Peers respected Ratcliff
Peers respected Ratcliff
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Sat Oct 27, 2007 05:15:13 CDT
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Sun Jul 27, 2008 08:19:50 CDT
Ratcliff duped those who didnt deal with him on a daily basis. There are employees and former employees who can bring to light many instances for which Ratcliff and his crew of "top managers" should be held accountable for. Lies, coverups, threatenting employees with firing for doing the right thing instead of assisting in underhanded dealings. Every female employee should have been interviewed and asked if they had ever been approached by "certain ranking officers." How many DWIs were covered up? How many family violence cases were covered up? How may family members of his highest ranking officers were given special treatment against department policies when they landed in jail? Why were inmates transported to other facilities for temporary housing hours prior to "surprise" inspections by jail standards inspectors to get a bogus 100% grade? Which former patrol sergeant witnessed a local state trooper putting handcuffs of Ratcliff for DWI in a county owned vehicle? Respect no way. FEAR AND INTIMIDATION. The fact that so many of his employees had ties to this area and knew if they spoke out against their employer they would be "blackballed" and never work in law enforcement anywhere nearby. Thats not respect. And for those whom will comment on this.........yeah I was there and many of my friends can back these statements up.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 01:28:13 CDT
Strawberry: Anyone can be a victim. Period.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 01:25:16 CDT
justiceforall...you are right, there are 2 sides to every story but it seems that you and your good friend sureursmart think that because a victim hasn't led a perfect life that they can't be telling the truth. that's where you and him are wrong. as far as Ratcliff being handsome, that is your own choice, sickening as that comment from you is....
Tue Oct 30, 2007 01:22:16 CDT
Strawberry: Justice for all--even you if you were ever charged with something. Is that hypocritical of me? I'm fair or you?
Tue Oct 30, 2007 01:19:49 CDT
Strawberry: Ratcliff is handsome in my eyes. You don't have to think so, that's OK. I don't think he forced himself on anyone. And you shouldn't either until it's proven. What do you know about how the family has suffered. If you knew, why didn't you insist that charges be filed a long time ago. Hypocrite? Do you believe there are 2 sides 2 every story or only 1? Look in the mirror--did you cover something up?
Tue Oct 30, 2007 01:14:15 CDT
justiceforall...aren't you the one who wrote, and I quote "Mr. Ratcliff is a very handsome man and I don't believe he would have to force himself on someone to get sex! Give him a break!" I believe you wrote that yesterday. Now if that isn't a sick mind I don't know what is. You talk about justice for Ratcliff's family. What about the victims family. You don't know what they have been going through the last 10 years or what the victim has been going through now do you? I think you "justiceforall" name should be changed. You don't care about justice for all. Maybe it should be "hyprocrite" or something along those lines. I think you and sureursmart know each other, maybe a liitle too well!
Tue Oct 30, 2007 01:08:56 CDT
Strawberry: Why do you hate him so much? Is it wrong to want to hear both sides of the story?
Tue Oct 30, 2007 01:05:38 CDT
strawberry: I feel sorry for victim of sexual abuse, domestic violence, etc. I also feel sorry for people who's name is dragged through the mud on charges which have yet to be proven and may never be proven. Let's not forget: Ratcliff may be innocent. How will people feel then? Sorry about the heartache and shame that he and his family have felt?
Tue Oct 30, 2007 01:00:29 CDT
justiceforall...and i can guarantee you the charges are not politically motivated, wake up! you must not know anything about sexual abuse or victims of sexual abuse. ignorance is BLISS!!!
Tue Oct 30, 2007 00:52:00 CDT
Strawberry: I am just as convinced in my heart that these charges are politically motivated and Ratcliff is a victim of lies, gossip and malicious rumors.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 00:50:06 CDT
T Strawberry1: If the charges are proven, the victim will see justice done to Ratcliff. Until then, the charges are not proven and Ratcliff is innocent until proven guilty.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 00:44:20 CDT
justiceforall...where was justice for the victim? you will be real surprised to find out just how guilty Ratcliff is, this I know in my heart.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 00:41:45 CDT
to sureursmart...again may I say, it's not a matter of anyone being homosexual, it's a matter of someone in authority using his "power" and getting by with what Ratcliff has gotten by with. It's time to stop this madness and coverup that has gone on for so long. Why doesn't someone check his family background? Maybe you will find some perverse actions that were done to him when he was young.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 00:35:42 CDT
These charges are politically motivated and he will be found "innocent" when all is said and done. Mark my words.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 00:29:42 CDT
My error in wording. I'll edit to what it should read.Time to go to sleep!
