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Corcoran man, 27, facing sex charges after girl, 15, gives birth

By Joe Johnson
jjohnson@HanfordSentinel.com

A late June childbirth led to the arrest of a Corcoran man on Friday afternoon when it was revealed that he was carrying on a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl. Corcoran Police officers arrested Octavio Torres, 27, at his home in the 2200 block of Whitley Avenue after he was determined to be the father of the unnamed female victim's child.

The juvenile and their child were living with Torres at the time of his arrest. Investigators also revealed that Torres and the victim began a sexual relationship when she was 14 years old.

Torres was booked into the Kings County Jail on suspicion of lewd acts with a child, oral copulation with a child and sodomy on a child. He is being held in lieu of $790,000 bail.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2425.

(July 16, 2008)

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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Hanford Sentinel

This is a cottage industry....for benefits. wrote on Jul 16, 2008 10:19 AM:

" Is she really a victim or a little tart who liked all the things "the pig" bought her that her parents wouldn't buy? Most of these girls have learned to get stuff they get by giving their charms away to the highest bidder. These little girls have learned the mentality of this from their own mothers. Oh don't think the parents were not involved with this arrangement...they probably benefitted from "the pig" financially too. They are all to blame and now the county will have to pay the welfare benefits for this so-called victim fo years to come. "

Alan G. wrote on Jul 16, 2008 11:04 AM:

" Octavio sounds like quite the Svengali. "

ALEJANDRO wrote on Jul 16, 2008 4:52 PM:

" ...suspicion of lewd acts with a child, oral copulation with a child and sodomy on a child."

What happened to statutory rape charges? She had a baby by this man, so good old regular conception and pregnancy was a result.

Why not that charge too? "

ALEJANDRO wrote on Jul 16, 2008 4:59 PM:

" Just one question:

Is it commonplace in Mexico or other Latin countries for young girls aged 14/15 to marry and start families?

If so, maybe we are not respecting cultural diversity enough. "

Hello wrote on Jul 16, 2008 5:04 PM:

" The first blogger on this article is sick! You are as twisted as Mr. Torres. To try to assign any blame on a young 14 year old is reprehensible. Did you pay attention to all the charges? Lewd acts, Oral Copulation, Sodomy! I don't care what the 14 year old may have wanted a 27 year old man should know better than to perform those acts on a child. Anyone who sypathizes with Mr. Torres needs to seek counseling. "

Hello...have you ever counseled girls of - wrote on Jul 16, 2008 7:08 PM:

" Do you really believe the girl was as innocent as the age might suggest? Find yourself in a situation where you overhear conversations with the likes of many "wrong-way Lolita's" and you will get a bigger picture of the little girls who look up to the coral of Hugh Hefner's tarts in the Playboy mansion (as role models!) and lets not forget the rest of the garbage reality TV satelitte/cabel shows promoting "gold-digger" lifestyles. Just as bad are the "Real Housewives of Orange County," "The Kardashian's and etc...they are all promoters of fantasy good-life from what older men can provide.

Again...the parents were not against this relationship in anyway...one less mouth they had to feed and to pass on their obligation on to someone else. This family are the sick puppies and many people in their culture think this is acceptable.

By the way, What part of "PIG" don't you understand? You just don't like hearing the reality and harm that many of these stupid families put their own daughter in. "

agree with hello wrote on Jul 16, 2008 7:51 PM:

" You said it best! "

Lemoore resident wrote on Jul 16, 2008 8:58 PM:

" I think the girls parents should also be charged with a crime or two. I have a 20 year old daughter and I still get very upset if some old guy hits on or stares at her. At the age of 15 and I found out that a "pedophile" was trying to do anything with my daughter, he would be a dead man. So very disgusting. Another example of good parenting styles. "

Lemoore wrote on Jul 17, 2008 3:23 PM:

" Alejandro
you are correct
in some cultures it is common for the young girls to marry older men, and yes, most of the responders to this article are typical Americans, trying to tell everyone else how they should live.
I do not agree with that cultural belief, but I will not tell them how they should live.
How would you responders like it if you lived in another country and could not continue to practice your typical everyday way of living, you would not like it. So instead of you criticism, try educating people who do not live up to you better standards of living, afterall, we know you all live spotless lives. "

Angie wrote on Jul 17, 2008 4:43 PM:

" Do you people even know if this girls parents are even alive? Maybe she didn't have a choice.
Let's see..Live in the streets or be with a man, have a family and a home? Hmmm..

And NO, it is not a part of "their" culture. There is no one certain culture that will throw their kids to the wolves, just parents who don't care about their children. There's parents like that in every culture. "

BJMallory wrote on Jul 18, 2008 4:07 AM:

" Well said, Angie...we don't know all the details of this girl's life, just a bunch of people playing the speculation game.

Didn't Reba McEntyre have a hit once about a young girl named "Fancy" telling about how Fancy's mother tarted her up and sent her out to catch an older rich man for her "one chance, Fancy, don't let me down"? No one seemed to mind that story. Kinda makes you go "hmmmm." "

Claire wrote on Jul 18, 2008 5:03 AM:

" We don't need to respect their 'cultural diversity.' They need to respect our laws, and it is illegal to have sex with a minor here. "

To Claire wrote on Jul 18, 2008 5:59 AM:

" Thank you for putting is so simply. If people are such a fan of other countries laws and "cultural diveristies" then perhaps they should look into moving to one of those countries that allows this. As for this country, we have very sound laws on the books against this sort of act. When you break these laws, the authorities are going to enforce them and you will have to be held responsible. Don't blame this on anything other than what it is, a grown man taking advantage of a young girl, and in the process breaking the law. As for Lemoore, if we lived in another country and could not contiue to live the way we do here, those of us that think rationally would understand that it is because we are in a foreign country and we have to live by their laws while in that country. Sorry that it is so complicated for you to understand. "

Hanford Girl wrote on Jul 18, 2008 2:57 PM:

" Claire & To Claire, I'm sure glad I read all the comments as I was going to say the same thing!!! When I travel to Mexico or London and expected them to change to my "lifestyle" I would be booted out of their countries in a heartbeat. Cultural "diversities" or not this is the United States of America. The old saying I believe is something like "when in Rome...do as the Roman do....." When in America..................well you get the idea "

Lemoore wrote on Jul 18, 2008 3:10 PM:

" Clair
you obviously have not been to a foreign country and lived there for a while; try visiting a country where military ships come through or where ther is even a US military base you will see just how much we do not respect other countries laws; I saw it every day when I was stationed overseas. Maybe you need to get out of America and see for yourself! "

Watchdog Fred wrote on Jul 18, 2008 3:44 PM:

" She has another one you should listen to BJ, It's called "Because of YOU" is that the kind of advice you are giving so your children won't even cross the street? "

To Lemoore wrote on Jul 18, 2008 4:35 PM:

" I can't control what sailors or any other travelers do when they are in a foreign country. (And yes, I have been to many foreign countries) It's not too much to ask that adults in American not have sex with minors here. Are you actually trying to defend this guy for impregnating a child? Get outta here! "

to Alejandro and Lemoore wrote on Jul 18, 2008 5:23 PM:

" I work with people of many, many, many cultures. And cultural diversity and sensitivity is something I am more than aware of. However, this is America and there are laws that everyone who lives here must abide by.

Just because it's legal for people in other countries to have multiple wives doesn't mean it's legal here. Because it's acceptable to chop off someone's arm for stealing in other countries doesn't mean it's legal here. I know those aren't this situation, but it's reality and perspective.

We have agencies set up to protect 'children' as this 14 year old is. Regardless of the choices her young mind may make... she's still a child and her brain hasn't even fully developed at that age.

