Headline in local paper tonight: "Spouse abuse soars, shelter funds dwindle..."

[Mike 03]

I live in a small town in the middle of nowhere, but having listened to the police scanner over the past six months, it is no surpise to me that domestic violence is out of control. And I am guessing that if it is out of control here, it is out of control in many other locations, if not the majority of locations, all over troubled economies, geographies, states and nations.

And our battered family shelters are facing extreme cuts now as the needs grow larger.

For what it is worth, I just thought I'd post this and see if any others, in any other communities, are seeing the same patterns.

Thanks for listening.

[Chipper Chat]

1. Tony Perkins will blame it on gay marriage.

Michelle Bachman will become hysterical and tell Minnesotans to start stockpiling guns....and bibles.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

2. Money changes everything,

and the lack of it makes bad things worse. A fact of life.

Domestic abuse has always been with us, but maybe it's getting worse or maybe it's being reported more. Or maybe people are paying closer attention.

With funds for shelters being cut, what exactly are battered spouses supposed to do? Counting on friends is dicey at best, and staying is sort of like signing your own death sentence. Restraining orders are pieces of paper that violent men crush under their heel as they head for the woman, and police are always after the fact.

Another way in which our country is failing.

More and more, as much as I decry it in myself, I have come to believe that, like this poor planet we've destroyed, our country is past saving. I can't yet admit that to myself, but, every day, the thought grows more prominent........................

[SharonAnn]

3. Yes, we've been seeing it for some months, and it's getting worse.