Tue Oct 30, 2007 00:24:38 CDT
Were there others above the age of consent? I wasn't aware.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 00:20:37 CDT
http://www.youtube.com/watc...U FOLKS R SCARY...
Tue Oct 30, 2007 00:15:56 CDT
Go back and read it again.
The HOMOsexual is an adjective for the ACT, not the man.I don't know what Ratcliff's sexual orientation is.
He was apparently married, he allegedly went after a teenage boy, and allegedly he solicited the same teenager "years" down the road.
As you said, his sexual orientation shouldn't matter. BUT his sexual predation and the nature of it should.Primarily, so that others can be warned of these types of situations, and we can prevent them in the future.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 00:09:02 CDT
YOU commented that he was a HOMOsexual (your italics) not a pedophile....I simply pointed out that anybody who engages in a sexual act with a child is a pedophile. Not all predators are pedophiles just like all pedophiles are not homosexual.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 00:05:43 CDT
Don't lose your temper now. Great! You acknowlege that if someone is over the age of consent that it's not pedophilia! You don't say what kind of predation it is, but it's a start in the right direction.
I didn't start this discussion on Ratcliff's sexual orientation, I merely joined in and tried to point out that older teenagers/adults are in danger of predation as well.
Have a good evening.
Tue Oct 30, 2007 00:05:18 CDT
I said earlier that their were several different crimes allegedly committed.....if he abused this person while he was in custody than it IS a crime.
Mon Oct 29, 2007 23:58:50 CDT
You don't comprehend very well. Read what I said.....absorb it into your brain...then comment or not. I'm no longer arguing this point with you.....I acknowledge that all are not pedophiles if the person is over the age of consent ....I do not know how to state that again any other way....I am at a loss as to what else to say on this matter either you get it or you don't......
Mon Oct 29, 2007 23:57:58 CDT
Silly, of course I don't think it's the teenager's fault.I think teenagers need to be warned of this type of thing.
I also think that teenagers/men need to be made aware of how those in authority in jails/prison can abuse that authority. Unfortunately, you can't see a problem with molestations going on with adults in our judicial system.
Mon Oct 29, 2007 23:52:38 CDT
VBB, do you call all the aggressors on male prisoners in prisons/jails pedophiles for convenience and not admit any other type of predation is going on?Should no teenagers/men in our judicial system be concerned for themselves?
Mon Oct 29, 2007 23:51:08 CDT
So Maryann you think it's the boys fault? Or any teenage boy who is lured by an on-line predator deserves what he gets? So I guess you also belive that a woman wearing a short skirt is asking to get raped. That is your mentality....so sad. For everyones sake.....if this makes it to trial I hope it is moved out of Victoria cuz nobody is gonna get a fair shake.
Mon Oct 29, 2007 23:46:21 CDT
Maryann-you are missing the point completely. Whatever happened started when the victim was a child and then carried through several years supposedly. The acts that were supposedly committed while the victim was in custody probably had more to do with intimidating him to keep quiet than about the act itself. I pointed out the pedophile angle simply because too many people were accusing him of behaving the way he has been accused of because he is a homosexual. His sexual preferrences have no bearing on the crime he has been accused of committing. The reasons behind the rapes in prison occur is simple.....it is a predatory environment & unfortunately that is how dominance is established. It also happens in youth detention centers & other group home environments-it doesn't necessarily mean the people committing the acts are homosexual-it's a means of survival...perp or be perped. I also find it hard to believe, if what he is accused of is true, that it was an isolated event. I am anxious for more complete information on how all this was allowed to happen & who exactly knew what.
Mon Oct 29, 2007 23:19:53 CDT
CVC, I didn't get to read your post before I posted previously. Then after, I did read it, I couldn't pin point what you were saying.So you think that the victim was a child when he was brought into Ratcliff's office "years" after first being preyed upon as a 15-yr. old?
I think that he was a wounded individual.
