Messages for players
This section is for posting messages for the Duke Lacrosse team members and/or coaches. Please do not use it for other purposes. You may also wish to visit the following personalized pages for Dave, Collin and Reade:
David Evans -- Collin Finnerty -- Reade Seligmann
posted by FODU @ 5/31/2006 12:35:00 AM
151 comments
151 Comments:
Dear Duke Lacrosse Players, I do not know any of you. But, in the face of the recent events, I have been worrying about you a great deal. If you ever happen to be on this site, please be aware that there the vast majority of the Duke students are on your side. They trust you, they know that you are innocent, and they cannot wait until they see you amongst them. Be strong and courageous, and the truth will come out. Our prayers and best wishes are with you. You are not alone in this ordeal, even if sometimes it feels that way. We will over come these dark days all together.
As do all the alums
I am pleased one of the Lacrosse players gave an interview yesterday. I think, it is the right strategy and I hope more of them speak out in the coming days. The world needs to know that these are perfectly normal kids, not different than our own. And, those of us raising kids should know what it takes to get to Duke: all the hard work and the tremendous commitment. I really feel for both the parents and the players. However, we need to remain positive. We have to assume that the truth will come out. Perhaps, now that Nifong has won the election, he will begin to act more rationally.
Duke parent 2
If, Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
From a Duke parent and daughter of a late professor emertius:
Wow, ditto to the above. These young men have performed well under extreme pressure. I'm proud of them.
Dear Reade Seligmann and Collin Finnerty, you may never read these words. But if by any chance you happen to come across them, I want you to know the following.
All is not fair in life! However, sometimes, there is some good in even some wrongs. You have to accept this even if it may be hard to do. You must rise above all the anger and bitterness that may be very tempting. Instead, you must wait patiently for the day when you will be vindicated. There are a lot of people who trust you and who are very proud of you. We, all of use, must believe that there is some justice left in the World, and that the truth will prevail. You are not alone in this. There are many of us who feel your pain. But at the same time, we are confident that in the end all will be well. It is only a matter of time.
A Landon Parent, Maryland
It has been incredibly painful to watch these young men and their coach endure this ordeal. As the parent of a Duke female student athlete, my feelings toward this university have forever been changed. Since she was a child, it was my daughter's dream to attend Duke. Like most other student atheltes at Duke, she has been extremely dedicated to her sport, academics, and involved in her community. She had her choice of colleges and was thrilled to choose Duke. Her "love affair" with this university is now over after watching how the administration, professors, and even other classmates have treated these young men. It has led her to ask herself would she be treated in this manner if accused of a crime? As the parent of a student athlete, I try to place myself in the position of these parents and can't imagine the incredible stress and heartbreak this incident is causing. I want the team, parents, and coach to know I have contacted the administration on several occasions during the last month to voice my objections. Please know there are many parents and students who support and believe in you.
I feel the same as other Duke parents and Duke alums on this site about this case- anguish over how Duke University has treated its own students. I, too, expressed my feelings to Dr. Brodhead early on as it was obvious to me from seeing the first transcript of the 911 call that a stripper had made the call(not an innocent passer-by) and that she was out for vengeance. I believed the boys from the get-go. The message that Duke sent to the world by cancelling the lacrosse season and by firing the coach was that Duke believed the allegations. This message empowered groups such as The New Black Panthers, the sundry prayer "vigils", and Nifong et al.
Reade, Colin,and the other boys, you could be my sons. Naivete causes kids to get in situations where shady characters take advantage. True, attending a party with a Durham stripper performing is not wise but no more stupid than countless other sophomoric junk that kids your age do and that their parents did when they were your age. My heart goes out to you and your parents. I think of you daily and would like to help you, if there is a way to do so. Be strong. You are innocent, and everyone will eventually know it. Honest folks will proclaim it! Hang in there!
Duke Mom
I just heard about this website and rushed to write a few words. This whole week, as I was taking my final exams, there was not a single moment that I did not think of you. How I wish I could talk to you and tell you that we –the Duke students-- are fully behind you. We did not betray you, and we will never abandon you. You are one of us and this will never change. We are sure you are telling the truth and we are sure you will be cleared of all these ugly accusations. Hang in there guys. Brighter days are around the corner. Be strong.
I wish I could think of better words. Take care until we see you again.
Duke student – Class of 2008
From realclearpolitics:
Nifong Wins. Will Justice Win, Too?
Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong won reelection in the Democratic primary last night, beating challenger Freda Black by close to 4 percentage points, 45.2 to 41.5. He is running unopposed in November, which is ironic, because if yesterday's primary vote hadn't been closed Nifong almost certainly would have lost:
"We had a lot of irate, irate Republicans who couldn't vote for district attorney," said Mike Ashe, director of the Durham County Board of Elections.
Despite Nifong's assurances that he's acted appropriately thus far, evidence continues to mount that he bungled the investigation and rushed to get indictments against two individuals, at least one of which now appears to have a very solid alibi.
After thoroughly reviewing the case in his column on Monday, esteemed legal analyst Stuart Taylor, Jr. concluded that "accumulating evidence strongly suggests that the charge may well be a lie." He also put Nifong among a group of people - including Duke's professors and administrators - who should be "ashamed of themselves" for the way the case has been handled.
Last night in an interview with Greta Van Susteren, Nifong tried to portray the primary vote as a referendum on his integrity. Hardly. His behavior in this case has been truly disturbing: after giving more than 70 interviews in the immediate aftermath of the accusation where he spoke openly about the case and asserted that the victim was telling the truth, Nifong now won't respond to legitimate questions from either defense attorneys or the media about the various pieces of exculpatory evidence that have come out in this case. Furthermore, despite serious questions about how Nifong and the Durham police botched the identification process (by showing pictures of only Duke players to the alleged victim thereby making any sort of exoneration through misidentification impossible) Nifong indicates he's going to press ahead with a third indictment in the coming days.
Put simply, Nifong is stuck. If he drops the case now, or if it's dismissed or thrown out by a judge in the coming months, Nifong will be disgraced and branded a political opportunist. The only way he can salvage his reputation is to successfully prosecute the case against these boys, and that is an extremely dangerous position for a prosecutor to be in, especially when the evidence continues to build that the whole thing may be a fraud.
Posted by Tom Bevan(RealClearPolitics)
These kids falsely accused could be our children. Shouldn't a fund be set up to help with the legal expenses that their families are having to deal with? If Duke is not going to support these kids, shouldn't we?
This year, I would rather support this fund than the Duke Annual Fund.--Duke Mom
It sounds like a consensus is emerging: setting up a fund to support the Duke Lacrosse families involved. I guess, we will need to work out the logistics of this pretty soon. Let us wait for other good ideas and recommendations to emerge during the next few days and we will start taking some action. Many thanks for your ideas, keep them coming in. Our email address is also available for more private communications.
Moderator
As an alum and former lacrosse player from 84-88, all of you should know that the entire Duke Lacrosse alumni are in full support of the players and coaches during this ordeal. We are doctors, laywers, business leaders, coaches, husbands and fathers - and all of us stand in support of Duke Lacrosse. More importantly, as a third generation Duke legacy, my greatest disappointment was the manner in which the adminstration failed each of you as members of the student body and school staff. Faculty members who signed their names to the ad in the Chronicle should be ashamed and offer their resignations when this ordeal is fully exposed as a false accusation by a very troubled woman. Hold fast, remain strong, and know that the generations that played before you stand behind the program.
Dukelaxalum 88
Nice wishful thinking but those idiot faculty members will cling to their supposed integrity like the leeches they are. I would venture that this "disturbed young woman" is in reality a calculating, thieving whore enjoying her martyr status and salivating over the payday that she blissfully envisions each and every minute of the day.
I will have to sadly agree with the above poster. The question is how we can stop those dreams from becoming true. We are in America, and we are supposed to have ways of preventing things like this from happening.
Here is the email I attempted to send to all of the players and their families several weeks ago. Since I am not sure if they received it, I have copied it here.
Duke Lacrosse Captains 2006 -- Please forward this email to the members of the 2006 team and their parents.
Our son graduated in 2002 and played lacrosse all four years that he attended Duke University. We had the opportunity of knowing all of the players and their parents from the classes of 1999 through 2005. It was our privilege to spend over 70 weekends from 1999 through 2002 with our Duke Lacrosse friends. We continue to be in close contact with the families from the Class of 2002 and many other families from other years. Though we cannot possibly be as devastated as you are as a result of the events of the past few weeks, we do feel the pain. We feel the pain of the opportunities lost, of the unfounded charges, of the desperation and greed demonstrated by a misguided District Attorney, of the anger of a woman scorned and of the negative attention placed on Duke University and your team. We know you do not deserve the stress and pressure you are receiving.
At the same time, we are impressed by the way you are handling this difficult situation, by the poise you are showing to the country and by the respectful cooperation you are giving to those who doubt your honesty. You continue to make us proud to be part of the Duke Lacrosse family.
We are encouraged by the fact that the national media seems to be coming to the realization that things may not be as they have been portrayed during the last few weeks. Please stay strong and realize that there are many of us from previous Duke Lacrosse teams who support you during these trying times.
Lax Parents ‘02
I feel for you guys! What's happening really sucks! The DA is out ot get you. If you guys are truly "rich" as the papers say, I hope you respond with civil suits against the stripper and the DA for destroying your lives.
Stay strong! Rape shield laws and the unscrupulous DA are slanted against you, but you have truth on your side. I hope you’re able to get your lives back.
Dave, that was one amazingly GREAT speech you made. I do not believe that any of you assaulted that lying girl, I believe that the entire lacrosse team is innocent, and I believe that this girl will get what is coming to her. How awful it is for this girl to ruin your senior year, and to watch the wheels of justice turn in the wrong direction. does Nifong not understand that in America, we are innocent until proven guilty, and not the other way around?
