At this point in time no outward indications have been spotted. All an article can address is what is currently known. The trick is knowing then what one knows now. :)

I probably should mention things may be known which cannot be told to the public as they could compromise the investigation and judicial action.

I think you are ABSOLUTELY right "Just"..... especially with that many children.

Of course there were indications, but we call it "denial"... parents are too busy today to notice those indications. It's always when something major blows up that they pay attention, then they will stand in front of the TV cameras saying how shocked they are. As far as the school administrators, treat them exactly the same as the Paterno/Sandusky clique: arrest them, charge them as accessories, and prosecute.

JmB66 -- While I agree with you on a certain level, I don't think that there is any evidence that parents "today" are any worse at noticing indications of sexual abuse than they have been historically. Without any statistics in front of me, I would argue the opposite for several reasons.

Failure to keep an close eye on unionized public school teachers is to blame...........they are generally given a pass and protection far beyond what the private sector receives.

What the hell is wrong with people these days?

What is this old fart doing around kids anyway?

How many more of these creeps are out there messing with our children????

So many parents and teachers are oblivious! I bet most of these kids showed plenty of signs of stress with this teacher.

"It’s a sense of violation and betrayal because you think that your children are safe when you send them to school but they’re not safe." (That's just omnipotence.)

"Don't let schooling interfere with your education." Mark Twain

Thank god we homeschool!

Agree, one more instance of the educational bureaucracy protecting one of their own. Wait until the details pour out.

This is utterly disgusting!!!! What a pig! How can he live w/ himself? What kind of sick being does this to children? Consecutive sentences. This guy does not deserve to ever see the light of day again.

Marinmom - Please don't age discriminate. Laws have been enacted to protect a person's (even those who are older) right for employment. Ignorance knows no bounds.

Yep. Everything is fine. Don't worry. Nothing to worry about. (look down) OH $HIT! MY FOOT IS ON FIRE!!!

There's lots of these types unfortunately, and IMO they tend to seek out jobs that give them access to children... The best we can do is to to teach our kids to find a trusted adult and tell them if another adult does anything to make them uncomfortable and that they don't have to be afraid or ashamed. The next best thing is to make prison sentences as lengthy as possible since a majority of these people re-offend. Another deterrent, of course, would be to let the parents of each kid have 10 minutes with the guy... Give me 5 and the SOB would think twice before even looking at a child again...

I always get a chuckle out of people like marinmom....constant ignorance about getting older. Does she have a clue she's well on her way? LOL

This IS a disgusting fact.....the administrative people turned a blind eye and did NOT protect the children. And some people blindly entrust their children to these people and their decisions.

Cassie321 - Read the article. The pervert was fired as soon as the investigation began. Needless to say, one cannot accuse a person unless there is evidence. Since no child supposedly ever came forward, no one had any reason to investigate the guy. If he did freakish things with insects and whatnot, wouldn't even one child have mentioned that at home? I find this all very strange. Apparently, some of this happened in the classroom. Was there no window in the (inside) door so one could see inside the classroom? This must have happened after school since I doubt this was done in front of a whole classroom. Didn't anyone ever question the "after class" activity? Was there no "never- find-yourself-alone-with-a-student" rule unless in an area where you can easily be seen by others. I see mega lawsuits coming on.

READ before you react.

This guy is horrible and I hope they threw the book at him.

HOWEVER. Before you go blaming the school and the cops and trying to fire everyone in the world, did you not read the part that he was FIRED at the beginning of the investigation? So it's not like they continued to expose the kids to him. There are reasons that some times it's a need to know until they have enough evidence to move forward with it. These are not the parents of the victims and the threat had already been removed.

Geez. Wouldn't it be worse if they screwed it up and the guy got to walk instead?

I don't think there would automatically be any "signs" of stress or trauma because at that age, the kids would have no idea what was happening. Older kids (he has been teaching for 30 years!) may not even remember 3rd grade. What I find disturbing is that parents weren't notified about the investigation sooner. I see at the end of the article that they are recommending that the kids be tested for STD's.--which makes me think this guy had something. Will the authorities tell the parents which STD to test for or will the doctors have to guess and hope like heck they test for the right ones? Will this scumbag's right to privacy about his STD's over-ride the safety of these kids? This is disturbing on so many levels-I hardly know where to begin to comment.

Marinmom,

I wish you could post something relevant. Age has nothing to do with what this man did. WHY would you call someone an "old Fart"? Many people over the age of 60 are trustworthy. I can think of many things to say about this guy, without resorting to comments about his age. If that is all you can think of to add to this discussion, I don't give much credibility to your thoughts. This type of remark just shuts people off, they don't even want to hear anything you have to say.

These charges, if true, should warrant severe criminal penalties. When you're dealing with children, 30 years in prison should do, especially if the guy has a cellmate named "Bubba," if you get my meaning.

No child came forward? Kid that young may think bugs are cool, and show me a child that young that even knows what semen is.

We ask our kids what they did in school that day, if anything unusual happend, and examine their homework.

Hi no small change,

Being a unionized teacher has absolutely nothing to do with being a sexual predator, but that wasn't the point. Being a unionized teacher has everything to do with working inside a massive and byzantine bureaucracy where disciplining a teacher, let alone firing him, is very difficult to do. Imagine that administrators (and this is no excuse btw for whatever inaction rests on their shoulders) went into the classroom to observe, spent time interviewing students about their experiences, and so on. What do you think the teacher's union would do? Would they sit idly by, would they help the adminstration, or would they bring a grievance against the administration on behalf of the teacher for being unfair?

What do you think?

whats @!$%#ed up is the guy will get 5-10 yrs in prision and will be free...but a drug dealer gets life....old man raping our children will have his freedom in due time. but drug dealers get life no freedom... im sorry id rather have a drug dealer livin next to me then a petifile

\

"Only an idiot or a right wing Bot would post crap like this. Or both"

Have mercy! It only took 15 posts to turn political.

Nothing in his record? When my daughter was in third grade several of us complained to the principal of the school about a teacher's behavior with little girls; even the maintenance staff reported strange behavior..like walking into the classroom after school with this teacher and a little girl sitting on his lap. About 3 years later it all blew up when several little girls spoke up at a classroom presentation about sexual predators and said things about this teacher in front of other adults and students. The adminstration was in a position where they HAD to act...he was dismissed, there was a police investigation and it went to trial with the principal saying...."gee, there was nothing in his file to indicate this type of behavior". It's called CYA by the school administrators.

They fired him and there is no evidence that the Union representing him did anything to protest the dismissal. So, yes, they did sit idly by.

When asking rhetorical questions, it is good to know the answers already exist as in this case, which reveals your post to be a pointless shot at a labor organization.

Teachers are fired all the time throughout California and the nation, unions or not.

Just when you think you've heard it all; something like this rears it's ugly head. I'm with you Cookie; many of those children were probably traumatized and spaced the event. I am a child of abuse. I was locked in basements, etc. I'm 64 and 10 years ago, I started having flash backs. I thought I was going crazy. Eventually, I found out what was done to me. Still can't remember me being locked up but do remember my sister screaming and begging to my parents to turn the light on. My mother's excuse, was my father did to us what his mentally ill mother did to him. I only mention this because I know you can disassociate from events like this.

Wow, keep it cool ... good insight....I would want the charges to stick.. that's for sure! But, I do find it odd that this is the first time, for how old he is... that there weren't signs before this. That is just strange. No complaints either. I guess people must be able to hide what they really are, until they finally get caught. I as a parent would have been livid, but certainly would want the dude behind bars as long as possible.

You are right Rich, being a unionized teacher does not have anything to do with being a predator. And I don't know for sure what the Union would have done if they figured it out. But I do know that if the guy is convicted, he will still collect his $4k a month pension and free health care for life. The union did that for him. Pretty nice.

"no outward indication of something wrong"......it always seems when someone goes on some kind of homicidal killing spree or something of that nature and the neighbors are interviewed AFTER the fact everyone says..."well we all knew something was really wrong." Yet we live in a free country, so there isn't alot that can be done until there is hard evidence. Its like the story we always hear about when a woman calls begging the police to help her when some nutty ex or boyfriend endlessly threatens her and they say "theres nothing we can do until he does something".....and they then find her dead body after the fact. I don't know what the answer is. Its why we put our kids in private school...oh I forgot, nuts are there too..........its a sorry predicament we are in.

This is absolutely ridiculous that nobody knew what was going on for years. Very hard to believe

What a bunch of hypocracy this country wallows in: This guys bail is set at 23 million, while Jerry Sandusky @!$%#s in his own homes toilet on similar charges......wooohooo football worshiping nation.

"You can tell just by looking at the guy that he's a molester."

Oh M Gee! I thought the same thing when I saw his picture. I'm glad you said it first; People would go off on me............

Saw this on the tube last night. This guy disguised his acts as play so the children had no reason to think that this was deviant behavior. This was only found out because a film developer saw the pictures and got in touch with the police.

Miss Deanna, you saw that too??!! Don't tease the "loons".....they can't help themselves....

katherine, are you a old fart to?

"My mother's excuse, was.............."

I'm sorry to hear this; I feel for you.

Try to be well!

Yeah Just, there are some things here to wonder about. As usual MSNBC is more of a headline clipping service than an actual news organization. With photos a year ago, and surveillence of the fired teacher, what took a year? 23 kids had cockroaches placed on their faces, and not one told mommy? They all kept going back to that class willingly, with not one complaint? Huge chunks are missing.

Course, the teachers' union haters are out in droves. One pedophile is arrested for molesting kids. Suddenly the right wing whackoes are out in force. Where are the critics blaming it all on Obama? Oh, and the legion of expert criminalogists, who watch CSI religiously, so they are prepared to tell the police how to do their jobs. If all you know about this case is what you read here, folks, you don't know anything at all important. You can have sympathy for the parents and kids involved, and not really much else. You simply don't know enough to say much else.

why the hell are you all jumping all over marinmom for? All she (im assuming that it is a she, i dont want you all over me for being sexest now) did was call an old pervert an old fart.

Get over yourselves you uptight ninnies.

Public school teachers, have been having it both way's for way to long. They by all accounts are "professional" educators enjoying the bennies of a union employee and work almost completely unsupervised. How many other "professional occupations" outside of the public/health care sector have a union?

I don't think there would automatically be any "signs" of stress or trauma because at that age, the kids would have no idea what was happening. Older kids (he has been teaching for 30 years!) may not even remember 3rd grade.

I beg to differ...kids who have undergone a trauma such as this can carry this for the rest of their lives. The memories can be very vivid and require extensive psycological treatment. Poor babies. Innocence stolen. What a sick, disgusting pervert. He should die. It's a well known fact that these pigs can't be rehabilitated. Just get rid of them all.

Just a few observations. Those calling him a child rapist. Nothing was or has been said about his having sex with the kids. Just a pic. with him holding semen. Sick enough in it's own right.

The " old fart" may have gone off his rocker in the last two or three years, so no years ago kids coming forward.

The police being quiet? - they are still trying to identify 10 of the kids in the pics. So let's tell the whole school, so all the parents can panic. I am sure as they identify each child, the parents were notified.