The bottom line is that it's illegal HERE and just because it happens in other places doesn't make it right here.

I will add that IF her family knew about this and did nothing to protect, prevent this behavior that the child MAY have been seeking... they should be punished legally also. Parents must protect their children!! "

To Angie wrote on Jul 18, 2008 7:20 PM:

" You are wrong my dear. I do know that this is the way of life in Mexico. My Mother and Grandmother whom are both from Mexico told me THIS IS VERY COMMON in Mexico and alot of the time it's even set up between the families. However, this is the US and they must respect our laws, so if if it is accepted in Mexico, it's not here and that man should go to prison prison for it. As far as the girl and the baby? Well just confirms the saying, "Not the Golden State anymore, it's the Welfare State of California! Makes me sick to know families don't care and when their kid has a baby, the first place they run to is the County Welfare Department so that WE TAX PAYERS can yet again raise yet another kid. Looks at the stats, almost half of all children born in Kings County and on Welfare are illegals---that a fact and we the stupid tax payers refuse to do anything about it. "

My sentiments exactly...it is illegal her to break the law wrote on Jul 18, 2008 7:56 PM:

" So across the board...let's start implementing the laws and start deportation of illegals and their family they so convientely anchor bore here on U.S. soil.

This amnesty train of fool in county offices and state aid offices want the laws to apply for certain things on these cultures of people but they don't want all the laws to be applied?

Stop picking and chosing which should be followed...none of it is acceptable and so the rhetroic stinks. It's NOT O.K. they want to live here under their own culture ways and senses...they WILL DO what they want because they understand that first breaking the laws to get here doesn't apply to having them deported? "

BJMallory wrote on Jul 18, 2008 8:33 PM:

" "Because Of You" is by Kelly Clarkson, Fred. Don't make me poke your dot. : )

My kids are all grown. The youngest of the four is 18. They all work, all know how to cross the street and one is raising a 5 yr old son who doesn't step too far out of line when we both are around. My point with the Reba McEntyre song is, it's creepy. Because her mom was poor it was ok to dress up her pretty daughter and send her out to catch a wealthy older man. Obviously no one had a problem with it; it was a hit. There's another song from the '70s called "Into The Night" by Benny Mardones that's pretty creepy too. The lyrics go, "she's just 16 years old, leave her alone, they say...Separated by fools who don't know what love is yet". That was a hit, too. I was a young teenager when it came out and I liked it but now that I'm an adult, I hear it and go "BLEH!" because it sounds like the pedophiles anthem! "

BJMallory wrote on Jul 18, 2008 8:36 PM:

" Ok I have to admit, I just checked the lyrics to "Fancy" and in that song "Fancy" was 18. So not exactly a minor but the song still begs the question: At what age and under what circumstances exactly is it ok to pimp out your daughter? Not saying that this is what happened with the 15 year old in this news story because I don't know. But if it turns out that her mama was poor and sick, the baby was gonna starve and the girl was pretty enough to dress up and with mama's help, "get uptown", would we forgive all involved? Just asking. "

Hanford mom wrote on Jul 19, 2008 12:01 PM:

" The parents should have to pay for the baby .
How could they even think to allow there daughter to mess up her life like that...
If you choose to live here then you live by OUR laws.
If you don't like it then go home and let someone else pay for your trouble that you got yourself in.
I am a single mother of four and not on welfare not to metion have a very good job to support everyone ...
So get out and get a job or go to school so the rest of us don't have to pay for your mistake..
We all have taxes of homeowners ect...
And what parent in there right mind would allow this....
The shame the pain of being so young.... the parents should go to jail..... "

wondering wrote on Jul 19, 2008 2:16 PM:

" I certainly don't know all the details of the story, but I hear about cultural differences and it makes me think of the group in Texas that has multiple wives (several under 18) and it seems that since their parents said it was OK for them to marry, the state had to basically but out. The difference in this case is this guy didn't marry her, and was it a religious thing like the other one was? I don't think so,but if that was the case then the parents obviously knew all along what was going on. Why not charge them with reckless endangerment or neglect? I have teenage kids and I know that they can sneak out, but how many times did this girl sneak out before she got pregnant. Sounds to me like a lot of adults weren't behaving like adu.lts "

toMy sentiments exactly... wrote on Jul 20, 2008 11:26 AM:

" WELL SAID...... "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Jul 20, 2008 3:29 PM:

" To Lemoore, not all of our military are America's most shining ambassadors, and I feel that you know that from experience. I have been around the world many times, only a portion of that in the miitary. Do you know SOFA? We are still expected to honor other countries beliefs, and if you were in the military stationed in Saudi, you would know that you couldn't drink alcohol there as it was forbidden. How many of our troops have been arrested for rape in Japan? So I don't really see the point of your post. Did you drive on the left side or the right side in Japan? I got to do both, because at the time Okinawa was still under our guidance and drove on the right, vice the rest of Japan on the left. So you see we did follow their culture. I couldn't shop during prayer time or eat in public during Ramadan in Saudi, so again respecting their beliefs. Try holding your girl friends hand in Iran and see what happens. "

Mrs.D wrote on Jul 21, 2008 10:58 AM:

" Hey, folks; the same thing that happened in Corcocran, happens all the time in the Ozarks and Appalachia. It's not frowned up, but deeply encouraged. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Jul 21, 2008 12:31 PM:

" To Mrs. D, where are your facts? You are just spewing out something and not backing it up with facts. I do agree that what happened in Corcoran can and does happen anywhere in the world, but does that make it right? I don't think so. I don't believe that the hillbillies really adhere to you statement of "It's not frowned up"(on)", but deeply encouraged". If caught they will be tried in the courts of West Virginia or other Appalacian states. Once again you don't want to adhere to "When in Rome, do as the Romans do". You are here in America, follow the laws of the land, don't like the laws then go back to someplace where you do like the laws. Bring up a case of an 27 year old caucasian impregnating a 14 year girl and I will say the same thing, throw the book at him, lock him up forever, unless of course it was my daughter, then I would be telling where to send flowers for his funeral. "

Christina wrote on Jul 21, 2008 1:08 PM:

" I think that the girls parents should have to pay all costs for that little girl to have her child. The economy is in enough trouble without adding medical costs for the medically indigent.
Now onto what this person did to this little girl...if in fact the parents were involved they should have been arrested also. Don't men, or women, get arrested for prostitution? How does this differ?? For the parents to benefit is sickening. Now as for the "man" that did this to her, I agree with his charges. Pedophiles are pedophiles no matter if it is consentual or not. Even if a child resulted in a sexual encounter,
In this state, children under the age of 18 cannot enter into a legal contract so therefore they should not be allowed to decide if they are mentally ready for a child.
Underage pregnancies are out of control in this country and maybe its due to parental control or lack thereof. Regardless of the reasons, they are getting younger and younger. I work in a county clinic and see, on average, 5-10 girls ages ranging from 13-17 seeking prenatal care.
WHAT A SHAME!! "

Actually...Mrs. D. they were systematically stripped of their right to procreate. wrote on Jul 21, 2008 1:21 PM:

" Yeah...in West Virginia they were considered dim-witted and having lack of sense...there was time when the U.S. goverment was involved in the mass sterilization of peoples from Appalacia.

Sounded like a plan...today's poor need to count their blessing they don't do that anymore! "

Mrs.D wrote on Jul 21, 2008 3:06 PM:

" RE:NotHomeGrown, Some people who live in this county are natives of W.Virginia, Alabama, Georgia, etc the southern states. A lot of the women would tell me about marrying at 14 and having several 'young 'uns" by the age of 21. It happens there, it happens here, and through out the world it happens. It just so happens when it does happens here people act surprised.

