Mr. Morrell witch hunt

Sender, 

Please don't. 

The consumption of child pornography drives the market for child pornography and child sex trafficking. It is not a victimless crime.

sender said:
Okay folks, how's this scenario?  We find that Morrill never did touch another human being, and our president who has been accused by 23 women for sexual misconduct continues to go on vacation,  eat dinners out, and oh yeah here's the kicker, remain as president.  Just spend a few minutes pondering that one instead of flaying Mr. Morrill.

 I only need to ponder it for a few seconds to know your argument is totally specious. 

I publicly flay the president on social media and irl daily.  I don't think that it is relevant here, though.

sender said:
Okay folks, how's this scenario?  We find that Morrill never did touch another human being, and our president who has been accused by 23 women for sexual misconduct continues to go on vacation,  eat dinners out, and oh yeah here's the kicker, remain as president.  Just spend a few minutes pondering that one instead of flaying Mr. Morrill.

 So, is your hypothesis that the police made a charge of possession of child pornography without evidence?  This isn't someone accusing him of something in a "he said/she said" scenario, this is a case of digital forensics leading police to him. 

ETA: possession of child pornography drives a horrific industry, his viewing materials are the result of someone touching CHILDREN. Maybe you're ok with this person being around your child, but most people wouldn't be.  A better analogy than the one you offered is that it is the difference between 1)strangling another person to death and 2) hiring a hit-man to assassinate someone.

bella said:
 This isn't someone accusing him of something in a "he said/she said" scenario, this is a case of digital forensics leading police to him.

 The digital forensics are not infallible. The prosecutor needs to establish that Mr Morrell put the files on his computer. We live in a world with constant news of data breaches. Tools to hack someone's computer are becoming ubiquitous and require far less sophistication to employ. Somebody could have guessed his Google drive (or other file sharing software) password and dumped a folder of damning files on his computer and mobile devices.

https://blog.knowbe4.com/heads-up-this-evil-new-child-porn-phishing-attack-could-absolutely-ruin-your-life

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/scam-alert-new-ransomware-puts-child-pornography-on-victims-smartphones-010615.html

I disagree with sender's implicit assertion that having this kind of material is not a big deal if it's someone's private business. But I am disheartened by the overwhelming presumption of guilt based solely on an arrest. That's not how it works. But because the alleged crime is so reprehensible everyone wants to jump to punishing him.

Any way this ends up his life is irreparably altered. Even if he is tried and found not guilty his reputation is gone. It doesn't make the news if an alleged sex offender is exonerated. The court of public opinion renders the most significant verdict here.

mrincredible said:

bella said:
 This isn't someone accusing him of something in a "he said/she said" scenario, this is a case of digital forensics leading police to him.

 The digital forensics are not infallible. The prosecutor needs to establish that Mr Morrell put the files on his computer. We live in a world with constant news of data breaches. Tools to hack someone's computer are becoming ubiquitous and require far less sophistication to employ. Somebody could have guessed his Google drive (or other file sharing software) password and dumped a folder of damning files on his computer and mobile devices.
https://blog.knowbe4.com/heads-up-this-evil-new-child-porn-phishing-attack-could-absolutely-ruin-your-life



https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/scam-alert-new-ransomware-puts-child-pornography-on-victims-smartphones-010615.html



I disagree with sender's implicit assertion that having this kind of material is not a big deal if it's someone's private business. But I am disheartened by the overwhelming presumption of guilt based solely on an arrest. That's not how it works. But because the alleged crime is so reprehensible everyone wants to jump to punishing him.
Any way this ends up his life is irreparably altered. Even if he is tried and found not guilty his reputation is gone. It doesn't make the news if an alleged sex offender is exonerated. The court of public opinion renders the most significant verdict here.

 point taken, but I would never call this a witch hunt as it implies that people are making a mountain out of a mole hill. 

My understanding of a witch hunt is going after someone on false pretenses. The women who were executed for witchcraft in Salem were not actually witches. An accusation of witchcraft and a fearful population sealed their fates.

It wasn't even a discussion here until Sender brought it up.

mrincredible, I for one have made no assumption of guilt, although the charges concern me greatly. What I know is that the authorities made an investigation and found cause to arrest him. Obviously given the charge he has a tough road ahead, even if he is found not guilty of the charges.  The risk of false accusations cannot be used as a reason not to investigate, but is hopefully part of the decision to sign arrest warrants.