I'm disgusted at the way that Duke turned its back on you and your teammates. I'm a college athlete myself at an "elite" university in the deep South, and I cannot imagine the pain you're going through.
to the people of Durham and the whole country who are using this situation as a racial scapegoat: you are setting this country back forty years. this issue is not about rich vs. poor. this is not black versus white. this is truth versus falsehood. no matter what your "race" is, no matter what your "class" is, we are all human and the truth will prevail.
Dear Dave, you made us proud with your speech. There is not a single shred of evidence pointing to your guilt. We will stand by you until the end and we are confident that all will be well in the end. We trust you and your team mates. I am glad you made the speech and proved the World that you have nothing to hide. Congratulations on your graduation as well. Our prayers and well wishes are with you Reade, Collin, and Dave.
To Dave Evans:
It took great courage and strength to speak after today's events. You spoke from the heart and it's an inspiration for all of us.
While this ordeal will likely get worse before it gets better, I hope that you continue to draw confidence from the truth and the strength to persevere from the love of your family and friends.
At our reunion a few weeks ago, my wife and I were struck by how unified our class was in support of the team and their families. We're behind you and we'll do our part to see this through.
To Reade, Collin, Dave, and Ryan: Stay strong and be patient. The truth is on your side. Never underestimate the power of the "truth". Eventually, all these false accusations will be cleared up. In a few years, this will become a distant memory. For now, our prayers are with you. We will never abandon you; we will never doubt you; we will stand by you until the end.
Dave,
Your speech was wonderful! I had tears in my eyes the whole time. This is a tragedy and hopefully the truth will come out soon. My heart breaks for you guys.
You have much support on the Web too! If you have any doubts check this out! http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1632431/posts
I am a Duke supporter, but will not give another dime to Duke for the way they have treated you guys.
Stay strong!
We love you guys!
One of my most memorable professors at Duke would often remind us of Hemingway's definition of courage: "Grace under pressure." I thought of that yesterday as I watched Dave Evans give his statement. I have valued my connection with Duke for many years, and this spring has been a heartbreaker. Yesterday Dave Evans made me feel once again that familiar pride of being a "Dukie". He seems an articulate, intelligent young man conducting himself in a thoroughly admirable manner. I feel so deeply for him, his teammates and their parents and friends. I just hope this nightmare will end soon for all of them.
I'd like to echo the comments from the post @ 9:31 PM on May 15. Here's a URL that lists threads pertaining to this topic: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=duke
You have a lot of people praying for you up here in NYC and the surrounding areas. Sad thing is...if you went to school up north, this would be over by now. Scary to see that ignorance and reverse racism are still alive and kicking down in Durham.
I want to echo the sentiments of the poster two above. In the Maryland area, our hearts are also broken! But, we stand by you and we trust you one hundred percent. We will continue to stand by you until the end. We look forward for the day when you will all be vindicated and we will all celebrate together! We will play Lacrosse again (the game we love). Go Bears...Go Blue Devils...
Dear Reade,
I am so sorry for what you endured yesterday from the media and the ignorant haters. The way you conducted yourself in the courtroom inspired pride in all of our hearts. The wall of lies against you, Collin and Dave is crumbing down. Have faith. Hold your head up, continue to be strong and know your team mates and their families are standing with you.
A Team Mom
To the Guys, Keep your Heads held high. Dont let those racist haters get you down! Just keep reminding yourselves the facts.
"you all have truth on your side"
st295x98@yahoo.com
I am not a Dukie. I am a Durhamite and I am sickened by what Reade, David, and Colin are being put through. I am more sickened by Nifong’s criminal actions—and sickened with myself that (at first) I was fooled by Nifong into believing a rape occurred. I can’t tell you how much I hoped my vote (and my husband’s and all my friends’) on 2 May would remove that (I am searching for a polite word) menace from office and put a sane person in charge. I am still stunned by the injustice of all of this.
Reade, David, and Colin—I am praying for you and your families. May God give you the strength to endure this tragedy. I know you will prevail.
To the poster above: It is not too late to help. Please let other Durham residents know how you feel. Perhaps some of them will also begin to see the truth. After all, Nifong is not only destroying the lives of these 3 innocent students, he is making Durham the laughing stock of the whole country. The Durham residents have a great deal to lose in this horrible situation. If you want to coordinate your efforts with us, send an email. We can make recommendations on how to help.
I suspect many Durham residents will begin to see the truth soon. All the lies Nigong has been telling and all the politics he has been engaged in will become increasingly difficult to deny. You need to get organized and do something constructive about this unfortunate situation; for your own sakes, as well as, for the sake of these innocent kids.
As a lacrosse player and a college student I have followed this ordeal from the moment I heard about it. It pains me to hear that such accusations are being brought upon such seemingly upstanding young men. I believe that these young men are innocent. I wish them strength to get through their troubled times and to tell them that a lot of people are on their side. Good luck and stay strong!
Fellow Lax Player
Please sign this petition in support of Reade! http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/SupportReade/
The petition above already has over 1200 signatures! Be sure to sign up. Also, feel free to post any other pro-Duke lacrosse websites in the "Comments" section of the petition!
David,Reade,and Collin. May God`s love keep you all in this troubled time.Im a Duke parent who`s son breaks the stereotype that the media has portrayed.(He`s a North Carolina kid from a rual public high school.)I truly belive that most North Carolinians support you. Please stay strong. We are with you, always.
To all the Duke LAX players, and especially to Collin, Reade, and Dave...Please know that there are thousands of fair-minded people across the country who are praying for you and your families, and who believe wholeheartedly in your innocence...please stay strong while you wait for justice to prevail. The decent people in this country are not going to sit idly by and allow you to be railroaded by this false accuser and this unethical, political opportunist D.A. God Bless all of you.
A concerned mom
All of these posts are so great, I'm at a loss for what to add! Hang in there, all will be okay!
This poem is to show my great admiration to Kirsten Kimel and her courageous Duke Lacrosse women's team. I wish them luck this afternoon in the final four.
The Things That Haven't Been Done Before
by Edgar Guest
The things that haven't been done before,
Those are the things to try;
Columbus dreamed of an unknown shore
At the rim of the far-flung sky,
And his heart was bold and his faith was strong
As he ventured in dangers new,
And he paid no heed to the jeering throng
Or the fears of the doubting crew.
The many will follow the beaten track
With guideposts on the way.
They live and have lived for ages back
With a chart for every day.
Someone has told them it's safe to go
On the road he has traveled o'er,
And all that they ever strive to know
Are the things that were known before.
A few strike out without map or chart,
Where never a man has been,
From the beaten path they draw apart
To see what no man has seen.
There are deeds they hunger alone to do;
Though battered and bruised and sore,
They blaze the path for the many, who
Do nothing not done before.
The things that haven't been done before
Are the tasks worthwhile today;
Are you one of the flock that follows, or
Are you one that shall lead the way?
Are you one of the timid souls that quail
At the jeers of a doubting crew,
Or dare you, whether you win or fail,
Strike out for a goal that's new?
Dear Duke alums and parents and friends,
We in upstate NY have been heartsick over the events that the team and Coach Pressler have been through. We have written emails to columnists whom we feel are fairly covering the daily events, and have congratulated them on their fairness. And, we have taken the biased writers to task for lacking journalistic integrity, blsting them in print and on the phone!
I feel that one way in which we can some clarity and discuss the facts, is by wearing our Duke lacrosse gear when we attend events. At a recent game between Army and Navy at Colgate which we attended to watch Coach Al's team, my husband wore his Duke lacrosse hat and was highly sought out by many who wanted to discuss the case. He was able to clarify many concerns and shed light on items that the national press had gotten wrong.
For example, many people don't know about the reference to "American Psycho" that was related to the email, or the fact that several Duke professors require viewing it for their courses.
WE need to be out there educating the public. God knows that most of the news media is getting it wrong, and has, from the get go.
So, wear your Duke lax gear and be a spokesperson for these guys who could have been any of our sons. It's one thing we can do that can have a great ripple effect.
And, my hat is off to the entire women's team and their coaches, for bravely wearing the wristbands that stated that the guys are indeed, "innocent."
To the poster above: It is good to hear from the great state of NY. Your suggestions make a lot of sense. We will definitely follow up on them. We too communicated with several media reporters and exchanged information on certain facts. It is a slow and painful process, but we have to win every heart we can (one at a time).
If you have a designated leader/coordinator over there, you may want to contact us via email. If we decide to organize events, it will be good to coordinate. We operate completely confidentially.
Email address:
friendsofdukeuniversity@yahoo.com
I am a resident of Durham for 20+ years , My wife went to Duke and my two sons play Lacrosse (middle school and High school). We as a Family want to support,the coaches ,players and parents of Duke Lacrosse. But mostly we want to support those who have been falsely accussed. Our prayers and thoughts go out you.
My heart goes out to all of the players, their families and friends.
I, too, am a 20+ year resident of Durham. Have faith, many in Durham see this 'case' for what it really is. I'm hoping Nifong (or those that have some power over Nifong) comes to his senses soon and drops these charges.
Congratulations to Matt Zash, Kyle Dowd, and Dan Flannery for being selected in the Major League Lacrosse Draft! I'm glad that you will be able to once again take the field and play the game you love, after having your Senior year's season taken from you...we'll be rooting for Matt and the Philadelphia Barrage!
Concerned Mom
This is excellent news! Thank you “Concerned Mom” for sharing it with us. Heart felt congratulations to Matt, Kyle and Dan!
Lacrosse forever
Dear Lacrosse Players,
I cannot start to understand how difficult the last 3 months have been-- your season was cancelled, your coach resigned under pressure, 4 of your team-mates were suspended, and 3 have been indicted. Your lives have been turned upside down.You are in the middle of a hurricane-- the perfect storm.
You have our family's prayers and sympathies.
However, you have to rise to the occasion. You are under a microscope and everything you do is going to be examined, reflecting on yourself, your team, and Duke.