But I don't think we need to masquerade the entire episode as pedophilia! For heavens sakes, do you to think that our prison systems are only inhabited by pedophiles and they are the only ones who perpetrate male-on male molestations?
Do you not think anyone over the age of consent gets assaulted in prison?
What would you call this predation in prisons?
Mon Oct 29, 2007 23:11:37 CDT
Mary Ann,I think that you may have not valued my opinion for what is was intended. This was not in support for any actions that may or may not have occured with the individuals involved however I do not agree that at any age children can make the decision to choose what may or may not occur to then while they are finding their own way into adult hood. If you think that if he is found guilty and because of the time that has passed that this would be any less of a crime you need to re-evalute your compassion levels for other human beings
Mon Oct 29, 2007 23:02:03 CDT
I agree that we need to be focusing on what Ratcliff allegedly did.
Let's not cover anything up while we're at it.
If he molested a teenage boy, then teenage boys need to realize that predatory men out there can act like women on-line and point a gun at you when you get in the car with the "lady."
Also, if Ratcliff abused his authority at the jail to bring an over-the age of consent MAN into his office, then we don't need to pretend that this is still pedophilia.
The VA article said that when the victim was brought into Ratcliff's office, it was "years" later, if I remember correctly. By your reasoning and oversight, minors should feel threatened by authority figures, but anyone over the age of consent hasn't been preyed upon in this case, and need not be wary in the justice system. "There's only pedophiles to be concerned about here!" (yeah right)
Much of the prison population today knows about male-on-male assaults in prison, and it's not because reporters/citizens ignored all assaults except those on teenagers.
Thankfully, some media is courageous enough to point out all the facts, and not gloss over the rest of the predation. I hope you can admit the same.
Mon Oct 29, 2007 22:57:04 CDT
I guess everyone needs to ask what caused this now, why did it take sooo long to surface, and why are people still being harassed into thinking one thing and acting a different way. Point in question tonights news said breaking news on the begining however it did not air anything until after almost the entire news cast probably due to the fear that they would be drawen into the legal disputes that would follow. No matter who you are or what position you hold there should be an obligation to freedom of speach and in my thought process if it is called the hometown news it should be that. This to me just screams for opening the doors for another claim that this is a cover-up if the local news will not cover it as a top story for fear or sympathy.
Mon Oct 29, 2007 22:07:57 CDT
I am not justifying anything he did. I am merely trying to point out that his crime has nothing to do with whether he is homosexual or not. The original crime he committed was on a minor under the age of consent which makes him a pedophile. You brought in the shaving & what not which is basically irrelevant. How do you know if the child in question was shaving for that matter? That way of thinking would then excuse the preying on puberty age girls by grown men. I do not think that is what any of us want. What we need to be focusing on is whether or not he did what he has been accused of & NOT his sexual orientation. I also did not read how old the person in question was when he was in custody, but I do not believe they were playing monopoly as you so cleverly stated. I think that if the allegations are true, regardless of the boys age, what he did was illegal, you are the one hung up on symantics.
Mon Oct 29, 2007 21:55:38 CDT
P.S. Ratcliff committed a horrible crime. I think the entire truth of the situation needs to come out, not be covered up with lapses in definition.
Mon Oct 29, 2007 21:52:42 CDT
Okay, let's go by "the law." If Ratcliff had molested a 15-yr. old "child" then by your definition he is a pedophile.BUT, according to the VA reports, he also brought the above-the-age of consent victim into his office for other "meetings." I don't think they were just play monopoly.
What would the law say now about Ratcliff's manipulations of this victim? Is this still a pedophile offense?
I think perhaps that Ratcliff wears more than one hat in his dealings with this person, and you're refusing to see the entire picture.
Mon Oct 29, 2007 21:42:46 CDT
PS...I don't care what Ratcliffs sexual orientation is....it has nothing to do with the crime in question.
Mon Oct 29, 2007 21:41:32 CDT
It shouldn't matter if the victim has the ability to shave...the fact of the matter is the person was under the age of consent which makes him by law....a child. The Victoria Advocate has an article talking about pedophiles in todays paper...so I guess I'm not the only one saying that it was a pedophilic activity. Of course if a person above the age of 17 is sexually assaulted it does not make the criminal a pedophile cuz duh....they are NOT children. Texas states that 17 is the magic number that makes us adults anyone under 17 is a child. You can think whatever you want but the fact is he was a child at 15.
