I believe the Sembler's thought they were doing the right thing. At least initially. I think their crime was one of denial then ego and then later pride and greed. At some point amongst all the allegations, investigations and lawsuits, anyone not completely deluded would have paused to consider that something might be wrong. When they had get Straight's license via the backdoor over and above the concerns and objections of Florida's HRS, surely there must have been an inkling that something was wrong. The board had to know about the lawsuits, the licensing issues, the concerns of outside psychologists, the ACLU. They knew why the seed was shut down.
They believed that THEY KNEW BETTER. Their line of reasoning probably goes something like this -Everyone who complained initially just didn't understand. They were naive. They just didn't know about druggies. Not like Mel and Betty and the omnipotent Miller Newton. Those who objected to the tough love philosophy were just fainthearted. Ill advised. Under informed. Deceived. Straight and Mel and Betty and Dr or Mr or Father Newton would have to continue their important life saving work even while former clients, the ACLU, HRS, and other misinformed, naive psychiatric professionals nipped at their heels. It was actually a philanthropic venture. People just didn't understand. Why it was practically martyrdom.....
Massive egos. Arrogance that blinded them even to the possibility that something might be wrong. At some point though there must have been some internal doubt. Some inner voice that said "what if". But by then it would have been very costly to acknowledge. Their repuations, careers & livelihoods were built around their "philanthropic" enterprise. What if it turned out to be harmful instead of helpful. What if they were WRONG? I'm sure that was processed and weighed in a split second and shut down immediately. They couldn't afford to consider the possibility.
Still can't. After all if it were really all about helping people they would have followed up to find out how effective their treatment was. They would have considered things other than a career in politics and public speaking venues and which judge or senator they'll be sitting next to at dinner. If it were truly philanthropic, Mel would be raising money to help those injured in their misguided little experiment.
If Betty and Mel and Miller had to get as honest as we used to, they'd have to admit that it was all about them. Still is.
All of these comforting and reasonable things were taught by the ministers in their pulpits -- by teachers in Sunday schools and by parents at home. The children were victims. They were assaulted in the cradle -- in their mother's arms. Then, the schoolmaster carried on the war against their natural sense, and all the books they read were filled with the same impossible truths. The poor children were helpless. The atmosphere they breathed was filled with lies -- lies that mingled with their blood.
--Robert G. Ingersoll, American politician and lecturer
