by Diane on July 20, 2008
Welcome to my home base.
I’m now incredibly proud to announce my association with Creators Syndicate, one of the nation’s largest purveyors of quality opinion columns, is now distributing my weekly crime and justice column, which I post below every Monday. I’m also a contributing writer for The Daily Beast.
The Albuquerque Journal will continue to be the paper of my childhood and my home base for as long as they’ll have me.
My columns here are always different. Sometimes I’ll simply tell you a story. Sometimes I’ll share my opinions, praise or criticism, other times I’ll hold a mirror up to our society and ask you to form your own opinion. I hope the columns will give you something new to think about each time you visit. It’s a complicated world out there, full of situations of good versus evil, right versus wrong. My job is point them out.
If you’re interested in running my column here’s the Creators Syndicate link or call (310)-337-7003.
Contact me here.
by Diane on February 8, 2010
Troubled Children Can Turn Criminal
Every human being needs to feel connected – attached – to other human beings around them. It’s an innate craving we all have and cannot fight. The hunger for attachment begins with infants who bond with their mother’s soothing voices, tender caresses and nurturing care. It’s through this kind of attention the child comes to know the feelings of being safe and protected. The quality of the early bonds children form with adults in their world will affect every relationship they’ll have for the rest of their lives.
Sadly, some children never get the love they need to grow into healthy, empathetic, trusting people. As they grow they form their own protective shield to keep out the rest of the world. They have no trust in others and their behavior often turns self-destructive and even criminal.
What ails this unfortunate group now has a name: Reactive Attachment Disorder. [click to continue…]
by Diane on February 1, 2010
Mark Kerrigan - Troubled Man
D
ateline: Stoneham, Massachusetts
There’s one in every family – the black sheep, the bad seed, the troubled child who keeps the parents awake at night worrying and praying.
In the household headed by Daniel Kerrigan and his wife Brenda of Stoneham, Massachusetts it was their son Mark. While they reveled in the accomplishments of their two other children, TV producer, Michael, and figure skating Olympic medalist, Nancy, it was Mark who had long caused the couple sleepless nights.
Who knew the heartbreaking secret the famous Nancy Kerrigan’s family endured all these years? [click to continue…]
by Diane on January 25, 2010
Not Buying What He's Sellin'
Mark McGwire must think we’re stupid.
The former baseball superstar certainly looked the part of a contrite apologist last week during his interview with sportscaster extraordinaire, Bob Costas. With his red eyes brimming and his chin quavering, McGwire finally came clean about his past use of performance enhancing drugs. I truly felt for the man.
“I used steroids during my playing career and I apologize,” McGwire said.
He went on to explain that he first dipped his toe into the fetid steroid pool during the 1989 season. After he was injured in 1993, McGwire admitted, he once again began using both steroids and human growth hormones, and he kept using them right through the 1998 season. [click to continue…]
by Diane on January 18, 2010
Time For A Better Way
Lots of lawyers aren’t going to like this column. It’s about a new way for the rest of us to think about legal representation.
Up front let me say, there’s always going to be conflict. People who disagree over business, property, divorce or next door neighbor stuff. But what if, rather than hire high priced lawyers to duke it out in court over months or even years, conflict was solved in a better, faster more productive way? It would still be legally binding – it just wouldn’t necessarily take so long or be so expensive. It definitely wouldn’t be so gut wrenching.
Enter the idea called “collaborative law.” Here’s how it works: [click to continue…]
by Diane on January 11, 2010
Ahh - Optimism!
Is that some light I see at the end of the crime and justice tunnel? Well, by golly, I think it is!
Let’s start out this New Year by reviewing some recent encouraging news from the crime and justice front.
First, the overall crime rate in America is down. It may not feel like it where you live, some states had better showings than others, but nationwide the statistics are startling, especially since many believe in times of economic stress crime rates usually go up. This proves that’s not necessarily so. [click to continue…]