Tne news today that your team-mate was charged last week with DWI and possession of marijuana is disturbing because it indicates that he does not "get it."
(See Herald-Sun 6/2/06).
After all that has happened, drunk driving does not help your cause-- and is always dangerous.
It is clear that alcohol is a major problem, so drink responsibly and never drive and drink.
A Duke Parent
To the Lacrosse Team. Follow your captains.. You are in the biggest game of your life.. You have good counsel and great support from your family.. But you are the real strength.. Team!
Macro2006
Everything you boys do is going to be run through with a fine tooth comb. Any infraction is going to give Brodhead and his cronies a chance to pat themsleves on the back and revel in their righteousness. So, perhaps it bears repeating to whoever is in contact with the lacrosse team that they have to exhibit stellar character, especially when in the Durham/Chapel Hill environs! It might be a good idea for the team to make a pledge to each other that they will give up drinking until all three of their teamates are cleared of charges. Is that too much to ask?
Dear Americans, I am a mother of a present Duke Lacrosse player. My son has chosen to go back to Duke this year. As I read comments from this website, I get the strength to continue my day. For your kind words and support I thank you.
anonymous at 9:20...so glad that you are drawing strength from the website and the comments here...I can't tell you how many people I know who are supporting not only the indicted players, but the entire team. And we intend to show our support til the positive resolution of this case. Stay strong!
Concerned Mom
Dear Lacrosse Players,
People don't always get second chances in life. The reinstatement of the team gives you a chance to show what kind of men you are.
Are you drunken, rowdy louts, or are you intelligent, disciplined, skilled athletes?
The whole world will be watching your behavior. I trust and believe that you will act with decency, honor, and respect.
What you do will reflect on your character, your family, your team, and your university.
Take advantage of this second chance so that the Duke LAX jersey will be become a symbol of pride.
Dear Lacrosse Players, I am happy to hear the news! It is great, a step in the right direction! Finally, the World is beginning to make sense. I hope there will be many more good news and good days like this, in the horizon. You must the anxious to play again. Do not worry, that day will come soon.
Good luck in 2007!
While I'm glad that the team was reinstated, I wonder about Colin and Reade. It's a farce to talk about "innocent until proven guilty," and not reinstate them along with their teammates. I understand that Duke suspends students who are indicted, but the assumption is that due process - which means the accused were fairly represented to the grand jury - was followed and that sufficient proof existed for the indictment. That did not happen in this case. All Duke University needs to do - it's trustees included - is to designate a waver for the exceptional condidtions of this case. The waver can be stated in such a way that Duke's policy remains intact for those cases in which a dangerous or criminal student is removed from campus.
I wouldn't blame Colin, Reade, or their families if they never returned to Duke or even avoided taking flights that passed over North Carolina airspace, but considering the history of this case, creating such a waver and reinstating them would be the liberal (generous) and merciful thing to do. My heart aches for them. It once ached for Duke because I grew up smelling their football games in my backyard (cigarette smoke) and attending games at Cameron when Bubas was coach, but that love is fading as I witness the cowardly behavior of Duke's leadership.
I want to second the statement above: Duke's leadership has been nothing but cowardly. I am of the opinion that there will be a huge back lash. But for now, we need to focus on three people whose lives are in jeopardy: Reade, Collin, and Dave.
Hang in there guys, Amarica is watching and we will not let anything happen to you. You have much more public support than you can imagine. Do not let those fools on TV shows tell you otherwise. America is with you. Stay strong, the truth will prevail.
I think every parent of a world-class athlete recognizes the mix of pure talent and backbreaking hard work that drives personal success. Most people could not get through the assault that the media and, of greater distress, the Durham criminal justice system has waged on you. So many parents in so many places are concerned because we know that you are kids; you may have been old enough to hire a stripper and buy beer, but you are not old enough to be a pawn in widespread racial bigotry. You are too few against the many. Realize that the long term goal for some is to harm you by taking away your internal calm and optimism. Don't let this attack be successful. Don't lose the ability to trust and work hard not to isolate yourself or retreat into anger. You can not control the timeline but you can resist being controlled and consumed by it. ALthough I believe that Mike Nyfong will go down in history as a unethical, egotistical disbarred lawyer, don't take comfort there; don't neglect your dreams and don't let three or four "unpredictable" months sidetrack your future. Treat it like an injury - heal.
Although this secton is reserved for messages to the Lacrosse players, I want to dedicate this poem to Duke Law Professor James E. Coleman--who did not commit the Sin of Omission. Thank you Professor Coleman.
The Sin of Omission
by Margaret E. Sangster
It isn't the thing you do, dear,
It's the thing you leave undone
That gives you a bit of heartache
At setting of the sun.
The tender word forgotten,
The letter you did not write,
The flowers you did not send, dear,
Are your haunting ghosts at night.
The stone you might have lifted
Out of a brother's way;
The bit of heartsome counsel
You were hurried too much to say;
The loving touch of the hand, dear,
The gentle and winsome tone
Which you had no time nor thought for
With troubles enough of your own.
Those little acts of kindness,
So easily out of mind,
Those chances to be angels
Which we poor mortals may find --
They come in night and silence,
Each sad, reproachful wraith,
When hope is faint and flagging,
And a chill has fallen on faith.
For life is all too short, dear,
And sorrow is all too great,
To suffer our slow compassion
That tarries until too late;
And it's not the thing you do, dear,
It's the thing you leave undone
Which gives you a bit of heartache
At the setting of the sun.
I see the Duke Lacrosse fiassco as quite black and white as I guess most people do - no gray areas here. I think the "accuser" has falsely accused these boys and all the evidence so far collected points to that. The prefabricated photo line up with only Duke Lacrosse players, the lack of DNA, the time line of the whereabouts of the accused, etc. I think the whole situation came about due to a monetary disagreement and so she thought she'd get back at them by ruining some of their lives with false accusations and then the thing blew up to a national disaster with race implications. And that District Attorney, Mike Nifong - all politically motivated to get himself re-elected - all the press conferences and now nothing - because he has nothing. I'm sure he is hoping the whole thing will quietly go away, but that's not going to happen. Putting off a "trial" until next spring. Meanwhile the boys have this hanging over their heads. I'm not saying they are totally innocent in all this - hiring a stripper in the first place was bad judgement, but I don't think they raped her - she'd be covered in their DNA if they did, and after 2 DNA tests, the results are inconclusive. How did this thing become a racial boondoggle anyway? I hope clearer heads prevail in all this mess.
Dear Duke Lacrossed Players, I have been following this case closely and feel that you have been harassed to further our District Attorneys career. I pray that clearer heads will prevail in this case and that the truth will come to light. I feel that you young men have been wrongly accused and that once cleared it will be a weight off of your shoulders, I just hope that after all is said and done that the people of Durham have learned a lesson and this does not affect the rest of your life.
Dear Duke Lacrosse Players:
I am from Durham and I have many friends and acquaintances who believe you have been falsely accused and believed this from the very beginning. Before this, I believed Nifong would make a good DA based on his twenty plus years of experience. However, I have completely changed my mind. I will be supporting Louis Cheek now. If Nifong dropped the charges now, I might change my mind but only if he doesn't accompany that action with snide, sarcastic comments. I have heard he is very hard headed and completely incapable of admitting he is wrong. I am praying for everyone involved in this hideous situation.
You may feel bitter, but if you are part of a larger process,
then what you have been through may help to heal the nation's wounds and actually salvage black America form its suicidal binge of victimhood.
This case has been called 'the perfect storm". Indeed. (Imagine for a moment if the defendants really had no alibis--no photos, no ATM stop, no paper trail; but that they had been present all during the events of that night; or even, that in the course of helping the accuser to her car, had left some DNA on her.)
That sort of scenario is far more likely than that there would be absolute evidence of the defendants not being present.
(And I'm sure Nifong didn't expect to get hit with a tidal wave of contrary evidence.)
Ergo, the elements of this 'perfect storm' could not have been worked out better if they had been planned in advance. (I'll leave that for the metaphysical among us.)
But in any case, if this case proves to be a turning point for black America (in that it forces it to finally confront its infatuation with its own victimhood, and acknowledge that some of its ills are the result of its own shortcomings), then it can achieve far more than merely proclaiming the innocence of the three accused in N. Carolina.
(Black America is presently at a dead end; one out of for black children is aborted; one out of three black males will receive a state or federal felony conviction and sentence; and newcomers to America--Hispanics and Asians--are rapidly replacing blacks in all fields. The same sorry dirge of victimhood to which we all danced the 1960s is hopelessly out of date in the present century.)
So don't become bitter. Don't throw away the progress (even the 'victory') which might be in the works here. Disillusioning the hard Left and the black "consensus" about their perceptions of the world
(like Sancho Panza showing Don Quixote the true image of himself in the 'mirror of reality') might have profound results (for the better).
Watch your statements after the case is dismissed or tossed out;. don't be guilty of gloating or overly harsh criticisms; let others fight those battles for you. And derive what satisfaction you can from the knowledge that you might have been privileged to be used in a greater game that the one in which you knew you were involved.
As a black female, I suppose I'm a part of this 'Black America' that an earlier poster talked about. I'm saddened by the fact that there are still a lot of issues with the Black community (which of course cannot all be blamed on past transgressions). However, one must be careful about making blanket statements about a group of people (This lacrosse case has definitely emphasized this fact).
I for one am embarrassed and dismayed about how the lax players were treated and feel really badly for their families and friends. I hate that the players were used as scapegoats for much deeper issues that had little to do with the lacrosse team. However, please do not assume that all (or even the vast majority) of black Americans are 'infatuated with victimhood' or looking to blame another race for all of its problems. This lacrosse case has already shown us the dangers of assuming a person’s behavior based on his/her background and skin color.
