Separate from the World but not the Law
I wrote a piece about the Sam Mullet case that was printed in the Cleveland Plain Dealer today. I hope you'll click over there to read it and leave a comment. I will respond to the comments there as well as here.
Here is an excerpt:
It comes as no surprise that Sam Mullet has again appealed his criminal convictions and a new sentence. His attorney, Ed Bryan, said he will feel comfortable when Mullet is back in his community. He is clearly in the minority. The possibility of Mullet walking free strikes fear in the hearts of many, most especially his perceived enemies.
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Saloma, that is an excellent article. They should run it in the New York Times!
Theresa, thank you very much for your support. Getting it published in the Cleveland Plain Dealer is pretty exciting, too. Perhaps someday (when I grow up) I will also be able to get a piece published in the New York Times. On step at a time.
Try the Huffington Post. I’m not sure how you do it, but it would be significantly easier that the NYT and your thinking deserves a wider audience.
Hello Johanna. I think the Cleveland Plain Dealer has a pretty wide audience, and certainly a pertinent one for this subject. The Huffington Post is also a good place to try sometime.
I have been following your posts about the Sam Mullet case. This is really a black spot in the Amish world. Power can turn the world upside down. I completely agree with everything you have said about the whole thing. I do however wonder where and if those poor victims that need counselling will ever get it. My brother is a Mennonite Christian counseller and he does get some patients from a very conservative group of people. First he had one and because of being able to help and build trust, he was trusted enough to get more people that needed help. Sometimes praying just isn’t enough. The door to getting good professional help seems to be tight shut sometimes because people don’t know where to look or how to go about it.
take care, mary maarsen
Mary, thank you for your comments. I think when people are looking for counseling help, doors open. It’s breaking down the resistance to the idea of counseling that is the hard part. And you’re right, once one person gives a good report, others will usually follow. That is a very Amish trait. Before any of this can happen, though, people will need to feel that they have the freedom to make these decisions. I don’t think Sam’s followers had any personal freedom before.
Thank you for your comments.
Yes! I’m with Theresa and Johanna – this should be more widely disseminated. (And I think the Huffington Post was a really good suggestion.) Your article cuts to the heart of this sordid matter in a clear-eyed, well-grounded way. Thank you, Saloma.
Thank you, Joan. I appreciate your words of support. The way it usually works is that when someone publishes your piece they ask for an “exclusive” meaning that you don’t have the right to publish it elsewhere. I will keep the Huffington Post in mind for future submissions.
Saloma, Many of the Amish in Conewango, New York who know Mullet feel that he received the proper sentence and are relieved that he no longer poses a threat to the community. It’s important to remember that all good people are not Christian and that all Christians are not good people. Tom The Backroads Traveller
That is well said, Tom. Thank you. I’m agree with the Amish about the sentence, and about the fact that Sam doesn’t pose a threat while behind bars. It is my understanding, though, that he has cell phone contact with the people in his community. That worries me.
Saloma, this is a great article. Congratulations!
Thank you, Miriam. It is always nice to receive your support.
Great article. I actually didn’t know about Sam Mullet or anything that was going on until I read your blog. It is good he is behind bars now and can no longer cause harm.
I agree that it’s a good thing for Sam to be behind bars. It allows many people to breathe more easily.
So glad you stopped by and thank you for your comment.