He is a pedophil, in a sexual/non sexual way. At 61, 30 years without parole. But then, I think anyone who sexually molests a kid should get the death penalty.

ANIL_RHEAM: Please inform all of us what distinctive features you see in the photograph that mark this guy as a child molester? Looks like just about any other guy his age to me.

You seem to have a special ability, please share it with all of us so we can better protect our children.

I just have to ask.... if they had these pictures back in 2010, why are they (and fired him then) why is he just being arrested Monday (in February of 2012)? especially if its obvious these are students from his classes. somebody dropped the ball, somewhere along the way. shouldnt he have been busted the day they found the photos? it IS against the law, right? if they stopped some guy DUI, he'd be in court the next morning, at the latest. something about this story doesnt seem right. this guy is a f**king sicko.

marinmom, hey. I always want to hear what you have to say (unlike some other viners who got here ahead of me). I must say I am surprised at your "agist" (you know, like racist) comment. How old are you? lol Some of your "friends" may be older than you think they are!!!

Berndt was NOT dismissed. He was allowed to resign a year ago when the investigation began. So now, whether he is convicted or not, he is entitled to receive his $4000/month pension plus lifetime medical. Again, whether he is convicted or not!

I support any law which would deny such benefits to individuals who are convicted of their crime and who used their profession and power to take advantage of their victims. The money should be paid out to the victims instead of to the perpetrator. A position of trust such as a teacher, police officer, doctor, or therapist, etc. carries with it a higher sense of propriety. Those who would hide within these noble professions should not be allowed to benefit from the position in any way if they're convicted.

dano, hey, I hate to "double-post" but you're not the only one there. Why is no one commenting on that, right? The article does say "blue plastic spoon". Yuck!

You know what this really makes me wonder??? HOW MANY STORIES LIKE THIS DO WE NOT KNOW ABOUT!!!!! How many people are out there who have not and are not getting caught??? Dozens??? Hundreds??? Thousands???? If we all knew the frequency and extent of things like this that are going on regularly, it would turn all of us upside down!!! This is why God created Judgement Day. What's up with that?!?! I LOVE how this evil waste was exposed, but contemplate on the sheer amount of sickness that doesnt make the radar, the reality of that and what that means! Yea, this is the tip of the tip of the tip of the iceberg of the sick, wrong activities that happen among us! This story should wake us all up and cause us all to be much more vigilant!!!!!

This is HORRIBLE. Cockroaches?! REALLY?!

Can somebody please drop this guy off in the desert? The act with the spoon is all I need to determine his worth to society.

I hope he gets what he deserves in prison!

Me too Cassie.

Lets get proactive with this topic and change our laws and policies to make it much, much....more difficult for this to continue to happen. Not only in the school setting, but in any type of function or institution that cares for our children!!!!!!

I hope they put him in general population at the jail while he waits to go to trial, problem solved.

Hello people,

"IF not for film processor ". There might be more criminals like this who use digital technology.

Instead of over crowding jails and spending tax dollars maintaining people like this why not better use these criminals for medical lab testing instead of rats and monkeys.

There has got to be more to this story than what is stated above for him to have a $23M bail.

Yes Cassie O'Neal, even in prison theres an honor amongst prisoners, that don't have very much repect for people like this. He's going to have it rough in prison.

Cap the bastard!

marinmom

What the hell is wrong with people these days?

What is this old fart doing around kids anyway?

________________________________________________________________________________

I will agree this man is despicable, disgusting and does not deserve to breath free air. However I would like to know what you are implying by your comment. Your comment does not seem to place blame on this one particular individual but seems to imply that older white males (Farts as you call them.) have no business being around kids in a school system. This is due to the depraved acts of one man. Grouping this man with all of the honorable hard-working middle-aged to senior men is no different than any other type of discrimination. In this case according to law enforcement and school officials, there were no indications that he was up to anything prior to the film processor reporting the photographs to the police. I will give you this point though; any man, regardless of age, that would interact with children without a witness or colleague is just asking for trouble. All it takes is one accusation and men especially are guilty until proven innocent when it involves children. Even though these children were young, I am also having trouble believing that of all those children, not one said anything to a parent, a teacher or even a police officer. Something is not right about that. There will most likely be a lot more to report on this story in the future.

Unionized teachers at work. AND, authorities too busy profiling, harassing or spying the honest hard working people. I know.

why did they collapse the guy with 42 thumbs up who mentioned the FACT that this guy was a UNION member. that stinks of more union thuggery! are teachers SEIU union? the worst anti-american union that is running the occupy protesters and creating havoc in the streets! RIGHT TO WORK!!!

I doubt he will joe and cassie.

Now a days people like this and "snitches" get put in their own side of a minimum security facility.

The schools your kids are going to, elem., mid. school, including HS are LOADED with Pervert Teachers, who fondle boys, and pull girls tops up to see what gets them excited.

Here I am, proof that this happened to young men in my son's school,, and other stories at the school about the molestation of kids. One bad teacher was in a wheelchair. Who wouldn't feel sorry for some creep like this. My daughter had a sports teacher take girls on skiing vacations on Holidays/weekends---where are the parents?

Did the school do anything about it at the time. No!

Hopefully today, the Head Office at the Schools immediately fires these weirdos. Yes, there is an indication, the schools know it, and so do the wives of these monsters.. They just do not want to see their loved one put away---

Perverts are everywhere. Parents must stay alert when your child indicates they do not want to go to school, or have stomach aches before leaving. Stupid Mothers wake up---it's your child!!

@ powersource

seems to imply that older white males (Farts as you call them.)

I find that to be derogatory and raciest. Are you saying that people of color can not be farts?

What is everyone's deal? Did i miss the latest "you can't say this" memo?

i am at a loss for words.... i read this eating lunch and almost vomited!!! i have a 6 year old son in school and this is a very scary wake up call to parents every where!!!! be aware....of everyone and everything,.....do not dismiss what u think is mindless babble from your youngsters... really really listen.... talk openly with your children and trust in them.....really really listen...you might learn something!!!!!!!! something very important...life changing...always use gut instinct.......omg this man should rot in a cell for a very long time!!!

Marinmom, young fartz do it too.....

Anyhoo who knows perhaps when children act out at school or at home parents probably perfer to believe the teacher etc and put them on stuff like ADHD meds. LOL

On the other hand it may not be that parents do not care, it is that some are working too many jobs to make ends meet to really keep and eye or listen to their latchkey kid while there are those parents who seem to think the teacher is to be parent as well as teacher.

With all the reality programming like tots and tiaras etc that desensitize children to certain activities and seem to sexualize these children from an early age it is no wonder that these children did not tell their parents.

Back in the day parents were encouraged to teach their children about 'touching' in no no areas and for the child to say NO, to where teachers were not allowed to even give a child a hug. But now in the age of reality shows the lines have been blurred and parents are not doing this sort of teaching anymore.

Do parents suspect when something is wrong with their child? More than likely they do but perhaps thought it was a close relative or friend that was doing the deeds, and some do not want to make waves etc to the detriment of the child or children.

It usually amazes and or amuses me when a woman state she did not know or suspect that her husband was having an affair or she did not know her husband or boyfriend was messing with her child or children.... LOL

Home schooling does not prevent a child from being sexually abused either. Anything can happen these days. It does not necessarily have to be the teacher, it can be the neighbor or family member or family friend.

Parents need to stop trying to be their childrens friend and be their parent. Stop being so tolerant of bad or obnoxious behaviour too. Your child being illmannered and bratty in public is not charming to any one but you. Parents need to teach their children proper manners, and how to behave etc. They need to pay attention to their children, and talk with then instead of at them etc.

Here endeth my views on proper parenting.

Peace.....

Maybe we're all missing the point; I agree that he will have it rough in general population, but the truth is the judicial system will probably isolate him for his "own protection". Madness. Why should he be allowed to live on our tax dollars after ruining precious little lives? Once convicted, just send him on his way. Research has shown that it is very hard to rehabilitate sick thugs like this. Put him to death and save the many thousands of dollars he will soak up enjoying his relationship with his new cellmates before his pathetic little life is finally snuffed out. Stop coddling these people and punish them effectively. I know, I know...the death penalty, blah, blah, blah. We will probably find that he has permanently scarred more than 23 innocent lives; one life to pay in return is a paltry offering to what is good and right.

All the more we need teacherless class rooms we have the knowledge to do this now lets get on with it. Kids like the PC screen then let them have it

Apparently marinmom didn't read the article. Apparently marinmom has never had a male teacher in all her school years. Apparently marinmom's children have never had a male teacher. "What was he doing around little kids" What kind of a question is that????? HE WAS A TEACHER FOR 30 YEARS.....

Hmmm... More likely than not, this guy will die while in custody, in prison.

A close friend of mine told me about him being sexually abused when he was 8 to 10, by an older boy who was in high school. This type of abuse is done by threat. "If you tell anyone about this, I will kill your mother." Therefore, most youngsters take that as a real threat and remain silent.

In my friend's case, another child did tell his parents, and the police entered the picture. Despite the police assuring my friend that nothing bad could or would happen to him, my friend denied any sexual behavior with the teen-aged pedophile. My friend was too afraid to tell the truth.

Sickos are everywhere....but they are a minute part of our society. On the whole, we are a responsible group.

This sort of thing is so disgusting and upsetting that people get crazy. Someone above said something along the lines of, "Stupid mothers, it's your kid! Pay attention when they pretend to have a stomach ache." Seriously? My kid came down with a weekly stomach ache since the first time he figured out that stomach ache equalled "go home from school and watch TV while Mama waits on you hand and foot." The stomach ache stopped when we were certain that nothing was really wrong, and stomach ache started to equal "go home from school and go straight to bed." Of course, you have to pay attention to a kid's feelings about school, but disliking school doesn't atomatically mean the kid is being molested. It could be any number of things-- personal conflict with another kid, a learning disability, or just not liking to sit still. So let's not assume the mothers of these kids were stupid.

Also, these guys are SNEAKY. They know how to manipulate kids. Like someone else said, he probably tricked them into believing they were playing some sort of game. And as horrifying and disgusting and sick as that is, at least it wasn't something much, much worse. The best thing we can to is to talk to our kids. Every day, we ask our kids about their day at school. What did you learn? What did you do? Did anything unusual or interesting happen? What did you think about that? And we periodically have The Talk with them. "These parts of your body are private. They belong to you, and only you. No one should touch you or behave with you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable or wierd. If anyone did, you should tell Mom or Dad or a trusted grown-up. If anyone ever tries to make you do something by telling you they will hurt your Mom or Dad, they are lying. No one will hurt Mom or Dad. If anyone every showed you their private parts, they are doing something wrong, not you, and you should tell a grown up. If a stranger asks you to help find his dog, he might be trying to trick you. There is no reason why an adult should need help from a strange kid for something like this." We try to cover all sorts of different possibilities, without making it sound like there's a predator on every corner, but still making sure they understand the bad guys do exist. It's pretty sad that we have to tell them this kind of stuff, but I think it's the best way to protect them. Knowledge is power.

Another Chester of to the slammer. 30 years. No one had a clue?

What kind of a low IQ ignoramus blames this on Unions?

Duuuuurrrrrr!