I really wish the best for the lacrosse players and hope Nifong and the accuser get what they deserve. I am glad they are reinstating the team—Duke’s absence left a huge void in the 2006 lacrosse season and they were sorely missed. I really wish the Duke lax players the best of luck next season (except when they face Hopkins :) ) and hope Nifong comes to his senses and drops the case.
JHU '02
Thahks to JHU '02 for her insights, her fellowship and her courage -- it's a good reminder that we need to keep our eyes focused on the real issue -- the fact that a false rape accusation is being used to catapault one unscrupulous, pig-headed DA into office, and not allow ourselves to be diverted from that focus by the race-baiters of both stripes that are simply using this case as a platform for their own twisted agendas.
Dear Duke Lacrosse Players,
I could not possibly begin to understand the pain the 3 indicted players, their current and former Duke teammates, and their family members are currently experiencing.
Your futures are on hold and have forever been made more difficult. Due to Nifong's actions and the media coverage you have been branded with a sort of scarlet letter "A" that many will never remove from you.
Despite every objective evidence and testimony finding on your behalf Nifong seemingly becomes more committed to destroying your lives. Nifong does not have the moral courage to remove himself from this case or dismiss the charges. He seems content to have your futures rest in the hands of a jury (that's what he keeps on saying). I pray to God you receive an impartial jury - there seems no guarantee of that at this point.
Whatever happened in the house that night & morning the charges clearly are not consistent with the discovery evidence now fully disclosed to the public.
You guys must have incredibly supportive and loving families to have been able to endure these injustices. First the Duke administration abandoned you, your coach, and your team and simultaneously you are subjected to unethical and argubly unlawful treatment by DA Mike Nifong and the Durham police.
My 7 year old son and myself watched you play for a National Championship last year. It was an incredible game. This year he asked me why Duke was not playing in the Final 4. I tried my best to explain but ultimately I summed it up by telling him sometimes things happen to people that are not fair. I used the example that sometimes people die too early from unfair diseases. I told my son that some unfair things had happened to the Duke Lacrosse team that kept them from finishing their season.
Of course, the one big difference about the unfairness you continue to deal with is that DA Mike Nifong controls the fairness and has the ability to admit his well documented mistakes.
It seems the only viable option at this point is to support the candidate running against DA Mike Nifong in the November election. The candidate states he will not run as a write-in candidate so it is imperative that we help him get the 6500 signatures required to run as petitioned candidate. An objective, non-politcally motivated DA may have a different take on the case.
I pray that you all are given the strength, patience, and financial means to make it through until justice is served.
CJN '89
Since a few have quoted Shakespeare - and we are from Duke University - I quote the following in honor of "the three" and "the team" who have and will in the days to come hold their head high and be remembered for the battle they have endured and will certainly win. Like Henry V, the Lacrosse team are fighting for themselves and for something greater - and I'm not being sappy - the rights of freedom, liberty, and justice.
-------------------------
This day is call'd the feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispian's day.'
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words-
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
Re above: What a magnificent contribution! Thank you for sharing it with us.
Gentlemen,
There are so many people across this country who do not know you or your parents, nor are Duke alums nor even residents of North Carolina, who are sending you our thoughts and prayers, in hopes that this nightmare will soon be over for you. I keep thinking that, surely, the state Attorney General or the Department of Justice will step in and stop this travesty of justice. You have all shown great courage and your parents have shown how much they love you. I know it's small comfort, but, if you've ever doubted that you are loved and supported by your families, now you will always have proof of their deep and abiding care for you. Take care of each other and keep having hope. You are "stand up" men and I would be proud to have any one of you as my own son.
Dear Lacrosse Players. Heads up, hearts strong, stay the course...You will overcome these trying times and those who attempt to persecute you shall feel their own hatred working against them. God Bless all of you.
IF
By Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
but make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
or being hated, don't give way to hating,
and yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream-and not make dreams your master,
if you can think-and not make thoughts your aim;
if you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
and treat those two impostors just the same;
if you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
and stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
and risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
and lose, and start again at your beginnings
and never breathe a word about your loss;
if you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
to serve your turn long after they are gone,
and so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
or walk with kings-nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
if all men count with you, but none too much,
if you can fill the unforgiving minute
with sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And-which is more-you'll be a Man, my son!
An old poem passed from generation to generation, may you all find some comfort in parts of the passages.
Also our apologies for the educated adults representing the communities that your parents sent you to for your education for not having stood by you during this time. You have all demonstrated a true understanding of "team" in your courage and trust in each other. Obviously, the apples have not fallen far from the trees.
You are all in our prayers. Trust in God. You have armies of families on your side.
To Reade, Collin, and Dave:
"Be strong and of good courage;...
and I will be with thee."
(Deuteronomy 31:23)
Stay strong. Try to get your minds off the case as much as you can. In the end the truth will prevail.
Remember that there are thousands of people across the country in your corner. You have our thoughts, prayers and best wishes.
I'm sorry. So , so sorry. Please stay strong and don't give up. People see your innocence, we will not let your lives crumble into the ground(its already crumbled to the ground.). Your lives are not over. No children, they haven't even started. And I promise you, it will be ok.
This letter was published in Herald Sun on June 27, 2006
----------------------------
Reinstate lacrosse coach
It appears that a time could be approaching in the Duke lacrosse case where many apologies may be due. However the case turns out, an apology will not be enough for former Duke lacrosse coach Mike Pressler. Pressler has been at Duke for 16 years. He turned a ragtag team into national championship material. He was named National Coach of the Year in 2005. Pressler had strict disiplinary policies. During the run to the championship game last year, ke kicked two players off the team for rules violations. He dealt with every team violation that he was aware off. In a recent report on the lacrosse program by Duke professor James Coleman, Pressler was basically fully exonerated. Duke President Richard Brodhead admitted as much in a recent interview. I would encourage readers to pick up the latest issue of Sports Illustrated and read up on Coach Pressler. It is now time for Duke University to do the right thing. Pressler was not involved in any of the events that have surfaced in past few months. He is an honorable man and will not easily be replaced. He should not have to be replaced. He was a scapegoat in this mess, and now that most of the facts are out, Brodhead and Duke should do the right and honorable thing. It's never too late to do the right thing. Reinstate Mike Pressler and pay him for time lost. And do it now.
MIKE COTTON
Durham
June 27, 2006
To Dave Evans,
I am so sorry to see that you were found guilty of a noise violation when another player was acquitted of the same violation.
This further example of unfair targeting and capricious justice make me very afraid should this case ever go to trial in Durham, which appears not to resemble the multi-cultural oaisis of tolerance and diversity it has marketed itself as, but, rather, seems steeped in race and class hatred.
I was married to a lacrosse player who not only played with Dom Starsia, and Bob Scalise, but was their coach in summer league for them as well. My 2 children played soccer, basketball, and lacrosse, but what a surprise they went on to play D1 with scholarships after my husband died. So you could say I have lived in the lacrosse world for 30 years. I am appalled on so many levels, I have read a lot about this case. The judicial system upsets me that these innocent boys could be facing time. What is wrong with America?
I'm sure you feel the same, but specifically, aside from the obvious abuse of power, the agendas the facts, the credibility of witnesses, what can we do? I have a question as to why the accusors cell phone wasn't important. Why are her actions preceding the alledged rape not significant? I am so happy I never sent my kids down south, their version of justice is skewed.
I feel for not only the boys indicted, but the others who have to live through this. My heart goes out to them and their families. I will do anything to help these families.
pami6@aol.com
Buck up, Collin. We're all immensely relieved you didn't end up with jail time.
It's unjust, but that's life.
Collin,
One down, one to go.
:-)
Collin,
Not much to say that can cheer you up, except think of this as having been like root canal : it was inconvenient, it hurt a lot, and the best thing about it is that it's over!
:-)
"It's unjust, but that's life."
Having just read a bit more about it, it's even more unjust than I thought.
But the more outrageous it is, the more the swing back will be when the recoil comes (I hope).
Guys, this is going to sound a little strange, but here goes :
This case may end by holding a mirror up for the AA community, to get a real good look at their obsession with victimhood and snap judgments about other races. Everyone when way, way out on a limb on this, quick to condemn, hold rallies, and commit themselves to extremes.
And now it seems they're all going to have to eat crow.
It's possible that this could wind up as a kind of turning point, in which the "victimhood" era is finally left behind us, and the last brick in the wall which kept the races separated is finally torn down. (The AA community won't be so quick to judge next time, and appeals to racism will merely raise skepticism about the one doing the accusing.)
If that turns out to be true, then what you have been going through may turn out to have been worth it in the end.
So hang in there, it's not over yet.
(Job didn't like what he was going through, but when it was over, he probably wouldn't have had it any other way.)
Over 30 years ago, I attended a seminar designed to let high school seniors hobnob a bit with the rich and famous. There were many prominent speakers such as the great Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr. Most of them gave the standard inspirational speech -- follow your dreams, work hard, believe in yourself, blah, blah, blah.
Today I can only remember the speech of one man, Lowell Thomas. He was not only before your time, but before mine, being over 80 when I met him, but he was the man who made Lawrence of Arabia famous in WWI and became one of America's most famous journalists for decades thereafter.
Here was Mr. Thomas's advice for impressionable young people: Go to jail! He then told three stories about times in his life when he had been arrested, and how seeming disasters had turned into opportunities that shaped his life for the better.
What is happening to you is a gross injustice, but you will ultimately be vindicated. In the long run, your attitude to the experience will do more to shape your life than the bad experience itself. Look for the opportunity in it.
Dear Guys,
I just was thinking of the Team. It must be rough, but know that there are many people out here doing what we can do. Some of us post on CTV and fight the insanity of the Potbangers and many write letters to news outlets. Some of us are prouding wearing our new Blue Wristbands
You are not alone!
Ciao Marco2006
As one eloquent, earlier poster stated, "there are armies of families" behind you. These armies of families extend beyond Duke University, lacrosse, your high schools and your communities.
