What about Ted Williams' victims?

[Capt Steve]

Ted Williams is now the media darling of the week. The "Golden Voiced" homeless bum, alcoholic druggie and long time criminal has been discovered and the job offers and money are rolling in. Not once in all of the media frenzy have I seen any interviewer mention his criminal past which includes robbery, forgery and fraud which he claims were never violent crimes but were done just to support his habit. So how about it folks? What about his many victims? Has anyone heard him utter a word of remorse or speak of any plans to make restitution to the people he screwed? Somehow I doubt either will ever happen. )o;

[gregintenn]

It doesn't fit the template.

[oldman45]

Actually I did hear him say yesterday that he was sorry for the actions in his past and had a lot of making up to do, not only to his family but to himself.

[G-Mac]

Originally Posted by Capt Steve

Not once in all of the media frenzy have I seen any interviewer mention his criminal past which includes robbery, forgery and fraud which he claims were never violent crimes but were done just to support his habit.

I saw Meredith Viera of the Today Show mention it and ask him about it.

His reply was that his crimes were never violent and he said they were done to support his drug habit.

I pray for this man that he doesn't waste the opportunity that his higher power has seen fit to bestow upon him.

I don't know his heart, but from what I've seen of him, it wouldn't surprise me at all if he offered to make restitution if he is able to do so.

He seems to be pretty sincere and thankful for this second chance at life...unless he's a pretty good actor.

[jeepjeepwhat]

I'd never let the guy by my accountant or anything, but I do wish him the best.

[sigp220.45]

After his 15 minutes he'll be back on the street.

Aren't there any non-felons with nice voices who could use a job?

[oldman45]

I believe in giving anyone a second chance. There is a fine line between a misdemeanor and a felony. Granted, major crimes are felonies but I do not see the man committed any major felony. Shoplifting in some cases is a felony. Being in a fatal car crash can be a felony under some circumstances. Many people are felons but not judged harshly.

The man talks a good talk (with a good voice) but I will withhold judgement to see if he continues to walk the walk with time. I hope he can keep his life straight.

[Mike R]

Sure there is, but wheres the news in that!

[66TAS]

OK i have read a similar post as the OP's on several gun forums now, and seen, mostly, the same type snippy holier than thou replies that are in the majority in this thread. I will agree with Ladder and GMac on this and hope for the best on this. He has his chance to make amends for prior wrongs, I hope he does it and stays sober. The odds are against him. I'll leave judging him to HIS higher power, as being a flawed human myself, I dont feel qualified to condemn the man just yet.

[whitecoyote]

Williams seems to be truly sorry for his past behavior. He will soon be coming into a lot of money. If he is truly sorry for his past actions, he should seek out his victims, ask for forgiveness, and attempt to repay what he stole.
If not, I can see some victims coming forward, and sueing Williams. Just my opinion.

[G-Mac]

Originally Posted by oldman45

I believe in giving anyone a second chance.

I believe in giving most people a second chance...but not everybody.

There's certain crimes that I feel there is simply no redemption for or rehabilitation from.

For example, Michael Vick...to me...Ted Williams is a better person than Michael Vick...at least from the information that we know.

[66TAS]

Originally Posted by G-Mac

I believe in giving most people a second chance...but not everybody.

There's certain crimes that I feel there is simply no redemption for or rehabilitation from.

For example, Michael Vick...to me...Ted Williams is a better person than Michael Vick...at least from the information that we know.

I agree with most of that...BUT...M Vick did do his time, is following his probation, and does SEEM to be sorry for his actions and SEEMS to be trying to change. Time will tell though. I'll allow him time to prove him self...one way or the other.But I do agree that his crimes anger me more.

[DeathGrip]

Originally Posted by G-Mac

I believe in giving most people a second chance...but not everybody.

There's certain crimes that I feel there is simply no redemption for or rehabilitation from.

For example, Michael Vick...to me...Ted Williams is a better person than Michael Vick...at least from the information that we know.

Michael Vick is a jerk.All of the money in the world and he's still a jerk.Some things you can't change.
Hopefully this guy Ted Williams pays it back.
We'll see.

[old bear]

How many of us right here on this forum haven’t been given or earned a second or even third chance? I hope the man can clean up his act, stay clean, do something with his life, and atone for his past wrongs.

[AKAOV1MAN]

OK, I sincerely hope this guy is rehabbed. HOWEVER, my very extensive experience tells me that he will revert to substance abuse, albeit now he will be able to pay for it with his own money-for a while. Then............although I hope not.