Oh wow ..........since we hear racist comments everytime a black or hispanic is busted for ANYTHING & we hear torrents and vile debates on immigration ANYTIME anyone named Lopez-Gomez-or Garcia is arrested LETS STATE THE OBVIOUS.

Molestors of children are almost ALWAYS white. Is it a wonder that we have another European American accused of molestation? Stop immigration from Europe and we wont have this problem of children being sexually abused. Its normal in Europe to do the acts this WHITE PERVERT did.

Another white man molests a child...surprise surprise.

Excuse me while I go throw up...when the hell was he doing this, at lunch? at recess? Good God I am probably going to home school my children after reading this. If it's not student bullies, it's disgusting pedophiles putting cockroaches on their mouths and making them hold a spoonful of ....seriously I'm going to throw up.

marinmom said, "What the hell is wrong with people these days? What is this old fart doing around kids anyway?"

The 2nd part is easy to answer. Did you happen to actually read the article before you ....... oh, never mind, dumb question, you quite obviously didn't.

The 61-year "old fart", perhaps 59 and/or 60 when the crimes were commited, is a TEACHER, i.e. one of those people who work in schools with our kids. I'm no great fan of teacher unions which strive to decrease the quality of education through practices such as continually lobbying for as few hours as possible in the class-room, & at the same time try to increase teacher's pay to levels approaching some tenured college professors. I also don't particuraly care for non-union teachers who look at their job as a 7 or 8 hour day with a long 3-month vacation each year, during which it's perfectly acceptable to completely forget about their "job".

There's PLENTY of both types in our education system, but a smaller number of teachers actually DO care about our childrens education & go beyond minimum acceptable performance to facilitate that. But still, I'm also enough in tune with reality to know that it's VERY difficult in today's world to retire before about 65 or 70 .... at least if you want your last couple of decades to be reasonably comfortable & lacking much stress & worry. THERE is the part which evidently is completely beyond your grasp of understanding, judging by your statement which is clearly borne from ignorance.

The "old fart" was doing his job, teaching children, just as probably 100,000 or so other age 60'ish people do. It will surely amaze you to learn that not all teachers are 30 & 40 year-olds. It will probably amaze you also to learn that a teacher is NOT automatically moved up to the Junior & Senior classes when he/she turns 55 or so, to get them away from young children. Now quite obviously THIS specific teacher wasn't doing that job in a professional & expected way ..... no one with any sense at all will argue about that. But the fact that he was a 60'ish "old fart" in a position which put him in close-quarters with very young children is by no means unique.

So there's your answer to your 2nd part. The 1st part of your reply is even easier. "What the hell is wrong with people these days" can include as one of it's many reasons the fact that those who are adults in AGE ..... aren't even a tiny bit interested in showing the maturity & wisdom ONCE associated with those people in the 30-70 approximate age bracket. This teacher quite clearly shows that extreme lack of maturity. Your reply about what a teacher is doing around children, simply because of the fact he is a 60'ish "old fart", quite clearly shows that extreme lack of wisdom.

But if you happen to be below 30 years old, then some of the lack of that wisdom can be expected. MOST people that young, but not all, have yet to become highly mature in their way of thinking. Some NEVER do. But either way, below 30 or above, this specific circumstance & your reaction to it shows you have quite a bit of work ahead of you.

Instead of being shocked and appalled by this man's actions toward his students, whom are supposed to be able to TRUST him, some of you are the most appalled by the words "old fart" all over this page and are defending it unwaveringly. You are kidding me right? Let's stick to the point here, the man is SICK (I think I could think of a million worse things than "old fart" to call him), and there are some very young children who have been harmed mentally if not physically. It should NEVER have happened.

I can only think of horrible HORRIBLE things that need to happen to this guy for doing this. This man is sick and does not deserve to go to prison and waste our money. Taxpayers paid this mans salary and they trusted him with the lives of their children, lets chip in on the electric bill and end this quickly!!! Sick, SICK people out there

What a vile excuse of a human this putrid bag of puss is...

Susi and Cool:

There are reasons that some times it's a need to know until they have enough evidence to move forward with it. These are not the parents of the victims and the threat had already been removed.

If my child had a teacher who was fired for molestation or abuse and I wasn't told so that I could make sure my child had not suffered harm from that teacher--whether or not the teacher had yet had his day in court--I would be furious.

I guess you two advocate checking on you kids only if someone has been caught in the act. I want to know if my child has been anywhere near someone who is even suspected, let alone found with photographs.

I don't understand the way you think. Maybe you're just too busy to worry about something that might not have happened. But for me, my kids come first.

Cassie,

They are thinking that a well founded investigation and prosecution is more important than a few hurt feelings. You are also assuming the police didn't talk to these parents.. there is no indication this is true. The police very well could have talked to all the parents individually and those parents wanting a prosecution actually kept their mouths shut and helped the police.... imagine that. He was fired immediately and removed from the classroom

For all of you blaming unions.... HE was FIRED and no UNION tried to stop it!

We do not want chlid molesters teaching children... EVER!!!

What this shows is that child molestation is all to easily hidden; that the perpetrators tend to be well-respected, well-behaved (outside their perversion), and seen as trustworthy by the public at large.

Otherwise, they would never get away with it.

As there is no known cure for such a damaged psyche at present, the only possible way to protect society from these monsters is life in prison with no possibility of parole.

As some have noted (albeit crudely), age itself is no cure.

As to people who style themselves as 'willing assassins' and then seek to capitalize on the victimization of children to promote their own personal agenda of punishing all teachers, all I can say is shame on you!

And to the people who made the attack on teachers in general the most popular comment on an article about child abuse, what a horrible testament to sloppy analytical thinking.

Which is worse: child abuse or educating children? According to the person volunteering to shoot and kill people at a distance from a hidden location – and the large number of people who voted up the comment – educating children seems to be worse than molesting them.

Shame on all of you.

OMG, if nothing is done about the fact that the other parents were not informed then this school should be shut down as well as the district that it is in. That is outrageously neglectful. If I knew my daughter had attended a school for a year not knowing that a former teacher had been under investigation for such charges the entire time I'd stop at nothing to bring them down. How could you be sure that the previous year that the man had not done something inappropriate to your child if you weren't even given the chance to talk to your child about it?? Just becuase they are working to find the name of the children in pictures doesn't mean that there arent child victims that never had their picture taken. Just to cover up to avoid hurting their own reputation childrens lives are forever altered and tainted. HOW HORRIBLE!! What HORRIBLE people for allowing this!!!

Super-scum like this are everywhere! And school is NOT safe.

Parents must be aware and ever vigilant to protect their children from predators. Parents must also educate their children on how to react if some one behaves inappropriately or even questionably.

Children must be empowered with the knowledge that they don't have to do everything an adult tells them. When children are given the tools and permission to protect themselves, they have the chance to escape harm and alert others to predator's actions.

I hope they throw the library at him!!!!!

First of all this is truly disgusting, and he should be hung by his nutsack while setting off firecrackers in his ass!

But what is crazy is that in 20 years you might hear the same story again...but this time with a different name....next time will be Rick Santorum!

Joey, Katherine, Bze1 and Roger, while "no one wants to hear what I say", I'm sure it got past you that I got more "votes" than you did.

Imathebeach, you should know me better than that. I'm not an "ageist" (the guy just happens to be an old fart) but don't you think it's a little strange that a man that age is teaching 3rd graders? I do. I think most men, especially older ones, lack the sensitivity to teach younger children, especially girls. Too much of a generation gap. Apparently, my opinion is dead on in this case.

I had to complain about two teachers while my kids were in school and both were men. Both were saying things that were completely inappropriate. One was near retirement age and one was a total psycho. If you have ever had kids in school, you know that you spend a good deal of time being their defense lawyer. It's sad that these types of people are allowed to teach. I have seen very good effective teachers that my kids have loved be let go while the sickos are kept. No wonder our kids are not doing well acedemically.

Oh, and EROCK17, thanks for sticking up for me. Glad to know someone gets it.

@ Marinmom

Don't worry about it. ;)

In response to Debbie 1138121 post 1.49

You had stated (and this is sooo totally not personal! Honestly!):

Berndt was NOT dismissed. He was allowed to resign a year ago when the investigation began. So now, whether he is convicted or not, he is entitled to receive his $4000/month pension plus lifetime medical. Again, whether he is convicted or not!

but the article actually says:

Berndt was fired immediately after the investigation began, and placed under surveillance, but parents didn't learn why until this week.

Just wanted to make sure we were singing off the same page! :)

Now, I agree with so many others here who have stated that MSN is probably one of the most unreliable news sources, given to sensationalism and failing to report more than just the bare minimum of most events in their attempt to incense the reader. NO excuse whatsoever can be given by any person who commits crimes against children. I, nor society dare not label them "sick" as to do so lends credence to a defense that they knew not what they were doing due to an altered mental state when indeed they knew exactly what they were doing with very few exceptions. To also use the excuse that they are a product of their own upbringing or life circumstances as a defense holds no weight with me when it comes to personal responsibility. I can only hope that our judicial system does not fail these little ones. Long after the legal aspects are finished we can only speculate as to what the outcome will be for each of these tender, innocent little babes.

Hey, marin, all in fun----what can I say? I'm old. You're definitely right about the schools and being a defense lawyer. As far as men teaching young kids............well, yeah. Any guy doing that is leaving himself open to a lot of scrutiny for sure.

Southern Belle,

While it's true that the article stated he had been dismissed. it's not accurate. I took some shortcuts with what I said because I am not a writer! BUT, the teacher WAS dismissed, then argued he had been dismissed unfairly as he had not yet been charged with a crime, so was allowed to resign. There are a lot of writers who simply use what they've read in other's articles and publish the piece without due diligence or proper fact-finding.

I'm not sure where you live but I live in So Cal and this stuff has been news item #1 and on the front page of every newspaper since it broke. There are now reports coming out that this perv was previously accused of improper behavior yet nothing ever came of it. I'm a grandma now and even when I was in school, I had teachers that I was nervous around because of the way they behaved or spoke. From the LA Times:

L.A. schools Supt. John Deasy — then the No. 2 in command — said he acted to remove Berndt from class the same day he saw the photos and felt there was justification for immediate dismissal. Records indicate that Berndt was pulled from the school on Jan. 6, 2011. And, then-L.A. schools Supt. Ramon C. Cortines, who has since retired, said he ordered Berndt to be fired when he heard about the photos.

The district’s legal staff warned Cortines that there might be complications for acting so quickly. Standard practice in L.A. Unified and elsewhere has been to “house” teachers in a district office, away from students, until a legal issue is resolved. But Cortines said he told senior staff that he didn’t want to wait, an account that was confirmed by a former Cortines aide.

By Feb. 15, the paperwork was ready for the elected Board of Education to dismiss Berndt formally and the school board ratified Cortines’ decision. As of Feb. 16, the district stopped paying Berndt, said Vivian Ekchian, chief human resources officer for L.A. Unified.

But the matter didn't end there. Berndt had 30 days to challenge his dismissal, which he did with the help of Trygstad, Schwab & Trygstad, a firm known for representing the teachers union, United Teachers Los Angeles. In this case, Berndt hired the firm privately; its specialties include defending teachers facing dismissal.