Many of us are strangers, just regular folks who grew up believing in our justice system and are shocked at how you have been treated. Some of us are hard at work to keep pressure on the media to get the true story out. Please stay strong.
GC
I already wrote my message to the three Duke Lacrosse players. To summarize, they have been falsely accused, and like many others, I am anxiously waiting for the day when they will be fully exonerated and get their lives back.
The message I have here is for the rest of us. I think it is time we all remember these words. As you read, do not forget to reverse the roles!!!
---------------------------
To Kill A Mockingbird
(Atticus Finch delivers his Closing Argument at the Trial of Tom Robinson)
"To begin with, this case should never have come to trial. The State has not produced one iota of medical evidence that the crime Tom Robinson is charged with ever took place. It has relied instead upon the testimony of two witnesses whose evidence has not only been called into serious question on cross examination, but has been flatly contradicted by the defendant. Now there is circumstantial evidence to indicate that Mayella Ewell was beaten savagely by someone who led, almost exclusively, with his left [hand]. And Tom Robinson now sits before you, having taken "The Oath" with the only good hand he possesses -- his right.
I have nothing but pity in my heart for the Chief Witness for the State. She is the victim of cruel poverty and ignorance. But, my pity does not extend so far as to her putting a man's life at stake, which she has done in an effort to get rid of her own guilt. Now I say "guilt," gentlemen, because it was guilt that motivated her. She's committed no crime. She has merely broken a rigid and time-honored code of our society, a code so severe that whoever breaks it is hounded from our midst as unfit to live with. She must destroy the evidence of her offense. But, what was the evidence of her offense? Tom Robinson, a human being. She must put Tom Robinson away from her. Tom Robinson was to her a daily reminder of what she did.
Now what did she do? She tempted a negro. She was white and she tempted a negro. She did something that in our society is unspeakable: She kissed a black man. Not an old uncle, but a strong, young negro man. No code mattered to her before she broke it, but it came crashing down on her afterwards.
The witnesses for the State, with the exception of the sheriff of Lincoln County, have presented themselves to you gentlemen -- to this Court -- in the cynical confidence that their testimony would not be doubted; confident that you gentlemen would go along with them on the assumption, the evil assumption, that all negroes lie; all negroes are basically immoral beings; all negro men are not to be trusted around our women, an assumption that one associates with minds of their caliber, and which is in itself, gentlemen, a lie -- which I do not need to point out to you.
And so, a quiet, humble, respectable negro, who has had the unmitigated TEMERITY to feel sorry for a white woman, has had to put his word against two white peoples. The defendant is not guilty. But somebody in this courtroom is.
Now, gentlemen, in this country our courts are the great levelers. In our courts, all men are created equal. I'm no idealist to believe firmly in the integrity of our courts and of our jury system. That's no ideal to me. That is a living, working reality!
Now I am confident that you gentlemen will review without passion the evidence that you have heard, come to a decision, and restore this man to his family.
In the name of God, do your duty. In the name of God, believe Tom Robinson."
You must stop and wonder sometimes, "Why me?"
But maybe it's because you guys have the religious faith to get you through this. You know that Nifong is not the master of the universe (even if he thinks he is) and the judges in Durham aren't the only Judge.
Imagine if some other player had been chosen who didn't have that background--how would they stand up to this?
Would you have been willing--if for some reason this ordeal has to be--to switch places and go through it for them?
Dear Young Men, I have worked for Duke for eleven years, and have grown to love Duke from deep in my heart. Some of you, like so many others in college, have done stupid things, gone a little crazy sometimes, and maybe crossed the line between having fun and being a jerk. Haven't we ALL??!! But nothing, short of bonafide hard physical evidence, is going to make me believe your teammates are guilty of rape. When I was 34, very close friend was raped, tortured, beaten and left naked in a field by five men. Eventually they caught these animals. If I could have, I would have shot them all, and never had one ounce of hesitation. My friend lived but was a shadow of her former self. To think that any of you did something similar makes my stomach turn with revulsion.......and, until guilt or innocence is determined by a proper jury......I will support you, all of you, with my words, actions, thoughts, and prayers. As bad as the crime of rape is, even worse is the crime of false accusation for nothing more than greedy extortion.
To Collin's family,
I am a Duke Mom who lives within a short drive of Durham. While visiting my husband's aunt and uncle in North Dakota, everyone asked about the Duke case. None believed that the boys were guilty.
Hold your head up. Many, many more than you realize are on our side and waiting to hear that Collin, Reade, and Dave are vindicated. We are a country that seeks justice. Lots of people unrelated to you or Duke are praying for you.
I have no connection to Duke
University or lacrosse. I live
in the midwest and have followed
this case from day one. It is
certainly ironic that the character
and behavior of these clearly
falsely accused young men represents what we would hope to
see out of a DA's office. Instead,
this DA behaves like a "houligan"
and an embarrassment for all he
is supposed to represent. Many
people are incredibly impressed with the poise and dignity that
these young men have shown in the
face of such torment. My husband
has owned a consulting firm for
22 years and is always looking
for young men and women who are
smart, composed and can handle
challenges with dignity. It goes
without saying that this is an
incredible challenge, but when
this ends in your favor (which
it obviously will)there will not
be three more respected and sought after young
men in the country. You will
have tremendous futures and make
great contributions to society, I
am certain!
I look forward to hearing about
the successes you will all have.
I hope all three of you can find some "fun" in life with family and friends while you await true justice and the unravelling of the tremendous lies uttered against you.
Also, I do hope you all keep journals of the goings-on and your reactions and "epiphanies" of what has happened to you in this "Jobesque" drama. I do feel that you will have a best seller, that will not only be a potboiler but also an instuctive narrative that colleges in the future will assign as summer reading to freshmen about to embark on the journey of higher education.
Right now , all you most likely see is what has been taken away from you. However, something has been given to you also. You have endured a "trial by fire." You will come out stronger because of this injustice. You will become passionate about "fairness." You will become wiser about "wickedness." You will become a crusader in some field that you probably had not considered before this debacle befell you. Yes, your names have become infamous, but your story has also engendered a web of sympathy around you. I do believe many folks will reach out to you all and will want to know you and hire you and try to make up to you and replenish your souls for what was so cavalierly taken away.
Guys, the world is still your oyster! You've been done wrong, but the page has turned. Brighter days are ahead. You are everyone's son.-- Mom of a recent Duke alum
Collin–
You are neither the first (nor do I suspect you will be the last) to be subjected to DC's travesty of a "legal system" – where what are at worst barely misdemeanors and worthy only of a quick reprimand become disasters due to the incompetence of that system. You will survive this.
To all the Guys–
Durham doesn't seem to be much better. As an Duke alumna, attorney, and former athlete I am disgusted at how the legal system has degenerated. The media portaryals of Duke are very odd and greatly in conflict with the school I expereinced and loved. It was not perfect when I was there and some bad things did happen, and it isn't perfect now – nothing is. What it does do is create a slew of well-rounded alumni who employers love because of the normalcy and self-sufficient competence Duke somehow engenders in the students.
We believe you. Many of us have believed you for months and months. You are young and entitled to a certain degree of youthful irreverence (e.g., a drink or two) without the censure of the planet – especially from those who did not only that, but far worse . . . some of your critics probably even have committed the umpardonably crime of jay-walking (not just Kansas alum). That's why they are misdemeanors (unlike embezzlement or stealing a car and trying to run over an officer). I am terribly sorry you have to endure this, it sickens me.
I am sure your attorneys have already addressed this, but based upon the accuser's history it is possible that she was in a position to loose her children to social services after her prior convictions and behavior. I say this not to be derrogatory, but to note that in many jxns that would be likley and that would have given here a rather strong motive to fabricate the rape story when brought to the treatment facility as a perceived drunk. She had done it before and it probably was tghe first thing she thought of again, especially if she really had gone through a bad experience and not received justice then -- why not transfer it to the "rich white" people, right? I say this to counter all the people who claim that b/c she may have been hysterical after the police picked her up, that there could be a very good reason that had nothing to do with you guys. She also could just be a lousy drink.
There obviously is a reason she left the Navy early and given what she is doing to work her way through school, it is apparent that the Navy is not paying her tuition . . . which it would have done had she completed her enlistment and been honorably discharged.
I am not a big fan of "blame the victim," or "victim bashing based on personal history," however, when the incidents are so continuous and dramatic, and taken to such lengths (e.g., repeatedly filing dropped charges), once does have to at least examine her motives and history with the law and fufilling commitments.
I also find it very odd that these people holding her up as a saintly mother & student who tought her former husband to read, blatantly ignore the fact the she repeatedly cheated on said husband while in the Navy, and had children out of wedlock (not placing judgment on any of this, just pointing out the discrepancy).
No one is saying a stripper can't be raped. No one is saying that the mere act of stripping should abolish credibility. What your naysayers need to understand that there is a difference between doing those thing and deciding that THIS particular stripper was not raped and has zero credibility based upon her own behavior and life history, of which stripping only was one part. Given that she couldn't do event that competently (e.g., most women who strip bring bouncers, and you would think a woman who had been strangles and raped before would be especially careful to do so), she clearly has problems. That, however, should not be YOUR problem. The police and prosecutors need to deal with this woman for who and what she is, and evaluate her based on reality, not political fantasies.
Lastly the people I know who have been raped in fact are anything but hysterical and blindly accusatory afterwards. Unless a victim is so battered she needs immeidate hospitalization and treatment (for serious injuries), most women go through a period of utter humiliation and embarassment afer a rape. They go home and curl up into a ball for a few days. Rape victims tend to know when they can't remember things (e.g., from rufies), and usually say what they don't remember. They don't invent things – certainly not on the night of the incident. They either know what happened to them (can state where they were raped), or they say they are nto sure. Small details may change, but not the fundamental natrue of their knowledge of the incident. Above and beyond all the evidence exonerating you, it is the AV's own statements and bahavior that are most damning to her story.
