008 at 2:41 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

By the way, BOTH the Hillsborough County School Board AND the Florida Department of Education run "level 2" background screenings on all teachers. Ragusa cleared both or else she wouldn't have a) been allowed to even interview at schools, nor b) been issued a teaching certificate. And I'm sorry to say guys, but that decision was TOTALLY JUST in that she has no prior convictions, and even further, both her cases were dismissed early on in the criminal process. So are we to say that there are major failings in both the Hills. Co. School System, the FL Dept. of Ed., and Hills. and Pasco Co. court systems? Let's face it, she passed all of our societies' systems of "checks and balances" to gain empolyment in her field. Let the debate go!

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Posted by ( Jen1897 ) on April 17, 2008 at 7:36 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

jman50
I had crushes on teachers when I was that age too. But the teachers are not supposed to act on that. I have NEVER said that the boys were "raped" or affected in a negative way. But so far some of the posters here are making it sound like she didn't do anything wrong due to the fact that the boys wanted it. Everyone has skirted around what I am trying to get out of them, and that is "Do you think it is wrong for a 28yr old woman to have sex with a 14yr old kid?"

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Posted by ( gina1108 ) on April 17, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

banglijk, you are all over the place with your comments. Earlier you posted that he was just a child and probably didn't know what he was doing...Then you turn around and say that he should bear some of the responsibility. It can't be both.

This CHILD(!!!) very well could have initiated the relationship, but as an adult, she should have never pursued it.

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Posted by ( wheredotheyfindthem ) on April 17, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

I would like to know who keeps posting her bail? Some poor family member that is soft hearted enough to believe her when she calls and probably claims she's being framed.

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Posted by ( whatevah ) on April 17, 2008 at 12:13 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Wrong/Unethical for a 28 year old female to have sex with a 14 year old male? Yes. Rape? No.

I'm not excusing her for what she did but obviously, she is immature herself and maybe she can't handle a true adult relationship. She doesn't feel threatened or intimiated by them... easy pickin's. Doesn't make it right but I don't believe they were raped.

c4bl3guy... give me somethin' to write on, man!

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Posted by ( Jen1897 ) on April 17, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I don't think they are nessasarily victims. It's just weird that people are saying it's because she immature. If it was a man I think everyone would be saying that he's sick. Am I wrong?

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Posted by ( Jen1897 ) on April 17, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

banglijk
I don't know why you are refering them to them as victims when you speak to me. I hope you didn't misread my posts. Anyway..I will refer to them as "kids" since thats what a 14yr old is. What I understand from your comment is that it's ok for a man of 28 to have sex with a "willing" 14yr old girl. You think he is only sick if he forces her. Is that correct?

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Posted by ( SpeakingOut ) on April 17, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I got excited!! I meant she was hot!!

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Posted by ( Bigshow ) on April 17, 2008 at 2:57 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Hey what about the guy she owns property with, in Tampa Tony Irvin, he has the same home as stephanie does, and didnt it say the boy came to her home a few times, Dont you think Tony would know if some under age kid was banging his wife or X WIFE, cause it still shows STEPH, with the last name IRVIN, on the tax records, hmm and also what about when Tony Irvin was put in jail for domestic battary, did he beat up ms RAGUSA was that his victim i wonder who knows that story, it seems Tony should be put in jail also for allowing his wife to have sex with underage guys in his home, the X TEXAS RANGERS BASE BALL PLAYER, TONY get a handle on this. cause your just as fault as ms Ragusa is from you allowing it to happen in your home . both Names are on the DEED look it up what a crying shame,

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Posted by ( SpeakingOut ) on April 17, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

This is your brain: Teacher having sex with 14-15 year old - They are children

This is your brain on government: 14-17 year olds (6) beat up one girl - They want to consider them as adults.

Any questions?

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Posted by ( Hairs ) on April 17, 2008 at 4:31 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

The difference between children and adults is that adults are deemed to have the maturity and development to be fully responsible for their actions. Children are not. I think that pretty much explains why some of the commentators just don't get that some things that people might enjoy are still WRONG, in every sense of the word. To condone sex with minors, regardless of the sex of the adult or the apparent willing participation of the child, is just an incredibly immature way of thinking. By the way, everyone is just ASSUMING that the boys enjoyed this or had the ability to not be taken advantage of here. It is entirely possible that they were not comfortable with it; that they felt pressured, guilty and out of control of their lives. Maybe they felt they could not tell anyone because they were ashamed or scared. Most 14 year olds are pretty insecure, and many ADULTS involved in sexual relationships with bosses, or married people, etc. have a very difficult time dealing with the feelings. But I guess none of that matters if you think it's OK to just bag any kid that comes along.

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Posted by ( jandpbell ) on April 17, 2008 at 9:29 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

so this one time in math camp....

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Posted by ( spidyfan ) on April 17, 2008 at 11:27 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

BigShow: Something may be off with the story reporters are giving. Some reports say her house, some say the boy's. Tony Irvin is not on trial. So until the facts reveal where indeed the alleged encounter took place, lets not jump to any conclusions as to whether Tony had any knowledge of or was a bystander to any crime.

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Posted by ( logan6171 ) on April 18, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

a sex offender is a sex offender, male female, black, white, too short, too pretty, it doesnt matter a minor is a minor. if they are under 18, acts like a child,talks like a child, guess what! its a child. no exceptions!
you are the adult, you are responsible.
when you are in a position of trust and power, dont abuse it.
its that simple.
women want equality like men, well this is where its needed most. if you are gonna prey on children, you are a sex offender just like the male counterparts. and yes im a woman too.
this momma aint playing.
you tell your girls no one is to touch you. if you have boys, you tell them the same. do we need to make an exception if she is a pretty teacher.
i know not. any sex offender is and should be treated the same, in my book.
whether female or male.
by the way, men and women are in prison for whatever crimes but not sex offenses. sex offenders need to face there peers in prisons. a reality check is what they need.

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Posted by ( digitaldiogenes ) on April 18, 2008 at 1:16