Berndt’s case was then set to go before an administrative hearing panel, a process that would take months. While awaiting a hearing, Berndt resigned from the school system in June 2011, six months after Deasy and Cortines determined to fire him.

But, I completely agree with the rest of what you wrote so yep, we're singing the same tune! BTW, I had two different male teachers in elementary school...5th and 6th grades. They were wonderful men and one was about the same age as the teacher accused here. I never felt uncomforable around either. Our school had a strict policy that was shared with parents that no teacher was allowed to remain in class with student unless another adult was present....that 45 years ago! I guess common sense had been replaced by misguided personal rights.

One last point, the school district is now coming out and stating that whether or not Berndt was fired or resigned, he is still entitled to his pension unless it can be proven that he earned that money by benefit of fraud. I don't know, call me cynical, but I think that a teacher like Berndt who isn't always "teaching" when he's at school has committed fraud since he took a paycheck under false pretenses of actually working the entire time. The school district is trying to figure out if they can take his lifetime medical benefits away though.

@Imathebeach, you are an awsome guy and I don't care how old you are. I also respect the hell out of Bob Scheiffer on CBS news and am amazed at what he does at his age. I couldn't keep up with his pace. Nope, I'm not an ageist but if Bob Scheiffer were teaching 3rd grade, I'd be suspicious.

My daughter was a high acedemic performer, usually scoring 98-100 percentile on standardized testing. The only grade she ever slipped was fifth when she had a male teacher. I think she was just too intimidated by him. Grammar school kids, especially girls are intimidated by men.I can kind of see the need for all girl schools.

Don't get me wrong, I think some unruly little boys could do better with a stronger authority figure but first you have to weed out the pervs. Men this guys' age usually teach high school, as those kids are older and tougher.

My god this has been going on for ages - I remember my grandmother telling her sons to stay away from her uncle

We will always have deviants in our society - but parents always have to be on guard - my oldest son at ten told me at a swimming class at YMCA came home and said his coach wanted to dry him down

I immedately pulled him out - why because my son said he felt funny about this

My other two children - one six and a daughter at 11 did not experience this - they stayed on but I was vigilant

That's what we do - connect with your children - watch the signs and guard them

Well, marin, I'm not as old as Bob!! I know what you mean about guys teaching elementary school. Most of the time they are a little odd.

That reminds me..............I recently met a retired music teacher in his early sixties, had one marriage that lasted a year..........then I find out he taught elementary school.....What's up with that, you know?

Perfectly normal. It amazes me that you profess surprise on learning that perverts are attracted to places where children are. Always has been, always will be.

If every teacher, cop, scoutmaster, preacher, etc. were required to have a psycological evaluation for their profession, we would need a lot more psychologists.

Just wait until the system gets through with the victims in this case. They will put them through so many years of therapy-- and I mean it will be mandatory. Even if some or all of the children were not severely traumatized by the perpetrator's actions, the State will make sure that these kids will be put through a hell that made the teacher's actions seem feeble by comparison. To all of the parents of these kids--- wait and see if what I say is true or not. Now that your kids have become victims of a sex crime, you will see just how few rights you really have when it comes to making decisions for your own children. You are now going to experience being placed into a position of helplessness--- what I mean by this is that you WILL have to conform to the State's orders for counseling. Otherwise, you may risk losing your child. Think that I am joking here? It happened to me. My daughter was the victim of a sex crime when she was 8 years old. The State is still putting her, her mother and myself through a living hell of court-ordered counseling, mandatory classes in parenting--- otherwise, the State has threatened us with taking our daughter from us if we do not comply. Not funny--- any way you look at it. The kids are put through this hell--- the parents, too. I stop to think--- what was worse? The actual crime? Or what followed after?

Ruggiero...

There is never a good result for most children in these situations. My child was involved in a much less hideous problem during middle school. I saw the effects it took on most of the kids involved and the effects were not good.

I have followed this problem for about 15 years throughout my state and have formulated one simple truth that I have often repeated...if there is not a single problem occurring with a teacher and his or her students in the town you live in, there very likely is a problem in one of the towns that borders the one you live in.

It is that pervasive.

Last year in my state, a male teacher was arrested and lost his job for having a long term affair with a 16 year old girl. He sued...based on having his right to 'Freedom of Association' violated.

That's America, isn't it !

NOW they want the children to be tested for diseases? Holy crap.

Unfortunately, they haven't been safe there for a while.

This has always existed. It was just swept under the proverbial rug until recently...

So far lets se they are not safe at school football practice or CHURCH! What we do know is these pervs gravitate to where children trust them so it is easier for them to do their foul deeds.

Hate to say it, but nobody is safe anywhere. Safety is an illusion. If we didn't feel like we were safe, our world would be a very different place. As parents, it is our job to make sure we keep kids out of whatever situations that can harm them when possible, and to give them the tools to deal with the situations we cannot keep them from. The problem is that second part, too many people believe they can prevent everything so they don't teach their kids how to deal with situations that are potentially harmful.

People trust the school system to raise their kids. They trust that since they don't have guns around that the kids will never encounter them, so they don't teach them gun safety. They trust that the police will always protect them so they don't teach them to protect themselves. They trust that everyone the child encounters will be a normal person, so they don't teach them to be wary of strangers. The list goes on and on.

When you are violated in some way, whether it is something like this where you child was subjected to a sicko like this, or if someone steals from you, or does violence to you or your family, you suddenly realize that you are indeed NOT safe, and it shakes up your world. How many people here have woken to someone breaking into their house? How many people have had their car broken into and all their stuff stolen? How many people have been mugged, or just assaulted? If you have, you understand, and you also understand that police are there to pick up the pieces afterward, not to actually defend you. There is a great bumper sticker I see every once in a while. It reads: I would rather have a gun in my hand than a policeman on the phone.

Wake up people, teach your kid responsibility. Sooner or later he/she will be exposed to something ugly, and it is better they know how to handle it than to pretend it will never happen and leave them unprepared. Yes, you will have to expose that child to the ugliness of life. You will have to teach them that there will not always be someone there to protect them. But it is better they learn that as a child than be a victim as a teenager or young adult.

DaveK, excellent post. I rarely read these comments nowadays because all the posts like yours get diluted in all the garbage. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.

Thank you, Davek, very well put.

'

I am so sickened by what this man has done. I know it is hard to imagine that there could have been no outward signs but sometimes this happens for many reasons. Many of these children are at an age where they are most easily scared. It sounds like he was on another level of sick. I mean Madagascar cockroaches, these children were tortured. I am sure they were terrified to say anything. I believe the school should have notified parents immediately. My sons school notifies us immediately if he has been possibly exposed to any illness or head lice, this is so we can watch for signs. If parents were notified they could have looked for signs and I bet there are going to be many many more victims coming forth. Unfortunately when someone is sick on such a level as this they are often very good at manipulation and I wouldn't be all that surprised to find that the school officials are as shocked as everyone. He may even have had some of there children in his classroom. To sit at home and judge anyone other than this monster for what has happened is hard for me to do. Until more details come out that say otherwise I believe he was just a real life monster, good at keeping his demons hidden from his co workers. I pray for comfort and healing for the victims and there families and friends in this heart breaking time, may they get the support they need on there long journey ahead.

I agree, DaveK, Excellent Post!

Thank you!

Very well put Dave...parents will also find that if their child is educated, the pervs leave them alone.

Good thing he was old school and still used film.

Kudos DaveK. An interesting comment you made about "people trust the school system to raise our children." People have allowed this mentality to become reality. A simple research of the California Dept., of Education's leadership and their "agendas" might be educational. I fought to keep my children out of that system while I lived there for this very reason. Any principle there will tell you, the parent, that their "authority" extends into your home. And, it can if given any excuse. The education system has been allowed to do as they see fit with your children. They know what's best, not you. This is what happens when you relinquish your rights to someone else. Want the school system to "raise" your children? People like this filth will be given that responsibility and the system will feign ignorance and continue forward. Do more than just complain and wring your hands in despair. We owe that to our children.

If this was happening in the classroom, what kind of school are they running that "no indication" was noticed? Some of the kids had to say something to someone. One more reason to do away with the teacher's union and the PC crap it brings to schools where bad teachers just continue or are put in the back office for high pay to twiddle their thumbs.

Hey Kjosee, How can kids be safe when people are so busy scrutinizing unions that they don't notice a teacher doing odd things?

Disclaimer: I'm not personally attacking Kjosee, I'm just replying to their post! Thank you honey's! I threw in the honey word to cover all bases! That was to show I didn't have any bad thoughts about any moderator here too!!!

truthman-682989, Gay activists have already had their way in some cases.

Disclaimer: If there are any gay activists here, please don't take this post personally, I in no way meant it as a personal attack against you darlings!

I threw in the darlings word to show that I don't have any bad thoughts about gay activists!

I would rather have a gun in my hand than a policeman on the phone.

I FREEKIN LOVE THAT STATEMENT!

"What the hell is wrong with people these days? What is this old fart doing around kids anyway?"

My thoughts exactly! As a middle aged man I have no desire to teach grade school children all day. If I was going to be a teacher I'd like to teach college students. I guess I don't have too many maternal instincts or something. I just don't want to be surrounded by a bunch of 7 to 9-year-olds day in and day out. So I read that comment I'm quoting up there and I just had to emphasize it. I guess some men are just really into kids. My own kids are enough for me! Anyone else feel this way?

Hell i'm 29 with one kid and that is enough for me man! I would rather go to work than stay home everyday with the kiddos. So yeah i hear yeah lol.

BTW I love my daughter more than life itself.

"No such thing as safe, only safer."

You mean not as dangerous. Safer only implies that it was safe in the first place.

Yeeeeppp.

Going back a number of decades, I know to always suspect those Mr. Rodgers types that teach in the elementary and middle schools. Don't let the fuzzy cotton sweater and the necktie fool ya, legal guardians out there.

* SHIVERS UP AND DOWN THE SPINE *

I'm amazed at the ignorance on this post. My wife and I are teachers. I have taught virtually all grades except 4th and 10th. My wife has always taught highschool. My credential is in elementary and I also teach special ed. Since the budget crisis I have had to start over from scratch every year due to not being tenured. anyone that is not a teacher has no idea how insane the amount of political pressure and hard work we experience, especially when having to re-invent the wheel for a new grade level each year.

I enjoy teaching elementary because I know what it is like to struggle in mathematics and grammar, and I have utilized my background in behavioral science to develop very effective strategies for helping all types of learners. I have seen struggling students achieve success in my class and watched their confidence blossom. When that happens, I know I have changed a life. I love teaching that age group because I am gifted as an "elementary" educator, I know I am good at it, and I know I am making the world a better place, if even only a little, one person at a time.

I have always been extremely defensive about how I teach due to the steriotypes. I refuse to be alone with another individual ever in my classroom, especially making sure the door is open and windows open. I try to always have another witness with me, for my own protection. It is a shame that I have to be overvigilant in that manner as a professional who has devoted years of education and investment in getting to where I am.

