Have I Met You Before, Mr. Nifong?

I know I have met Mr. Nifongs before.

Well maybe not Mr. Nifong personally.  I know, however, I have met people with different faces and names in different roles with the mindset of Mr. Nifong.

In my role as a psychologist I have seen caseworkers, lawyers, prosecutors, judges, and professional experts with degrees from Nifong University.

In my office I have counseled and comforted victims of systems whose intent is to protect.  When Protective Services and the Courts have errors in judgment, their mission to protect often turns into a mission of abuse and emotional devastation. 

Seligmann, one of the accused lacrosse players, broke into tears and said "my life is over," because of Mr. Nifong's errors of judgment.  "We went from being viewed as athletes to being viewed as rapists," Seligmann testified earlier Friday.

Seligmann's testimony was reported by ESPN and their article Nifong Says He Will Resign, Admits Improper Statements.

There have been too many victims of Protective Services and the Courts who can say:

• We went from being viewed as parents to being viewed as non-parents;
• We went from being viewed as parents to being viewed as abusers;
• We went from being viewed as parents to being viewed as criminals; or
• We went from being viewed as ordinary citizens to being viewed as criminals.

Rogue caseworkers, lawyers, prosecutors, judges and professionals are often well intentioned.  Because of the seriousness and complexity of many of their cases, they need to proceed slowly, objectively and with an open mind as most professionals do.

If you don't believe there are rogue judges, read about The Fourth Circuit Court confirming Constitutional rights on a foreign-born, non-citizen who is a high ranking member of Al Qaeda as reported by The Discerning Texan. 

Rogue professionals make the following errors of judgment:

1. Tragic Rushes to Accuse and Convict;
2. Hysterical and Close Minded Thinking regarding Facts and Their Opinions;
3. Concealing, Denying, and Misrepresenting the Opinions and Findings of Experts;
4. Failure to Interview and Listen to Alleged Perpetrators;
5. Failure to Put Accusations into Historical Perspective; and
6. Failure to Make Decisions on the Basis of the Facts or for Reasons Not Related to the Case.

Of course, there are many other potential errors of judgment made by rogue professionals.  Rogue professionals facing the devastation of their decision-making are pitiful.  For Nifong to say with tears in his eyes "I got carried away" completely discounts the devastation he has created in the lives of so many.  Devastation and emotional turmoil that will exist in the lives of so many far beyond the ending of Nifong's career as prosecutor.

"Too little too late" said one of the attorneys in the Duke Lacrosse case as reported by Hot Air regarding Nifong's apology.

John in Carolina presents information about possible prosecution of Nifong.

Now that Nifong has brought these issues to our attention, let us do everything possible to prevent the abuse in our systems.  If you have been victimized by Protective Services or the courts and would like to share your experiences, please leave your comments.

Remember, You Live within the Environment Created by Your Choices!

Dr. Hal

Life and Mental Fitness Coach

Comments

[Lill Hawkins]

After being foster parents and working with the state DHS system for over a decade, I know where you're coming from. Maybe it has something to do with why we're unschoolers.

Shine On,
Lill

[Dr. Hal]

Lill,

10 years as a foster parent working for DHS is a wonderful accomplishment and contribution to children. I am glad you did not let the Nifongs in your experience prevent you from helping so many children.