http://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/index.ssf/2017/06/luke_heimlich_sex_crime_surfac.html This really needs its own thread.
The mental gymnastics of all the Beavs fans that had a grand old time over the rash of criminal issues that the Ducks went through is pretty hilarious. Here's a few from the OLive comments. "I woke up this morning very disappointed. Not in the story about Heimlich, I was disappointed in a group of journalists who needed attention. I know they most likely will delete a comment like this as soon as they see it but as a born and raised Oregonian, i am so disappointed in this story. The fact that these details emerged the day before the opening game for oregon state in their super regional is wrong. The kid was 15, the fact that it is just now being brought to the light is ridiculous. The kid works harder than any one of these journalists day in and day out, on and off the field. All of the countless hours working towards a goal, to have a previous felony brought up the day before an opening game of a super regional series. Luke made a bad decision at a young age. He knows that and i'm sure he thinks about it every day. To turn him into a news story to get views and comments on their article is disgusting. You would think out of all people in this world, the Oregonian and Oregon Live would be very excited about the 2017 Beaver baseball team... Congratulations for bringing previous unnecessary details into light. The kid has a right to feel good about his recent successes and devotion to his sport and shouldn't be haunted by his actions as a 15 year old." "This is a sick crime, but had this been a player from a school to our south, you would not be reading this article." "Despicable column. Smear. And the media reacts with sanctimonious indignation when labeled as "fake news"? Pathetic attempt to destroy a human being. Just reprehensible." "This is indefensible. period. Digging up seals Juvenile records that happened 6 years ago and have reached a resolution, in which Heimlich served his civil penalty for his specific actions, which were not discussed, and has moved on in his life. publishing this story one day before he pitches in the super regional. there is no defense to that. None whatsoever. This was done to deliver the most relevant shock value possible. This was no "difficult" decision, this "decision" made itself in the skewed eyes of the news organization. Oregonian. you are scum bags. I am done reading Danny Moran, done reading the Oregonian for any Beaver news whatsoever. simply indefensible. " They're mad at the paper!!! lol
6 fucking years old? I mean, I had hoped that this was a case of an 18 year old with a 15 year old gf (or bf), technically illegal but consenting. six doesn't consent. But hey, he can throw that fastball.
I hope he got help....and I hope that 6 year has overcome the trauma.....15 year old male hormones often make idiotic decisions...as in his case but I don't think it has anything to do with baseball ....his failures are not his successes. Pitching discipline might be good therapy for the kid. Hopefully he'll use his mistakes to help others and I don't know that he hasn't done that.....or if he's capable of doing that
No, riverman. Sexual assault is not a mistake. I understand 15 year olds have raging hormones and all that but most 15 year olds don't molest 6 year old children. Most 15 year olds know better.
Of course it is....any crime by a kid is a mistake....I think you misread my context. A lot of folks here are talking as if this is a present tense scenario but it's in his past and has been through the legal system...since then we don't know what has happened or at least I don't. I've addressed how wrong it is in several posts.
We can only help he has matured and learned how deeply disturbing this is (in general, history would indicate there are deeper, long-term issues rooted in this type of behavior, though). That being said, he's been given a second chance and I hope he's become a better person. Our criminal system is supposed to be about justice and reform. If we're going to write this kid off from something horrible (and grossly disturbing) he did at 15, why did we just not go ahead and lock him up for life? I guess my question for those that are hating on him.... Did he not deserve a second chance at life? I have two young children, so I'm not quite sure how I feel about all of this (I mean, I just read this and am processing it all). But if he lives the rest of his life toeing the line, should he be defined and cast aside for what he did at 15?
Does he deserve to have a second chance? Sure. Nobody is saying he should be put to death..... well... maybe some people would say that. Does he deserve to become a pro baseball player and make millions of dollars and become a role model for kids? I'm not so sure. Ray Rice was basically ostracized from the NFL after video surfaced of him hitting his fiancee. On the other hand, Joe Mixon was drafted despite the video of him hitting that girl. Do pro leagues have a moral obligation to exclude athletes that have done things that are morally reprehensible? Should pro athletes be held to a higher standard? It's a conversation that has been going on for a while now.... and this guy is just the most recent topic.
Agreed, most do. So why didn't he? Was he born morally reprehensible? Was he taught somehow that this was OK? Assuming he knew at the time that it was wrong, is he irredeemable?
the more money this dude makes playing baseball, the more money his victim can sue him for in 10 years or so. Hes got the satan in him, like that christian weirdo duggar dude. Demons be gone!
I'm not really a fan of zero tolerance, so I would be hesitant to make a brightline........ but to me, this kind of crime fits that bill completely. This isn't a guy who got into a bar fight with a drunk fan, or any kind of drug charge (which I would pretty much exclude on 99% of instances). I would say things like rape, child molestation, domestic violence.... those are things that I would heavily consider for a lifetime ban.
It's awful. I feel bad for the victim. Hopefully she has found a way to cope. She is only 12ish now. It likely hurts her having it brought up in public way more than this dude. The guy is a giant piece of shit. However, I don't think its right to take this guy out back and destroy him. Having this follow him around is bad. But it's a consequence of his action. Hopefully he has redeemed himself. I don't think dude should have a full ride.
Still.... To toss that out like itd be someone's response to the sexual assault of a young child is offensive, irony intended or not.
