Washblog

Back in late October 2004 - just when it was too late for any effective response against last-minute dirty tricks - the Republicans here in the 47th Legislative District sent out a flyer that suggested incumbent Geoff Simpson was helping child rapists escape punishment.

The flyer showed a devastated little girl (the implication that she had been raped) crying on a curb. The outrage that the flyer expressed was directed, not at the rapist, but at Simpson.

My first response to this flyer was disbelief. A child was being exploited here, used to model as a rape victim in order to smear a legislator who, in fact, has long been a champion of children's health and welfare and a supporter of tough sentences on sex offenders.

After I received this brochure, I wrote Steve Altick, Simpson's challenger at the time (and, I see now, probably his challenger again.)

Altick runs a religious camp for children. I thought it was particularly distressing that a person responsible for children in such a way - and especially someone claiming to follow the teachings of a religious leader who advocated special love and care for children, would allow a minor to be used for political gain.

Mr. Altick answered with a denial of personal responsibility for the brochure. "Another fact is that mailing was not from my campaign as you can note on the return address" (personal correspondence 10/30/04).

He also referred to the O'Brien Amendment, clueing me in that the vote at issue was for HB 2400. This bill, which became law, increased penalties for child rape, adding 3-5 years. And it narrowed the ability of offenders to substitute treatment for imprisonment. Simpson had co-sponsored it.

The bruhaha over this law was reported in the Tacoma News at the time (Public outcry pushes bill on child rape to top of agenda ; Olympia: Early release plus treatment program under fire. Feb 14, 2004.)

I asked Representative Simpson about how this possibly could have been portrayed as a case where he was helping rapists. The reply I remember is that the O'Brien amendment, which Simpson voted for, adjusted HR 2400's increase in penalties. Child abuse experts had informed legislators that increasing penalties too much can have the unintended consequence of reducing the willingness of offenders' family members to turn them in - and thus, increasing the number of children at risk. In other words, there is an optimal sentencing level for a given offense at a given time and place. Simpson and the other legislators who voted for the O'Brien amendment were acting with due diligence in order to impose the optimal punishment.

The season's postcard, which Darryl at Hominid Views pokes fun at sublimely, targets both Geoff Simpson and Pat Sullivan in the 47th.

Sullivan, a recipient of Washington PTA's Golden Acorn award for outstanding service to children, also has a strong pro-child, pro-education background. As a legislator, now just in his first term, he too, has consistently upheld health, safety, and well-being measures for children. Both these legislators are fathers.

Washington State's Republican party has become a public menace.