Sorry for the rant, but the NYC alum are disgusted and are behind you. If were thought there was a chance you were guilty we wouldn't be, we are nto blindy rushing to the defense of Duke students, we have done so after careful consideration of the facts (I have read all the avail. docs myself and have not relied upon "defense spin"). When we say we believe you, we do so truly and with emphasis . . . and most importantly do not do so in ignorance. Ignore the "Nifong must have a smoking gun somehwere – blue wall of silence" people - they will find some other imaginary reason to believe the false claims when Nifong gets disbarred. You can't win them over, so ignore them. You have the truth on your side, and however empty that may seem in the face of legal abuse, it counts for something.
You have a full life ahead of you. You can't get back the time and current destruction, but you will keep your dignity and honesty, and that counts for a lot in this world.
Dear Reade, Colin, and Dave:
I have been following the Duke Lacrosse case very closely and feeling your pain everyday. I am very confident that in the end the truth will prevail. Continue to hold your heads up high, continue to be strong, and please know that we are all standing with you. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
You and your families and your teammates have my thoughts, prayers, and best wishes.
Sincerely, Duke07 Mom
TO: R, C and D.(Our three guys)
I am a former post-college lacrosse player (defense) and now a college professor. I hope you know that there are many who are with you and will see you through this. Do not feel that the justice system will fail you. Of course, it has failed Durham, but only because of one politically motivated loser. Stand the course, my friends.
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Just wanted the entire team to know that they truely have a person they can talk to if they would like to. I am a friend not foe!!! I am not a lawyer, and not in the legal field at all. All anyone on the team has to do is just ask and I would be more than happy to talk via E-Main, Phone or letters, and I extend this to there families. I will check this blog severel? times a day. I will not leave my e-address right now as to protect myself. I also wanted to say, I think that Reade, David, and Collin will not get a fair trial in any part of North Carolina or any part of the south, and I believe that judge Titus and D.A. Nifong are in bed together as to keep things from the defense. They are playing by the old rules in N.C. and they need to be forced to STOP !!! and play by the new rules. The only reason I can see them not playing nice is because Nifong knows he has no case and needs time to manufacture the evidence that he needs to send three very fine young men to prison, and destory their lives. Nifong is just trying to keep his JOB and that is why he will not bring this case sooner. I wish I could be there next to Collin, David and Reade the next time they go to court in Aug. but I just can't. THE TEAM: All of you are in my prayers and I hope to hear from someone maybe. Please help stop these two money hungry "girls" right and did anyone wonder why Kim Roberts has not gone to jail for a probation violation yet: I'll tell you why Nifong wants to keep her out of jail so he can just get her to tell the biggest lie of her life, and he will look the other way, or maybe get a free lap dance out of it.
I can't get this case out of my head. I'm a rape victim myself, and this smells funny and I'll tell all of you why. 1)When a women is raped we really don't want to tell because of how we will be seen in the eyes of everyone else, I didn't care.
2)We don't wait almonst two weeks to make an I.D. of our attackers,
3)When we make an I.D. it is not a no wrong answer test.
4)A real rape victim does not tell 5, 10, 20 and even 25 different verions of what happened. When I was being raped for 11 years I never told more then 1 story. Even today I still will tell it the same way and it has been over 8 years since it ended. So now lets see what one of 25+ storys the "victim" will tell. this should be good.
To Reade, I hope you see this, I can't see how you, Collin & David have to wait over a year, to come to trial, on false charges. Here in Massachusetts you guys would alraedy have gone to trial. Mr. Nifong just wants to hold on to this case so he can hold on to his job. If you or your lawyers look I will bet that you will find that the NAACP, ACLU,the BLACK PANTHERS and JESSIE JACKSON all made very large cash payments to Nifong, so he won't drop the case. I also see Ms. Roberts is still free on a probation violation, why won't the D.A. do his job and send her to jail for that, Maybe he needs her to tell the biggest lie of her life,in exchange for her freedom.
To the Men's Lacrosse Team:
I have something I think you should read. I don't know who wrote this, but I live my life by this. The twelve times that I have strayed from this it turned out to be nearly fatal for me. I hope all of you find comfort in this as much as I have: Please make sure Collin, Reade and David get a copy of this if they do not see it. In this the word lord is used often THIS CROSSES ALL RELIGOUS LINES. No matter what your faith is I hope you find comfort in this Here it goes:
FOOTPRINTS
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonged to him, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord,you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you the most you leave me." The Lord replied "My son, My precious child, I love you, and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then I carried you."
The Orginal Author Unknown
K.P.: Thanks for a very powerful contribution, it is priceless!
Guy's now that school is almost back in session I would like to offer a few words of advice. First when walking through the halls on your way to classes you will be stared at and even talked about. Just keep walking and try to let it roll off your backs, because your going to hear this the rest of your lives. Even thou you did nothing wrong its just the way people are, when because a very good lair has the D.A.'s office conned and maybe turned all of Raleigh against you, just do what you are there to do. Get an education, and Win an NCAA TiTle for Mr. Borhead. Next stay out of the bars you guys are to young for that right now, you will have the rest of your lives to do that. Third do what you have to do to help prove your few brothers " Reade, David & Collin" innocent of these false charges. And please make sure that the two dancers are brought to justice for what they have done to you, your families, girlfriends, and reputations. No amount of money can ever make up for what they have done to you, and I would think real good and hard about suing Nifong if you can for all the things he has had to say about you in the fifty - seventy interviews he gave. I normally don't sound like this but I am very angry for all real rape victim's now. Because we are going to be put through the ringer because of her.I'd like to go down there and take apart all 20+ storys she has.
I know this section of the website is for us to write messages to Duke Lacrosse players and their families and coaches. But, I hope , it may be appropriate to record here for all to see the message that one of the Lacrosse players sent us. We must remember this message as long as this travesty continues, and take it off of our minds only when the Duke 3 are totally and completely exonerated of all the charges brought against them.
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by Dave Evans - Duke Lacrosse 2006 Co-captain
I want to thank you all for letting me speak to you today.
My name is Dave Evans, and I'm the captain of the Duke University men's lacrosse team. I have to say that I'm very relieved to be the person who can come out and speak on behalf of my family and my team and let you know how we feel.
First I want to say that I am absolutely innocent of all the charges that have been brought against me today; that Reade Seligmann and Collin Finnerty are innocent of all the charges that were brought against them. These allegations are lies, fabricated, and they will be proven wrong.
If I can go back to two months ago when the police first came to my home, I fully cooperated and have continued to try to cooperate with them. When they entered in and started to read the search warrant, my roommates and I helped them find evidence for almost an hour, and told them that if they had any questions we would gladly answer, to show them that nothing happened that night.
After that I went down to the police station and gave an uncounseled statement, because I knew that I had done nothing wrong and did not feel that I needed an attorney. After going through photos of my teammates and identifying who was there, I then submitted, perfectly willingly, DNA samples to the police. I then turned over my e-mail account, my AIM account, any kind of information that they could have, to show that I had not communicated in any way that anything had happened, because it did not happen. After that I asked to take a polygraph, which was refused by the Durham Police Department.
Over the past several weeks I have repeatedly through my lawyers tried to contact the district attorney. All of my attempts have been denied. I've tried to provide him with exculpatory evidence, showing that this could not have happened. Those attempts have been denied.
And as a result of his apparent lack of interest in my story — the true story — and any evidence proving that my story is correct, I asked my lawyer to get me a polygraph. I took that polygraph, and it was administered by a former FBI top polygrapher with over 28 years of experience. He's done several hundreds of sexual cases, and I passed it absolutely. And I passed that polygraph for the same reason that I will be acquitted of all these charges, because I have done nothing wrong and I am telling the truth, and I have told the truth from day one.
I'd like to say thank you to my friends and family, my coach and members of the community who have stood by us, through everything from the initial weeks to now. Their support has given me the strength to come through this. But the thing that gives me the most strength is knowing that I have the truth behind me, and it will not faze me.
If I can close, I have always taken pride in my name. I take pride in my name today, and I will gladly stand up to anything that comes up against me. I've never had my character questioned before. Anyone who's met me knows that this didn't happen, and I appreciate your support.
As for my teammates, I love you all. The honor of being voted captain of all of you — the 46 best guys you could ever meet — it's been the greatest honor of my life.
If I can clear things up and say this one more time, I am innocent, Reade Seligmann is innocent, Collin Finnerty is innocent. Every member of the Duke University lacrosse team is innocent.
You have all been told some fantastic lies, and I look forward in watching them unravel in the weeks to come as they already have in weeks past and the truth will come out.
Thank you for your time.
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Dear Collin,
I hope you visit this page and read my best wishes to you. My family joins me to say Happy Birthday. We also would like to say that you are not alone in this ordeal. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Duke Mom
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Today is Collin Finnerty's birthday...I hope he has a happy day, as happy a day as he can have given the circumstances...I predict next year's birthday will be MUCH better!
Concerned Mom
Collin I'm a day late. Sorry. But Happy Birthday. I hope you had a nice day.xoxox
Congratulations to Dave Evans, Erik Henkelman, Glenn Nick, Bruce Thompson, and Matt Zash for making the academic honor roll for the 4th time!!! We are extremely proud of you and wish you every success and happiness in life.
As we rejoice in your success, the entire larcosse team is in hearts and prayers. After Reade, Collin, and Dave are fully exonareted of the false charges leveled against them, our joy will be more complete. The Duke 3 will be in our hearts forever.
Way to go David Evans on making the honor rolls for the fourth time. Gret job.
The entire Men's Lacrosse Team:
Keep the faith and pray everything will come to a speedy ending. With David finally going to get a job that he will enjoy, and Collin and Reade can return to school and to the team to finsih their education and sport they love. As for the rest of the team hold your heads high and keep focused and your goals in life.
I believe Reade Seligmann is a good decent boy. He never looked away when he was handcuffed. He kept his head high. I pray for the boy. He will come out of this.