Mon Oct 29, 2007 17:26:04 CDT
Not many children I know need to shave, however often. Call it as you see it, as I am. I think since Ratcliff's sexual nature is questionable, this is most obviously a case of sexual molestation, and I'll leave it at that. But pedophilia brings in the aspect of children.
When Ratcliff brought supposedly brought victim into his office while the victim was jailed years later, one would have a difficult time seeing that as pedophilia. Do you call it pedophilia when someone preys upon a 19/20 or 23 year old?
Same person, and many pedophiles cease to be attracted to the victims once they age. They often seek other young victims.
Mon Oct 29, 2007 17:19:27 CDT
or maybe just drunk with power.
Mon Oct 29, 2007 17:17:43 CDT
Alot of pedophiles prey on members of their own sex it doesn't make them homosexuals. Sexual assault is not about sex. If he did what he is accused of doing for straight sexual pleasure I'm sure he could've found someone above the age of consent. This crime is about the rape of a child which would classify him as a pedophile.
Mon Oct 29, 2007 17:11:42 CDT
It states that he was 15 when it first occurred so he was a child. And the fact that it was predatory in its nature would lend it to be acted out by a pedophile not necessarily a homosexual.
Mon Oct 29, 2007 14:36:29 CDT
Aren't pedophiles attracted to CHILDREN? This poor guy was a teenager when he was attacked. I don't know of Ratcliff's sexual orientation, maybe he changed around a lot. But THIS act was male-on-male, which makes it HOMOsexual, as in same sex. And I'm in no way saying that all homosexuals do this type of thing, no more than all heterosexual men are rapists of women, just by bringing up one case.This is a sexual molestation act, but I disagree with the term pedophilia being applied here, if one wants to be technical. I am aware of "pedophile" being used colloquially in a broader sense, but I think that it waters down the actual problem being presented.
Mon Oct 29, 2007 12:56:46 CDT
Not all homosexuals are pedophiles & not all pedophiles are homosexual. We seem to be lumping homosexuals in with what seems to be a pedophiles activity. I don't know if Mike Ratcliff is a homosexual or not but this crime is one that is committed by a pedophile.
Sun Oct 28, 2007 20:16:17 CDT
catgirl, let's not get off topic here. Allow me to introduce a little clarity. People who don't understand criminal charges are assuming he trained the gun on the victim. When someone actually points a gun at someone in the commission of a crime, the charge is aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The charge that Ratcliff is facing is somewhat different. He didn't actually point the gun at the alleged victim. The law does realize that the introduction of a weapon into a situation where a crime is being committed does indeed make a difference. While the charge is not as serious, it exists to prevent someone from brandishing a weapon to assist in the crime, and not being able to skate because they never threatened with the weapon. I hope this helps.
Sun Oct 28, 2007 14:05:39 CDT
T Betty: Thanks for pursuing this. Nobody deserves to be raped. You say he "only got 10 years". He was accused, arrested, tried and was found guilty. He is now a convicted felon and will have to spend time in the big house. Maybe it wasn't enough time, but he has now paid for his crimes. .
Sun Oct 28, 2007 09:08:04 CDT
I was not going to post this, but I just have to. I worked in the Juvenile Detention Center in Victoria. I had four girls come to me and tell me that a certain guard was raping them. Well, I reported this, and the "higher ups" told me "no way, this is a well respected man, he has worked here for six years". I then watched him, and I caught him "red handed". I thank God for the great detectives working the case. But, the man only got ten years. The people at the center were all very angry at me because I got this man charged, they were all willing to push it under the rug, and a lot of them even said, "So, what, these girls are just little ho's", so they deserve this???That is how I feel about the kid who went out of his house and got into the car with whomever did this to him,(and I am NOT saying it was Ratcliff)NO ONE deserves to be molested, raped or forced to do anything, especially at gun point. And, you got it, I quit that sorry job.
Sun Oct 28, 2007 08:58:25 CDT
One final thought here-- Woohoo, no one on this earth has the power to turn anyone into a homosexual.... Homosexuals are born that way.... or, as some believe, they CHOOSE to be a homosexual.
