When something like this occurs, it really makes me wonder what kind of morals we are instilling in our children nowadays, and yet this young woman is 21 years old and an adult. She should be responsible for her own actions. The fact that she could have taken this innocent child to any Firehouse or Hospital and left it where it might have had a chance at life makes this all the more tragic. I will pray for the poor baby who lost his life, but I will find it difficult to pray for Ashley who inflicted the unusual and apparently uncaring pain on this young innocent life by the horrible actions she committed. If she is found guilty of this crime, life in Prision is way too good for her.
Please see the Daily Trojan that comes out tomorrow (10.28.05).
It will discuss a possible connection between Holly Ashcraft's charges and the fact that she went through a public school in Billings, Mont. that taught abstinence-only education; meaning sex (and most certainly pregnancy) was looked down upon -- if it happened prior to marriage.
I should just say that we should all point fingers, and promote sex education. After all sex education is basically saying have sex, use protection. See speaking from experience because i live in billings, graduated from the same school, and know her. I dont approve of what was done. We must though look at what happened....im sure that she freaked out when she had the child, know one knows what she was thinking or not thinking. Second i feel that the california laws were not known by her. I didnt even know until this happend that montana has the same law. Second women kill babys every day called abortions...i personally think that Holly shouldn't get life, she made a mystake...and definately needs to do some time, go through some treatment, and fix whatever problem maybe present. We need to forgive. God would forgive her if she asked. So shouldn't we? So finally once again I agree that what she did was wrong, horrible, a complete disposal of human life, but we need to see that there is means for improvement with her. WWJD
This girl is obviously ill - she did something that none of us can understand, but that doesn't mean that you have the right
to judge her or her parents - do you know them? Do you know what was going through her mind? Leave the judgement up to the jury. Also, don't blame her actions on the "abstinence education" here in Billings - I went to the same school as her and receieved sex education - not abstinence education. We all make our own decisions about sexual conduct - I got pregnant at age 18 and didn't kill my child, and I went through the exact same sex ed program as her. When I decided to have sex, I didn't think back to sex ed or abstinence ed or anything ed. I made my own decisions, just like her. I can't see any feasible connection between her actions and what type of sex ed program she went through four years ago. So leave our school district alone.
So, this young college student with a good future commits something that is unimaginable. Doesn't it seem something much deeper and tragic happened to her even before she left home? (Something much deeper than politicizing it and blaming on the sex education curriculum in the schools!)Holly graduates as one of the best students in her class, as one who had impeccable character, to be accepted at one of the most prestigious universities in the US. And, yet, inside her heart is something so tragic that she can't even visit a doctor to deal with a pregnancy. I would hope that her family life was a happy one. But, when she doesn't have contact with her father from the time that she leaves home, then something in the family has left a deep, hidden pain. I hope that if there is some counseling to find out what would drive her to do this thing, that they could get to the root causes and find healing. I would hope that the system of justice doesn't just dish out punishment, but seeks for a cure.
I have a major problem with the comment that was made by Bonnie Schindler about Holly having attended a high school that taught abstinence-only sex education. As the other two people mentioned above, I also attended the same high school Holly graduated from, and that was not the case. Abstinence was mentioned in sex education classes; however, 95% of the class focused on safe sex. Make sure to research your "facts" before making statements like that.
I also have a major problem with the comment Bonnie Schindler. I was a grade ahead of Holly at the same school in Billings and I recieved safe sex education along with abstinence. Pregnancy was not looked down upon to a point that young girls were having abortions or disposing of their child. I also would have to agree with Patrick Brunsvold with his comment to not judge Holly. She obviously needs help but not in a prison for life.
You people make me sick. You act like you're offended that she did this, but if she had simply aborted the fetus one day prior to giving birth, you'd have supported her "right to choose". A baby is a baby; you liberal dykes just don't get it.
The time for therapy should be only "after" she receives her just punishment --- major prison time upon conviction. If She had that the last time (taking into consideration she may have done this before) then another "unwanted" child would have been saved. I'm tired of hearing about how brilliant of a student she was and may have been confused about what to do. BULL she knew ---maybe as simple as just dumping the child like the last time---problem solved ?
To Bay Aryaan:
You are ignorant, if you have to insult another person's point of view by using "you liberal dykes just don't get it", YOU obviously don't get it. Judge not, lest ye be judged.
I would just like to say that I went to High School with Holly, we graduated in the same class. She was a wonderful person then, and I'm sure she is still. Whatever happened to "innocent until proven guilty." Unless I see evidence otherwise, she's innocent.
What's more, our sex-ed program focused on safe sex as well as abstinence. And being re-actionary to such a case does not solve any problem, real or imagined.
It bothers me that people think I blame the sexual education at Billings. Instead, I practiced my democratic right by asking the questions and letting students and professionals comment on Ashcraft's situation.
If anyone read the article they would see a balanced story in which allows those who went through the system themselves to tell the truth.
I respect the truth, that is why I am a journalist.
In addition, I believe there is always two sides to a coin -- to be accurate, both must be explored.
I think that if Holly is found guilty (and I belive she is) she should spend life in prison. What she did to her baby is beyound insane, I am a new mother and only 19 and was scared but never did such a horrific thought cross my mind.I often wonder what was crossing her mind when she walked away from her newborn baby as it was crying, cold and unloved in a cardboard box. As for Bay Aryaan's comment, I do not support abortion for one and for two I do not believe it is legal to have one so late in a pregnancy, I think the cut off is around three months, because after that the baby is considered a fetus. Although they obtain there DNA just hours after conception.
I think too many people are quick to judge anymore; don't judge until you've walked a mile in someone's shoes. I do not think what Holly did was right but I do not know or can relate to what she must have been thinking. Who knows if here baby was "still crying, cold and unloved in a cardboard box". Were you there to witness what happened? No, and if someone had there would be no trial or question to what may or may not have happened. Once again, you cannot relate to Holly because you have not been in her situation.
I too am a West High grad. I was a little upset to see this tragic crime being blamed on where she came from. Here in Montana we learn the same things about sex that all other 49 states do. Safe sex. They don't tell us such things as if it happens out side of marriage it is wrong. Teen moms are coomon as is babies out of marriage. As for the abortion comments. I feel bad for people who are as stupid as them. There are laws and regulations that go along with it. AND YES IT IS THE WOMENS RIGHT TO CHOOSE.Whta she did waas wrong there is no if ands or butts about it. Wrong. Its too bad that she is getting away with it. I hope she recovers from this as well as her family, and I hope she turns her life around. Remember she is not the victim, that poor baby was and is.
JAIL TIME IS ALL I CAN SAY. LIFE IN JAIL.
I understand not to judge, BUT there was and always is help in this sort of situation. Fire dept. for goodness sake was with in eye sight. How she knew for 9 months and did nothing is beyound me. She could of had help if she wanted it. She chose not to. Her, not that baby.She came from a good home my guess is her parents would have helped her if she asked. With the baby or money for a legal abortion, meaning with in the required time. Not the 9 month garbage drop. I know she must of been scared but if she ever has kids in the future, she has to look at them and know she killed what would have been their brother before he even had a chance. Shame on her. She should of asked for help. And just so you all know. I know Holly very well. We have grown up together. She too knows what I think of this. Although her and her family and that poor baby will continue to be ibn my prayers. God help her soul.
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