Eastside President backs child predator!

[Unregistered]

Why don't you give Butch a call and clarify with him.. He is a very good person and is very much about the kids. It was probably a mistake where he accidentally used "is" instead of "was". Now you are crucifying him for this mistake in grammar?? He coached with Joey on that team with the victim and is also the president of the club. He is probably in shock right now because we all think that we are good judge of characters.

Also, I don't get where you come up with the conclusion that Butch has more sympathy for Joey then the victim.

Maybe Butch was misquoted or didn't say what he really meant. I'm just going by the article. But in that article it didn't come across as Butch feeling bad that a girl's life might have just been ruined but instead decided to put in some good words for the jerk that at the very least cause some serious emotional issues in a young girl's life.

Like one poster said, if a principal at a school said something like this to the press after a teacher had been arrested for sexually abusing a kid, they would be fired, rightfully so.

Have people lost sight of the emotional damage caused on this 12 year old girl. Will she ever be able to trust a male again or have any sort of normal relationship. Maybe, but many who have been sexually abused have not. This isn't about the incredible young man, it's about a 6th grade girl that life may have been changed forever. But I doubt many in the soccer world see that, including Butch.

[Unregistered]

Maybe Butch was misquoted or didn't say what he really meant. I'm just going by the article. But in that article it didn't come across as Butch feeling bad that a girl's life might have just been ruined but instead decided to put in some good words for the jerk that at the very least cause some serious emotional issues in a young girl's life.

Like one poster said, if a principal at a school said something like this to the press after a teacher had been arrested for sexually abusing a kid, they would be fired, rightfully so.

Have people lost sight of the emotional damage caused on this 12 year old girl. Will she ever be able to trust a male again or have any sort of normal relationship. Maybe, but many who have been sexually abused have not. This isn't about the incredible young man, it's about a 6th grade girl that life may have been changed forever. But I doubt many in the soccer world see that, including Butch.

Joey has a 12/13 year old daughter as well as a wife who is dying of cancer. The wife was in court today to support her husband. Now the daughter has to also deal with her father being in jailed and being accused of one of the worst crimes possible. How would you frame the response if you were Butch. None of us are really trained to respond to this sort of thing. Maybe the not rushing to judgement has something to do with Joey's family rather then just Joey.

[Unregistered]

Joey has a 12/13 year old daughter as well as a wife who is dying of cancer. The wife was in court today to support her husband. Now the daughter has to also deal with her father being in jailed and being accused of one of the worst crimes possible. How would you frame the response if you were Butch. None of us are really trained to respond to this sort of thing. Maybe the not rushing to judgement has something to do with Joey's family rather then just Joey.

If he said what he did for Joey's family, that would make some sense. Still, a person in his position should be thinking about all the kids (especially the one that may have been potentially abused) and stayed neutral, IMO. But I understand throwing the family into the equation could make it tough.

Let me ask this, let's say the police and district attorney are right and Joey did this. How would this 12 year old girl feel hearing Butch say Joey is an incredible young guy knowing she was abused. A large percentage of sex abuse cases go unreported because it is very difficult for a kid to report these incidents. Now after having the courage to come out, Butch comes out and says good things about Joey. This 12 year old is probably feeling as low as anyone could feel right now . . . and again if this happened, she did nothing wrong.

Now that you bring up the family, I feel terrible for Joey's family and the girl. I wish Butch remained neutral, but really he is just a small piece of all this. Other than what impact his statements have on the family and the girl, he really isn't all that important when it comes to this subject.

[Unregistered]

If he said what he did for Joey's family, that would make some sense. Still, a person in his position should be thinking about all the kids (especially the one that may have been potentially abused) and stayed neutral, IMO. But I understand throwing the family into the equation could make it tough.

Let me ask this, let's say the police and district attorney are right and Joey did this. How would this 12 year old girl feel hearing Butch say Joey is an incredible young guy knowing she was abused. A large percentage of sex abuse cases go unreported because it is very difficult for a kid to report these incidents. Now after having the courage to come out, Butch comes out and says good things about Joey. This 12 year old is probably feeling as low as anyone could feel right now . . . and again if this happened, she did nothing wrong.

Now that you bring up the family, I feel terrible for Joey's family and the girl. I wish Butch remained neutral, but really he is just a small piece of all this. Other than what impact his statements have on the family and the girl, he really isn't all that important when it comes to this subject.

Unfortunately none of us are trained to handle these types of crises and talk to the media.

I really do not know what Butch's intentions were in the intereview.

I do know him to be a good person and in several discussions with him it has always been about the kids.

I would find it very hard to believe that he would support Joey if it came out that Joey did commit a crime or cross the line.

[Unregistered]

Unfortunately none of us are trained to handle these types of crises and talk to the media.

I really do not know what Butch's intentions were in the intereview.

I do know him to be a good person and in several discussions with him it has always been about the kids.

I would find it very hard to believe that he would support Joey if it came out that Joey did commit a crime or cross the line.

I'm done. I am obviously emotional about this topic and probably was too harsh about Butch's comments in the article. This isn't about Butch. It is about two girls lives that are likely forever changed in a negative way . . . and any parent has to realize how sad this whole situation is.

Butch could probably couldn't care less about this board or what I say, but to anyone I upset attacking him, I apologize. It was wrong and my anger and sadness was misplaced on him.