Culturally, it does happen in Mexico, Europe, and elsewhere. People tend to forget there are laws, which is no excuse, I know. Now those who live here do know that they'll go to jail before doing this. "

Angie wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:26 PM:

" To those of you who are going on and on about illegals recieving welfare you are wrong once again. Illegals aren't entitled to ANY benefits unless they have an alien card. And if they have an alien card that makes them legal (as much as most people hate that) They can recieve Medi-Cal but for emergencies only (broken bones, major illness, etc.). The only ones that can recieve benefits are their U S born children which the great state of California says they are entitled to cash, foodstamps and Medi-Cal. It makes me sick to hear you people act as if you pull out money directly from your wallet to pay welfare recipients. Yeah, yeah, I can hear all you guys crying about how you pay taxes and all that. But the last time I looked at my check stub I didn't get to pick where my money went. "

Angie wrote on Jul 21, 2008 4:30 PM:

" Also, since I use to work in social services, I know first hand the many girls I would see coming in and applying for benefits when they got pregnant. And guess what? The one who would come in and want the FREE ABORTIONS were from middle class tax payin anglo families. And, by law, we were required to keep that confidential. So those of you who wail about being a taxpayer paying for all those illegal immigrants to recieve welfare, you probably paid for your daughters' abortion and don't even know it. "

Mrs.D wrote on Jul 21, 2008 11:09 PM:

" RE:Angie, You are correct in what you said. Free abortions are used by the caucasians, too.

Keep them honest. "

BJMallory wrote on Jul 22, 2008 9:22 AM:

" OOOH Angie, you GO girl. I'm "in the know" as well, due to past employment with an agency that dealt with confidential issues. It's always the favorite rant of the "real" Americans: illegals getting benefits and costing this country for their children, blah, blah, blah. Funny that they never complain too much about ALL people on welfare, just the "illegals". Recently, I was in a political discussion with a man who said "do you have any idea how much it costs to pay for illegal children on welfare?" and I countered with, "the same as it costs for American children". He didn't have a comeback for that one. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Jul 22, 2008 12:32 PM:

" To Angie, I feel so much better now that you have certified that not a single illegal is receiving any kind of benefits from our country, that it is only middle class "white" girls that are getting the abortions. I wished that I could live in your world also, but I don't take drugs. Of course there are illegals that are getting benefits from the state. Even sending their children to school is a benefit. I know for a fact that illegals can also get money to go to college, attend any meeting on how to fill out a FAFSA and they will have Spanish speaking assistants and also proclaim that just because you don't have legal documents they can work with you to get money. Are you and Mrs. D both related? You both always attack whenever south of the border is mentioned. Yet the rest of us are for applying the law against any lawbreaker regardless of race/creed/gender. You may even be right in the fact that more caucasians may receive assistance, but if you look at percentages it may be lower. "

In the middle wrote on Jul 22, 2008 2:29 PM:

" with regard to illegals receiving benefits-I also heard the reps from the high school, COS and West Hills tell parents during a meeting that you do NOT have to have legal residence to submit a FAFSA for college money. I was somewhat surprised to hear that, and apparently so were several other parents. I asked for help with the paper work and the reps were very helpful and more than willing to help, as soon as they helped the Spanish speaking families first, since there weren't enough translators. I had to wait over an hour for help even though I was the first person in line. Then I didn't qualify-and I know for a fact that one of the kids that did get several grants had a family income about $30,000 more than ours. I guess they had better math skills than I do. Oh, and I do have more family members than they do too, so that wasn't the reason why. Go figure "

wondering wrote on Jul 22, 2008 2:33 PM:

" So is the complaint that the middle class teenager whose parents paid taxes is receivng the same benefits as the illegal? Hey, at the rate things are going, be thankful that the non-illegal got any benefits at all. If your kid gets pregnant, give her up, make her a ward of the state and then it will all be free-yeah! "