To Reade and Collin,
We know this must be a sad day for you as your fellow sudents return to Duke for the fall semester. Keep the faith, and continue to hold your heads high. Vindication will come. Remember that you are not alone, and hundreds of people are supporting you and your families.
Guys, if you liked footprints, then I think you will like this one.
Don't Quit
When you think you want to give in, Find your will and drive to win. When you're not sure which way to go, Follow your heart, your mind, your soul.
Success is failure turned inside out, Our plight will at times bring some doubt. But remembering you can do this, Will bring you closer to success.
The task you face is a challenge for sure, But it's your attitude toward it that will decide success of failure. By Toni Khafif
I have heard from several friends who are totally unrelated to Duke University and lacrosse, but they read the New York Times and the New Yorker articles published recently and became convinced of your innocence. There is hope. You have not been forgotten.
As the 5 year anniversary of 9/11, yesterday was a day of sadness and reflection. Today I discovered another person, I knew growing up had perished in the World Trade Center. He was a fantastic basketball player, attended Johns Hopkins on full scholarship and was captain of the team.
His personal motto was "Pride is an athletes most effective weapon." Please remember these words in these difficult times.
I was touched by this comment on TalkLeft, written by SharonInJax. I am recreating it here to make sure the Lacrosse families read it. I hope Sharon does not mind. The comment is dated September 15 1:53 am and it is written in response to KC Johnson’s article "Clarifying the Record."
By SharonInJax Sep 15 1:53 am on TalkLeft
I’ve said this before: the nightmare that the Duke Three and their families are going through is something that, when I start to imagine it, I have to stop empathizing too much because it is too disturbing to me. But my dearly departed mother instilled in me the sense that for every "bad thing" there is something, usually more than one something, good that will come of it. For those three, personally, I cannot imagine what would make up for what they have been put through.
To the young men and their families, the Evans, Finnerty, and Seligmann families, this is still about you and your struggles. We haven't forgotten you. My son, a senior, says that you are all on the minds of many Duke students even if they seem to be going about their daily routines. Be strong.
Look to this Day
Yesterday is but a dream,
Tomorrow is only a vision.
But Today well lived makes every
Tomorrow a Vision of Hope.
I dedicate this poem to KC Johnson, a true hero -- to whom we owe so much. No word can adequately express our appreciation to him. That’s why I offer this poem instead of words.
L’Envoi
by Rudyard Kipling
When Earth's last picture is painted and the tubes are twisted and dried,
When the oldest colours have faded, and the youngest critic has died,
We shall rest, and, faith, we shall need it -- lie down for an aeon or two,
Till the Master of All Good Workmen shall put us to work anew!
And those that were good shall be happy: they shall sit in a golden chair;
They shall splash at a ten-league canvas with brushes of comets' hair;
They shall find real saints to draw from -- Magdalene, Peter, and Paul;
They shall work for an age at a sitting and never be tired at all!
And only the Master shall praise us, and only the Master shall blame;
And no one shall work for money, and no one shall work for fame,
But each for the joy of the working, and each, in his separate star,
Shall draw the Thing as he sees It for the God of Things as They Are!
Dear Dave, Reade, and Collin:
You were all terrific on the 60 Minutes show tonight. You made us all very proud. Now, the wind should start blowing in your favor. Be strong, there are better days ahead.
Duke Parent
Dear Dave, Reade and Collin,
All three of you were wonderful on 60 Minutes. You should be proud, very proud. You showed yourselves to be articulate, thoughtful young men.
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I thought the outtakes were extremely powerful. I had tears in my eyes when Dave talked about his mom, graduation being on Mother's Day and having to have his dad walk up to get his diploma because he did not want the media to use the moment for a photo op. I kept thinking about Joan's essay about "The Moms." Reade's indignation was just as powerful and more than justified. Collin was as open as I've seen a young man.
Months ago, I posted on this site that I have a son who I consider to be one of the finest young men I have ever known. His sisters and I survived the loss of their father when he was only nine, and we lived by two main precepts. First, that while we might fight amongst ourselves, when any of us needed help, we were all to respond in the spirit of that old carney term, "Hey, Rube." We always have each others backs. Secondly, that each of them should always act with honor, loyalty and courage. None of us has shown perfect adherence to these principles, but we have all done our best and they have made me proud.
I am as proud of these three boys as I would be of my own son. And, I thank their parents for sharing them with all of us and for risking public scrutiny, at this dreadful period in their lives. What a good job you all have done. They are fine men!
Texas Mom
You three men did a tremendous job of articulating your disbelief, anger, and hurt at the way you have been treated by the legal system and Duke's administration.
I thought the 60 Minute piece made it abundantly clear that a silly little tiff became a giant, dangerous hoax when it got in the hands of incompetents/opportunists like Nyfong et al.
I was very pleased with the piece. I think that this unfortunate, dismal, crooked mess will soon be over. We are all so sad for what you have endured. But, looking at your depth of character, I think you will come out stronger. I think this Durham farce is about over.
Good luck. Stand tall. Duke should be proud of you three.--Duke Mom
Collin, David, Reade,
I cannot imagine what it must be like to have your names smeared with these absurd and baseless charges. I have no connection with Duke, with Durham, or even lacrosse. The hoax has reached Australia.
On 22 October the Sydney Morning Herald ran an article headed Rape case against elite uni students departs from script. The conclusion reads:
'But now the rape charges seem in danger of falling over for lack of evidence. With no DNA evidence, contradictory statements from the woman, a flawed identification procedure and at least one of the players appearing to have a convincing alibi, the pressure is now on the district attorney, Mike Nifong, who won an election on the back of charging the men.
The media, having rushed to judgement, have now exonerated the players and excoriated Mr Nifong. The woman, earlier called the "victim" and an "exotic dancer", is now called the "accuser" and a "stripper".'
You must must feel that you're known as defendants to this charge. I think that's wrong. A surprising number of Australians are aware of this case and see you as victims of an abuse of power, not defendants. By fighting these charges, remember you are not only defending yourselves, but all the other potential victims of Nifong's abuse of power. That makes you champions of a very special kind.
Take care.
Alan
Dear Duke lacrosee players,
I am sorry that you have been put through this outrage and travesty of justice. Nifong is out of control. This case is a complete hoax. As a lawyer I cannot believe that a prosecutor could try to perpetuate a hoax and sham. I wish that I could be involved and donate my time to help the duke boys. This is one of the worst outrages and travesty of justice in the history of american jurisprudence. Someone please intervene and stop this! Please someone show some courage! Someone step up, step in and stop this! Perhaps it will be the justice department, the governor, the judge, the us congress? We need a profile in courage here. It sickens and saddens me that innocent boys could be dragged throught the legal system when there is no evidence that they are guilty.
Dear Duke Lacrosse Players: You all are in our Prayers. The TRUTH about this will come out. We appreciate how well you have behaved in the face of the LIES and HALF TRUTHS. You are suffering now, but I have no doubt, that soon, you will be past this INJUSTICE. A few LESSONS will learned by ALL! Less partying, More Learning is one of these lessons. Do not put yourselves in that position anymore. NASTY Whores are not good companions! We are WAITING to see the BLACK PANTHERS SHARPTON & JESSE JACKSON to apologize. Maybe Jesse Jackson needs to find a MORE APPROPRIATE student to give a FREE TUITION. AFTER THIS IS ALL OVER..Please sue the CRUD out of all of them! Teach them a LESSON TOO! (Nifong should never hold PUBLIC OFFICE AGAIN!) The Whole Country is watching!
Dave, Collin, and Reade,
What a great day! I know you have been waiting for this day for a long time, but finally here it is. Keep your patience and the rest of the charges will be dismissed too. Nifong has nothing, he is running on empty. He does not have the truth on his side, like you do. It is only a matter of time until this hoax ends and you get your lives back.
Please do not return to Duke, you will never be safe there. People will try to harass you and make your lives miserable. Go somewhere where you will be respected and appreciated. That is not going to happen in Duke, not with Brodhead and G88 around.
Happy holidays!
Duke friend
Reade, Collin, and Dave:
Enjoy the holidays. My best wishes are with you. All this will be behind you soon. Trust me, you will have your lives back.
What an ordeal it has been? however you will be better and stronger for it.
A friend
To the Evans, Finnerty and Seligmann Families:
Best regards for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Certainly 2007 should be a better year as you are vindicated and this tragedy ends. Stay strong.
You are in our prayers.
We've been following the Nifong folly from San Diego as a mutual friend attends Duke. We wish a speedy wrap up and hope Nifong is disbarred. He is responsible for your nightmare and should pay for it. P Arthur
God speed Dukies. I have been following this story from the beginning. It was obvious then and it is obvious now that each and every one of you is INNOCENT and that each and every one of you is the victim of Nifong's pandering for the vote. You and your families are in my thoughts and prayers. -A Syracuse Lacrosse Fan
Dave, Reade and Collin:
The bad part of this nightmare is over. The day of your vindication is approaching, to be sure. We are all waiting for that happy day. It is soon. Stay strong be optimistic, all this will be cleared up.
From the "Bear Territory"
Hold Tight Guys! You come through this with dignity and integrity and then when this false search for "justice" is done, show them all what a real search for Justice is.
We have not forgotten and we will not forget.....what has been done to you...by a woman who lied, by a corrupt and dishonest district attorney,and by a university administration that failed to support you. Stay strong, guys.
Nifong asked to be recused from the case today. This is good news. I hope and pray that the end of this travesy is near and the sufferring you have gone through is almost over. Dave, Reade, Collin, hold on tight, you are alomost there.
Duke Parent 08
The Duke Faculty condemn the Boys before having all the facts, as educators that profess progressive ideas of fairness, justice and compassion, they failed as educators and people who trust in values.
District Attorney Nifong needs to resign and face prosecution for withholding evidence that exonerated the students.
