Somerville News Coverage of MS-13 Arrest

[cemeterygates.livejournal.com]

I think that the Somerville News piece about the recent MS-13 arrest did an unusually good job depicting the grey area of morality that is so often ignored by the media in their coverage of criminals. I know that such an opinion is commonly viewed by the masses as bleeding-heart, or liberal-guilt, or what have you, but I can honestly say I am proud to be part of a community that recognizes the human side of all people, and I feel this article is an excellent example of that. I do not know specifically what actions Morales was responsible for as a gangster, and I do not question that MS-13 is a very powerful and dangerous entity; but because of this article perhaps a few more people also reflect on the fact that no-one is only a thug.

I would welcome your thoughts.

Comments

[derekp.livejournal.com]

This is a horrible report, really. It's nice that they showed that Morales was a human being and didn't murder EVERYONE he knew, but perhaps the reporter could have done a google search for his name and come across his WANTED poster on the FBI website.

"He has a long criminal history including several assaults, burglary, narcotics transportation, and domestic violence."

"Robert Morales is wanted for the alleged murder of two men and the attempted murder of a woman in Los Angeles, California. On July 31, 2000, Morales allegedly shot and killed a man waiting at a bus stop. On November 9, 2000, Morales allegedly shot and killed a fellow MS-13 gang member, and fired several shots at the victim's girlfriend."

I'd be crying if I were about to go to prison for the rest of my life too...

[cemeterygates.livejournal.com]

I guess my point is that anyone can google him to find out what he is accused of, but to investigate personally his relationship with his supervisor and peers and put out there the fact that he conducted himself with dignity and respect as far as they were concerned adds a new dimension to the picture. It's true that the reporter could have done some googling and added more facts to the story, but I feel that the product that he chose to put forward is also complete and very unique perspective.

[derekp.livejournal.com]

And my point is, that any reporter worth his salt would have included his crimes in the report.

[spatch]

Yeah. You have to balance the good and the bad. Everyone's human. The kid's got emotions and I'm sure that his realizing that justice is finally catching up with the stuff he's done, even if he's tried to make a legit life for himself, is gonna bring about a human reaction -- strong, emotional tears. But he's allegedly committed some terrible crimes, so he has to face justice. Kinda like Jimmy Stewart at the end of The Greatest Show on Earth.

It is nice to read a news report that doesn't automatically scream OMG MONSTER MONSTER INHUMAN ILLEGAL IMMEGRANT MONSTER when reporting on a criminal suspect, however. It's hard to tell that to the cesspool of jingoistic rhetoric-spouting blowhards who infest the Somerville News' comments arena.

[ron_newman]

What crimes, given that this is not Robert Morales, but some other Morales?

"Those Moraleses, they're all the same."

[mattdm.livejournal.com]

Presumably, derekp did this search

http://www.google.com/search?q=Morales+MS-13 (http://www.google.com/search?q=Morales+MS-13)

and took the first result other than the Somerville News article. Because how many guys with a last name like "Morales" could possibly be linked to or accused of links to a Latin American gang?

Nice.

[excursively.livejournal.com]

Who's Robert Morales? The story refers to "Henry Antonio Morales".

[androidqueen.livejournal.com]

YA RLY