Why did a little girl have to die?

1. I’m with you. And not just because of this case, but the many more reasons this place is dumb. When do we leave?

2. As much as I agree with how disappointed I am, the right answer is not for everyone with half a brain to move.

3. I sincerely hope you don’t have to learn it the hard way, but the mentalities that led to this tragedy are a lot more universal than any of us would like to believe. If you can find a place where the idiots of the world cannot affect you (other than a refurbished Titan missile silo in Kansas) please let the rest of us know.

4. First off, everyone with a profession is considered a “professional”. So get off your high horse.

   Secondly, that girl made her own choices to drink and to kill herself.

   Third, I bet her mother would have something to say about who was there for her. I think she supported and helped her daughter as best she could.

   Leave our city, we don’t need narrow minded thinkers like you here.

5. First, the Captain would like to thank you for grouping everyone in the city into your narrow minded “you all killer her” outlook. I guess you never realized that 98% of the cities population had no idea this girl existed until after she killer herself, and most people aren’t exposed to the dark teen sub-culture that precipitated this event.

   Second, Ivan is unfortunately correct. These problems are much more prevalent than you assume. Do you not watch the news? Even just this morning there was far more gruesome, and troubling stories about rape than R.P.’s was.

6. Sure OP. Let us back here know where you and your elitist partner end up will ya. i’m curious to know where no such tradgedy’s happen.

7. This city didn’t fail her. This city is made up of people, like every other place on the planet. Sometimes, as humans.. we make mistakes, sometimes humans are horrible people and sometimes people just don’t care.. I could go on. What happened was terrible, it shouldn’t have been handled the way it was (in my opinion). However.. the people who worked the case are the ones who failed.. not the whole city.

8. My dear, the grass is always greener on the other side… Bye!

   Now, at the Otherside Coffeeshop in Amsterdam, the grass is SO much better than in Halifax!

9. C’mon folks, lets be real. It DOES kinda suck here, admit it. I’m not saying move west or anything, but there are other places in NS itself that are better living than around HRM. With the internet you’re never really cut off from supplies and provisions (shopping etc) and most small towns have their own truly local farmer’s markets… Heck, no matter where you are in NS you’re never more than 3-6 hours from HRM if its important enough for a trip.

10. I think it’s time to be honest with ourselves Halifax. As a Haligonian who was born here and educated in Nova Scotia and has lived in several other cities, we must admit, Halifax there is a problem here. The root of the problem is indifference. I first began to really feel it when we lost Kaylin Diggs and no one came forward out of several witnesses. Then when the chained teen case came to light and the perpetrator was found to be let out after he had abused two toddlers over a year earlier. Now this young girl who truly deserved better. I think it is callous and narrow minded to say that she deserved what happened to her because she was drinking. If that’s the case then the majority of this city who is drunk on the weekends deserved the same treatment. Are we going to continue to blame the victims. Our government and police force do the bare minimum because we have taught them we don’t care. We don’t vote, we don’t say anything when bad things happen to the people around us and so we have taught our government that they are free to do what they want. Only when the world heard of the incident was the government embarrassed into reopening the case.
    I truly believe that the majority Of this city are good people. The problem is we are too self involved. We only seem to care about our own children and when these things happen to other peoples children we are just relieved its not happening to ours. The problem is that this is a small city and the same people who are hurting people are eventually going to affect someone close to you. If something is not done soon, there may be someone close to you who is gone too soon.

11. Dawson so you’re saying if a girl drinks, 4 dudes have every right to gang rape her?

    I just want it on record that this guy made a public claim to this effect. I also think if he EVER produces children he should be watched. Very closely.

12. captain this isn’t the problem. Of course nobody knew SHE existed. She was just another citizen. BUT THIS ISN’T AN ISOLATED STORY.

    Leaving here won’t solve anything. Bullshit, the Entity exists everywhere. But I can’t help but agree with op on the prevailing attitude floating around. It is the same attitude that banned sunday shopping for YEARS after most places institutionalized it. It is the same attitude that creates sociopathic thinkers like Dawson (drunk girls ask for it and should be treated like cheap blowup dolls to teach them a lesson in morality). It is the same attitude that sees those weirdos parading outside the VG with scowls on their faces trying to deny folks the medical care they feel they need.

