Straight Talk About the Stockdale Family

It's time we got all this back-chatter about the Stockdales out in the open.  The family that had a beautiful new home built for them by the Extreme Makeover, Home Edition crew and thousands of Treasure Valley volunteers has also been the target of some rather ugly gossip.  They've even received some of it directly.  Let's see if I can summarize these generally negative attitudes for you.

"The Stockdales didn't deserve the Extreme Makeover home because their woes are self-inflicted.  That's because the Stockdales are a Mormon couple who kept having kids even after it was apparent there was a serious genetic deformity in their children because of their LDS beliefs regarding having 5 children to achieve divine grace."  In other words, some believe the Stockdale's woes are self-inflicted through their own single-minded naivete and therefore are not worthy of our sympathy or our help.

Am I close?  Is that truly how some feel?  Do those resemble some of the whispers you perhaps have heard too?  After all, it certainly sounds like it is a view of the situation that could be correct.  How in the world does a family have four kids who are all so sick with a genetic disease?  Why wouldn't they stop having kids at the very first one?  It boggles the mind.

But as Michelle Edmonds points out in a recent story, the reality is quite different.  The Stockdale's kids were not obviously sick at birth, and by the time they had a definitive answer on what was really happening when the kids' illnesses became apparent, Karia had just had her fourth child.  Perhaps the most telling sign of the truth of this is the fact that despite being Mormon, the Stockdales have not and say they will not have a fifth child.  And it also needs to be noted that their LDS church family has been a tremendous source of strength for the Stockdales, including playing a critical role in getting Extreme Makeover Home Edition interested in the helping them in the first place.

The true story of this family is both heartbreaking and inspiring.  There is an inner strength in Karia and Ryan Stockdale that reveals itself in how they are doing everything they can for the four children they have now.  I have only met the family once, but their devotion to their kids is obvious from the very moment you meet them.  Take a glimpse into the Stockdale household, and there is no sign that this is a home filled with very sick children.  But as Michelle Edmonds showed us in one of her stories, there are agonizing private moments this family must constantly endure.  Seeing young Jetty screaming, clearly feeling incredible pain as he gets a shot in his stomach is gut-wrenching.  Then there is the specter of the unknown.  No one can know for sure if these children will even survive.  Just the fact the Extreme Makeover Home Edition crew designed the home so that a hospital gurney could be easily wheeled through it brings home just how close these kids are to a debilitating illness or hospitalization.  Something as simple as a common cold must strike incredible fear into the parent's hearts.  Yet Karia and Ryan wear these burdens seemingly effortlessly.  There is a sense of normalcy with the kids that is mind boggling once you consider the true reality. 

Now, the Stockdales are blessed with a little bit of comfort, but the burdens remain.  Their kids still require constant care.  The parents play a bizarre game of 'hide and seek' when it comes to the most basic human need for food so that their kids do not feel deprived.  Traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, Birthday Party cakes and picnics are all off-limits for them.  Can you even imagine raising kids that way?  How do parents cope with the temptations for food their kids must encounter every day?  Somehow, the Stockdales find a way.

Then there are the financial considerations.  $70 a day for formula to feed their kids!  The Stockdales still have a mortgage from the home that was demolished to make way for the new one.  Their property taxes are higher as are their heating and electric bills.  If anything, they now face more of a financial burden than they did before.  Despite it all, day after day, the Stockdales find a way.

The Stockdales were not some random choice by the crew of Extreme Makeover Home Edition.  They were nominated and chosen because they are an amazing family who deserve both sympathy and support.  I'm not saying they are heroes.  I'm not saying they are somehow extraordinarily courageous.  I am saying the Stockdales are 'salt-of-the-earth' people who are coping with amazing resiliency and strength against odds that would lead many of us to falter and despair.

There's an old axiom that mankind is at its best when things are at their worst.  What family personifies this better than the Stockdales?  These parents give their best to their very sick children every day, and for that, they are worthy of our admiration and praise and support ... as well as the efforts of so many to build them a really cool new home.

Comments

[ajinidaho]

Why would you publicly repeat this? This was a beautiful and moving story and I cannot understand why you would mar it by repeating cruel comments about the Stockdale family. If you want to support and defend them, don't publish petty gossip!

[john doe]

Scott-

I just heard the "This American Life" story with which I'm sure you're quite familiar.

http://www.thislife.org/Radio_Episode.aspx?episode=344

Throughout your interview, you struck me as almost comically unaware of the issue at hand (while reviewing footage of the coverage, you apparently ignore the topic altogether and instead comment on how, with the help of some sort of imaging consultant, you have really improved the look of your anchor). It's only reasonable to expect you to object to the radio show as being biased or maybe conveniently editing your various soundbites. I may have even given you the benefit of the doubt, until I heard your cliches about how the reporter needed to ignore her personal moral objections in order to "take it to the next level."

