Pickin' on Athol

In a recent column, Doug Clark, of the Spokesman-Review, was expounding on yet another sex scandal in Spokane, Washington. It seems that a Spokane Fire Fighter attempted to put out the fire of a 16 year-old young lady, IN the fire station. Not only did the offending Fireman put out the fire, he took pictures of the (ahem) conflagration in progress.

Upon investigation, two of Spokane's finest detectives discovered the pictures, which apparently was the gentleman's proof that the act was consentual. Finding that the age of consent in Washington is 16, they also discovered that taking porn pictures of youngsters under 18 is a crime. Upon realizing that his souvenir was illegal, he immediately claimed he didn't know she was under 18.

The obliging officers expressing sympathy, deleted the pics from the offending camera, destroying the evidence. Now Mr. Clark is suggesting that they be sent to Athol, Idaho.

I live near Athol, and have several problems with that. One, if we had two more Cops in Athol, nobody would ever make it home from the neighborhood pubs. On the other hand, an Officer that was understanding enough to let the offenders go if they "didn't intend to get plastered" could be a good thing.

Last summer, we lost the Fire Chief in our Timberlake Fire District. We maybe could find room for the playful fireman. As far as the 16 year old goes, we already have enough playful teens, and the ones already here would object to the competition.