    I am not a feminist. I find feminists annoying actually. But you can’t deny there is a weird attitude about human rights around here. can’t quite put my finger on it. But it’s the book-banning, slut-shaming kind of attitude that makes us look like hillbillies.

13. “BUT THIS ISN’T AN ISOLATED STORY” – Yeah, that’s what I said. Although I do believe that a lot of people were ignorant to the way kids behave today, which is why there’s been so many disgusted people. Not just outraged and angry… disgusted.

    “It is the same attitude that creates sociopathic thinkers like Dawson” Sociopathic Thinkers AND Drinkers, crayons. We’ve got them in droves out here.

    And we DO look like a bunch of hillbillies sometime.

14. Hey now… that was Cole Harbour not Halifax.

    And what Cranky said.

15. and btw Dawson. Here is your definition of professional:

    From wikipedia. Still..

    Definition
    The main criteria for professionals include the following:
    Expert and specialized knowledge in field which one is practising professionally.[7]

    Excellent manual/practical and literary skills in relation to profession.[8]

    High quality work in (examples): creations, products, services, presentations, consultancy, primary/other research, administrative, marketing, photography or other work endeavours.

    A professional is an expert who is a master in a specific field.
    [edit]

    Trades
    In narrow usage, not all expertise is considered a profession. Although sometimes referred to as professions, occupations such as skilled construction and maintenance work are more generally thought of as trades or crafts. The completion of an apprenticeship is generally associated with skilled labor or trades such as carpenter, electrician, mason, painter, plumber and other similar occupations. A related distinction would be that a professional does mainly mental or administrative work, as opposed to engaging in physical work.

    So dawson you were wrong about that too.

    God. No wonder you’re so angry. You must get tired of saying dumb shit all the time. Of course instead of just not talking, you blame everyone else. (Such as “Girls deserve to get raped if they get drunk.”)

16. Dawson! Nice pic! I am gonna save it and post it on my facebook with a caption quoting you. Have a good one, bud. Young Republican lookin motherfucker

17. There is no Utopia, except for Mr. Meaty’s description of Amsterdam – *sigh*

18. I dunno TTFN.. there is my kitchen the morning of Bacon Day. That’s a pretty perfect place.

19. interestingly enough, Bacon Day happens in halifax…

    There is good everywhere.

20. This happens all over the place. There’s a pretty much word for word same circumstances case in California that’s also in the news. Girl’s name was Audrie Pott.

    I can’t judge you for wanting to leave. I can’t wait to gtfoh, even before this story broke. Just know that murders, suicides, all types of assaults happen everywhere, and the best way to make sure your kid doesn’t end up being a victim or an aggressor is to talk to them about uncomfortable topics such as consent, bullying, respecting other people as human beings and speaking up for what’s right even when it’s not popular.

    I came up through the public school system here, in Dartmouth at that, and I can tell you the vast majority of kids I went to school with were good kids who wouldn’t be able to look in the mirror if they ever partook in bullying a girl for her sex choices or for being the victim of a sexual assault or really for any reason. I’m pretty sure kids today are even more accepting and progressive than we were in my day (I graduated ’05)

    There are POS’s everywhere and good people everywhere. You can only do so much to keep your child safe, but if you do the right things they are at no more risk of ending up in the news as anyone else.

    But seriously, go for it. Abhorrent crimes happen everywhere but at least other places might have more opportunity for your children than Halifax. I find it hard not just to find job prospects here when you’re young, but also to find things you’re into if your hobbies/interests fall even a hair outside of the mainstream. Halifax is just stuffy, boring and predictable imo, and we aren’t a particularly happy or healthy bunch.

21. We need a holiday in February – why not Bacon Day?

22. Troll Day?

23. Holy overreaction Batman! You honestly believe that gang rapes and bullying don’t happen elsewhere if not everywhere? Yes this girl was let down by the authorities, inaction by a school waiting for the police to finish their “investigation”. The sad thing about this is that it takes these type of events to garner change.

