INTELLIGENCER JOURNAL

Feb. 6th lead local article "[Tom] Armstrong efforts will continue, Discusses arrest of former resident of home" describes the observations by Armstrong that, "..whatever the future holds for [Richard D. ] Owen, he would benefit most from a shared living arrangement - not prison."

WATCHDOG: The Intell deserves praise and gratitude for allowing Armstrong to further educate the public on how to treat sex offenders after they have served their sentences, even those like Owen who had been convicted of rape.

It is not easy to control addictions. How often do people give up smoking before they succeed... or possibly fail again? Then there are alcoholics in recovery, sustained by weekly visits to Alcohol Anonymous and other organizations. And of course there are those hooked on illegal drugs, although nicotine and alcohol are as addictive as cocaine and heroin. In most cases, remission requires continuous effort and discipline.

Armstrong's crusade is for society to stop harassing those who have committed sex offenses (we add some of which would not have been considered crimes a half century) and provide ex-cons with a supportive environment and opportunity to transition back to normal, productive lives in a state of recovery.

Will it always work? No. Is it better than any other civilized alternative? Yes.