Angie wrote on Jul 22, 2008 4:17 PM:

" To NotHomeGrown-
Perhaps I should clarify. I didn't mean that middle class caucasions were the ONLY ones getting the free abortions, I just wanted to make it clear that illegal immigrants or any other minority Americans weren't the only ones , because some of you act like they are. But I'll tell you what, caucasion middle class teens were the majority-seriously. I suggest you DO look at the percentages.
And the benefits I was referring to was welfare benefits- not "attending school" benefits. Which, by the way is a very petty way to say that children of illegals don't deserve an education. But either way, illegals are here to stay-no matter what. "

Lemoore resident wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:10 PM:

" Whos cares if the guy was white, black or whatever. What he did was wrong morally and legally. He needs to be locked up. As for illegals on welfare, I am against welfare and I am sure I will be attacked for this but no one deserves a free ride. I managed to put myself through college as a single parent. Minimum wage jobs don't pay well but I would never take welfare. I now have a great paying job. I realize some need "help" sometimes but for many it's a way of life. There should be a limit of 6 months for welfare. Give them medical after that but that should be all. No reason why people can't work unless there is a REAL medical reason why they can't. Not just I hurt my knee or I am depressed. I am glad I have worked since I was 16. I am proud of the things I have now. A nice house, cars and so on. All it takes is hard work... "

Daisy wrote on Jul 23, 2008 8:07 AM:

" We all know that teenagers have raging hormones and are still maturing mentally that is why parents are responsible for protecting their children until they are mentally mature enough to be self supporting.
Yes, in many cultures it is acceptable for older (pigs) men to marry young girls; that doesn't make it right! These men should stay out of the USA. Now this young teenager has given taxpayers another child to raise and an other prisoner to take care of.
Somewhere along the line; respect for self, parents and others has become lost in the quest to be "noticed".
There are many teenagers who are living respectable lives and focusing on their education. These are the ones who should make the headlines.
As for the "benefits" this young woman received from her baby's father; nothing is going to justify an adult male taking advantage of a teenager and basically raping her and robbing her of her right to experience being a teenager and develope into a responsible adult woman. Her life is forever changed. She is still a teenager trying to act like an adult. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Jul 23, 2008 12:30 PM:

" To Angie, first do not post a response to me and include "most of you". Do you even know who or what I am? Only respond to me about my posts. If you want to make a more correct statement then say many of the other posters, but do not put any words in my mouth. I have never said that it is only illegals. When I talk of percentage, I am not talking about more white than brown or black or purple. But a percentage based upon the number of whites to whites. Again are all of the "white" girls really white? Every survey that I see asks you to identify yourself as caucasian not of Hispanic/Latino descent. I have never gotten on the soapbox and stated that I am any better than anyone else. Yes I do disagree with teaching illegals children, for two reasons, yes it is costing more (free lunches, etc) plus it is holding everyone else back while they are being brought up to speed. "

NotHomeGrown wrote on Jul 23, 2008 12:36 PM:

" To Lemoore resident, you and I agree that there shouldn't be "professional" welfare, and again I will reiterate my statement of all races/creeds/ genders. There is nothing wrong with helping someone get back on their feet, but unfortunately to me most of these people are spending too much time on their backsides. I might go for more than 6 months. But during the whole time that they are on welfare they should be either attending a class that is teaching them a skill, or doing some sort of work. Even a person with a disability can do some sort of work. Have you ever heard of Lighthouse for the Blind? They employ blind people to work for them. And I never knew that laziness and stupidity were considered disabilities. "

whitey wrote on Jul 23, 2008 2:15 PM:

" I agree with lemoore resident's last post. I saw this the other day, and it really hits the nail on the head.

