Is Terry Haskins Victim or Victimizer?
Roberta Kyle, Snr. Pol. Ed. | Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 8:42AM The internet has been buzzing for the last few days with the story of Terry Haskins. He is yet another innocent victim of the global financial collapse. Newspapers and websites all over the world have picked it up. It’s gone viral.
Yes, folks, this Ohio man got so fed up and frustrated that he bulldozed his $350,000. home rather than cave in to the IRS and the local bank which held his mortgage. He showed ‘em didn’t he? Or did he? Just who is the victim here and who the victimizer?
Both online and offline media hail him as a hero for sticking it to ” the man” by destroying the property so the bank couldn’t have it. There’s a bad guy and a good guy, right? Here’s a video from a local, Ohio TV station interviewing Haskins. That sure is the way he sees it. And he seems to be loving his fifteen minutes of fame. Do we all idenitfy and feel sorry for the guy? Not so fast. Let’s think this thing through.
Looks simple doesn’t it? But lets take a closer look. I found a thoughtful blogger who made me stop and re-think this whole incident. To wit:
Nynaeve , a blogger on Loisville mojo.com observes:
“He claims that the bank was going to foreclose on $160,000 worth of mortgage, on a $350,000 house, that he was current on. Last I checked, though, banks can’t just do that. Passing mention of his business debt is made, but no mention of several relevant details; the loan on the two properties (commercial and residential) appears to be cross-collateralized. Total amount he owes the bank = 1.1 million.
No mention is made of the fact that he is currently in Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and while the IRS is mentioned as having contributed to the situation, I have also read that he is 6 or so years behind on both state and federal taxes.”
So, it seems this innocent victim is not quite so innocent or powerless when you take a close look at the facts. Actually, he seems more like a guy who has gotten himself into trouble through bad financial planning. Get a load of the size of that swimming pool and the elegance of the horse-farm lifestyle he was living. Methinks he overextended himself, got behind in his taxes, co-mingled his business and personal expenses and while juggling it all got caught in a bad economy. Sadly, this is not a rare story. It’s happening to lots of people in this down economy. It seems that Terry Haskins’ brother, who used to be his business partner is suing him as well. I’d like to know more about that situation. Wonder if the brother had a problem with his partner’s business practices. No accusatiions here, I’m just wondering.
Haskins is a customer of a small local bank and since his business assets and personal assets are cross collateralized, of course they are going to have to foreclose. Doesn’t look to me like the bank pulled a fast one at all. In fact, I would bet River Hills Bank was doing it’s best to work with the guy. Wonder how they’ll feel now that he’s gone and bulldozed the asset? Talk about cutting your nose off to spite your face!
I’m kind of left wondering who victimized who here. And I think this story is a good illustration of how we tend to sensationalize things and glide over the top of a story without really delving into the details. Let’s find out what is really going on here. Is Terry Haskins victim or victimizer? If you’d like to read more about this situation, here are some links— What do you think? If you find more interesting information please leave the links in the comments section and it goes without saying, your comments are most welcome.
AP News Item
Washington Post Article w. photos
Brisbane Times ( Australia)
Walletpop
Fox News
and now the other side of the story: ( be sure to read all the comments)
Reason
Loisville mojo.com
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Reader Comments (8)
Oh fantastic article! Aha. That certainly does shed some light on the matter. Too true that not only are people to quick to judge and stereotype, but also people are too keen on coming to a conclusion about a matter without having all the facts. Not to mention, media needs Something to sell, right?
This guy is only a victim of his own stupidity and bad financial decisions. Bulldozing the house proves he's a total idiot. He's still liable for the money owed to the bank and the IRS. He would've been better off just walking away, as many former owners of foreclosed homes have done.
It's an interesting story. I don't know that much about the US press, but if they are anything like the gossip magnates over here, facts are virtually irrelevant. Questioning the media - and critical thinking in general - was a slow-burn process for me, starting at around 18. It only ever began because I left my home town and went away to study. My family still believe everything in print to be gospel. They call me a conspiracy-theorist and think I'm barking mad when I point out the latest headline as BS PR spin.
Anyway, regarding your article. What hit me most is our love for dichotomy: nature Vs nuture, god/evil, victim/victimizer. I think we seek to cling to an absolute truth, whilst sweeping anywrong-doing/ blame on to a villan. I know this is a little lateral, but I've been musing opposites today.
If you take bullying or abuse for instance, many victims become vitimizers. Its often the whole picture/system rather than either party/aspect that is responsible. And most people/groups etc. are marginally more comfortable accepting 'responsibility' than blame., which opens doors for resolution.
Anyway, I'll be off and no doubt back soon to digress and waffle some more!
Thank you for the thought provoking piece, and thank goodness critical thinking is still alive and kicking!
I guess what disturbs me is that there are so many guys like this out there. Not all of them are bulldozing their homes to spite the bank, but many of them feel aggrieved and persecuted even though they've been able to live fairly lavish lifestyles for years via easy credit and sheer hutzpa. Now, times are not so good, but these men still feel entitled to an upper middle class lifestyle. Feelings of entitlement lead to resentment and resentment leads to extreme behavior. Many of these men are among those arming themselves for the so-called 'big show' and attending Presidential events with guns strapped to their thighs.
I expect to see more insanity as more formerly middle class Americans are kicked into poverty and disgrace because what worked before now does not work. Really, it didn't work before either, they just didn't notice because they got to keep the house, the car, the business etc, regardless of their total lack of business sense. Times were good and banks were willing to string them along. Now they aren't.
Just the fact that so many people are cheering this guy and cheering the guy who flew that plane into the IRS building makes me worried for the public peace. In some ways it doesn't even matter if this man is a victim or a victimizer because he is so emblematic of a certain kind of American that his actions are a destabilizing force no matter what.
BTW great post, Roberta. Thanks for looking at this with more care than most. :)
Great to get both sides to this story. Emotionally you can understand why people would cheer for the assumed underdog, when in fact it's really a false note being played. Is it by the media not telling the full story in the first place, just to sell papers? Tabloid media will (I hope) become their own worst enemy. Now there is a story - the effects of tabloid media on the psyche of the western world.
As for this guy, I agree with Joanna, he's a fool and he's wanting the sympathy vote where it's not warranted and he will still have to pay. Makes him a bigger fool.
This story certainly requires a closer look! Thank you for the thorough examination. I don't think he is the victim at all...he has not, in reality, stuck it to anyone, except maybe his neighbor, who now has to look at the heap of wreckage. Can't be good for their property value! :)
Thanks for the "other side of the story." It will be interesting to see what happens in days ahead. Of course, the value in real estate is usually in the property, not the structure, but he still destroyed property that was not his to destroy. Somehow, I don't think we have heard the end of this! Keep us posted, we need your integrity and responsible reportage.