Sun Oct 28, 2007 08:55:48 CDT
Let us all keep in mind that Mr. Ratcliff's alleged crime is NOT that he was a cross-dresser or a homosexual... to my knowledge neither of the aforementioned are crimes... So what if he was a homosexual, and so what if he was a cross-dresser.... those things aren't our concern and bringing them up in the discussion forum isn't accomplishing anything except causing his family more heartache. The focus of Ratcliff's ALLEGED wrong doing is that he used force to have sex with a minor and he used his power and authority to gain sexual favors. Those are serious allegations.To those of you in here who find the alleged victims story hard to believe or are focusing on the fact that he has a criminal record, etc..... that doesn't mean a damn thing! If you have never been the victim, or the mother of a victim of sexual assault, then you know nothing of how it will affect you! Take in to consideration the age of the victim at the first alleged incident... you are held at gun point while a man performs oral sex on you, and you are not a homosexual.... You have no idea how shame, confussion, guilt can embed itself into every fiber of your being. Who do you tell? Where do you go? How do you get the image out of your head? Sometimes you turn to drugs or alcohol to dull the pain... sometimes you act out and engage in other dangerous behaviors... because you are trying to get the attention... you are crying out for someone to help you! Yeah, sometimes you end up in juvie or jail.... and unfortunately in this case, you fell into the alleged perpetrator's den!
FYI- sex crimes aren't about the sex... it's about power, control, manipulation! And not all homosexuals are deviants. Most that I know are good people! And yes, I'm sure there are a lot of them in the closet in Victoria.... can you blame them?
I'm not excusing Ratcliff or saying anything about anyone's religious beliefs.... But this ISN'T about homosexuality! That has nothing to do with it!
Sun Oct 28, 2007 08:28:53 CDT
I too would like to know where the cross-dressing act took place? Common knowledge? NO, common gossip and rumors. Also, it was the newspaper that stated "forced at gunpoint" ... the charge states "exhibited a weapon" there is a difference there. We were not there, we do not know when the gun was exhibited ...heck, it could have just been on the seat of the vehicle ... Ratcliff was licensed to carry a weapon. I still maintain that on this boy's 15th birthday, he was not an innocent child ... he obviously chatted online of sexually content nature. Granted, there must be evidence to bring the charges, but I think there is something fishy about these charges that involve A LOT of people and A LOT of untruths that have come up 10 years from a 'victim' that himself has trouble obeying the law.
Sat Oct 27, 2007 20:38:27 CDT
I have a long memory. I remember an African American Coach from Stroman almost ran out of town because of a baseless allegation of misconduct. I remember an elementary teacher who actually was destroyed in Victoria on a baseless alligation. I know a former Sheriff accused of a murder he had nothing to do with in this town. The use of gossip to destroy somebody works in this town. God help you if you are a person of color who has come up above your normal station because the fly swatter is soon to come out. This town has trouble attracting quality people such as Heart Doctors and Psychiatrist because if you are normal and of course have a choice would you really want to stay ???
Sat Oct 27, 2007 17:12:36 CDT
Where does the cross-dresser thought come from? I want some names of who specifically has seen him dressed as a woman? Specifically where was he? Let's get this in the open. No more--he said, she said, he said. Let's talk specifics, no rumors, gossis, just hard facts. Stand up and list your name! Who saw him and Where?
Sat Oct 27, 2007 16:49:37 CDT
What would you have done, catgirl? My question also. With a gun in your face, what would you have done? And, if it was Ratcilff, maybe he was dressed like a woman. But, like you said , none of us know, so we will just have to wait. But, I also worry about the corruption of the law in a lot of cases.
Sat Oct 27, 2007 16:38:42 CDT
Well catgirl, it's common knowledge to many in Victoria that Ratcliff was a cross-dresser. Since (according to the charges) he pretended to be a female when chatting on line with the boy, is it such a stretch to understand that he was likey "in costume" so the boy would enter his vehicle (at night) but then needed to display his pistol when the boy finally figured out he wasn't really a female?
Sat Oct 27, 2007 16:22:09 CDT
T0 CATGIRL: Thanks for your well thought out comments. Your are exactly right.
