WAG Discussion of abuse in USAG - Nassar

[SMH]

That is was unprofessional, she was unbiased and that she did all of it for the media attention (judge Judy was named in this comment) to say a few

She went out of her way during sentencing to say that although she had piles of requests from the media, she wouldn’t be making any appearances and when/if she did it would be with a survivor by her side, because it was their story.

 

[Lunde]

(Not a lawyer, and someone who is feel free to correct any misstatements) Something that seems to be misunderstood about this is that is was not a trial. He plead, and this was a sentencing hearing. Part of his plea deal was to allow victims beyond the ones in this specific case to read their statements (the alternative, to my limited understanding, would probably have been trials for 100+ victims). The judge herself said in her statements that she was fully prepared for this to go to trial and to act impartially, but he chose to plead instead, admitting to the horrific acts and then compounding it with that letter, which made it clear he had no understanding or remorse. She was somewhat more dramatic than might be the usual, but given that he took a guilty plea, it was not out of line.

I think that one of the issues is that plea deals like the one that Nassar struck are not common or legal in many other countries

 

[Deleted member 14190]

Meanwhile bill Cosby is working again .... talk about unbelievable

 

[TumbleTimes4]

Kathy Klages claimed that the images were planted - totally disgusting

EAST LANSING — Former MSU women's gymnastics coach Kathie Klages told the mother of a current gymnast in December that the child pornography the FBI said it found on Larry Nassar's computers and hard drives may have been planted, an attorney confirmed Wednesday.​

https://www.freep.com/story/news/lo.../kathie-klages-msu-gymnastics-coach/97958394/

Please tell me that this woman will face criminal charges. She had the power over 20 years ago to stop this monster. Because of her, the number reported is 150, instead of 2, reported being the key word.

 

[Texasmomof3]

As a part of the plea bargain agreement he entered with the prosecutor's office, he agreed to allow any victim who wanted to come forward and make a statement. This was agreed before the judge was involved in the process.

Also, in the US we have an open court system and the First Amendment protects journalists' access to court proceedings. The presence of the media is because of national interest, not because the judge invited them.

The other thing to keep in mind is that this portion of the trial was after he admitted guilt and pleaded guilty. So the judge was not supposed to be impartial to him. He was sitting there as an admitted child molester and rapist. Her role was not to impartially weigh his guilty or innocence, but to hear the impact of his crimes and then sentence him.

 

[Deleted member 18037]

Others can “claim” they were planted. He can claim they were “planted” and you don’t take a plea deal unless you know the evidence is so strong a conviction is a given.

I’m sure he was set up nicely. By the authorities. And they had all their I’s dotted and T’s crossed.

 

[Deleted member 18037]

Others can “claim” they were planted. He can claim they were “planted” and you don’t take a plea deal unless you know the evidence is so strong a conviction is a given.

I’m sure he was set up nicely. By the authorities. And they had all their I’s dotted and T’s crossed.

And to be clear, I’m well aware that many innocent people get railroaded into making deals.

They are typically lacking adqueadte representation, alongwitha host of other issues.

This is not the case here. I’m sure he had more then adequate legal counsel.

 

[Flippin'A]

And to be clear, I’m well aware that many innocent people get railroaded into making deals.

They are typically lacking adqueadte representation, alongwitha host of other issues.

This is not the case here. I’m sure he had more then adequate legal counsel.

Couldn't agree more. We have plenty of issues with our legal system, but those issues don't surface with a wealthy, well-connected, well-respected man who was given so much benefit of the doubt throughout his life that he was practically drowning in it.

And yes, I've seen all sorts of comments (from people in the US, too) saying the judge was too dramatic or the women were too dramatic or saying most of the women who chose to speak were just getting on the bandwagon. There was even a comment this morning on a twitter post where a man berated Aly for wearing a low cut dress on the Today Show. Some people just don't get it. But I also saw that the sentencing inspired Icelandic gymnast Tinna Odinsdottir to come forward about her own rape. People can make their little comments, but the world-wide ripple of those brave women and the judge who allowed them to speak is already being felt and I just have to remind myself that's all that matters.

 

[Flyaway]

Seems the centralized system for elite gymnastics was a big part of the problem. Why continue to try to duplicate the system by moving and finding a new gym to replicate the ranch?

