Here in Columbus, the Ohio State campus police take care of anything that happens on campus grounds - and I think the Columbus police get called in if its something really serious - which a rape would be. But, I think where the ball was dropped was the administrator (can't remember his name)who is over the campus police was called into the meeting - but he never did anything with the information so no charges were ever filed - I believe that is why he was fired. When you are on a college campus the size of Ohio State or Penn State - they're actually mini cities so campus police are "real" police officers with guns etc. Penn State police should have been involved, questioning etc. at a minimum and that didn't even happen.

I found the short piece below. Strange the DA's office only charged him with the murder at first. Only after the jury found him not guilty of murder did they decide to file rape charges against him. If they had the DNA, why not? Sounds like a weak case and maybe just overzealousness on the part of the investigators looking for a scapegoat to close their case. He was tried and found guilty and was in prison for some time, but is now free. He wasn't tried and found guilty. He was just stuck in jail during his trial. Here is a link that might be useful: Man Set Free

In cased you missed the map that was shown on TV for days following the 2004 election, most states are shaded red and only a few are shaded in blue. The blue states are shoved off into a corner and they are very expensive places to live and not overloaded with opportunities. So if you are like me, you have to find a place where you can enjoy the what the area has to offer and not let the political views of the majority get to you. The OP's viewpoints seem somewhat libertarian and then somewhat republican but who cares? Nobody. You can move to just about anywhere and nobody will shove their political views down your throat. Not even here do they do that. If I wanted to I could meet up with anoy political party that interested me but since I am not into politics I will go back to just enjoying the scenery and low cost of living, being close to good shopping and relatively OK driving distance to the big urban core where I can walk around for a few minutes or have a nice meal, feel like I stepped into the twilight zone then hop in the truck come back home where you can have a big property with horses and fire guns and play cowboys & indians and do whatever it is you please til the cows come home. The Knoxville area does come across as an area where this would be possible too so I'd say look at Knoxville.

Sunnygarden, I too am so sorry that you are treated that way. How is it that your spouse permits that type of treatment in YOUR home? I have told both of my children from the begining that while my job is to raise them and it is one that I do happily and willingly, they will not be the "be all end all" of everything. I expect respect for both parties (I demand my children respect, as I explained it to them, anyone that is taller than them!) and appreciation. The appreciation is hard, as my husband has allowed me to stay home and take care of my daughter, but yet he doesn't put any time into it. They see clothing that was bought for them, or an extra activity as "mom bought it". He does get annoyed with it, but I do my best to explain it to them without it sounding like the salad episode of Sienfeld inwhich George has to explain to someone that he "really bought the salad, she just handed it to you. you thanked her, but not me. I'm waiting". Oh, and since your stepdaughter had the fit about having to "say hi first" - ettiquette lesson for her. According to Emily Post, whomever is entering the room is required to say hello first. This is true, unless, the person entering the room is an adult and the person in the room is their junior. At that point, it is always the responsibility of the younger party to extend greetings first - a sign of respect. BUT, on that same token, my birth son forgets my birthday every year. Whether it is some passive jab at me I will never know. He can spout off everyone elses DOB, but not have a clue about mine. The one thing I do, that I know my father never did for my stepmothers and seems to be a real issue in this forum is support my husband in any role he takes with the kids. They don't always like it, but I know my stepmothers hated that about my father. Thank you for sharing some of your pain, though I am sorry it goes on in your life. Brass tacks, First off, thank you for your reply. I guess my point is and was #1) An adult does not use childish forms to "get even" with a child (ie. "I won't talk to you!) and #2) If this has gone on more than once, and he has failed to address it with either myself or her, then I don't feel it necessarily warranted the heightened amount of pain and anger. When a situation arrises, I feel you must address it and move on. This is the funny thing. My daughter is 7, she is lucky if she sees her father three times a year. She hasn't seen him since June. She recently stayed with my former inlaws and went on and on about "her dad" to the neighbors. When the neighbors mentioned how impressed they were that their son had finally gotten his act together, they had to admit it wasn't their son, but her "step dad". She also told them she wished I had left her father sooner, that way my current husband could have been her "real" father. So, that being said, among the many acts of affection I witness daily from HER to HIM, I still don't understand how his immediate reaction wasn't about being rude, it was about her feeling she didn't want him around. I punished her for being rude, I believe in good manners and enforce them. As far as indulging her from guilt, it really isn't my thing. Having been raised without my own mother in my life at all, I think that had my father demonstrated some form of pity on me, I may have taken advantage of it. He didn't. So, keeping that in mind, I don't. Lastly, my daughter is not abused in this house. I may raise my voice, but let's be realistic - it is the words that come out, the presence of intimidation, that are verbally abusive. I believe you must point out the crime and hand out a punishment that is worthy of the act committed. In this instance, I did raise my voice at her, send her to her room, and not allow her to participate in her after school activity. Possibly a little more than necessary, but I believe she got my point. I think this was something that on most days could have been a non-issue, addressed, and noted for future reference. For some reason, it wasn't. I will not tolerate my children treating my husband as a second class citizen, nor will I allow an adult to act as a child and offer up the silent treatment to a 7 year old. Makes me feel I have just another child on my hands. It took four days, but things are starting to get better now. Thanks again.