However I’m appalled by the idea that one or two posters seem to have that this potential crime should be overlooked, whether because he is not accused of direct sexual touching (but only of consumption of illegal materials), because he’s such a good physics teacher (only people who are bad at their jobs should be investigated?), or because Trump may be getting away with crimes (so we should stop all pursuit of some kinds of criminals until he is out of office?!?).

Does anyone besides me see this as a relatively recent and politically correct phenomenon (surveillance of our computers to seek out people who view child pornography)?  In North Korea I'm pretty sure that would lead to the death penalty (why not here?).  How is it handled in say, Finland or Spain?  Who arbitrarily marked the line to this place of arrest, losing one's job, etc. What happened to all the adult viewers from say the years 1900 to 2000 (before surveillance on our cell phones, etc.). Pretty sure they did what they did in their private homes (magazines, photos sent in mail?) and all was unknown.  Somehow I survived all my teachers in the 50's-80's who may or may not have been squeaky clean.  

Say people like Mr. Morrill need help, good luck today even getting a therapist since insurance has pretty much nixed any payments toward mental healthcare.  Out of pocket for most therapy.  Once again our government is ok to allow Horizon and Blue Cross Blue Shield not to cover therapy for most seeking help (and yes that includes young adults shooting up our schools... our government simply allows them a gun but no help for their mental anguish.)  

Just go blindly into our surveillance state of being, our police state.   Soon Doctors who perform abortions will also join in the ranks of those sent to prison.  And guess what?  Eventually yes, we will lose the best teachers, the best doctors, and MEDIOCRITY will rule.  Hint, hint, most of our most talented people are quirky, odd, and that includes Einstein, Woody Allen, Edison, Beethoven, Schubert. How would they survive today's surveillance?  

Anyway here's to all you non-nuanced people in our town that go blindly into the night. 

There is pornography and there is child pornography. The former is probably among consensual adults. The later is exploitation and abuse. As a response, it has been legislated to be illegal, with consequences. These consequences include prison.

Now if you are in prison, you can't also be in a classroom to teach your physics class. Therefore, if a teacher is convicted of child pornography, s/he can't fulfill the contractual duties of being a teacher. So the person gets fired. 

If this doesn't work for you, call your legislators and get the law changed to allow teachers accused and/or convicted of having child pornography to be exempt from such penalties.

I would like to know all the facts of this case before commenting including an understanding of what led the police to surveil Mr. Morrill.

tjohn said:
I would like to know all the facts of this case before commenting including an understanding of what led the police to surveil Mr. Morrill.

All harken unto tjohn, purveyor of logic and wisdom.

sender said:
Does anyone besides me see this as a relatively recent and politically correct phenomenon (surveillance of our computers to seek out people who view child pornography)?  In North Korea I'm pretty sure that would lead to the death penalty (why not here?).  How is it handled in say, Finland or Spain?  Who arbitrarily marked the line to this place of arrest, losing one's job, etc. What happened to all the adult viewers from say the years 1900 to 2000 (before surveillance on our cell phones, etc.). Pretty sure they did what they did in their private homes (magazines, photos sent in mail?) and all was unknown.  

Yes, it is relatively recent, in terms of decades. Here’s an informative law review article (16 short pages) that may help answer some of your other questions, too:

https://digitalcommons.pace.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1539&context=lawfaculty

sender said:
Does anyone besides me see this as a relatively recent and politically correct phenomenon (surveillance of our computers to seek out people who view child pornography)?  In North Korea I'm pretty sure that would lead to the death penalty (why not here?).  How is it handled in say, Finland or Spain?  Who arbitrarily marked the line to this place of arrest, losing one's job, etc. What happened to all the adult viewers from say the years 1900 to 2000 (before surveillance on our cell phones, etc.). Pretty sure they did what they did in their private homes (magazines, photos sent in mail?) and all was unknown.  Somehow I survived all my teachers in the 50's-80's who may or may not have been squeaky clean.  


Say people like Mr. Morrill need help, good luck today even getting a therapist since insurance has pretty much nixed any payments toward mental healthcare.  Out of pocket for most therapy.  Once again our government is ok to allow Horizon and Blue Cross Blue Shield not to cover therapy for most seeking help (and yes that includes young adults shooting up our schools... our government simply allows them a gun but no help for their mental anguish.)  


