Dear ABC action news,
True Mel Sembler is a "powerful man", well connected, wealthy, and privileged.
Perhaps this is why for decades he has gotten away with what happened at Straight,
and why his former associates, other straight directors, such as Virgil Miller Newton
and his wife Ruth Ann who created spinoffs such as Kids of Bergen County,and Kids
of North Jersey have evaded criminal prosecution for decades.
The truth about Straight and the Sembler's connection will come out just as the abuse
in the Catholic church, at the hands of priests has surfaced. They seem to be waiting for that window and you can help to open it.
I would urge you to read about the victory of Lulu Corter vs. Newton, (Keeping 'Cult'
Out of the Case, by Tim O'Brien New Jersey Law Journal 07-07-2003). Further, I ask
you to do all you can to insure that Miller who is now back in Florida, is not given a
chance to create more victims in another spinoff of these now closed down programs.
Mel and Betty Sembler's "power" might buy an ambassadorship, might buy protection
from prosecution for themselves and their associates, but can not silence the numerous
victims of violence and abuse suffered in these programs. With the Bushs promoting and appointing the Semblers, only the media, only mental health professionals have the
means to shed light on what the many survivors have to say about Straight and
the Semblers. I urge you to expose the whole story. Fair and balanced.
What is "mortifying" is "to think that" children, adolescents, teenagers and adults were
subjected to depravation, kidnapping, intimidation, harassment, assaults, humiliation, violence, and deprived an education or worse, drug addicted or not.
Funny how RICHARD Bradley is the one accused of "going to far?"
If Mel Sembler feels so safe abroad, perhaps he might consider staying there or
return to face the truth Straight survivors have to tell. It troubles me that this man
represents the U.S. in any way.
Silencing or punishing Richard Bradbury will not make the problem go away.
Giving a voice to victims of Straight and similar programs in our courtrooms
and in the media will.
This case illuminates the lack of justice for child, adolescent and teenage
victims of physical abuse, psychological battery, wrongful imprisonment,
kidnapping, harassment and intimidation.
It outlines our legal system which offers limitations to protect perpetrators of
crimes and denies victims hope or resolution.
It brings to question the reaches of power and privledge of the wealthy and
well connected.Â
The use of intimidation displayed by the Semblers is merely an old Straight
tactic and does not demonstrate the behavior or the diplomacy one might
expect from an Ambassador.
The church and Straight have both been praised for work they've done and they
have both silenced the truth. It is time to give ALL victims of child abuse a voice
before there are more suicides, and desperate measures. There are
thousands more voices to be heard.
The doors of Straight closed, but the horrors continued. See the recent victory
of Lulu Corter against Virgil Miller Newton, director of Straight who is now back in Florida:
(Keeping 'Cult' Out of the Case, by Tim O'Brien New Jersey Law Journal 07-07-2003).Â
Turn a blind eye to the horror stories like a bishop, or be the one with the courage to
seek and expose the truth before there are more victims and more stories.
I challenge all true journalists and the courts to find the root of the problem.