24. If you don’t believe kids get drunk and/or high, or not, or have sex or take pictures of themselves and put them out into cyberspace, then you are naive. Why charges weren’t laid for the pictures is mindboggling. For those stating the pics prove sexual assault, it does nothing of the sort. All it would show is people having sex. It will not tell you if there was consent or if the people were sober or not. Physical evidence was washed away. Unfortunately police do not interrogate any more as the lefties deemed it be politically incorrect, they are now called interviews. Further, police aren’t allowed to use rubber hoses anymore. If one doesn’t want to talk, they do not have to. Add to that the Hug A Thug Act. Not saying it is right, just saying that is the way it is.

    Remember the parents probably think their kids are angels, just like the relatives of the alleged Boston Marathon bombers.

25. BTW that happens in small towns, big cities, all races, religion and both boys and girls are actively involved.

26. Bro tim. Is there nothing that can be done to charge these boys? I’m asking honestly because I don’t understand why no charges have been laid?
    Is it because there’s no evidence proving this happened? I understand your statement about the picture, but if a child claims they were molested it seems to get a hell of a lot of attention without proof, just a child’s word against an adult, but in this case no one took this child’s word at all? We’re these boys and their families even interviewed? Has any students at all come forward backing up this story? What does the police need to make this case? And why aren’t they asking the public for help?

27. Remember that the Crown has to prove its case “beyond a reasonable doubt” It’s not a matter whether she was believed or not but what can be proved. All a defence attorney has to do is bring in just one reasonable doubt. In a case like this, since there is no physical evidence (pictures do not tell if the sex was consented to or not and those involved are the age of consent for sex), it really comes down to a he says, she says. She could have consented to the sex and when she saw the pictures or when the sex was done she felt remorse and wanted to protect herself and cried rape. I AM NOT saying that happened but it can bring in a reasonable doubt and the accused could be acquitted. This is why people who have witnessed this or any other crime have to come forward and make statements so the criminal be thrown in jail and for the victim not to wash and get themselves to the hospital for a rape kit test.

    There is a lot of emotion in regards to this case and when people get emotional, they make mistakes. This is why you seldom see police officers or prosecutors show any emotions, they can’t afford to make mistakes as they only get the one chance to nail someone in court.

28. Please Exodus, enlighten us. What did you do to try to help this girl? What’s that? You did nothing?
    Get over yourself. Life is a bitch, unfortunate and cruel things happen everywhere. Although I hear Pyongyang, North Korea is nice this time of year. You should move there.

29. Real Chick, thanks for asking your questions in a calm and rational manner.

    My understanding is that interviews did take place but all that means is that the police talked and whether the suspects said anything or not, we don’t know but the chances are they said nothing as is their right to do so. It would appear that someone finally came forward (most likely to the massive media exposure in this case) and reopened the case (as it would in any other case) but as to what that information is and how it can be followed up, we don’t know and the police aren’t saying at this time. It may be enough to go forward with charges or it may not. As I have said sexual assaults are one of the hardest cases to make because in most cases the victims washes away physical evidence. It is very understandable why they do so because who would want that crap on them any longer than necessary and not to mention the emotional trauma they go through. I wish there was an easier way to investigate sexual assault but there isn’t.

    As for the parents, well how many times have you seen, heard, and/or read parents. relatives and friends saying how good of a person the accused was and that they got the wrong person. People do not want to think bad of those close to them. You call yourself Mama Bear and you know what a bear or any animal will do to protect their kids and humans are no different.

30. “Unfortunately police do not interrogate any more as the lefties deemed it be politically incorrect, they are now called interviews. Further, police aren’t allowed to use rubber hoses anymore.”

    GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    It wasn’t the “lefties” that took away your “investigation techniques”. It was proof that the police abused there power to gain confessions from INNOCENT PEOPLE instead of doing actual INVESTIGATING, that had your “privileges” were taken away. So I can gather from your comment, that if you we’re allowed to arrest a bunch of CHILDREN and “interrogate” them with rubber hoses, the outcome would have been different, right Tim?

    I am glad that there is a charter out there to protect people from the likes of you and your buddies in blue. I don’t know what makes you think that it is your job to run around like the Gestapo, torturing and jailing whomever you deem fit.