[oldman45]

I am certainly glad that we are not judged by our Creator the way some here are judging Mr WIlliams.

The man admits to falling off the right path several times. That happens all the time with people coming out of rehab. But all of us knows that the road to recovery is a daily chore and a good support is vital to success.

People talk about him paying back his victims. Who are his victims other than his family? His criminal charges as I read them pertain to shoplifting (the store gets the merchandise back), drug possession, public drunkeness, minor theft and other such offenses.

These are common charges for drug and alcohol dependent people to have faced. Many of us have relatives on drugs or alcohol that have stolen things from us. I know I had a relative that I finally would not allow to enter my home because they would take things they could sell for drug money. I gave them a second chance and they let me down.

This man may revert back to his old ways but I do not feel we should condemn him before he has a chance to prove himself. Many companies are willing to spend big money on his to allow him another chance in life. We should be praying he has changed and understands what a great chance he has been given in life.

[badguybuster]

Two things, irregardless of his past. 1-Only in America can such an amazing event occur, someone with no future finding a potentially bright one. 2-For all the evil the internet allows, here is a moment of good, totally brought on by our access to it.

[badam0112]

He can't change what he has already done. All he can do is make amends and try to do the right thing today. If he was punished for his previous crimes (Michael Vick served two years in Prison) then he has paid for those previous crimes. I will let god be the one to judge him not me.

[BE Mike]

Addicts are some of the best actors, liars and manipulators I've ever been associated with. That being said, I hope he is able to run the marathon of a decent drug-free life. Money and success don't seem to be able to provide the answers that most people are looking for. Unless he builds a strong support system, he will be doomed. I wish him well and will pray for him.

[jhs]

I'm growing tired of the dialog over Ted Williams. Big deal! He has a nice voice and he's a recovering addict and alcholic. So folks are falling over themselves to give this guy a job and a chance at a better life. Wouldn't it be nice if we put fourth the same efforts on behalf of our returning vets who can't find a job? Really, people.

[Capt Steve]

Getting back to the title of this thread if I may, his crimes go well beyond mere shoplifting (which, BTW, is a crime that we all, pay for),. Fraud and forgery have been listed not to mention the various crimes he committed without being caught. He attempts to trivialize these criminal pursuits as not being violent but I'm sure his victims aren't buying it any more than I am. There are lots of folks out there that could use one tenth the breaks this guy has been given over the last 20 years. His primary talent seems to be making babies and then making tracks. I am still waiting to see him make any sort of significant effort to atone or make amends for his actions which he and he alone is responsible for. His own mother is at least as dubious about his future as I am.

Yes I judge the man based upon the facts, but no more harshly than some of you judge me for doing so, opinions vary. And so I would ask once again, what about his victims? They suffer in the deafening silence of the media all but forgotten while Ted goes on his merry way. The corporations that are lining up to be his new found benefactors do so merely for the positive PR they hope to generate. I hope he does straighten his life out, he's certainly been handed untold opportunity to do so but given his history I have my doubts.

[66TAS]

Sheesh, he has had all these new jobs and breaks for what..a week or a bit less....you mean he hasnt atoned for all his prior wrongs in that week...wow, yall are right, what a scum bag....

[caseydog]

There, but for the Grace of God, go I............

[whitecoyote]

Williams has already had another run in with the law in Hollywood, CA. He was detained, and later released. Appeared to be a domestic situation with his daughter. I get this feeling this will not be his last contact with the law.

[oldman45]

Originally Posted by whitecoyote

Williams has already had another run in with the law in Hollywood, CA. He was detained, and later released. Appeared to be a domestic situation with his daughter. I get this feeling this will not be his last contact with the law.

In all fairness I feel it should be mentioned that the police took both he and his daughter in for shouting at each other in a hotel. They found no laws were broken after taking both in for questioning. Both were released.

[sheepdawg]

I think he hit Bob Feller and Pedro Ramos pretty good.

[beemerphile]

If he is working a 12-step program he will get to the restitution part and will pursue it diligently. If he isn't, his chances of staying clean are negligible and the naysayers can soon say "I told you so.".

And you can quit worrying if there is someone somewhere Veteran or otherwise who better deserves the break. The answer is "yes" but life ain't fair. If it was, my friend who is the kindest soul I have ever met and is on a waiting list for multiple organ transplants would be well and some mean SOB would be in dialysis.

