Most won't agree with this post, but it is how I feel. I just want to run a few things by you.

Do you know the "Manson family" girls (the main involved: Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Leslie Van Houten).. Have all claimed (at one point or the other), they didn't know they were going to the houses to kill? They have all said in interviews, they didn't know what was going to "happen". Interesting, because in their defense and other interviews,,, they all claimed "Charlie (Charles Manson)", controlled and guided them. Pretty much, he made them do it. To me, that's hard to believe. There are no "reports" on any "forcefull tactics" from Manson. Sure, he said what he thought, he even gave them the idea. But there was no "gun" to their heads... and they did it on their own. Plus, how can you be forced to go kill someone, when you (in your own words) thought you were just there to "rob" (as has been said in interviews).

Bear with me folks.. I am getting to a point....

Patty Hurst. Remember her? was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) and held captive for over two months. Now I don't by any sense think "Manson is a model citizen". I also don't think he should be released from Prison. He is a threat to society, and always has been. However, he didn't do the murders. The girls and Tex Watson did. He "enticed them to do so", but in the end they did it of their own free will. Patty Hurst, she had a real threat to her life. Was kept in a closet for months... and whatever she did she did to survive. To me, far different cases.

It comes down to me, what you really did... and what you could have stopped or not. The Manson clan, any one of them could've walked out. There is NO reason to think they were forced. Peer pressure maybe, but that's like me saying.. "Jump off a cliff, if you don't like me talking".. if you "DO" should I be guilty of your death?

I was reading today, about this "MEGAN MEIER" girl. She was 13. I won't elaborate much on the case, but basically she feels she was "dissed" by some guy. Wasn't what it seemed anyway. It was some adult that wanted to know why she Megan, had a dispute with their own daughter. She killed herself! So who is the blame? Was it this "parent" of the other girls daughter. Who "stupidly" pretended to be someone else for information. Not to me, some think so. Was it her parents,, for giving her access to the computer... to talk at will to some guy (she thought) she didn't know. No, I don't blame them either. I think they should have 'warned" her MORE the internet holds alot of liers, perverts, and all sorts of chit.. It's the nature of the beast, and this girl just was so young (and bothered) in general.. she couldn't take it.

In my opinion, unless you are "FORCED" to go kill someone, or forced to a robbery (or something), really it's you when you make a "super bad" decision.

The young girl, I feel needed more guidance. I think the "Manson girls" probably needed more too. At least to be told, what was really out there.

My only advice is.. if you have kids... "Just be real to them"! They will do what they want, believe what they want. They will listen (or not listen) to you. Just make sure they know you care... and know your concerns. Don't control them, but speak with "truth" Let them know.. what can or cannot happen. When "push comes to shove", you want them running back to mom/dad... not "Charles Manson, Jim Jones", or some asshole they don't know...

Gary