Act ‘Cash’es in on morals

If David Cash had reported Jeremy Strohmeyer, Sherrice Iverson might be alive today. Any morally responsible human being would feel the need to report a crime, although, unfortunately, not all human beings have ethical standards.

Because of those individuals alone, Wednesday, Sept. 9, Democratic Rep. Nick Lampson proposed a bill named the Sherrice Iverson Act in which states receiving funds under section 106 of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act must “have in effect a State law providing for a criminal penalty on an individual who fails to report witnessing another individual engaging in sexual abuse of a child.”

Strohmeyer sexually assaulted and murdered 7-year-old Iverson in a Nevada casino hotel rest room stall. Strohmeyer’s best friend, Cash, witnessed Strohmeyer kidnapping Iverson. Cash followed them into the rest room, peered over the toilet stall and saw Strohmeyer restrain Iverson with one hand and muffle her screams with the other. Cash attempted to stop his friend, gave up and walked out of the rest room. Depending on who tells the story, Cash may or may not have seen much more.

The point is, Cash admitted to having witnessed part of this attack and did nothing more than ask his friend to stop. Cash could have prevented this tragic death by informing someone of authority. Strohmeyer will receive a mild punishment and Cash got off scot free. Cash’s reply: “I just worry about myself first. I’m not going to lose sleep over somebody else’s problems.” Cash also told “60 Minutes” on Sunday night, “I don’t feel there is much I could have done differently.”

Cash is now attending the University of California, Berkeley, with nothing but a bad name and demonstrators urging the administration to expel him. But they cannot do anything about it because it is not against the law in Nevada, nor California, to fail to report or stop a crime.

Hopefully, Cash would have no chance of survival at the University of La Verne, where morals and good character are considered necessary assets. Students at Berkeley are outraged and do not want Cash associated with their school. Who can blame them? Unfortunately, nothing can be done at this point. The Sherrice Iverson Act should be passed by Congress and enforced so people with little social responsibility are forced to use good judgement.

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Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Campus Times Editorial Board.

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