[ladder13]

Originally Posted by oldman45

In all fairness I feel it should be mentioned that the police took both he and his daughter in for shouting at each other in a hotel. They found no laws were broken after taking both in for questioning. Both were released.

Don't matter, as soon as he steps off the curb, someone will throw a banana peel under his shoes.

[sigp220.45]

Well, that didn't take long:

Ted Williams Enters Rehab for Drug and Alcohol Treatment, Report Claims - FoxNews.com

[old bear]

Ted Williams Enters Rehab for Drug and Alcohol Treatment, Report Claims - FoxNews.com

My god, fox news and people magazine, not two of the most reliable news sources available; for gosh sakes we are starting to sound like a bunch of angry bitter old men here!! I'm sure that being the intelligent highbrow group we normally are I would think we could find something better to gossip about.

[Gary]

If he is to remain clean and sober he has to change his entire way of thinking. Alcoholics and addicts are selfish and self centered never taking responsibility for anything in their life. This has to change if he is to have any hope of success. Rehab and a 12 step program will get him started on the right path. It is a long hard road though. Most fail. I pray he makes it.

[ladder13]

The guy had the courage to enter "rehab" and that's a bad thing? Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't.

[sigp220.45]

You guys are starting to bring me around. Anyone with nine abandoned kids and a cool collection of mugshots like this can't be all bad.



And while he didn't do anything like run into a burning building to save a family, or catch a kid falling from a window, or even something as mundane as returning a lost purse, he does have a nice voice.

I actually do hope he gets his stuff together and starts taking care of his offspring and makes restitution for his crimes.

I'm just skeptical.

[Bob R]

I actually do hope he gets his stuff together and starts taking care of his offspring and makes restitution for his crimes.

I'm just skeptical.

Your'e jaded I'm telling you...and working the rez isn't going to help your lookout any...as you know!

I will second the skeptical part, or third, fifth, twelfth or what ever it is up to in this thread.

bob

[tripledipper]

The media was having a slow day and the gullible lib's on the Today Show and elsewhere decided to elevate this loser to sainthood. Is anyone really surprised at the quick behavioral reversal? This is just like believing Michael Vick will never have another brush with the law. It is what it is. And yes, I am a pessimist.

[handejector]

I thought Ted Williams was a rather good baseball player who endorsed sporting goods(guns included) for Sears.
He got old, died, and had his head frozen, as I recall.......

I musta missed somethin'.
Did they thaw him out, and he turned bad?????
How does he get around to do these misdeeds?

[jackge]

I thought he was getting a 2nd chance

[jackge]

It's not up to me to judge other people.

[Capt Steve]

Originally Posted by ladder13

The guy had the courage to enter "rehab" and that's a bad thing? Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't.

Ladder13: Sorry, but I can't find where anyone here as said that his going into rehab is a bad thing. I'm sure everyone hopes he gets his life together but given the facts it does seem unlikely. The point of my original post was to take exception with the media bestowing celebrity status and to remind folks of his victims whom that same media has ignored.

[ladder13]

Originally Posted by Capt Steve

Getting back to the title of this thread if I may, his crimes go well beyond mere shoplifting (which, BTW, is a crime that we all, pay for),. Fraud and forgery have been listed not to mention the various crimes he committed without being caught.

Since you're so sure about the "facts", can you enumerate the crimes he committed without being caught?

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Sounds like some in the media entertainment business, Dr Phil et al., are exploiting this guy to get some ratings.... My guess is that American Idol will be more important next week.

[Capt Steve]

Originally Posted by ladder13

Since you're so sure about the "facts", can you enumerate the crimes he committed without being caught?

No, obviously I cannot. But given his criminal record which includes robbery, forgery, fraud and numerous drug and alcohol offenses do you really believe that every time he committed a crime he was caught? Such is not the profile of a 20 year criminal. The guy has had more problems than I care to think about and as I said I hope he gets his life straightened out but his media darling status is fading fast.

Perhaps you would be less enamored with Ted if you had ever been a victim. I have and can assure you it gave me a whole new prospective on those that commit crimes in general and I will always feel more concern for the victims of crime than for the perpetrators.

[Sistema1927]

12 mugshots, huh? Sounds like he might have already had his 2nd chance, several times over.

I don't wish him ill, it would be good, very good, for him to turn his life around, but his problem is that no matter where he goes he is still there.