Just go blindly into our surveillance state of being, our police state.   Soon Doctors who perform abortions will also join in the ranks of those sent to prison.  And guess what?  Eventually yes, we will lose the best teachers, the best doctors, and MEDIOCRITY will rule.  Hint, hint, most of our most talented people are quirky, odd, and that includes Einstein, Woody Allen, Edison, Beethoven, Schubert. How would they survive today's surveillance?  


Anyway here's to all you non-nuanced people in our town that go blindly into the night. 

 Are you serious?  How did you convince someone to procreate with you if you think child pornography is ok as long as it is private? 

Maybe you should seek out a conversation with a victim of child abuse that was swept under the rug by the church?  I'm pretty sure that they'd tell you that just because it is private or hush-hush doesn't make it ok.

In an earlier post I wrote that he was under investigation for a year. I was wrong. The investigation started "earlier this year". I don't know where I got the wrong information and I'm sorry.

Here is a press release about the creation of the Cyber Crime Task force in Union County:

http://ucnj.org/prosecutor/press-releases/prosecutor/2019/03/29/ucpo-launches-cybercrime-task-force/

sender said:

Hint, hint, most of our most talented people are quirky, odd, and that includes Einstein, Woody Allen, Edison, Beethoven, Schubert. How would they survive today's surveillance?  

Anyway here's to all you non-nuanced people in our town that go blindly into the night. 

If it’s a slippery slope from losing talented professionals over child pornography charges to pondering NASA without Wernher von Braun, then it’s also a very long one.

sender said:
 Hint, hint, most of our most talented people are quirky, odd, and that includes Einstein, Woody Allen, Edison, Beethoven, Schubert. How would they survive today's surveillance?  

 Where those "quirky, odd' people, legally quirky and odd or were they illegally so. Woody Allen may have been illegally quirky. I don't know about the rest. 

Now, we know our president is above the law. Should similar extra-legal protection for criminal activity be extended to teachers? If so, what crimes should they be allowed to commit before they are imprisoned or suspended from teaching? Murder? Armed robbery? Diddling of minors or just watching the diddling of minors?

How 'bout priests, rabbis and pastors? Should they be put in jail for offenses against minors?

DaveSchmidt said:
If it’s a slippery slope from losing talented professionals over child pornography charges to pondering NASA without Wernher von Braun, then it’s also a very long one. 

Gather 'round while I sing you of Wernher von Braun
A man whose allegiance
Is ruled by expedience
Call him a Nazi, he won't even frown
"Ha, Nazi, Schmazi" says Wernher von Braun

Don't say that he's hypocritical
Say rather that he's apolitical
"Once the rockets are up, who cares where they come down?
That's not my department" say Wernher von Braun

- Tom Lehrer

I will add that I think this is a serious topic.

I don't view Sender's treatment of it as serious, however.

Formerlyjerseyjack said:
 Where those "quirky, odd' people, legally quirky and odd or were they illegally so. Woody Allen may have been illegally quirky. I don't know about the rest. 


Now, we know our president is above the law. Should similar extra-legal protection for criminal activity be extended to teachers? If so, what crimes should they be allowed to commit before they are imprisoned or suspended from teaching? Murder? Armed robbery? Diddling of minors or just watching the diddling of minors?
How 'bout priests, rabbis and pastors? Should they be put in jail for offenses against minors?

 omg here I go again.  Mr. Morrill did not get accused of "diddling of minors," or for that matter armed robbery or well, here goes... Murder.  Lumping all this into his offense is well, offensive.  

by the way, below is some more info as to when it became illegal, etc.  As I thought, only recently, just as the pendulum has swung to the right. 

In what countrys is child porn legal?

ALEXANDRIA, VA – During the past seven years, 100 countries have enacted new laws to protect children from child pornography. However, according to the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC), 53 countries still have no law and do not consider child pornography a crime.

Despite Increase in Global Child Protection Laws Many Countries Still ...

https://www.icmec.org/.../despite-increase-in-global-child-protection-laws-many-countri...

Apparently the USA has the strictest laws and no surprise the greatest by far viewing of child porn compared to any other country.  look it up it's all there to see. So as I suspected picking off Mr. Morrill will have no affect on child porn viewership, it will only affect the physics department at CHS. 

Arresting a murderer will not stop another murderer.  But it will stop that murderer.

FilmCarp said:
Arresting a murderer will not stop another murderer.  But it will stop that murderer.