Like a lot of folks in this country, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test with which I have no problem. What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test. Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them? Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their rear, doing drugs, while I work. . . . Can you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check? Pass this along if you agree or simply delete if you don't. "

Angie wrote on Jul 23, 2008 4:16 PM:

" To Whitey- Yeah, if it's done across the board then I can see your point. Not a bad idea, Crime will increase, and children will suffer but it would eliminate some fraud and spending welfare money on drugs. "

Oh whitey... you are blind to the mechanics of goverment aid wrote on Jul 23, 2008 6:03 PM:

" Didn't you know "Lighthouse for the Blind" (on San Francisc tribal lands) is a program set-up by a corporate Indian reservation corporation owned by billionaire Bruce Peeples out of Arizona....he runs a variety of sideline separate entities subsidiaires called HD-Workshops, (Phoenix, AZ) Hadicapped and Disabled Workshops, Inc., (Nashville, TN) Handi-Hope (Muncie, IN),...they are all connected to other tribal lands (meaning they are protected from prosecution) across the U.S.

These corporations are sanctioned by our goverment and run off subsidies. It is really just a mass-marketing solicitors disguised as so-called (gainful employment for the disabled) but really they hire others, the undesirable/un-employable peoples on assistance with questionable backgrounds along side of SOME blind and disabled citizens.

The one who is really gaining from all their sales of lightbulbs brought in from China is the owner who has them reboxed and shipped as if the were actually manufactured by blind people. The allusion is a nice idea....but really it's just a scam! "

whitey wrote on Jul 24, 2008 8:50 AM:

" Angie,
I think that if people on welfare, cant pass a drug test, then they are unfit, and should have their children taken away. Then maybe it would give the parents a choice.... my kids, or my fix. There are plenty of people in the world, that would love nothing more than to be parents but are unable to have children of their own. and who knows, maybe if that was a law, the drug use rate would fall. and if it doesn't, then the addicts wouldnt get their money. so the state can save. "

whitey wrote on Jul 24, 2008 12:04 PM:

" TO....Oh whitey... you are blind to the mechanics of goverment aid wrote on Jul 23, 2008 8:03 PM:

so whats your point? what does that have anything to do with welfare recipients having to take a urine test? "

Eye Witness wrote on Jul 24, 2008 1:48 PM:

" Close the boarders already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

again silly whitey...if the drug user is considered uncurable wrote on Jul 24, 2008 4:09 PM:

" they ae then catgorized/diagnosed as unemployable and given aid whether they pass a drug test or not. Their benefits may stop temporarly if they are hospitalized when the fall off the wagon...as soon as they are clean the aid is returned back to the consumer.

Socialized medicine at it best with the flavor of liberal apathy spinning the wheels of goverment aid! "

whitey wrote on Jul 25, 2008 8:09 AM:

" okay EYEWITNESS... there is no such thing as an 'uncurable drug addict.' everyone is cureable. it all depends on will power. if they cant stay clean, then they should be sent to prison. because that is what normally happens (or rehab) and the kids get sent to foster care. and im sorry, but i would much rather have taxes taken out of my check to keep prisons running, so people will suffer consequences for their actions than to give my taxes to people who sell the amount of money on their food stamp card or cash aid card for half the price so they can get their fix. Its my money that i earned. and im tired of having to support people that are 'confortable' being drug addict losers. "

Lemoore resident wrote on Jul 25, 2008 7:44 PM:

" I fully agree with whitey...A urine test should be what anyone wanting welfare should have to do. I never thought of that. I have been in fast food restaurants and have seen individuals with downs syndrome or other disabilities cleaning or doing some other job. It makes me proud to see them working. Great work ethic. I was at the palace one night behind a woman at the cashier cage wanting money off a welfare card. I wanted to vomit. I know I can't say how anyones money should be spent but you need assistance yet you are at the palace gambling. There will always be welfare, I only hope I raise my children to work as hard as I do, to be proud for the money they earn whether it comes from a top notch job or working at a mcdonalds. Work hard and strive for the best. And never be ashamed for any job you do. "

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