CPS Scandal

Marjie Lundstrom and Sam Stanton, in the March 22 Sacramento Bee's "Dozens in CPS Have Criminal Records", write that many of those working for Sacramento County's Child Protective Services have criminal backgrounds. An investigation by the Sacramento Bee uncovered that out of the agency's 969 workers, employed as of Oct. 1, 68 individuals have criminal records in Sacramento County.

I struggled a bit with this article only because, while the information uncovered was disturbing to say the least, it raises the question, can anyone truly be rehabilitated after having been convicted of a criminal offense and if so, does our society ever really believe that they can re-enter the mainstream?

While many of us cringe at the fact that 7 percent of CPS staffers have been convicted of a crime, I think that it is important that we try to consider both angles of the issue. I know, how can I even question whether or not convicted criminals should be dealing with some of our most vulnerable of citizens, children? I certainly don't think they should, but I challenged myself to be fair and consider the inconsiderable.

I was shocked by the crimes that some of CPS's workers have been convicted of; possession of heroin for sale, theft, embezzlement, spousal abuse, obstructing an officer, prostitution and identity theft to name a few. In my view, no one who has been convicted of a crime should be interacting with children or troubled families.

I also agree with Robert Wilson, executive director of Sacramento Child Advocates, whose attorneys represent children in dependency court, and his assessment that those in roles of leadership have failed to demand accountability among their ranks. What I find troubling is the sensationalist angle of the article and how it insinuates that once a criminal always a criminal.

The Future of Journalism

In a Mar. 15, 2009 article contemplating the future of journalism, Associated Press writer David Bauder's "Things are bleak in journalism" depicts the industry as healthy considering the demise of newspapers across the nation.

While the traditional delivery method of our news is certainly changing, I view it as an opportunity for those of us in, or entering, the business of journalism. Here we are at the forefront of a new era, a new chapter in American journalism and I feel that I will be fully prepared to be a part of the new electronic media and am looking forward to playing a role in its evolution.

Even in the face of the newspaper businesses latest casualty, with the Seattle Post-Intelligencer issuing its final issue today, I am confident that there will be newspaper outlets that will survive in order make the transition from paper to web.