[Unregistered]

Joey has a 12/13 year old daughter as well as a wife who is dying of cancer. The wife was in court today to support her husband. Now the daughter has to also deal with her father being in jailed and being accused of one of the worst crimes possible. How would you frame the response if you were Butch. None of us are really trained to respond to this sort of thing. Maybe the not rushing to judgement has something to do with Joey's family rather then just Joey.

or maybe Joey should have thought about how he was affecting his family?

[Unregistered]

The President should resign from his post and coaching at Eastside. I would not make that comment except that his reaction on the news is unreal. He's not a good coach anyways. I've heard he is a good President though.

[Unregistered]

Unfortunately none of us are trained to handle these types of crises and talk to the media.

I really do not know what Butch's intentions were in the intereview.

I do know him to be a good person and in several discussions with him it has always been about the kids.

I would find it very hard to believe that he would support Joey if it came out that Joey did commit a crime or cross the line.

I have never met Joey and IF he did what he has been accused of then he has much to answer for.

Butch I do know. He is a great person and a long time advocate of youth soccer. I agree with posters who believe that Butch was taken by surprise. Also, I work in an environment that is under constant media and public scrutiny. I know what the facts are and I see them horribly misrepresented in the media all the time.

In my opinion it is our judicial system that should sort through the criminal aspects. To sling mud at Butch is unnecessary. Unfortunately, pedophiles are capable of hiding in all walks of life. They are present in all of our communities: religious, sports, education, political and even among those who are sworn to protect us. I am not defending child molesters as I see this trait as deplorable. On the other hand, I am not of the belief that regulation, more intervention by our government or any rules that we can think of will rid the world of pedophiles. As parents we really need to be aware of where are children are and what is going on there. In my opinion it is the parents who are most responsible for their children's safety.

[Unregistered]

I'm done. I am obviously emotional about this topic and probably was too harsh about Butch's comments in the article. This isn't about Butch. It is about two girls lives that are likely forever changed in a negative way . . . and any parent has to realize how sad this whole situation is.

Butch could probably couldn't care less about this board or what I say, but to anyone I upset attacking him, I apologize. It was wrong and my anger and sadness was misplaced on him.

I disagree, you are fine. He should not have commented at all it was unprofessional. If he was feeling emotional he especially should not have had any comment. I do not like him calling Leonetti a "young man" The man is 43. He is plenty old enough to be responsible for his actions.

[Unregistered]

Crisis Management

or damage control.

The reality is and it's a sad one even a public school administrator is educated on how to respond to these type of incidents.

A volunteer youth soccer club President/Coach has no formal training or clue what to say when confronted by the salavating local press. He is on an Island, without the guy who hired him (leonetti) anywhere to be found, as he is the acting u23 coach in the MLS Timbers professional organization as well as the Eastside Timbers DOC.

Right now there are many innocent people in pain and shock due to the actions that lead to an arrest and so far brief incarcartion of the youth soccer coach.

My thoughts and prayers are with them.

[Unregistered]

I have never met Joey and IF he did what he has been accused of then he has much to answer for.

Butch I do know. He is a great person and a long time advocate of youth soccer. I agree with posters who believe that Butch was taken by surprise. Also, I work in an environment that is under constant media and public scrutiny. I know what the facts are and I see them horribly misrepresented in the media all the time.

In my opinion it is our judicial system that should sort through the criminal aspects. To sling mud at Butch is unnecessary. Unfortunately, pedophiles are capable of hiding in all walks of life. They are present in all of our communities: religious, sports, education, political and even among those who are sworn to protect us. I am not defending child molesters as I see this trait as deplorable. On the other hand, I am not of the belief that regulation, more intervention by our government or any rules that we can think of will rid the world of pedophiles. As parents we really need to be aware of where are children are and what is going on there. In my opinion it is the parents who are most responsible for their children's safety.

I agree with you. Parents need to be very vigil. Because the accused predator has a daughter the same age as the child involved this may head in a direction that will be more frightening to parents. It seems that the predator in this case is not only a coach but the parent of the victims friend. This situation makes it a little tougher for parents to protect their children. Part of protecting your child is teaching them about these things and teaching them how to NOT be a victim.

[Unregistered]

I agree with you. Parents need to be very vigil. Because the accused predator has a daughter the same age as the child involved this may head in a direction that will be more frightening to parents. It seems that the predator in this case is not only a coach but the parent of the victims friend. This situation makes it a little tougher for parents to protect their children. Part of protecting your child is teaching them about these things and teaching them how to NOT be a victim.

THIS IS NOT to say that any one is to blame but the PREDATOR. It is just another way to protect our kids

[Unregistered]

Amazing some folks on here already have this guy convicted. What happened to the constitution and due process? I thought the only people who subject to this sort of treatment are suspected terrorists and according to the AG, the POTUS has the ability to take out a US citizen on US soil using a drone. So if somehow we can convince the POTUS that he is some sort of terrorist, we can take him out to a field and let a drone eliminate him. He's been charged with some heinous activity, however we do still give people the right to a trial, normally anyway.

[Unregistered]

There are a fair number of sex abuse cases where the allegations turn out to be false. Is this one? Don't know and neither do any of you.

[Unregistered]

Amazing some folks on here already have this guy convicted. What happened to the constitution and due process? I thought the only people who subject to this sort of treatment are suspected terrorists and according to the AG, the POTUS has the ability to take out a US citizen on US soil using a drone. So if somehow we can convince the POTUS that he is some sort of terrorist, we can take him out to a field and let a drone eliminate him. He's been charged with some heinous activity, however we do still give people the right to a trial, normally anyway.

Due process is exactly right. Let this play out before jumping to conclusions. It is difficult for a lot of people.