If you aren't familar with the story before, the video should serve as a nice introduction to the situation.
[YOUTUBE]9pkuLIFUsiI[/YOUTUBE]
However, whatever hold 41 year old James Hooker had over 18 year old Jamie Powers was broken Friday, when Hooker was arrested for sexual assault on a minor stemming from an incident 14 years ago.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...mes-hooker-teacher-arrested-article-1.1057855
In an interview with Good Morning America this Friday, the same platform with which she and Hooker first announced their love, Powers announced that she had ended the relationship between herself and Hooker when he was arrested for sexual assault. Police had begun investigating Hooker after he and Powers had announced their relationship on Good Morning America and Dr. Phil. Both Powers and Hooker claim and maintain that their relationship was purely platonic until Powers turned 18, and both maintain that stance following his arrest. However, Powers isn't in the forgiving mood otherwise.
The language in and of itself is very ego-centric, but what do you expect from an 18 year old female? I say that not in criticism, per se, but in looking at the fact that most 18 year old males and females are focused on themselves, and not the bigger picture of things. After all, the argument could be made that Hooker left behind much more then Powers; Namely a wife, three children, and a teaching position at Enochs high school in Modesto, California. Between his teaching position and position he made upwards of $150,000 a year. It was at that position where he met Powers when she was just 14 years old. It is also at that school where his oldest daughter, 17, attends, and was just a year behind Powers.
When they announced their relationship just two months ago, the ire of a nation was raised. None moreso then that of Powers' mother Tammi, who confronted the couple face to face on Dr. Phil. Hooker defended the relationship to Tammi Powers, Dr. Phil, and the rest of the viewing audience with the following statement:
Hooker then turned towards Powers mother, noting that he hoped in time she'ld come to accept the relationship. Tammi fired back that she would never accept the relationship, and she put action behind her words.
Following learning of the relationship, Tammi took action, taking her frustration to California legislature. Upon finding that no legal action could be taken within California law due to the age of consent being 18, and with no direct evidence linking definitively otherwise(other then text messages that seemed to be of a teacher-student relationship, however inappropriate), she began working with California Assemblywoman Kristen Olsen on a bill that would prevent any student/teacher relationships within the high school environment, even if the student was 18. Punishment would involve stripping school employees of their pensions and retiree health care if they are convicted. Olsen said the following of the bill, which was submitted to proposed legislation last week in Modesto, California.:
It would be easy for one to look at this case and simply point to this case in voicing support of this bill. Powers and Hooker may be telling the truth that nothing physical happened before she turned 18, but when were the seeds planted? I'd guess before she turned 18. Sure, they followed the letter of the law, but the spirit of it? Not so much. Further, with evidence arising that he engaged in oral copulation(oral sex) with a minor 14 years ago, and it's easy to label him as someone who preys on underage girls. (which is probably a fair assessment) However......
If the student decides, independently, upon turning 18 that they wish to engage in a sexual relationship with their teacher, should they be allowed?
Should there be laws or rules across the board regarding students and teachers getting involved while they're teacher/student? When I say this, I'm referring to college, graduate school, and so forth.
Thoughts on the story in general? Voice them here.
[YOUTUBE]9pkuLIFUsiI[/YOUTUBE]
However, whatever hold 41 year old James Hooker had over 18 year old Jamie Powers was broken Friday, when Hooker was arrested for sexual assault on a minor stemming from an incident 14 years ago.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nat...mes-hooker-teacher-arrested-article-1.1057855
In an interview with Good Morning America this Friday, the same platform with which she and Hooker first announced their love, Powers announced that she had ended the relationship between herself and Hooker when he was arrested for sexual assault. Police had begun investigating Hooker after he and Powers had announced their relationship on Good Morning America and Dr. Phil. Both Powers and Hooker claim and maintain that their relationship was purely platonic until Powers turned 18, and both maintain that stance following his arrest. However, Powers isn't in the forgiving mood otherwise.
He called me from jail, and yes, I told him we're done. I lost everything for this guy. I lost my senior year. I gave up all my friends at high school because they didn't agree with me.
The language in and of itself is very ego-centric, but what do you expect from an 18 year old female? I say that not in criticism, per se, but in looking at the fact that most 18 year old males and females are focused on themselves, and not the bigger picture of things. After all, the argument could be made that Hooker left behind much more then Powers; Namely a wife, three children, and a teaching position at Enochs high school in Modesto, California. Between his teaching position and position he made upwards of $150,000 a year. It was at that position where he met Powers when she was just 14 years old. It is also at that school where his oldest daughter, 17, attends, and was just a year behind Powers.
When they announced their relationship just two months ago, the ire of a nation was raised. None moreso then that of Powers' mother Tammi, who confronted the couple face to face on Dr. Phil. Hooker defended the relationship to Tammi Powers, Dr. Phil, and the rest of the viewing audience with the following statement:
This is actually my girlfriend. I don't look at her as just a student, I mean, we're sharing a life together. I know Ive made alot of people unhappy, mainly my family and hers, but sometimes, you just have to take a leap of faith.
Hooker then turned towards Powers mother, noting that he hoped in time she'ld come to accept the relationship. Tammi fired back that she would never accept the relationship, and she put action behind her words.
Following learning of the relationship, Tammi took action, taking her frustration to California legislature. Upon finding that no legal action could be taken within California law due to the age of consent being 18, and with no direct evidence linking definitively otherwise(other then text messages that seemed to be of a teacher-student relationship, however inappropriate), she began working with California Assemblywoman Kristen Olsen on a bill that would prevent any student/teacher relationships within the high school environment, even if the student was 18. Punishment would involve stripping school employees of their pensions and retiree health care if they are convicted. Olsen said the following of the bill, which was submitted to proposed legislation last week in Modesto, California.:
This (bill) would prevent teachers from grooming students for relationships once they became adults. The bill would also forbid suggestive communication such as sexual text messages.
It would be easy for one to look at this case and simply point to this case in voicing support of this bill. Powers and Hooker may be telling the truth that nothing physical happened before she turned 18, but when were the seeds planted? I'd guess before she turned 18. Sure, they followed the letter of the law, but the spirit of it? Not so much. Further, with evidence arising that he engaged in oral copulation(oral sex) with a minor 14 years ago, and it's easy to label him as someone who preys on underage girls. (which is probably a fair assessment) However......
If the student decides, independently, upon turning 18 that they wish to engage in a sexual relationship with their teacher, should they be allowed?
Should there be laws or rules across the board regarding students and teachers getting involved while they're teacher/student? When I say this, I'm referring to college, graduate school, and so forth.
Thoughts on the story in general? Voice them here.