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In Reply to: Taking the money & running posted by Observer on August 24, 2004 at 16:08:38:
I think James Penn & Ricky are in two completely different positions with regard to the morality of taking money from Zerby & Smith. Ricky is clearly a victim who had virtually no control over what went on among Family leadership. Young adults raised in the cult--particularly WS homes--have almost no skills, education or training that would help them transition to life in the System.
Penn may be also be a victim, but he certainly doesn't come across as one. He comes across as an accomplished extortionist with a talent for rationalizing his entitlement to blood money raised through the exploitation of children and ignorant religious zealots. He helped Berg, Zerby & Smith build an evil empire on the backs of others, then feels he's entitled to $17K in severence pay when he reaches the limit on his own capacity to lie and cover up the truth.
Given Penn's gift for slippery moral reasoning, it's not surprising he rose so high in the Family's criminal leadership. But who says there's no honor among thieves? If Penn is serious about his remorse, he'll put his money & time where his mouth is and find a way to make restitution to the victims who paid for his golden parachute with their sweat, blood, tears, and lives.