The kinds of ignorant comments I hear comming from individuals who have no idea what they are talking about is extremely offensive to me. You steriotype men like myself who are actually working hard to get in the trenches and make this world a better place. Those of you who criticise teachers are most likely speaking from your own inadequacy, probably turning wrenches, driving trucks, or flipping burgers. Yeah, real easy for worthless lumps to sit on their couch steriotyping...

As for protecting your children. I homeschool my own kids, on top of being a teacher myself. Bottom line: parents have no right to complain--if you really cared about your kids they wouldn't be handed over to someone else all day. You would make the sacrifice to do what is best for your own children. Parents don't because they dont care about their kdis as much as the almighty dollar.

I would never entrust my children to the care of our education system, as a teacher I know first hand the corrupt and backward system that stunts the development of our children. If you actually do what is best for the students, you will be going against the administration. Not a good idea! Bottom line--you steriotype because you don't have the intestinal fortitude to make the sacrifces teachers make on a daily basis, and wouldn't have the slightest idea how if you did...and parents send their kids to the care of the state cause they simply don't care enough to do the hard work and sacrifice necessary to give your kids the best

Hey "You can't handle the truth", you have no idea what people in the real world are going through, so you have no right to say people are lazy. I will agree that most are lazy, but not all of us are lazy, we just cannot afford to stay home with our children all day to home school them, bith parents need to work just to make ends meet. Unless you have a job as a teacher with that cushy over paid salary that most are recieving. Look I flipped burgers fo a living and made a good living doing it as a manager and later as a supervisor, but my wife still worked, just so she would not go stir crazy from sitting around and doing nothing all day. Our education system is broke and we need to fix it, however we do not need to put blame on every single parent out there who are trying to keep their house and stop any foreclosure hearings just to keep a roof over their heads. We need to blame the Department of Education, which was not even around until Jimmy Carter started it in 1979. But thats a whole nother story, lets stick to this teacher who was caught molesting children. It almost sounds to me like you are saying it was not his fault that he molested those children, well who's fault is it, yours, mine. We need to start holding people accountable for their actions again, and stop trying to pass the buck or blame onto something or someone else. He needs to take responsibility for his actions just like you or i would need to if we were in that situation. The system is broke, we know that, but just because it's broke does'nt mean we sit there and keep doing what we have done for so many years like it wasn't broke. If you have any ideas about how to fix the problem, than speak up. Either you are part of the solution to the problem or you are the problem by doing nothing but the staus quo. You say most of us sit on our butts and do nothing, well what are you doing to help those young kids that you teach, nothing thats what, because as you said you don't want to go against the system, you might lose your job right!! You need to get your moral character in check, and get off your high horse sir, be part of the solution, not part of the continuing problem. I thank you and have agreat day.

Hey YOu can't Handle..... It doesn't bode well that you work in a system you don't even trust to have your children in.... That's not making anyone feel better about teachers, or you.....

People trust the school system to raise their kids.

That is not what schools are for.

Correct...schools are not there to raise people's kids. Schools can, however, help to ruin those kids lives.

For school officials to say there had never been any indication that this teacher had a problem, well...I believe that will turn out to have been a lie. I'd wager someone will come forward and say that their child had had a problem with this teacher before and either nothing was done about it...or, the blame was put on the child for lying about what happened.

I've personally seen this happen in my town.

The very first directive of a school system should be the same one as medical doctors sign on to..."first...do no harm".

Unfortunately, a lot of harm has befallen children in this country and it has happened at the hands of those who are supposed to know better. They often don't.

YouCan'tHandletheTruth: I agree with most of what you say in your post, but I couldn't help noticing that you still appear to be struggling with grammar (and spelling). "You steriotype men like myself..." That's not the kind of writing I would expect to see from a teacher.

I have to disagree with you on some of what you said "Kjosee". You see my youngest son at the time back in the early 1990's had a hard time even at daycare, he was kicked out of 6 of them in an 8 month time period. none of it had anything to do with a certain teacher, another student or the material being to hard. He had what they call seperation anxiety from not being with his mother and having to go to school. They wanted to put him on medication to calm him down, just like they have well over half the population to date so far. I would not allow him to be on any medication, because if you have been on any pyshological medication at any time within your life time you will not be allowed to work fro the Federal Government in any capacity. That even means being able to join as a soldier, and I didn't want to ruin his possible future employment opportunities before they started. We toughed it out and stayed the course, I am proud to say that he did finnaly grow out of that stage and he just graduated from high school this past June of 2011. He now wants to join the U.S. Marine Corps, for which he would not have been able to do if we put him on medication as a young child, so things might be working out, we will see. But its not always the teacher, another student, or the material being to hard to learn, sometimes its just as simple as the person themselves thas the problem. I thank you and have a great day.

Thank you, Progessives. First gay marriage and now this will soon be mainstream.

Not to mention the teachers union. I am not anti-union but the union helps to sweep a lot of dysfunction under the rug. That was my personal experience TWICE at two of my kids' schools.

...and the teachers union

If the teachers union is obligated to provide him w/ a lawyer, I doubt they will waste their money on a good one. No one likes pedophiles (except other pedophiles).

Please help me understand why the ACLU would intervene on behalf of the pedophile? This isn't a civil liberty case at all. Perhaps the teachers union will provide protection to ensure he receives a "fair" handling so as to not sully the "good name" of their calling. We have to believe in our teachers if we stand to have any hope for our kids and their future. --This is just a perverted individual.-- His profession gave him access to the victims, but I wouldn't paint things with too broad a brush otherwise. I'm sad for all of the kids touched by this tragedy.

Neither the ACLU (what do they have to do with this?) nor the teacher's union will be on this guy's side. It's my understanding that the teachers union will have nothing to do with "moral charges."

The ACLU was mentioned because they have become the champions of society in aiding the low-life scum amoung us who try to escape justice and punishment once caught.

I highly doubt either the ACLU or the California Teacher's Union will get involved. I've yet to see them step up in a child molestation case on the side of the accused.

They have also paid for lawyers to defend the people who produced pamphlets, instructing pedophiles on the best way to lure children. ACLU is beneath contempt.

If the ACLU would give assistance to anyone in a case like this it might be to the students who were abused.The ACLU exists to protect those whose civil rights would otherwise be violated by a government agency-such as a public school system.

I had to formally complain about two male teachers and both times the union reps intervened.

ACLU and sex offenders:

"The Delaware American Civil Liberties Union has filed court papers to stop sex offenders from being evicted from a safe house that is located near a new day care center.

The ACLU, along with an attorney representing the safe house and three sex offenders, has asked a judge to issue a temporary restraining order to prevent the city from evicting the residents.

“The state has asked the residents to leave, and if they don’t leave they will be arrested,” said attorney Daniel Wolcott"

****

"DES MOINES -- The Iowa Civil Liberties Union announced today that its is asking the Supreme Court to overturn Iowa's unprecedented law that restricts where sex offenders with victims under the age of 18 can reside. The Court will likely decide by the end of the year whether to hear the case.

As the second state in the nation to pass such a law, Iowa restricts nearly every registered sex offender from residing within 2,000 feet of a school, day care facility or registered in-home childcare provider."

*****

Somehow I doubt he'll get to use his pension benefits.

Yeah,sure. You are probally right, I hope. I'm a Union worker at a Media corp. We definetly don't have crazy ars stuff like that in my area. As far as the remarks about a Union issue with this turd is wild. Heck lets not forget the issue. Bad guy doing bad things, eh. Good day.

Hey LUBID05, Why should he be treated any differently than an American {Crap on our economy} CEO, who would still be able to collect his pension no matter what he did?

CEOs are some of those most PAMPERED pieces of crap in our country right now. When I talk about a CEO, I'm not talking about a guy who actually built a corporation, but a person who was hired to run a corporation and who is given unGodly sums of compensation, given to them with the blessing of Congress.

Obey, Sounds like you wish you were a CEO. Maybe you should have studied a little harder in high school and at least changed the bong water once in awhile.

I really don't think this article has anything to do with the compensation of CEO's.

Mr. Bubba...the right thing was not done...read the facts even at this early point in the case...why so long before arrest and notification? Perhaps you're not local in southern Ca. and more is available to us here...

Other then the students saying something, which they didn't what would you say should have been done. Cameras in the classrooms would be a good idea cameras in the hallways already being done. cameras in other areas how many pedophiles we going to give material to, we already have enough T.V programs feeding them Tara's and toddlers or whatever it's called and that dancing one with the Hitler for an instructor and the parents are not only helping but they go on and encourage it what are they doing about this don't tell me it's not what it looks like because it is it is just done for money and entertainment which by the way make it CHILD PROSTITUTION. This is getting to be disgusting. I for one am getting tired of what is happening to the children and I don't have kids, I had 3 exchange students, and I've got to tell you it scarred me to send them out to are schools.

LUBID05, maybe you think I'm talking punishment. I am not believe me. There is no punishment this thing could ever receive, from us, from God or from the Devil that would fit what this piece of (!@#$%^&*()_++_)(*&^%$#@!) did.

Come on Sally, don't delete posts! Maybe I would've liked to see them?! You don't have to worry honey, I won't boo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo to you or any other moderator and say someone should be suspended for something they posted here.

Disclaimer: I called you honey to show you that I have no bad feelings toward you!

this idiot had been accused and investigated in '87 and accused in '90. Way to go, cops.

Dina -

Is sexual preference within one's control or not?

No Brian, I do not believe it is, as far as homosexuality is concerned. Homosexuality is not the result of a badly wired brain (proven scientific fact). All over the animal kingdom, homosexuality is part of the norm. All over the animal kingdom, pedophilia is not a part of the norm.

Adults who prey on children sexually however, IS (IMHO) the result of a severe issue in the congative fucntion of the brain and hence the ability to discern right from wrong may be skewed. I'm no shrink however. But I am a survivor of child sexual abuse.

Brian, what exactly is your point here? Are you equating being gay with being a pedophile simply because both are a "sexual preference" outside your definition of the norm? Your comment is ridiculous by any standard of reasonable debate. Two consenting adults are one thing. A crime against a child is another. There are some people who's "sexual preference" is violent stranger rape, but does that make the "sexual preference" of heterosexuals any less valid? Of course not! One is a crime (rape), one is consensual. One has no bearing on the other. That was Dina's point -- just because one is gay does not mean one is also a pedophile. These are two totally different states of being. One hurts no one else (being gay), one inflicts untold harm on innocent victims (pedophilia). I do not know enough about brain vchemistry/structure to say whether pedophilia is the result of something gone organically wrong or not, or whether that really matters, but that hardly important. Whether such a preference is a choice or not isn't even an issue here. Acting on it is. Acting on a "sexual preference" that inherently hurts someone else is not acceptable and those who commit such crimes should be held accountable, not cower behind some @ssinine strawman argument that if other out-side the norm preferences are okay, then all should be. Nor should biggoted people use the reverse but equally @ssinine strawman argument that if one out-side the norm preference is not tolerable than none should be. Either way, that's just plain nonsense.

Thank you Saddened, apparently I wasn't clear enough I appreciate your comments.

Just trolling along.....

Hah - got one.

Congrats for you. Making the world a worse place to be one comment at a time. I'll never understand why some people find pleasure in saying anything they do not really believe simply to piss people off. I think I'd actually respect you more, had it been an sincere remark. As it is, you are worse than a biggot. Pathetic, bully mentality. I stand by my comment all the same, as I am sure you were merely voicing something others out there really believe, even if you only meant it as a troll.

