Wisconsin State Assemblyman Marlin Schneider has reminded me of that hot darkness long ago, when we crouched below our windows, cringing at gunshots and praying the police would arrive soon. My neighbor had abused his family, but gratefully they survived. Fails the test Schneider has introduced legislation he believes would change that. He proposes to grant immunity to anyone convicted of simple battery if he or she beats someone who has abused a close relative. The language of Schneider's LB349 is vague about whether the domestic abuse had to be proven before Uncle Bob could assault his nephew or my neighbor's son could have kneecapped him with a baseball bat.
Domestic abuse is a scourge and, as the saying goes, no excuse can defend it.
But where Schneider's measure may satisfy the very human urge for righteous vengeance, it fails every test of common sense. She and her coach parted ways three years ago when he dropped her from the team. I had a basketball coach who made me run laps in front of everyone during practice 33 years ago. That might be worth something because I was mildly humiliated. Never mind that I had it coming.