It appears as though someone must have been having a bad day when this article was written. I guess everyone rolls off the wrong side of the bed once in awhile. You, apparently insist on writing harsh “articles,” so I can empathize with your lack of understanding, that this is a “memoir.” Therefore, it is the authors own recollections as to what was real and fake, during her childhood years. Hence the name, ‘In Our House’ Perception vs. Reality. You can’t discredit someone’s thoughts Mr. Lampiris, although, I am going to love to discredit yours!

Are you an abuser?! Is that why you are upset with the method in which Scott used to depict her fathers character?! I mean, why don’t you write an article defending Chris Brown! The magnitude in which these children were abused would be traumatizing for anyone. So, for her to appear “bitter” or have animosity toward her father, is in my opinion, quite normal. Scott, just happened to open her life up and share it with others to inspire. I don’t see her five brothers discrediting what was wrote. The three eldest have openly agreed and supported Scott’s story and are glad that it was finally told. The two youngest, are too young to recall exactly what happened, in it’s entirety. Her eldest brother has shared the book with his entire police station. Her third eldest brother stated, and I quote, “This must have been a vindicating process, and I’m glad our story was finally told sis.”

Are you not aware of what abuse can do to someone?! Did you not thoroughly research the affect that abuse, especially on the level at which it was given, can have on a person. You called Scott’s writing style “melodramatic.” Is an abuse story supposed to be happy and uplifting?! If anyone is melodramatic, that would be you, with your pessimistic, cynical writing style. “But it is indeed another matter when the songwriting is either lazier than the “peanut butter and jelly in the same jar” demographic or completely absent.” Better yet, “To classify Harris’ voice as uninteresting is to classify the Pacific Ocean as slightly wet.” Those are two direct quotes from articles you have written. Melodramatic?! On to my next point …

If you had done your job correctly and actually interviewed the authors before you attempted to pathetically discredit them, maybe it would have given more credence to your work. Are you an expert in the field of exorcisms or the psychology of people and their emotions?! I’m just curious.

“Scott seems hell-bent on demonstrating her father was “Satan’s pawn.” Quite to the contrary, Scott was an exceptional daughter, despite the horror her father plagued her childhood with. She not only cooked him meals regularly, but traveled to make sure his house maintained a manicured condition consistently. Her father hit her, yes, and he severely emotionally damaged her as a child, but just as the message in the book, which you clearly did not receive, she was able to forgive and appropriately heal. This way, she is able to appear “normal” as you so put it.

In one particular book signing, in which I was present (I’d like to make that clear so that you don’t attempt to discredit me Mr. Lampiris) Scott was questioned by a woman that did not understand why she spoke so highly of her father. The lady was actually quite disturbed of the fact that she was able to overcome what she had gone through and be the strong woman that she is today. Scott argued that her father was a genius, graduating from college with 5 kids, one on the way, back in the 1960’s as an African American. Not to mention, being recruited by the CIA and IBM. “Yes, he was genius, and I am prideful that I inherited his intellect.” There are various accounts in the memoir where Scott gives her father much credit for his accomplishments. Despite his satiable appetite for abuse, he was a very intelligent man.

Scott does not appear to be someone that published her memoir for any other purpose than to expose what she experienced with hopes that others may avoid it. Her father, Colin, was aware of her book and encouraged her to publish it. He felt that the story needed to be told and in fact gave her some of the information that was utilized within the story.

It’s quite amusing that of all the positive press and articles that have been published in regards to Scott’s memoir, you pulled out the demonic possession aspect of the book, stating that it made the second half completely ridiculous. Apparently, you are a non believer, and the fact that Scott’s memoir intrigues other non believers, it bothers you. You didn’t attack her writing style, other than the fact it was melodramatic, which I think we can all come to a common understanding that “abuse” is … DRAMATIC! You gave her book three out of five stars … isn’t that a contradiction of how you feel about the story?!

If you had really “read” the book, your questions would be answered. If you had done the research, again, your questions would have been answered. The exorcisms and shock therapy treatment that was given to Alley, Scotts mother, is all documented. You could have made your points with much more professionalism, but to refer to someone’s mother as a “nut job,” is completely and categorically disrespectful.

In Scotts memoir, it clearly states that she would sit at the top of the stairs and watch what was going on. The incidents that were vividly described are ones that Scott physically saw with her own eyes. The arguments or fights that she did not witness, were not used in the story. You and I may walk out of a room from a conversation that two individuals are having, but that doesn’t mean we won’t listen from the other side, correct?!

Additionally, I’d like to take your criticism one step further. To me, it is borderline racist. I don’t see you discrediting or condemning movies such as The Exorcism or The Haunting in Connecticut, why is that? But the black author decides to talk about demonic possession, and now all of the sudden it is far fetched and fictional? Hmmmm … not one of your negative comments were directed toward Tre Parker, alumni of the university. To me, that was interesting, and I am sure some other influential people will find it quite intriguing as well.

Shame on your university! I am appalled that you allowed Mr. Steve Lampiris to make light of such a serious issue. This topic and memoir should have reached the hands of a more intelligent writer. His commentary was quite ignorant and abrasive. I would love for him to travel to a women’s abused shelter and tell them that their accounts are, “sometimes sad and sometimes enraging.” Better yet, I wonder how those females would feel if he referred to them as a “nut job” because of their current state of mind due to what they had been through and the degree that it affected them!

Domestic Abuse is a very serious issue and is at an all time high in today’s society. Scott travels to universities to speak on the prevention of Domestic Abuse and the process of forgiveness and healing. Demonic possession is not the topic of discussion in her lectures! I don’t think the rest of the country would appreciate the way your university portrayed such a serious topic! Disgusting …

Regards

This is the worst display of lack of empathy for domestic violence victims I have ever heard. Is it typically the opinion of the University to make fun of women (that has been brutally beaten in front of her children and verbally abused) by calling them a “nut job” and allowing this to be printed and shared with our students. Did the university not recently share on CNN its desire to have support in ending the violence agains women on the campus. This university is an embarrassment to all of society in its pathetic attempt to allow your former students to write such callous and comical words against a woman that experienced unspeakable abuse along with her children. The opinion above is correct> SHAME ON THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN!!! DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS NOT A JOKE AS STATED IN THE ARTICLE. IT IS VERY IGNORANT AND THE REVIEWER MUST BE AN ABUSER TO HAVE ANY SYMPATHY FOR THE FATHER. IF A WOMAN WAS BEATEN AS BADLY AS THE MOTHER IN THAT BOOK, ANY CHILD/ADULT WOULD BE BITTER. I AM A STUDENT AT THIS UNIVERSITY AND AM EMBARRASSED AT THIS ARTICLE!!! SICKENING! SHAME ON THE UNIVERSITY! I will see to it that this is viewed nationally for Domestic Violence organizations and political figures everywhere. This should be ammended. We allow ignorant people to make the rest of us look bad.