Frankly, Mr. Smith, you are correct...YOU ARE CLEARLY NOT A DOCTOR, A PSYCHOLOGIST OR EVEN A GOOD PASTOR.
Mr. Clem's entire history is exactly what you see in most sexual predator cases...since the offender is obviously capable of "lording" over his victim, these are common inter-dependency and compensation reactions for what was clearly a very repressed part of his life.
Obviously, at some point the guilt finally rose to the surface and he has now gone through the process of regaining his self respect, a very important process in the healing cycle.
It may shock the civility of some, but the observation of someone actually holding the miscreant "pastor" accountable can in fact be very cathartic for all the victims, whether publicly or privately. I, for one, welcome this day of a "partial justice" as way too little way too late. And I view it a natural consequence of his outrageous sin.
But very inconsequential given the number of victims over the decades.
I will never forget going to a funeral of a favorite uncle and hearing a favorite aunt boldly exclaim with ferver "the old bastard finally got what he deserved"... and with that discovered the presumed saint had a harem or ladies that had left my aunt devastated for 30 years. She was resentful and full of seething hatred all those years, smiling and hugging the man at every gathering I could remember. Go figure!!!! And they sat in the same pew every Sunday (not SDA'a obviously).
My aunt asked me to arrange for resolution of some of the estate issues, and I was glad to freely do so, until I was startled to discover I had a couple of "hidden cousins" that were to be beneficiaries of the my uncles secret will and estate. Can you imagine the traumatic issues resulting from this uncovering of two "accidental" mothers and their children and all the vicious responses I became a victim of as I helped with the execution of my Uncles will with his attorney...both sides clearly viewed me as a the great satan as I defended the exact purpose of the will despite cross-claims in probate from multiple parties.
My aunt never spoke to me again as she exercised the simpelist form of transference for all those years of spousal abuse to me for siding with my uncles exact will, a result of his adulterous life.
So, in summary, there is nothing unusual in what you describe and live and learn...I am sure this will not be the first or last case you will see. Just be sure to protect the victim and crucify the perpetrator. That is justice and will likely save the world of more victims.
Gailon Arthur Joy
AUReporter
I need to answer this here, but before I do and anybody starts getting ideas, let's get a couple of things straight beforehand and save yourself the time and effort of posting replies which have nothing to do with what I am posting about.
This is not about the current case underway this morning against Tommy Shelton. This is not about Tommy Shelton's guilt or innocence when it comes to the allegations of child molestation you've all made about that. This is not about the issue of child molestation period. Duane Clem was of age, he has said over and over he wasn't raped and has never claimed he was molested. So it's not about that either. I am addressing only his story and claims here. To further set you straight this is not about Danny Shelton, defending him, nor about 3ABN and defending them. Duane Clem's and Tommy Shelton's problem had nothing to do with them either.
So don't be trying to address any o that with me because I won't dignify a reply to none of it.
I wasn't trying to discredit you by saying that you got your apology right away. I simply don't understand why he would apologize to you, and admit guilt, and not apologize to others while consistently saying he is innocent where they are concerned. You say it was because you didn't file charges against him, well neither did they, right? (with the current case being the exception) So that doesn't make sense to me, sorry. That was my main point.
It is my understanding that the letter you refer to was not the first apology though, because that letter itself refers to an earlier apology to you. That's why I referred to multiple apologies. If I misunderstood about the time referred to and spoke in error when I said "You got your apology right away" while referring to that earlier apology, I humbly apologize. It does now sound like I was wrong about that, thanks, and so I am sorry, Duane.
From: "Tommy Shelton"
To: "Duane CLem"
Subject: Re: Hello
Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2005 20:53:09 -0500
Hi Duane, I received your e-mail a couple of days ago. I guess you sent it longer ago than that, but I am not home several days a week. It sounds like you are doing what makes you the happiest - being involved in Gospel music. Duane, I have spent the last several years trying to straighten my life out.....You will remember that before I went to D.C. I apologized to you and told you that I wanted to make a new start and I have been trying to do that ever since. I've been honest with my wife, whom I almost destroyed with what I did....
Well, I certainly don't remember an apology. I remember him trying to justify and smooth things over, but no apology.
Well then maybe you better think back again, Clem. It appears to me you forget a lot of things, such as writing and an telling Tommy there was nothing to forgive and that he'd never hurt you, but this here forgetfulness isn't going to work, because many were in the know here. Those people have been very puzzled at your acts and words and your teaming up with the Pickle against Tommy, and even Carol, and accusing and blaming her after so many years. It stops right here as I'm calling a spade, a spade. Let God is our witness and Judge here.
There was an apology face to face before Tommy moved to Va. He explained to those who he'd confessed to that he wanted his conscience clear and so he asked you (with Carol's knowledge) to go out and have a sandwich. You went and Tommy apologized. From that time on Duane, it certainly did look like things were smoothed over. You called him periodically to ask for advice about different things. Carol didn't want you calling and Tommy told you that but you still called every once in awhile because you said that no matter where Tommy went, In your heart Tommy would always be your pastor. Throughout the years Duane, you were always his biggest defender against Dryden and others. After Tommy moved back to Kentucky you called again but talked to Carol that time and started telling Carol that you were working with a girl and trying to lead her to give her heart to the Lord but that you needed advice and help. Carol who had a hard time dealing with you Duane after everything, took the high road and did what she could to help the girl, even going to visit her several times. This all took place over a few months and you and Carol were in contact back and forth. This was just prior to the pickledjoy thing and you remember how you told Pickle you were looking for news of Tommy when you came across his accusations, and entered the fray fightening mad and still defending Tommy. Remember?
Now here is this supposed abuse back in the 80's and yet, all through the years Duane, you remained friends with Tommy and his family and defended him, and them So what changed all that?
Nobody in the know about all a this is a Doctor, but it does appear the letter of apology, your second apology, was the catalyst Why? Because in it Tommy says because it was so hard on Carol that you two could no longer be even casual friends, so it looks to us like you took it as some kind of rejection. And then of course after Pickle got hold of you, you began to claim you had to protect your ministry and your kids and couldn't have it come out and hurt that, so you had to speak up and out against Tommy publicly. The problem is, not only are you lying here about not remembering that apology, but you claimed Tommy apologized because you didn't file criminal charges, but Duane that was a worse lie.. You had no criminal charges to file. You were of age and a willing participant, and nothing which you have said occured between you and he is a crime. NOTHING. What charges would you file for crying out loud?
That's it, that's all I have to say. If you get angry I won't blame you, and I'll even understand,but for your own sake, try and not do or say anything in anger that you might later regret.
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Topic: "Sam" calls Tommy Shelton a liar (Read 38428 times)