    Unfortunately, it was not only the police investigation, or lack thereof, that created the “perfect storm” of emotional torture that preceded this poor girls suicide. It was a total breakdown of the school system, police, and governments ability to police the cruelty of children. Her parents had exhausted all the avenues available to them, but were left to deal with this on their own. Societies failure? Yes!!! But there was nothing that “rubber hoses” would have even remotely helped. Your idea of justice is embarrassing, and belongs buried in the history books. If you wanna be that kind of cop, move to the states and wrap yourself in the “Patriot Act”.

31. I will always stand by my cubs. I would make them right a wrong though and make sure they know that the truth would inevitably set them free (that’s if they feel remorse of course). I just pray that they will always respect others and do what’s right. I couldn’t imagine what any of these families are going through. But I pray that some of these kids who saw something come forward and justice is served. I was unfortunately raised by a dad who always told me to mind my own business. Total old school mentality.

32. OP, you’re a dumb ass and that’s all I have to say to you.

    What happened to Rehteah was a tragedy and I’ve said all I have to say about it on another post. With regard to the indifference/apathy that this city suffers…I’d say I first felt it WAY back when a friend was shot in the back of his head walking home. Jason Mccullough, you still hear about him from time to time. No arrest, witness’ (despite dozens of people in the area at the time of the shooting), suspects..nothing. He wasn’t even robbed. Just shot.

    If you think moving away from Halifax will shield you and your children from the dregs of society, then by all means, sparticus, GTFO.

33. Absolutely rape and bullying happen everywhere.

    This is why op directed his or her bitch at the JUSTICE SYSTEM.

    REEEAAADDD it again. I think op may have overreacted but I think it’s painfully clear that this bitch isn’t targeting the scum of society. It’s targeting those who are supposed to clean it out.

34. I like the australia technique.

    Except instead of a balmy, tropical island, I propose sending them to antarctica. Why should the USEFUL element feel it has to leave?

    why not ex-communicate the losers? Let them be each others’ problems?

35. I’ve been here most of my life OP, I’ve got my own stories to add, I’m gone once the next mortgage term is up. Probably moving somewhere here in Newfoundland. Good for you to clue in early.

36. “Bacon day”
    “Exile the Scum”

    Screw the mayoralty. Crayons is my write-in candidate next federal election.
    RAWK!

37. I just RRRREEEEAAAAAD it again and didn’t see any mention of the justice system. Anywhere. At all. Just a lot of masturbatory comments about affluent spending habits and going to live somewhere else, to grace another city with their presence because “You fucked up, Halifax”. And yeah, I stand by what I said – GTFO.

38. So now some want to bully me for playing devils advocate?
    Adding to what I said only makes you creative, not intelligent.
    If you have to hide behind false names to spread your ideas on the internet, you should evaluate why you need to remain unknown.

39. If you are allergic to sulphur and pitchforks, playing devils advocate is probably not a good fit for you. And real names are over-rated considering the relative ease with which they can be legally changed.

    Short answer, a “reasonable” consequence of underage drinking should be nothing more severe than a wicked headache and puke stained shoes the next day. NOT gangrape,and being hounded to death by your counterparts.

40. @ hoist: I remember that case well. One if the most disturbing unsolved crimes in metro. The sad and frustrating thing is that the police know who did it, but cannot prosecute because no witnesses will come forward and testify. They circulated sketches of the suspects on the front page of the newspaper at one point, yet nobody talked. They questioned one of the suspects in the sketches, but still, nobody talked. ‘Word on the street’ had the shooter pegged, but they can’t prosecute based on hearsay. Very sad, and so frustrating that there are people out there protecting him.

41. “So now some want to bully me for playing devils advocate?”

    They are bullying you because they can’t constructively debate your opinion. Stupid people can’t debate equally stupid people.

42. Please see my “THAT TRAGIC AND DISTURBING SITUATION”, OR: ON THE ROOTS OF MISOGYNY” (04/13, 11:41AM) on “Stop Blaming the police for societal issues,” April 11, 12:01PM).

    Thank you very much.

    A pleasure as always.

    Cheerio!

43. Oh, nooooooo.
    Sorry.

    Weetabix!

    dB

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