Wilkes-barre Twp. - John Heinz Institute

Alex Pawlenok 
Jan. 26, 1994 
Alex Campbell Pawlenok, Infant Son Of Alan And Mara Campbell Pawlenok, Died 
Wednesday At St. Christopher's Hospital For Children, Philadelphia.

Saturday, January 29, 1994 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





Settlement casts poor light on Jackson's accuser &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 When the movie ``Indecent Proposal'' was new, water-cooler conversation
around the country centered on Demi Moore's dilemma: Would you, a married
woman, &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; sleep with Robert Redford for $1 million? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Tough question. But here's one that should be easyWould you rent your young
adolescent son to be molested by a celebrity for $1 million? How about $10
million? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kind of puts the Michael Jackson settlement in a new light, doesn't it? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Throughout the sordid episode -- in which Jackson was accused by a
14-year-old boy of sexual battery, seduction, willful misconduct and the like
-- the focus has been on the odd superstar. But after this week's reportedly
massive settlement, attention should shift to the boy and his family, who seem
rather too willing to forget the alleged dirty deeds in return for money. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 A sexual relationship that's not fully "settled" until the rolls of bills
change hands -- there's a word for that kind of a trade, and it isn't sexual
battery. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Think about it. If someone molested one of your children, would you settle
for money? Would you call it square in return for a check? Would any amount of
cash take away the damage and shame? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Or would your No. 1, 2 and 3 priorities be making sure the molester got put
behind bars? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The trouble with a settlement like this is that it leaves everyone tainted,
from the boy to his lawyers to Michael Jackson himself. A child who makes a
molestation charge gets our sympathy because of our image of childhood's
innocence and purity. The idea that a grownup would prey on such innocence
disgusts us to our core. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Though Americans openly declare accused molesters innocent until proven
guilty, in some part of their minds, the conflict takes on the dimension of
good (the child) vs. evil (the adult). &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And then comes the news that the youngster and his family will settle for
money -- not truth, or justice, or fairness, or honor, but money. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And money, of course, is as corrupting an influence on human life as is
sex. If the original charge accused the adult of lust, one of the Seven Deadly
Sins, the settlement colors the accuser with another: greed. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Goodbye, innocence. As a morality play, this tale of tainted adults and
now-tainted children would never fly. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If Michael Jackson is innocent, it's a shame he felt compelled to pay his
accusers' blackmail. If he's guilty, then shame still should fall on the boy
and his lawyers and family, whose willingness to equate sex with money did the
rest of society a disservice.

Settlement Casts Poor 
Light On Jackson's Accuser 
When The Movie ``indecent Proposal'' Was New, Water-cooler Conversation Around 
The Country Centered On Demi Moore's Dilemma: Would You, A Married Woman, 
Sleep With Robert Redford For $1 Million? 
Tough Question. But Here's One That Should Be Easy.

Settlement Casts Poor Light On Jackson's Accuser When The Movie ``indecent Proposal'' Was New, Water-cooler Conversation Around The Country Centered On Demi Moore's Dilemma: Would You, A Married Woman, Sleep With Robert Redford For $1 Million? Tough Question. But Here's One That Should Be Easy.