You have mentioned homosexuality. Just do note that the article mentions that this man is charged with lewd acts with both boys and girls.

Sounds like Donald got nailed for 'jailbait'. Actually, Donald, nobody holds it against a minor who prefers older partners, it is the older partner that is held legally accountable. Andy anyway, pedophilia doesn't have anything to do with sexually mature underage individuals that prefer older partners, it has to do with predators who molest and rape prepubescent children, who don't have ANY sexual preference yet. There is a huge difference but I don't expect you to be able to comprehend it.

Dina 749313-The Bible has no place in society? Bible thumping? Just this type of mind set causes perversions that this teacher is accused of.It occurs at an accelerating rate now,because people leave God's teaching out their daily lives.An increasing number of Americans believe that there is no God and that the Bible is a fairy tale.This society has become highly apostate.Many attend church buildings,after the "services",its business as usual.They leave their "god" in the church buildings.

Amen, I agree 100%.

Dina

Homos are just as perverted as this. There is no difference they are both sick twisted acts.

Donald

Thanks for being one of the few here that still has some moral character and common sense. It's hard to believe most of these posters are willing to over look the sickness that Homosexuals bring to the world. What next?

@ Dina and Saddened - Great posts!

@Donald, you have some serious issues if you think that America has lowered its morals by allowing homosexuality. I take it that you do read your Bible, homosexuality has existed since the beginning of time. I challenge you to prove that it hasn't.

@Brian - you are a jerk.

@Enough-2735007

The term "legally" is a social-construct and can be changed by it's respective society. If homosexuals can claim that they are born to commit perverted sexual acts and get special rights then why can't pedophiles claim they are born to commit perverted sexual acts and get special rights? Homosexuality has been around just as long as Pedophillia. Scientific studies prove that the consenual minor is not harmed during the sexual encounter with the consenual adult but rather they are harmed when exposed to society views on pedophillia. Now if we want to focus on the negativity of pedophillia then we must focus on the negativity of all sexualities. Why can't a consenual minor have a loving sexual relationship with a consenual adult? LOVE IS BLIND. RIGHT?

First of all I had a friend who was discussing his first sexual experience with me and said he was around 13 years old and it was his catholic priest. He did not understand why I got so upset. As he already knew he was gay. Until I ask him how he would feel if his 13 year old daughter had been molested by someone. He then understood. To say that a pedophile is no worse than a homosexual is one of the most vile things I have ever heard in regards to "gay bashing" and I have heard quite a few. There is nothing more abhorrent than a sick twisted monster that prays on children, and personally I don't believe that they should ever be sent to prison. I think that they should be tortured publicly until dead. You can not rehabilitate a pedophile it is not possible. This is the only way to make our children safe. Yes I am a little crazy about this subject, but when 1 out of 3 females will be molested, and that is not counting males, the problem needs swift and harsh justice.

@Realistic woman

Nope, I am a atheist. There is nothing biblical about knowing that homosexuality is incorrect.

There is no proof that homosexuality has existed since the beginning of time that is your belief. I challenge you to prove that it has..... We all know that heterosexuality existed since the begining of time. Furthermore, Pedophiles should get special rights too because they claim they are born too commit pedophillia and they are who they are. I mean it is about sexual equality. Right?

@ne14 cutting off his man parts

There is nothing worse than a sick twisted homosexual preying on heterosexuals. If someone gets raped or molested in prison by the same-sex is it okay? NO!! If a pedophile rapes or molest a minor is it okay? NO!! We always hear abou the horror stories within pedophillia but we shun the love between minors and adults because it's a blantant case of phobia. Not every pedophile is a creepy old person trying to lure children into a cave with candy lol... There are good and bad pedophiles just like there are good and bad homosexuals, etc.. The real issue here is gaining consent from all parties involved in a ethical manner.

It is about sexual equality. Right?

Yes,Realistic woman, homosexuality has existed for thousands of years.....and God has usually destroyed the civilizations in which it has existed.....not always, but usually. You poor people have diluted yourselves to what is total corruption until you no longer have any moral compass left....truly sad.

@Tiger247,

You welcome sir

Nope Donald it is not about sexual equality. You need to re-read saddened and Dina's posts. There is a HUGE difference in the 2 acts. One being VERY obvious is homosexuals consent to engage in sex, while pedophiles TAKE advantage of vulnerable children. Only one of those acts are sick.

@Texson we have homosexuals everywhere and we still exist. God hates sin, not the sinner. Remember that.

Donald, you can't see the difference between homosexuality and pedophilia? One act is between two consenting adults, the other is RAPE of a child. If a homosexual rapes a person of the same gender they are breaking the law. If a hetrosexual rapes someone of the opposite gender, they are breaking the law. I bet you are one of those people that think if homosexuals are allowed to marry, pretty soon people will be marrying beasts, right?

@Realistic woman

Not all pedophiles TAKE advantage of vulnerable children. There are many countries around the world that an adult can marry what the U.S.A would deem as a minor, There are many instances were Pedophiles gain the consent of the minor, the consent of the parent/guardian and continue living a happy long life, etc... My friends great-grandfather was 19 when he met his my friends great-grandmother whom was 13 years old at the time. They got the blessing from her parents and eventually married and never got divorced, they had 12 children and 30 grand-children. They stayed happily married until they day they died. I see nothing wrong with this picture because both of them loved each other and their parents approved. Love is blind. Right?

Donald Price - Although some of your facts may be correct your premise is entirely wrong. Anyway you are correct that pedophiles cant help what they are sexually attracted to anymore then homosexuals can but the difference is that homosexuals are having sex with consenting adult partners. A pedophile on the other hand rarely, if ever, has a willing partner. A child (pre-puberty) has no interest in sex and must therefore be either forced or coerced into engaging in sexual acts. You are correct that most of the psychological damage that occurs from such encounters comes from the shame that society places on the act rather than the act itself. But this should not in any way be construed as an excuse for anyone to have sex with a child or to think that it’s somehow okay. You are simply rationalizing so that you can tell yourself that it okay. Nature designed women to only be sexually attractive to men after they have reached puberty and only sever psychological issues can alter what we would normally find to be sexually attractive. You can argue all you want about how laws and even morals are very subjective but it does not change the fact that children (pre-puberty) were not designed to be having sex and they cannot consent to having sex. You can also point out that it’s the exact same mechanism that creates homosexuals that also creates pedophiles but you can’t get around that fact that homosexuals are having sex with consenting partners who are past the age of puberty. I personally don’t care what kind of sex people have in the privacy of their own homes as long as they are doing it with a consenting post puberty individual. By the way, I might have a little more respect for your ideas if they were at least your own. I can tell that most of what you’ve written are things you read in a book somewhere. They are not your own words. Try having some original thoughts why dont you.

I have read all of Donald's posts. It sounds like Donald likes them young, so he is trying to make the argument that if it is natural to have sex with the same sex that it is natural to have sex with children, even though he is not using that word. Bottom line, a pedophile can look like Brad Pitt or Megan Fox. The act of having sex with a child is wrong and a CRIME! There's nothing natural about it. Unless the law recognizes it as okay, it's not. So Donald, I would advise you to seek help if you do have those feelings.

@Donald: sexual equality refers to equality in the sexual relations between 2 consenting adults. Homosexuality refers to sexual relations between 2 consenting gay men or 2 lesbians. Pedophilia, by its very nature, does not refer to sexual relations between 2 consenting individuals because one of them in that "relationship" cannot give informed consent. So the answer is no, pedophiles should not have the same rights as homosexuals. Pedophiles prey on those among us who do not know, or are not mature enough to know, when to say "no." Whether pedophiles are born that way or not has no bearing on this argument.

Donald by law, there is no such thing as consensual consent with a minor. The child cannot legally give consent...it is considered rape whether the child consents or not.

I think realistic woman is correct, you are trying to justify your attraction to an underage girl, right?

@Realistic woman Thank you, I truly believe you have hit the nail on the head with that statement.

@Ken F-1996858

With all due respect your theory is flawed. You're assuming that a pedophile on the other hand rarely, if ever, has a willing partner because the negativitiy of pedophillia is always glorified. If these liberal news media sites started posting LOVE between minors and adults eventually the perspection on pedophillia would change. I agree children (pre-puberty) were not designed to be having sex but an anus was not designed to be have sex, either but it happens and some enjoy it. Homosexuals are having sex with consenting partners just like Pedophiles having sex with consenting responsible minors. The underlining factor here is gaining consent in an ethical manner. Homosexuals are asking for society to treat them normal because they are born gay and Pedophiles are asking society to treat them normal because they are born to be a Pedophile. Both sexual acts if done ethically and consenually cause no harm to the individuals involved in the sexual acts so then it must become a moral issue. If a responsible minor consents, the parent/guardian consents and the pedophiles consents to the relationship being appropriate then who is it offending?

I think pedophillia and homosexuality are both disgusting sexual acts but the reality is it happens. There are some minors whom enjoy and prefer sex with older adults, period!!

Donald – Okay now I see the problem. You are confusing pedophilia with underage sex. For example, your story of 13-year olds parents giving her permission to marry an older man has nothing to do with pedophilia. A 13 years old girl has gone through puberty and therefore is supposed to be sexually attractive to men and to be able to have children. Throughout most of mans history women married at around age 14. A pedophile is a person who is ONLY sexually attracted to a child who has NOT yet reached puberty – under 12 years old. The age of consent is an entirely arbitrary number but puberty is not arbitrary, its natures signal that we are ready to have sex. Get your facts straight please.

So all the bible will cure all bunch, hmm let see all these priest and preacher yes some were married and still gay and molesting children. Morals are not about the Bible morals are about the person. There are a lt of moral Buddist in the world and there a re a lot of moral gays in the world. No I am not gay don't really understand how someone can be I have always loved women, I have known gay guys that I worked with. One was extremely hard working with good work ethics. He left were I worked out because the head guy used his government job to screw everybody else over for his family, oh he was a big church goer too. He even made the remarks I don't care who quits I am going to look after my family. No ethics, I left his division for another division because I could not tolerate him for that. We tried to correct things by filing complaints but governments don't like to make waves and od what is right. Remember the next time you are thumping the bible if you see something like this and you don't try to do something about it you are not moral. A person is not moral on religion or sexual perference but on ther on conscience I have found. I have tried several times to fight injustice not because it helped me but the right thing to do. If you are gay live me alone and it is between to adults so what it is there choose. Children if you attracted to them and I don't see how a child is to be protected not abused anyone with any morals should feel that way. I have a child and no matter how old she gets I feel like as long as I can I should protect her but that is my moral it is not the bibles just read sodam and gomorrah he was going to give up his daughter to protect the angels. Sorry the angels can go to hell my daughter will alwasy come first.

@Donald: You don't get it. If the child involved was even mature enough to give informed consent, then it wouldn't be pedophilia. It would just be sex. Such would be the case of the 13-year-old child bride who knew what she was getting into. The point is that these children are not at that stage where they CAN give informed consent, thus all acts of pedophilia involve an adult preying on a minor.