I understand that the success of news outlets, specifically television news outlets, is inherently linked to the ability to draw in viewers / sell the "product," but do you still try to maintain even a shred of integrity? You are the "news director" for channel 6, not marketing director. Further, intentionally over-hyping and under-investigating (you couldn't find his phone number? who are you kidding?) factually weak but scandalous stories, at the cost of a man's job and public image, is itself morally reprehensible.

If you really want to improve your second-rate channel's standing in Boise, I would suggest starting by reporting credible, substantive stories. No amount of new make up will stop a discerning viewer from realizing the "channel 6 exclusive" is merely sensationalist crap.

[Linda Gummersall]

I have known Ryan and Karia Stockdale most of their lives. They are heroes. If we had more parents like them, our society would have less problems. They have earned every good thing. that has come to them. I work with children every day whose lives are messed up because of dysfunctional parents. So to all the mean-spirited, ignorant individuals who are so quick to pass judgement on people they don't even know, I say, open up your pathetic hearts and reach out to others who could use your support, rather than your criticism. If you are parents take a lesson from the Stockdales. May God bless them in every way. Linda Gummersall

[Scott Picken]

This is in response to Mr. John Doe (I'm guessing that's not your real name).

I have received about a dozen e-mails regarding the radio story (interestingly, only one from Idaho), and have responded to each one. Since you chose to post here and bring up a couple of points, I will respond here as I have to others by direct e-mail.

First off, let me say I have not heard the story. I was working in the field on a project regarding the Stockdale family when it was broadcast locally and could not take the time to listen. I was not aware it had been posted online until I read your comment. I will attempt to listen if I get time.

You are correct in your assessment that it was a wide-ranging interview that began with the topic of Mr. Kimball and then delved into sidebar areas regarding TV news in general.

I told the person reporting for NPR that the reporter who covered the story for KIVI never raised any moral or personal objection with me about the Kimball story. The only objection I have ever heard to our coverage of the story is from the person who produced the radio report for NPR, Ms. Tan. Personal or moral objections to stories do happen, but my point to Ms. Tan was decisions have to be made and the decision was made to cover the story based on the following information.

* The story focused around a man named James Kimball who was at the time (and may still be) a registered sex offender in the state of Idaho.

* Mr. Kimball was convicted for betraying a trust by admittedly having sex with a 16-year-old girl who he was charged with transporting to school in his capacity at the time as her school bus driver. He pleaded guilty to this charge. Mr. Kimball was 23 at the time.

* Mr. Kimball was officiating hockey games in a city of Boise owned facility against the city's own stated policies and contractual arrangement with the officiating body. We can argue whether or not this was appropriate policy, but the city believes it is prudent that registered sex offenders not be given unsupervised access to people who are underage.

* The city was not aware that Mr. Kimball was acting in this capacity against their own regulations. We were the ones who made them aware of this.

* As a result, the city of Boise suspended Mr. Kimball and conducted a thorough review of policies regarding subcontractors. It should be noted the person involved for the city also publicly thanked us for bringing this to her attention. Also note this was not Mr. Kimball's full-time job, but a recreational outlet with which he could earn extra cash.

The 'makeup' comment as I recall happened at the very end of the NPR interview. Ms. Tan asked to watch the piece with me, and could see I was visibly uncomfortable. I felt it important that I explain to her that my problem wasn't with the information being reported, but 'how' the information was being reported. Please realize that at the time, I had been at KIVI-TV for just three weeks and was in the process of making major changes from our '6 on Your Side' format to 'Today's 6 News.' TV News is a difficult business in the fact that good information presented in a bitter pill is still hard to swallow. We had major presentation issues at the time, and I was attempting to explain that to her so as to not leave a mis-impression.

Finally, on the topic of the phone number, my response was I just didn't know. I am very clear with my staff that people who are the focus of our news reports need to be offered an opportunity to present their side. I've even pulled a couple of stories when for some absurd reason that didn't happen. However, I told Ms. Tan that two years after the fact, I simply could not recall for sure if I asked the reporter whether she had. Ms. Tan indicated she had been in direct contact with the reporter in question, who has not worked here for some time, and so I assumed Ms. Tan would ask her directly.

It should be noted we received many positive comments from viewers at the time we aired the Kimball story, some of whom had children who were participating in activities at Idaho Ice World who felt having a registered sex offender officiating youth games was inappropriate.

The reporter who produced this story for NPR, Ms. Tan, worked for a competing television station at the time this story broke, and during the interview, it was clear by her questioning that she had a bit of an agenda. She firmly believes her station acted properly by not running the story and ours did not by running it. We have a fundamental disagreement over what constitutes a legitimate news story. Fair enough.

But my job is not to be accountable to reporters for competing TV stations, but to residents of the Treasure Valley who give us a some of their precious time and want to be informed. Based on viewer reaction to this story, I believe most appreciated being informed about this issue rather than being kept in the dark.

Thank you for sharing your concerns, and allowing me the opportunity to respond.

[John Doe]

When you get a chance to listen to the "This American Life" story, I think you will be surprised that it is fairly forthright about the circumstances (you were new on the job, the reporter is from a competing station, etc).

