Sometimes you read a news item that seems funny at first, but then you realize how sad and awful it really is. And you realize that if the subject of the story wasn’t a designated victim, the public reaction would be a lot different.
A Fulton nurse convicted of taking a photo of an unconscious patient’s penis with her iPhone last year surrendered her license, according to the New York State Education Department.
Kristen Johnson was forced to give up her license as part of a plea deal where she pleaded guilty to misdemeanor disseminating of unlawful surveillance photos.
Her conviction came after a nine-month investigation by the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office into complaints from her Upstate University Hospital co-workers that she sent pictures of two patients via text message.
Why did it take nine months to figure out if a nurse sent pictures of a patient’s dingaling? Well, that’s a hospital for you. Always padding the bill.
The story doesn’t say what sorts of pictures she took of the second patient. But I wouldn’t want a nurse taking any pictures of me without my consent.
Now, let’s look at that first paragraph again, except with a couple of changes:
A Fulton nurse convicted of taking a photo of an unconscious patient’s vagina with his iPhone last year surrendered his license, according to the New York State Education Department.
Does one version offend you more than the other? Does one seem creepier and more inappropriate?
If so, why?
A male nurse taking pictures of an unconscious female patient would be a scandal. It would be evidence of our society’s rape culture and male privilege and all that awful stuff. But this? This is just a funny little story about a wacky nurse who likes taking pictures of guys’ dongs. Tee-hee, ell oh ell.