Maybe scrap the entire centralized system and just base qualifications for major international meets on performance at qualifying trials/meets.

Maybe you can argue that the centralized system is why the women are so much more successful than the men but I'd athletic success worth this type of abuse?

I would like to see more discussion about the centralized system and whether it can be reworked in a way that still produces champions but in a healthy way. Shannon Miller, whom I believe was in the last group of gymnasts that went to the Olympics prior to the centralized system, (someone correct me if I'm wrong) mentioned in the article I linked above that she would like there to be conversation about this. Perhaps USAG is already discussing this, but I haven't seen anything beyond speculation and since they are actively looking for a new location for the camps, I'm guessing the plan is to continue in some form or another.

 

[PRY9]

From the online comments I've seen, I agree that many people not paying attention before yesterday didn't realize this was not a trial. I thought the judge was amazing all through the Victim Impact Statements. I did think a few of her comments yesterday were over the top and unfortunate - such as "it is my honor and pleasure to sentence you" and I've signed your death warrant" - not that they were horrendously unprofessional for completely out of line, but because they have become the focus and a bit of a distraction.

Interestingly,someone that said her comments and attitude toward the defendant were not nearly as harsh as what they have seen from other judges in other sentencings. I haven't watched other ones to have something to compare it to.

 

[strawberries]

I was thinking this morning about the tension between getting swept along with these girls’ stories (and feeling too emotional and sentimental), and maintaining a cynical, sophisticated, detachment. I struggle with this line.

Then I remembered a very old friend who literally owed his life to AA. He talked about how important the meetings were, how important it was to “keep coming back.” Over and over. Multiple times a week for years. For a lifetime.

Much of what was done at those meetings was telling and listening to stories so the alcoholics didn’t forget what can happen. Sophisticated, accomplished men and women telling their stories. Again and again.

It reminded me that the stories ARE important to remember, to keep listening to, to not forget the pain and the danger. To not forget how lives are destroyed if we don’t stay vigilant, if we become cynical.

 

[Deleted member 18037]

Then I remembered a very old friend who literally owed his life to AA. He talked about how important the meetings were, how important it was to “keep coming back.” Over and over. Multiple times a week for years. For a lifetime.

Much of what was done at those meetings was telling and listening to stories so the alcoholics didn’t forget what can happen. Sophisticated, accomplished men and women telling their stories. Again and again.
.

To be sure if we don’t learn from history we will repeat it.

But a 12 step program is much more then hearing the stories.

It’s keep coming back. It (the program/steps) works if you work it.

 

[strawberries]

To be sure if we don’t learn from history we will repeat it.

But a 12 step program is much more then hearing the stories.

It’s keep coming back. It (the program/steps) works if you work it.

Oh, absolutely! I am very familiar with the entire program and have a great deal of respect for it. I assumed others were familiar as well. I was just reflecting on the important role the stories played, as it seemed related to the topic here.

 

[HoldThePhone]

Things are about to get even more interesting...

https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...ays-resign-federation-decertified/1068099001/

 

[Flyaway]

Things are about to get even more interesting...

https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...ays-resign-federation-decertified/1068099001/

Yeah, so what happens if the board doesn’t resign and USAG is decertified? Does anyone think the board won’t resign? What would happen on the club level?

 

[HoldThePhone]

If USAG is decertified, there is no point of USAG. I foresee them all resigning.

 

[Aussie_coach]

The requirement that USA gymnastics complies fullynwith the investigation into whether or not people were aware of Nassar’s behaviour is going to lead to more criminal charges for sure. There is no way that nobody knew this was going on, for such a long time.

 

[ProvB]

Klages, Geddert and the other trainers it was reported to need to be at the top of that list.

 

[Deleted member 14190]

Yeah, so what happens if the board doesn’t resign and USAG is decertified? Does anyone think the board won’t resign? What would happen on the club level?

They will no longer be a part of the elite world or the selection process for deciding who competes for the USA . Meaning they lose all power.... who ever takes control over that will gain much of the business if not all. Even when they all resign, USAG is still in for a long and very expensive decade of lawsuits.... I suspect they will go bankrupt and restructure...

 

[tomtnt]

Any potential impact at the JO level? Particularly with regards to nationals this year? I'm going to presume there won't be a JO national camp this year for top finishers.. how about Nastia cup first week of march- Is that USAG related and sponsor dependent at all?