Sat Oct 27, 2007 15:07:41 CDT
Innocent until proven guilty. Remember that. This 'victim' was NOT abducted nor lured from anywhere. The 'victim' willingly snuck out of his house and got in the car. If he was lured out there because of some online computer (sexually oriented) chat, then when he went out, don't you think he would have known Ratcliff was a man?? He still got into the vehicle. Sounds like the 'victim' might not have been quite so innocent. As someone said, 'has an ax to grind'. At any rate, there is SO much none of us know. Why don't we sit back and see what unfolds ... as I have a gut feeling there could be more 'high profile' citizens drawn into this mess. People, human beings make mistakes.
Sat Oct 27, 2007 15:06:25 CDT
We had all better hope and pray that if we are ever arrested that we don't have a jury full of people with an axe to grind or we will be hung before daylight. Let's hear the facts and not just jump to conclusions. I would not want to be tried in the press before I had a chance to tell my story and I don't believe you would either.
Sat Oct 27, 2007 14:50:59 CDT
To justicefor all, your Political Correctness is also showing.
Sat Oct 27, 2007 14:48:23 CDT
To Betty007Put away the cattle prod--your homophobia is showing!
Sat Oct 27, 2007 14:40:33 CDT
(Comment From: justiceforAll To WOOHOO!You get a toaster oven for turning someone from a hetersexual to a homosexual. Comment From: justiceforAll Let's give Mike Ratcliff the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise! I personally believe these are trumped up charges and he will be found "innocent" or the charges thrown out. )And you get a cattle prod for being a goof ball. Do you really think you would get the benefit of the doubt if you were accused of the same????NOT!!!You would be put UNDER the jail as Woohoo posted. And, you surely would not be let out on a personal recognizance bond. I am not saying he is guilty, JUST, that he should be treated as an ordinary person would be treated!
Sat Oct 27, 2007 14:30:58 CDT
To WOOHOO!You get a toaster oven for turning someone from a hetersexual to a homosexual.
Sat Oct 27, 2007 14:23:53 CDT
Let's give Mike Ratcliff the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise! I personally believe these are trumped up charges and he will be found "innocent" or the charges thrown out.
Sat Oct 27, 2007 13:05:43 CDT
My apologies Betty. Huge apology required here. I seem to be opening my mouth to switch feet.I am with you on everything you have to say, then. Especially the fact that I WOULD HAVE BEEN PUT UNDER THE JAIL if I had been caught with MY hand in the cookie jar. Any one of us would have been. You are correct. He needs to have had the bond much higher. Even juvenile offenders are not given this much consideration, (unless of course, they are the children of the powers that be).
Sat Oct 27, 2007 13:01:38 CDT
(Betty, are you Betty Nobles from Northside Baptist that bible thumps and backs those in Power? What's the matter, did it turn out that you were supporting a pedophile? Aaawwwww.)ANSWER to above quote: Nope, I am not that Betty, you are far off, and if you want to put religion in this, I am Catholic. You sure read between the lines. I am just saying that most kids do NOT come farward with the sexual abuse, they are too afraid and ashamed. I sure the hell do not support any pedophile!!!If I did, do you think I would be working with these kids who were abused???And I don't think the boy in question was the pedophile, the accused was that.
Sat Oct 27, 2007 12:46:52 CDT
The sad truth about Victoria is the long history of being run by a few self appointed people who control all the levers of power. The Victoria Advocate has been a part of this loose confederation with their hands on the levers of power. I have lived here a lifetime and I could write a book on the abusive use of power in this county. When something like this comes up it rips the scab off the power elite and exposes them to a little fresh air. Elections in this county could very easily be compared to the way George Parr ran Duval County for so many years. What makes me sick is to hear these people say "we are just interested in good government". Why does good government require that the judges, police, and prosecutors be your friends? Why do you lavish entertainment and campaign contributions on these "good government" officials? You do it so that you can have influence. Why do you need influence in the courts and police matters?
Sat Oct 27, 2007 12:16:28 CDT
I feel your pain, K. Schustereit. I, too, was accused of wrongdoing when in fact, I was the whistleblower. You have to kiss the ring of the "powers that be" to survive in this town. As a result, I want to retire elsewhere. I have no trust in most folks, here. I'm glad that Ratcliff did some good on your behalf. I have had a boss that is homosexual and is still a good person in certain circumstances, yet that boss ran off with the wife of one of my peers and broke up his marriage, (turned his wife into a homosexual). I will never forget the good that she did for me at a low time in my life. I am not nor have ever been homosexual but I do appreciate good works of kindness on my behalf. This situation is very unfortunate for your remembrance of kindness on his behalf. However, you have to look at it as I do. Just remember the good because there is nothing you can do about the other.
Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:57:22 CDT
Betty, are you Betty Nobles from Northside Baptist that bible thumps and backs those in Power? What's the matter, did it turn out that you were supporting a pedophile? Aaawwwww.
Sat Oct 27, 2007 10:31:00 CDT
(a 27 year old comes back after 10 years with a story about someone holding a gun on him while he receives oral sex.....is that physically possible? Then the kid gets arrested again after 3 years and more tales are told....then nothing for 7 more years.) Answer to the above qoute: I work VERY closly with sexually abused kids. Some NEVER face what happended to them, some only face it years later, after MANY hours of theaphy. And, when a gun is involved, they would be afraid as hell, and they blame themselves, because they could not stop it, and they feel great shame, so some NEVER speak out. And, tell me what you would do if someone had a gun to your head, would you just say, "OK, just shoot me?" NOT!!!you would do whatever you had to do to stay alive.
Sat Oct 27, 2007 10:21:22 CDT
sureursmart...It seems you must know the young victim in this case. You called him pond scum and a drug addict. I suppose a 15 or 16 year old boy who is such a person deserves whatever he gets while under the "care" and control of the authorities. And you must also know his parents who "had written him off as a waste of space". How would you know how his parents felt? Or whether they even knew what was going on? Perhaps the young man felt so threatened by Ratcliff, he kept this dirty little secret. And after 10 years, his ax to grind was to finally bring this model citizen to justice. It also appears that you think an incarcerated criminal's social history and criminal background (even for one so young as this victim) has a bearing on whether or not his testimony should be given the time of day.
It sounds to me that you are very close to this investigation and you are clearly linked to Ratcliff and are, therefore, unable to be objective. Perhaps you should shut up now before you give yourself away.
Sat Oct 27, 2007 09:08:26 CDT
Wow! A lot of scathing reviews of the last couple of days' events! So here are my thoughts on the matter: When former County Judge Helen Walker lied in open court about me and had those lies entered into county court records MIke Ratcliff was on the front page of the Advocate the next day proving Walker to be a liar.
Walker told the courtroom, the commissioners court and the media that I had written threatening letters to commissioners court. She lied and Mike Ratcliff told the public in no uncertain terms.
There was a family friend on the court at that time who just kept silent. Mike Ratcliff was the only one who stood up for me! I appreciated that and will remember it.
Everyone deserves his day in court and Mike will have his. May I suggest that we all reserve our opinions until that day?
I also know how it feels to be considered guilty until proven innocent! Been there! Done that! Would have bought the T-shirt but the experience has left me broke!
As far as the justice system in Victoria and my trust in it? What trust? I have as much trust in getting justice in Victoria as the money I have on hand to buy it!
While we have some really fine police officers and Sheriffs deputies there are some either bad or incompetant ones out there too. And as far as the lawyers, judges, probation department and the others, well, like I said, you'd better have money on hand or some property they might covet!
Bottom line: the justice system has been broken in this town for years!
Sat Oct 27, 2007 08:55:45 CDT
Bond is determined not as punishment....REMEMBER, THIS IS AMERICA, NOT IRAQ!....a person allowed out on bond has been CHARGED.....NOT CONVICTED....though you certainly wouldn't know it in this case. Mike Ratcliff was tried and convicted in the press in less than 24 hours. Bond is determined by the "flight risk" that a person charged with a crime presents. In this case, Mike Ratcliff presents no flight risk whatsoever. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see that. And low and behold we are not not only trying and convicting Mike in the press, but CHARGING, TRYING, AND CONVICTING Steve Tyler in the press. Advocate reporters, dragging his wife out of her classroom to question her? Inappropriate does not even come close to describing that move. The facts are not known.....and the indictment appears very suspicious to me....a 27 year old comes back after 10 years with a story about someone holding a gun on him while he receives oral sex.....is that physically possible? Then the kid gets arrested again after 3 years and more tales are told....then nothing for 7 more years. Sounds like someone might have sought this young man out and made offers he could not refuse. The facts are certainly not known at this time. If Mike Ratcliff did the things he is accused of I would be the first for punishing him....but this mob like mentality is not only unattractive but is a sign of ignorance.Sat Oct 27, 2007 08:20:16 CDT
There is a poll wanting to know if this arrest has shaken your trust in the Victoria Justice System. Sure did! One reason is because he was ALLOWED out on his own recognizance. I have never done more than get a speeding ticket, but I know if I were arrested for something like this guy, my bond would most likey be a MILLION or so. And, this same officier of the law would be looking at me as if I were scum, so NO I do not have any faith in the Victoria Justice System. I used to tell my children to go to a police officier if they needed help, but there has been too many crimes committed by the "higher ups" and law officiers, I now tell them, "RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN, AND NOT TO AN OFFICIER OF THE LAW!"