@sparklystar

Sure there is something called a consensual consent with a minor. Have you ever heard of a "emanicapted" minor?

An emancipated minor is a child who is legally considered an adult

So I guess legally an "emanicapted" minor can have a open loving relationship with an adult but an "un-emanicapted" minor can't. Sounds like seperate but equal discrimination policy too me.

No, I have never had sex with a minor as an adult and not trying to cover anything up. Like I stated before I think pedophillia and homosexuality are both perverted sick sexual acts.

@Ken F-1996858

You say potato, I say potatoe. Regardless, both get the same amount of prison time for a sexual act with a minor.

Donald -

Yes you are absolutely correct on that point. Most of American society has come to confuse underage sex with pedophilia. And you are right that people are thrown in jail and falsely labeled as sexual perverts simply because they had sex with a women who happen to be below some arbitrary unit of age which by the way varies from 12 to 20 depending on what country you are in. Yes its a great injustice and in the fact I have been writing a blog about just that topic that will be put up this week. Still you should use the term underage sex rather than pedophilia, otherwise people who actually know the correct definition of the word pedophilia will think that you are condoning sex with 5 or 6 year old children.

@Ken F-1996858

I look forward too reading your post hopefully you keep it honest, unbiased, respectful and accurate.

You can count on it. "unbiased" is my middle name.

Realistic woman

@ Dina and Saddened - Great posts!

@Donald, you have some serious issues if you think that America has lowered its morals by allowing homosexuality. I take it that you do read your Bible, homosexuality has existed since the beginning of time. I challenge you to prove that it hasn't.

@Brian - you are a jerk.

This post up above contains a personal attack! I called a guy, or a gal a bonehead and got suspended yesterday! I assume that calling a person a jerk would be considered a personal attack too! Hmmm, I guess I'll have to wait and see if there's some consistency with the moderators here.

Brian, you are right, a lot of Americans have lowered the morals here by allowing and pampering homosexuals.

Disclaimer: This is no personal attack, but pure fact that I state here!

Perhaps I missed it, but I do want to point out that if a male adult sexually molests a male child, not only is it Pedophillia, it is homosexuality as well. The act of molestation or rape does not override the fact that one person is engaging in sexual relations with a person of the same sex. Whether the homosexual part is as bad as, or worse, than the pedophillia part, that is left to each person's opinion. I don't begrudge anyone's opinion on this subject any more or less than the next person. Some people find the idea of two people of the same sex repulsive. There are some good arguments as to why (biologically as well as psychologically) but to each their own. All I care about personally is that you don't flaunt it in front of me, or force me to accept you sexual preferences.

As for what is right or wrong in a situation of "not of age to consent legally", each state has it's own laws, but the fact is, you CAN go to jail for breaking those laws. In Montana, if both people in a sexual relationship are under 18, there is no law prohibiting it. If one person is 15 and the other 18, the 18 year old can go to jail, but not for life (I think 5 years is the max sentence). If one is 16 and the other within 3 years, then it is legal and not punishable as statutory rape. If one is 16 and the other more than 3 years older, then it IS statutory rape. So there are different scenarios, but believe me, a person can be jailed, with a LIFE SENTENCE for having sex with someone under 16 in this state. So an 18 year old senior dating a 16 year old Junior is OK, but if the 16 year old is a 15 year old Sophomore, he could go to jail for up to 5 years and be flagged as a sexual offender in the national database for the rest of his life. How many kids in high school are in this situation? I was, but it happened that I was 17 when I was a senior and she was 15.. so it was legal, but most of my friends were 18, and could have gone to jail. The letter of the law can be tricky and hold some harsh punishments for something that should not be considered bad. We are talking felony here, and not just a slap on the wrist.

My ex has a friend who is living with her, who has a son who is 30 now and getting out of jail after 5 years because he got drunk at a party and a 14 year old climbed into bed with him and had sex. Personally I think the guy deserved his sentence for sleeping with a 14 year old at the age of 25, but she even told the judge at his trial that she was the one who instigated it, that she lied about her age, and that it was her idea to have sex. But she is a minor and not able to legally consent, so he got 5 years in prison for it. I imagine many here would say he was screwed over by the law. I also imagine many would say he deserved what he got. In actuality it is irrelevant because it is the law, and also not really relevant to this article. I was just clarifying what people were arguing here.

BTW, I wonder if the kids even knew what was happening. I mean, we did stuff in grade school where we were blindfolded and stuff, and made to touch odd objects.. The objective was to show that with just touch you sense things differently. Perhaps that is all the kids ever thought was happening here. The article reads as if the sicko maybe put the insects in the picture (maybe put them on the kids but told them it was something else), or had them hold the spoon with semen in it, but to create some perverted image, not to actually make them do something they didn't want to do... I would not be one bit surprised if the kids didn't have the first clue what the guy was doing. hard to "blow the whistle" on the guy if even a kid didn't feel like he/she was ever violated in any way. Just an observation, I could be wrong here. And it doesn't excuse this pervert in any way...

My god, why are so many people being troll-ish today. First off, really, linking homosexuality with pedophilia??? Pedophiles look at and molest both boys and girls, not just their same sex, and two, whats wrong with being gay? I mean really, just because you grew up learning that gays are bad, or that if you aren't this image of normality you are a horrible person doesn't me you are right in any way. So to all of you bashing the homosexuals, is say STFU and stop being such a a*shole troll

P.S. I'm not homosexual, but i have friends that are, and have told me how they feel on stuff such as this.

Now onto the actual article, obviously this man should be given the largest sentence humanly possible. Its just disturbing to be doing something like this, especially in a public school. Though there may be underlying reasons, this is still one piece of messed up crap.

SALLY? Why didn't you suspend Realistic woman for calling a guy a jerk? That's a personal attack against another poster, isn't it? That's just as bad or worse as calling a person a bonehead like I did.

Hey, I understand Sally, you would rather just suspend a man for calling someone a name, but not a woman! I see how you operate here at this illicit chat board. Amazing!

"I look forward too reading your post hopefully you keep it honest, unbiased, respectful and accurate."

Unbiased? Donald Price, you're a homophobic biggot who equates homosexuality with pedophilia and keeps bringing up NAMBLA (in another discussion page) and in some twisted way advocates for pedophile rights more than the perverts themselves ("Scientific studies prove that the consenual minor is not harmed during the sexual encounter with the consenual adult but rather they are harmed when exposed to society views on pedophillia." (#10.15) "There are good and bad pedophiles just like there are good and bad homosexuals, etc.. The real issue here is gaining consent from all parties involved in a ethical manner." (#10.18) "Not all pedophiles TAKE advantage of vulnerable children. There are many countries around the world that an adult can marry what the U.S.A would deem as a minor, There are many instances were Pedophiles gain the consent of the minor, the consent of the parent/guardian and continue living a happy long life, etc..."). I'm actually more surprised that it gotten up to #9 or #10 without someone bringing up homosexuality aside from the fact that this was about a child predator having his way for this long right under their noses, than seeing you here.

"So I guess legally an 'emanicapted' minor can have a open loving relationship with an adult but an 'un-emanicapted' minor can't. Sounds like seperate but equal discrimination policy too me."

A minor is a minor regardless if they have been emancipated or not. Even if a kid can legally live on his own or sign paperwork without a parent present, doesn't mean a man or woman can have a sexual relationship with him, regardless if it's consentual or not. That will still be statutory rape.

Do you have anything that is accurate? Because I have not heard of any gay men preying after straight men in the way you described in #10.18 and we wouldn't support such sexual harrasment anyway.

did the union stand up for this "hard working public servant?" That is what BHO calls pubic employees, isn't it?

I'm not a Bible thumper, but if the rationale for allowing homosexuality and gay marriage is that they involve two consenting adults, then I don't see any reason why someone (male or female) wanting to marry their brother or sister (or their widowed/divorced mother or father, for that matter) should not be allowed to legally do so. Shouldn't this be considered merely a lifestyle choice also? Many people would find the idea repugnant, I'm sure, but that's true of gay marriage too. This may be the next "civil rights" issue we face.

@Augure666

Sure gay men prey after straight men in the way I described. My girlfriends gay friend watches a show called "Queer eye for the straight guy". Now if that's not self-explanitory then I don't know what else could be. The reality here is that homosexuality is just as natural as pedophillia and/or homosexuality is just as much of a perversion as pedophillia. As the LGBT community would say Love is Blind. Right? ...I think both sexual acts are disgusting but the reality is they both happen and the person's involved enjoy being perverted. If I accept homosexuals because they claim they are born gay then I must accept pedophiles because they claim thjey are born too commit pedophillia. I am not focusing on the negative connations of the acts, I am focusing on the sexual acts and they both are not natural.

If you ever watched Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, or at least looked it up, it's about gay men helping straight men become more pleasing to women by changing their grooming habits or the way they dress or making their place nicer, not trying to turn them gay or trying to hook up with them. I for one don't really watch gay TV shows, some of them have a few too many queeny stereotypes, but this is one of the better ones. Call them perverted all you want, more and more people are accepting of gays and lesbians as equals and most of the arguments against them are based on opinions and lies and homosexuals are no more likely to prey on children than the hetros. The fact of the matter is that homosexuality shouldn't even have been brought up in this discussion. It's about an abusive teacher who should have been brought to justice long ago and an even stronger need to talk to your children about personal boundries.

@Augure666

Queer Eye For The Straight Guy - So straight men need assistance from gay men to get females sexually attracted to them? but gay men are not sexually attracted too females so that really makes no sense at all. Sounds more like some soft of hidden agenda which usually is common within homosexuality. Not surprising too say the least.

Homosexuals are no more likely to prey on children than the hetroseuxals? Ummm no. Homosexuality is filled with perverted individuals thus the reasoning you don't like watching gay reality shows because it protrays the gay lifestyle not this alternative gay lifestyle that you want too exist. Anywayz most heterosexuals with any common sense will not leave their child alone with a gay person of the same-sex because they are already messed up in the head. Furthermore, when a pedophillia story breaks and a homosexual is exposed as the pedophile it is not a shocking develoment because again homosexuals were already messed up in the head too begin with. The reason pedophiles within the heterosexual community are exposed so rapidly and seems to be in excess is because the heterosexual community has less tolerance for such a perversion. However, homosexuals don't typically report pedophilia because they sympathize with them(google: NAMBLA) and/or most are pedophilles. **pot calling the kettle black**

The fact of the matter is that homosexuality should have been brought up because the adult in this scenario was abusing young boys. Boys + Men = Homosexuality.

Actually religion has a huge place in society other then the church, and like it or not (I assume not) it currently even has a place in the government. Not that I think all gays are pedophiles. I dont. And this man did sexually abuse little girls as well. Jesus loves you (I just said that not in a church). Ha.

"So straight men need assistance from gay men to get females sexually attracted to them? but gay men are not sexually attracted too females so that really makes no sense at all. Sounds more like some soft of hidden agenda which usually is common within homosexuality. Not surprising too say the least."