Duke University needs to compensate the students, their families and pay for all fees and expenses that burden these families with university actions that harmed these boys with false accusations.
Let the University recover its losses from a Lawsuit against Nifong and the county. But spare the boys and the families from further burdens.
Finally, the people that re-elected wrong way Nifong need to look at themselves in the mirror.
Nifong was a Public Serpent not a Public Servant. It is time to for Citizen Boards to oversee all District Attorneys today.
jjjanus2003@yahoo.com
I can't understand the DA's motive...why pursue this as he did and then lie to the court. This is beyond belief! And, it appears criminal.
This can't rest as is even if the states attorney dismisses the case. There will remain doubts which is why there needs to be a vigorous civil and criminal court action on behalf of the students.
Duke needs some real overhaul! The professors who behaved with a lynch mb mentality need to be fired! Duke needs to require all professors to go through some training particularly on constitutional rights of citizens. As well, the faculty needs to pubically acknowledge their failures in this case. What a disgrace!!!!!!
Hey guys...and the Duke 3 Parents..
Keep the faith, your heads held high, and know that the end of this horrific nightmare is just within reach. The truth will set all of you free!! You (your boys) WILL be completely and fully exonerated.
Sending love and prayers your way,
Ag Mom
I am myself the proud mother of a young white male graduate student -with a double major in the sciences, who maintained
a high GPA throughout his studies - who has a budding career in the challenging world of global finance. And, to that add the fact that he is also athletic, very charming, handsome and personable fellow.
My goodness, my son sounds like he could be any of these young men - Colin Finnerty, Reade Seligmann or Michael Evans - who have been wrongfully accused, disparaged and maligned and hastily w/out fair trial or jury deemed "guilty" by Mr. Nifong, and both the liberal elements of the media and academia. This evokes the Roman era when the "accussed" were thrown into the arena at the pleasure of the emperor and the hungry mobs who clamored for more blood, to be torn apart and devoured by the hungry lions. Or, this also brings to mind the old Napoleonic Law in the state of Louisiana, a remnant of its past as a French possession, which determined a person guilty until proven innocent. Wait a minute - are we going back in time - is this what is happening in this case!? It certainly appears that way and I find it deplorable, abominable, obscene and vicious. These young men appear to be the true victims in this case and furthermore it appears to be a case of reverse discrimination. The irony is that the "alleged victim" appears to be the "perpetrator" of this crime. Something is terribly wrong in this picture and we, the mothers of young white male graduate students across America, rally together to demand that these young men be exonarated of all charges and any and all pending charges filed against them be expunged from their records!
To: Colin Finnerty, Reade Seligmann and Michael Evans,
May God's protective embrace enfold and enwrap you, May He guide and illumine you every step of the Way, and May He keep you from All evil and deliver you safely back Home. You have been going through Hades but soon you will see the light, shed your tears and be with your loved ones in paradise. That is, you will be basking in the love of friends and family, going about normal, ordinary, and rudimentary tasks and possibly visiting routine and commonplaces. The difference is that you will have threaded over the adder and the lion and will not have been bitten for God was with you as your cause is righteous. You have transcended the trappings of the underworld, the dross and you are ready to achieve extraordinary goals. This world has all kinds of people but, it also desperately needs extraordinary young men like you who have nerves of steel, but a heart of gold, a fine mind governed by virtues instilled in the home - honesty, trustworthiness, responsibility, ethics.
You are in our thoughts and prayers constantly! Stand tall and firm in your convictions and may the Truth be dispelled sooner than later. I pray to live a long, healthy life to hear about your great accomplishments and contributions to the world! May God be with you and your loved ones.
Sincerely,
The Voice of a kindred Mother standing up against the bashing of young white males in our society
Dear Reade, Collin and Dave,
Happy Valentines Day! I hope you are having a great day. The light at the end of the tunnel is beginning to show. A little more patience and you will get there. Many people are sending their best wishes and prayers out to you on this special day.
Duke friend
Hang in there Reade, Colin and Dave. True justice will be served and all of who those played a role in this hoax, who enabled, lied and slandered will be held accountable. There are now millions of people across the globe who will not stop demanding justice for you until your names are cleared without a doubt. So hold your heads up high, under tremendous pressure and stress you have shown incredible strength of character and integrity. You have any army of support behind you. There has been corruption in government in every country as far back as time goes. The evil has been exposed and your supports will not stop until they have been held accountable. This fight is universal.
Congratulations to the 2007 Duke lacrosse team on resuming play and defeating Dartmouth!
Happy 21st birthday Reade! You remain in our hearts and will stay there until this travesty ends.
I hope you have a great day today.
Duke Friend
Happy 21st Birthday, Reade. We love you very dearly.
Duke07 Mom
A tribute to Collin, David and Reade
Today is the one year anniversary of the Duke Lacrosse Case. On this occasion and on behalf of every FODU friend and supporter I like to pay tribute to Collin Finnerty, David Evans and Reade Seligmann.
I like to remind Collin, David, Reade, their families, the rest of the Duke Lacrosse team members and their families that our commitment to this cause remains as strong as ever. We will continue to advocate justice and fairness for Collin, David and Reade and we will not rest until we get it. On this day, we want to renew our commitment to this cause and double our efforts to see justice delivered.
Collin, David and Reade, unlike a year ago, on this day you are not alone! You have hundreds and thousands of supporters across the country wishing you well and patiently waiting for the day you will be exonerated of the false charges you are accused of. We are hoping that day will arrive soon. Our best wishes are with you. You are in our thoughts and in our prayers.
Moderator
http://sigmundcarlandalfred.wordpress.com/2007/03/13/of-burning-bushes-places-and-time/
Of Burning Bushes, Places And Time
March 13th, 2007
(excerpt)
It is easy to see the beauty of our spouses, children and loved ones when they are healthy, charming and well dressed. It is not always so easy to see their beauty and uniqueness when that is not the case.
It is also true that sometimes, a person’s real inner beauty and strength are revealed when they face adversity. There are mothers and fathers that marvel at a child’s strength through a debilitating illness. What parent has not secretly proposed to God that they, and not their child, be stricken or afflicted? What parent has not agonized over the trials and tribulations that each child must endure at each and every stage of their lives?
There are husbands who see their wives in a way they had not understood, as those women fight cancers that are unique to their gender and impact how they see themselves as women. Those men come to see a beauty and dignity they had never known and marvel in a stricken spouse’s concern for them and their family. There are wives who have heard grown men, weakened by pain and despair, often in inarticulate and fumbling words that are nothing less than the sweetest poetry, profess their love and appreciation for the wives and family that have nurtured them.
It is at those times we see the real beauty of those who we love and those who love us. It is at those times that we come to understand the kind of love that is real commitment and loyalty.
I live just inside the Orange County line. I do all of my shopping and business in Durham. I used to just say I lived in Durham when asked " Where are you from?" I am now very careful to say: I live in Hillsborough, NC, my true address. My Durham association is to embarrasing to admit since this circus of injustice began. I thought the accusations were false after reading that the second dancer was the 911 caller. Actually, I first thought " no way those players would risk sex with a stripper". The most vocal critics of the accused are either very naive or obviously wanted the charges to be true to promote their agendas. I suspect the latter. My condolences to the families. I have a 23 year-old son who just graduated from college and I would be outraged if anything like this had happened to him. Like the Lacrosse parents, the fight would be on. Nifong could not find a place to hide.
Happy birthday Dave Evans -- I know it is tomorrow but I wanted to do it today. You make your perents and everyone who knows you proud, very proud.
Have a great day tomorrow!
Congratulations to Duke Lacrosse team who just won a game against JHU! This must be a great day for all of team members, coaches, and for Dave, Reade and Collin as well as their families. Looking forward for many more wins.
Duke Friend
nobody said if she accused three poor black menthey would have gone away for a long time file lawsuits against everybody just being exonerated is notgoodenough,many people need to pay fot this travesty
Dear Dave, Reade and Collin,
Finally the day that we have all been waiting for is here. You have been totally exonerated. Congratulations, you were terrific in the press conference too. You made us all very, very proud. All my best wishes and prayers are with you. Enjoy this day, you have earned it and it was long overdue.
A friend
Moved from elsewhere. Posted on April 11, 2007 by momofbuddy.
IT'S ABOUT TIME!!! The hoax is finally over. Roy Cooper & special prosecutors, you will be heroes forever. It appears that Ms. Mangum is nowhere to be found, and Mr. Nifong is dealing with his own problems as a result of his efforts to get elected DA of Durham County. I wonder if he thinks it was all worth it now? Knowing the totally insane things that have come out of his office in the past year, I am sure he thinks that he will come out of it unscathed. I think not.
I had tears in my eyes as I watched those three young men speak at their press conference. They are young men that Duke could have been proud of and supported, but it chose not to do so. It's Duke's loss. I wish them the best in the rest of their lives. I hope that Reade and Collin continue their educations, and all three young men continue on their paths to being exemplary citizens of this country. The system failed them for so long, but I am sure the system hasn't seen the last of these families. If they sue Duke and Nifong, I hope they nail them. Best wishes to all of them.
Happy Mother's Day to all lacrosse mothers! This one will be a very special day for you to be sure. Enjoy it and be proud of your sons and your daughters.
Also, congratulations to 13 Duke Lacrosse team seniors on their graduation from Duke. You made all of us very proud. Good luck at the NCAA championships!
Good luck to both the men's and women's lax teams at Final-Four games this weekend. We are so proud of you!
Go Duke Lax!
Congratulations to Men's lax team for winning the NCAA semi-final match against Cornell. That was one heck of a game. It was a great win!
One more game to go on Monday against JHU -- one more for the history books!
Go Duke Lax!
Good luck to Duke men's lax team in the championship game that is less than 1 hour away. A win today will mean so much for so many. But even without a win, you are all winners. Congratulations for a fantastic year of lacrosse.
Go Duke Lax!
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