Sat Oct 27, 2007 08:12:12 CDT
sureursmart, do you not remember that this same guy was a "person of interest" in a murder case not too long ago? WAKE UP, the justice system is so broken, and if a person is in office or an officier of the law, they can get by with these types of crimes, because a person of the law would know how to cover their tracks. And, you know that if you or I were to be arrested for the same CHARGES, the bond would most likely be about a MILLION, so how can you defend this guy? It is people like you who keep this type of man in office. And, if it were you or I, there would NOT be so much public information flying around, they are just trying to get the public's sympathy. NONE HERE!!!
Sat Oct 27, 2007 07:42:22 CDT
urbanangel...for once we did finally agree but the thing is, there was at one time when something happened more than TWO people there. COVERUP, COVERUP, COVERUP!!!! also, what's this about KAVU accidentally showing the victim's name-did you see that? i need to know if this really happened, i missed the first newscast because i was working. thanks for the help and understanding!!!
Sat Oct 27, 2007 07:32:39 CDT
strawberry, for once, we agree. this guy/girl, is obviously biased for one reason or another, but in actuality, the only two people who know the truth are ratcliff and the victim.
Victims of sexual abuse...ecspecially if they are boys...tend to have alot of problems later in life, which can lead to criminal acts. Alot of time people just don't care enough about criminals to sit them down and ask...has anything bad ever happened to you?
You might be amazed how many people out there have been victims of sexual abuse. You think that doesn't mess you up in the head? Try being a victim.
Sat Oct 27, 2007 07:10:37 CDT
sureursmart...you seem to know so much about the case, were you there? have you thought about why the victim, and I say VICTIM turned out the way he did? has something like this ever happened to you? you make my stomach turn!
Sat Oct 27, 2007 06:17:40 CDT
Time will reveal a conviction. But the damage is done.
Sat Oct 27, 2007 06:07:35 CDT
urbanangel , tstorm5yes, i am saying. time will tell.
Sat Oct 27, 2007 05:50:07 CDT
WOW...SUREURSMARTAre you saying that a criminal deviant is incapable of being a victim of sexual abuse? As this abuse occured when he was a juvenile, is it not completely possible that this abuse had lasting and negative affects on him?
How could YOU possible know whether or not the allegations are true/false? Obviously law enforcement had sufficient evidence after years of investigation to produce a warrant and an indictment...and here YOU are claiming it is all false and the victim is just a worthless criminal....simply amazing.
Sat Oct 27, 2007 05:42:06 CDT
Wow, I guess the DPS and FBI have nothing to backup their investigation other than the word of this person you are referring to, eh, sureursmart.Do us all a favor and retain your alias when this is all over. Something tells me that Ratcliff isn't the only one involved in some less than popular activities during his tenure there. Maybe we will all be spared the pain of a trial, by a guilty plea. Hopefully, the good old boy system won't allow this maggot to get off with any less time than he deserves (that is of course, if he's guilty).
Sat Oct 27, 2007 05:34:32 CDT
Thank you. Finally something positive. My thoughts exactly on the so-called "victim".
Sat Oct 27, 2007 05:21:43 CDT
Good article. The allegation is without merit and will be defeated. The so called victim of this complaint is pond scum, drug addict peace of work who after 10 years must have an ax to grind. His own parents had written him off as a waste of space. How anything from an incarcerated criminal can be given the time of day is pathetic. Wait until this "victims" criminal and social history gets out there, you people will be the first in line to buy a B-B-Q plate to defer legal expense.