Eh, not really, it's more because straight guys are slobs with terrible fashion sense. Look at your photo. So, what is the gay agenda? I haven't read any gay magazines or books lately, so I don't know how they are taking over the world. Maybe putting a guy in A&F and Gucci clothes will turn them gay? Maybe the perfum those stores spray from the vents are turning guys into fags. Since I'm already gay, it mearly burns my sinuses. The reason I don't like reality shows is because they aren't reality. I kind of found Jerry Springer amusing because it's the only show I've ever seen that needed bouncers to pull apart the freaks trying to scratch each other's eyes out while the beaping of the bad language can probably be deciphered by someone proficient in morse code.

In all seriousness though, this teacher was abusing girls too, so this really has nothing to do with homosexuality. Oh, just in, a female teacher is caught taking suggestive pictures of students. No, homosexuals do not sympathize with NAMBLA anymore than the straights and googling them isn't going to tell me anything I don't already know about them: an organization of paederasts with no significant support and is really nothing more than a website today. Just bringing NAMBLA up is killing what ever creditablity you have in this discussion.

He obviously wanted to get caught on some level. After all, there is no reason to use film in this day and age. Many criminals subconcously do things that will evenetually lead to thier capture.

Just to head off the grammar police, I apologize for the typo, but I was in a big rush – I misspelled "subconsciously". Sorry to spoil your fun by beating you to the punch.

Snickerdoodle, he probably couldn't afford one on the low salary we pay teachers in this country. Sounds like we have another good arguement for keeping teacher pay low.

chuckles with Ken f over the grammar police. But they are probably going to get me for not capitalizing the "f" in his name.

Rincewind, actually a teacher in LA, teaching for 30 years was probably making pretty good money. I have a friend who taught there for 35 years and she just retired with a retirement of $90k annually..she taught 1st grade.

No crime is perfect. You make some research or deep concious investigation and you will find clues.

I'm sure it added to his perverse thrill to get the pictures developed.

You are right. It is called death penalty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I doubt that. An environment with no oversight I would imagine it happens more often in a home schooled environment. The difference is it's done by a sicko family member instead of a sicko teacher.

Yea, that's right, David, because we all know that children are NEVER molested in their own homes!

Unionized public employees are generally given a free pass if there is any doubt about them.....no oversight.

Not around the Unions I know. I should say, private sector not publicemployees. It seems like so many take all they can get, union or not, nowadays.

David

You might want to reconsider that statement. Happens quite frequently among the Omish.

Donald, yeah, 'coz Andrea Yates did not sexually molest her children while home schooling them. She just drowned them in the tub.

Probably happens more.

Sure, but when you're home schooled, the prom is just creepy. Who are the "Omish?"

I think he meant Amish.

Unfortunately, harsher sentences do nothing substantial to deter others from committing the same/similar crimes. If that were the case, no one would have committed any crimes during the middle ages after a short time -- talk about brutal punishments! Yet, people still did them, and the punishments got more and more creative... but people still broke the law. We have capital punishment today, but people still commit murder. Now... if you are talking harsher sentences as a purely punative measure, that's different...

No ...but why should we pay for their lifetime sentences. Don't need our penal system littered with those we never plan to rehabilitate or for which their is no rehabilitation. Cut your losses and burn the ba$tards.

Fortunately harsher sentencing like the death penalty removes those offenders from society FOREVER....and that's good enough for me. Their deaths don't have to be "creative" Saddened-1829725, just permanent.

What im wondering is, even if the parents didnt notice anything, why didnt the kids speak up? Especially after the guy had already been fired. I understand that after repetitive torture, the kids would have gone into shock. But i know that I would have bolted as soon as i saw him blindfold the first classmate. These kids just werent smart.

Saddened, not entirely true. If there were no penalties for any crime, it pretty much makes sense that crime would increase. Not a high crime rate in some of the middle eastern countries. If you are caught stealing, your hand is cut off. If you deal drugs, your put to death. This person can never be put back in to society again. Put pathetic people like molesters, rapists, and murderers to death.

Smrter than u- Who exactly are you smarter than? A twig? A pile of dog poo?

Children who are molested are often threatened with physical harm to either themselves or their loved ones. Kids also internalize EVERYTHING. They think that somehow this is their fault, that they caused this to happen to them. And predators know this and enforce these ideas on kids.

These kids were 6 years old. What on God's green Earth did you expect them to do?

BEST post on this board!

totally agree.....the guy taught at that school for 30 yrs.....I don't understand why, not one single child brought up any accusation to their parents in a 30 yr period?? You always hear stories of sickos doing things to children, so I've always been on guard with my kids when they were growing up, I checked with them all the time how their days went, always followed up with any minor incident and made sure they knew that it was okay to tell me anything and everything.

kudos to the film processor for speaking up, I feel terrible for the kids and their families.

i agree my third grader would have told me from day one most girls in the third grade are afraid of bugs especially bugs of that size

Sometimes children are afraid to tell. In some cases they think they're the ones who have done something bad. Sick people like this man are quite adept at manipulating children and this guy was probably a real pro. They use threats, rewards, all kinds of ways to get them to remain quiet. You also have to look at where this school was... I read another article and it said this: "Miramonte serves a poor, mainly Hispanic neighborhood. More than half of its approximately 1,400 students are still learning English, according to the school's website." The sad thing is that these children were easy prey and he capitalized on it. In my mind, that makes him even more of a monster.

you have a point Kat, but even with learning to speak English, many Latino families are very tight and closely knit - seems to me the kids would have no reason to be afraid to tell their mothers in their own language.

I'm sure you're right though, about what-ever threat the scumbag may have made to the kids - it apparently worked as no child came forward before this!

Sadly, a lot of kids are threatened with physical harm if they tell anybody. Or the perp will make threats against the entire family. Children are easily scared and these sickos know this and pray on it.

Well, Kat, all I can say is, he certainly picked the wrong state to pull this crap! The Hispanic gangs run the prisons in California and they 'aint gonna take too kindly to what this POS did. There is no way he's gonna be protected -- even in protective custody, they'll find a way to get to him (and soon, I hope -- this POS has lived long enough). This is the first time in my life that I'll be giving a "thumbs up" and "high five" for gang violence!

kat (nice name, btw) - I don't think anyone in any prison regardless of their state or nationality would take too kindly to this POS. He wouldn't be around for too long, I bet.

all the kat's are confusing me!

the kids were blind folded weren't they? Thei didn't know he was putting bugs on them.

And unfortunately, this scumbag (the guy from the article, not any poster) had an even more afraid bunch of students... He probably threatened them with INS to keep them quiet..... Even if all his students were legal, INS is scary to some children and a huge threat to some families...

This guy was reported in '87 (and tried and found innocent) and reported in '90.

Some private schools offer this ( camera so parents can watch from work or home) but in a unionized public school the idea would not be accepted by Unions. They don't want their members to have oversight or the chance anyone will disapprove of their work.

Teachers Unions do not want scrutiny.

Don't blame unions for problems like this. If they can't figure out a way to do it in a classroom, they will find some other place to accomplish what they want. Like a basement. Or a hotel room.

Or, this guy could have been picking kids up off the street, and then suddenly they disappear. But, I guess that you would then, also, blame unions for blocking the police investigation. Right?

Republicans always look to blame unions for problems.

@Willing - who cares what the Teachers Unions want!! They get paid with tax dollars, too, and if the public demands it, then the public gets it! If cameras in the classroom will protect these kids, then that's what we need to demand. This is absolutely disgusting.

Then they should have camera's in every job. Not just public jobs but private ones because crimes happen there two. 1984 two early a date. What his guy did was sick, but not every teaching is hiding in the bush molesting children. The gravity of what he did is indeed shocking but most teachers are there because they love the job. Personally, I for one would not one to be a teacher it is crap job. Mainly because you have to listen to people tell you how to do your job. I know you would apprieciated it if a ton of your customers came in and told you how to do your job constantly.

Stop generalizing. Not all teachers are bad infact a great majority of them are very hard working. They are doing the thankless job teaching your kids, when you have probably never volunteered once at your kids school. Chaprone lately? Assembled a PTA when there wasn't any trouble. If people would start becoming friends with their students teachers then maybe it wouldn't be up to little kids to have guess if their teacher is ok. You would have plenty of chances to find that out yourself, but wait I am to busy to be concern about my kid until $@#! happens.

It says, Berndt was fired immediately after the investigation began. Which means a year ago right, because that is when they found the pictures? Therefore you can't fire teachers and principle because they got him out of there right away. Now they just need to stick it to his @$$ literaly. Nasty bastard.

Warrior-1

Therefore you can't fire teachers and principle because they got him out of there right away.

Exactly.. they did their part and cooperated with the police.... you can't go back and fire them now, when they followed procedure... that would be silly and might actually make the next administrator think twice before doing the right thing, which would be horrid!

I hope this guy gets beat the hell up and ass f&%#ed everyday in prison! Of course he'll probably be in protective custody though ): / Sick motherf%&#@!!!

I agree. There is no curing pedophiles. It is always a matter of time before they find another victim. Murder and sex crimes should not be tolerated in our society and we should start thinning our herd of these individuals. Especially repeat offenders and cases with no doubt what so ever.

You know what? I truly believe that the death penalty would be a deterrent to these bastards, because the molestation of a child is not a crime of passion, but a carefully thought out, long-term plan. Most of them would rethink their plans if the penalties were tough enough, or even fatal!! The problem in this country has been that most of them get a slap on the wrist or probation. It's only recently that the laws against pedophiles have been toughened. I think a long or permanent sentence -- in general population -- would be quite effective.

The death penalty would not be a real deterrent. It would only lead to a lot of dead and missing kids. It's hard to prove a crime happened if there's no evidence, such as a corpse. I believe that good old-fashioned jailhouse justice (savage hardcore man-love in general population) would be a much more suitable punishment.

I have a better idea. DO NOT KILL but instead use people like this for medical lab testings instead of rats and monkeys. We do not have to torture and kill innoscent animals on the name of medical testing.

We can use people like this for that purpose which is a better way instead of over crowding jails and spend tax dollars maintaining them.

kskrish.... you might be onto something with that one.... labs do need human test subjects....

I agree. As much as I hate to admit that.

But the article doesn't specify whether the parents involved actually knew... I am assuming they were willing to cooperate with the police and not talk about it, because they want this sicko prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.... I know I could be quiet if it meant a guarenteed prosecution.

I vote for bringing back stoning in this case ..... he should be subject to a public stoning!

The reason that child victims of predators often do not tell is because the sick bast#rds threaten them with even more unspeakable horrors if they tell.

The threats and the fact that they were blindfolded.... he made it a sick game and these poor kids didn't know what was happening.

Since child molesters groom their victims they know exactly what they are doing pick the most innocent naive child and have their way with them...LAUSD is a cesspool and I can't wait for those disgusting vile pieces of human garbage who stood by and did nothing to protect these kids all face the most severe of punishment we have under our current legal system. ALL of them will get to collect pensions for life and financially ruin this state but throw out the garbage. ALL they care about is protecting their own interests not the care of the children. The system is broken and failed it's children and harmed them for a lifetime. IDIOTS in charge and co-workers too afraid or worried about loosing their jobs. HOW SELFISH.

because sandusky can't hide...and, in fact, would be safer in prison

This guy had many more victims...and lots more people helping him hide his dirt.