 I think we need to consider exceptions where I think that murderer helped get my child into an Ivy League school.

sender said:

Formerlyjerseyjack said:
 Where those "quirky, odd' people, legally quirky and odd or were they illegally so. Woody Allen may have been illegally quirky. I don't know about the rest. 


Now, we know our president is above the law. Should similar extra-legal protection for criminal activity be extended to teachers? If so, what crimes should they be allowed to commit before they are imprisoned or suspended from teaching? Murder? Armed robbery? Diddling of minors or just watching the diddling of minors?
How 'bout priests, rabbis and pastors? Should they be put in jail for offenses against minors?

 omg here I go again.  Mr. Morrill did not get accused of "diddling of minors," or for that matter armed robbery or well, here goes... Murder.  Lumping all this into his offense is well, offensive.  
by the way, below is some more info as to when it became illegal, etc.  As I thought, only recently, just as the pendulum has swung to the right. 




In what countrys is child porn legal?
ALEXANDRIA, VA – During the past seven years, 100 countries have enacted new laws to protect children from child pornography. However, according to the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC), 53 countries still have no law and do not consider child pornography a crime.

Despite Increase in Global Child Protection Laws Many Countries Still ...

https://www.icmec.org/.../despite-increase-in-global-child-protection-laws-many-countri...




Apparently the USA has the strictest laws and no surprise the greatest by far viewing of child porn compared to any other country.  look it up it's all there to see. So as I suspected picking off Mr. Morrill will have no affect on child porn viewership, it will only affect the physics department at CHS. 

You have serious issues.  Assuming that the charges are true, you don't have a problem with them because he was a good teacher to your kid?  There are plenty of good teachers who don't have a proclivity for kiddie porn. 

Your willingness to set aside what this person supposedly did (even if it is true) because you don't think that it will have a significant effect on the overall problem and because you believe him to be a good educator is disturbing.  It makes me wonder about your own predilections.

Ugh, even reading your twisted views on this makes me want to take a shower in carbolic acid.

If one types in "Child Pornography" into google, the first thing that comes up is:

WARNING | Child Pornography is Illegal | google.com‎

If you click that link it says:

Protecting children from sexual abuse

Child sexual abuse imagery is illegal.

At Google we work with child protection experts to find, remove and report this material because we never want it to appear anywhere on our products, including our search results.

To report child sexual abuse content or to find help for a child in the US, please contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

So, again: Child pornography is illegal. If it can be proven that Mr. Morrell voluntarily engaged with this illegal material he will face the consequences of his actions. 

@sender 

You are implying that engaging with child pornography is not deserving of consequences. Is that what you believe?

Columbia High School students may learn a lesson from this about law, victimization, consequences, their own rights, and rights of other minors, that they may not have learned otherwise.  This could serve them better in their own lives than any physics lesson.

What they found on the computer should tell it's own story - was it 10 images, a 100, a 1000.  10 images you can call a mistake. 1000 images would seem less accidental.

What I would also hope is that the police try to follow the chain so that low-level viewers of this stuff can lead them to distributors and producers.

every time I read Sender’s posts, I get a glimmer of hope that perhaps he’s only trolling. But sadly, I don’t think he is. 

This belongs in the MOL Hall of Fame for F$%ked Up Threads. I can't believe I'm reading  that someone thinks consuming child pornography is fine as long little Johnny Genius gets the best physics teacher. Maybe what's needed is a stronger ethics education.

There was an update sent out in the past couple of days by the either the prosecutor's office or the school district that clarified why the police did not notify the district right away about Mr. Morrill.

In the statement it said that they seized 20+ devices from his home that all needed to be searched.

Correction:  A Village Green article

Found it:

https://villagegreennj.com/police-and-fire/prosecutors-office-explains-1-week-delay-in-notifying-south-orange-maplewood-district-of-teacher-arrest/

Esmerado said that UCPO had executed both a summons for arrest and a search warrant on June 6. He said that the UCPO had been notified through a monitoring program that Morrill had uploaded or was in possession of sexually exploitative images of a minor.

“We investigate based on a digital fingerprint,” said Esmerado. “Based on that we get a search warrant – that was on the 6th.”

Esmerado noted that Morrill had 25 devices — far beyond the usual 1-4 devices that suspects possess on average. “We had to scan all those devices to make sure there was no tie to the school and that contacting the school would not compromise the investigation,” said Esmerado.

“Any release of that would taint our investigation if he was exchanging [information] with students or taking images of students in a sexually exploitative manner.”