I think some of the details are important here. First, Kimball is indeed a registered sex offender. However, he was not convicted on the charges. After following the judge's order (sex-offender classes etc, no repeat offenses for a number of years), the case was discharged.

Secondly, it sounded as if the coverage was presented in such a way as to insinuate that Kimball was a child molester (juxtaposing a B&W version of a color photograph with footage of 5-year-olds ice skating). I think anyone, including Kimball who freely admits it in the story, would object to a 23-year-old having sex with a 15 year old girl who rode the school bus he was driving. But that isn't equivalent to molesting young children, and a single transgression doesn't equal a consistent sexual predator.

I think the "This American Life" story does a good job of summarizing what's at issue here: a judgment call on whether or not covering the story was morally right. Although I can understand and respect your decision to cover the story, I think most of my objections stem from the way in which you covered it.

Regardless, I think it is an interesting subject and am glad you are willing to engage with your critics.

[Nick]

Wait, I'm mormon. What's this about needing to have 5 kids to attain "divine grace"? I've been Mormon since 1989. My wife is a descendant of the founding family. We're not aware of this.....

[Doe Too]

Mr. Picken comes off in the piece pretty badly. Was it fair? Yes. He tried to smear Ms. Smith by talking about her being young and inexperienced - despite the fact that she now works in the Portland market.. one much bigger than the market Mr. Picken works in.

[James K]

Scott,

I just finished listening to the This American Life piece. In it you come across as holding an irresponsible disregard for the basic facts of the story and you are purpetuating demonstrably incorrect information.

1) Mr Kimball was not convicted.
2) It seems clear from the TAL story that the reporter working for you did raise objections and you remembered her doubts enough to actually speak about the argument you had with the reporter while being interview by Ms Tan.
3) You justify spreading this story by claiming to perform a service for the residents of Treasure Valley, while admitting that you were looking to boost ratings by "going to the next level".
It seems clear that the KIVI's treatment of the story was not based on "good facts" but on a zealous business decision, which you defend in a way that is pathetically easy to pick apart.

In truth, Mr Kimball's honesty about his openly admitted mistake over 15 years ago highlights the disgusting nature of what you seem to stand for; to wrap yourself in a thick coat of sophistry in service of winning an Emmy, while Mr Kimball may aparently never know the warmth of forgiveness.

[The REAL John Doe]

None of this has anything to do with the Stockdales and the great job Middleton and the community did for a deserving family. Bash Picken all you want, have you forgotten you're defending a RAPIST? Picken might molest the news a bit, but he never hurt a child. Quit defending some scumbag that took a kids innocence away. Get over it.

[Jeremy Doe]

I've been checking in on this blog for a few months now -- and it seems like most of the posting use it to fillet Scott Picken and KIVI while hiding behind an alias.

I applaud Picken for giving viewers a place where the station and editorial content can publicly held accountable -- something lacking from BELO and Fisher stations like KTVB and KBCI.

I also feel bad for Picken because his worst critics can freely sling mud. (Much of it, by the way, stinks of other media insiders getting their rocks off.)

Keep pushing the market Scott -- maybe someday other people will get it.

[Jamie Doe]

I have to say, I'm completely disgusted with Scott Picken's lack of journalistic ethics, as demonstrated in the This American Life broadcast. Whether or not you pass the buck by attempting to lay responsibility for the one-sidedness of the broadcasts at the feet of your on-camera reporters, you ultimately are the one responsible.

And I don't buy that you were providing any kind of service to your viewers. Ultimately, your whole "if a tree falls in the forest" monologue showed you don't understand that the role of journalists is to inform the public--not to "invent" news in order to pull in ratings.

[The REAL John Doe]

I have to say, I'm completely disgusted with people so lame, they post the same thing twice!

[Jennifer]

May I point out that a deferred adjudication with a subsequent dismissal is generally nothing more than a way to avoid trial? It is most often the result of a plea bargain and not an indication that the offender was not culpable. It is still an indication of guilt and is in no way an indicator that the person is "less guilty" than someone with a guilty verdict.

Was the story reported in a responsible manner? Probably not. In a rush to get it on air, the details were left behind. Augmenting the story later with detail is not a substitute for initial good research. People generally don't get over their first impressions. This is not uncommon the world of news reporting and is the reason I no longer watch TV news.

Lastly, while Kimball was likely not a danger to children, a registered sex offender should not be allowed to work with children or vulnerable adults. Period. The city, Ice World, or the general public should not because a judge and jury. The courts found that he is a sex offender who must register. It's not our job to rethink whether this was a sound judgement. Rather, those put in such decision-making positions should act on the information provided.

[OGolly]

Just got around to listening to the "This American Life" podcast edition of the Kimball "sex offender" story.

Frankly I am simply disgusted. Mr. Picken's explanations for a decision *totally* lacking in journalistic ethics rings both hollow and heartless.

Bottom line: Its' all all about ratings, isn't it? And referring to Mr. Kimball as a "rapist" is not only factually incorrect, but only amounts to a pathetic attempt to justify your callousness. Your decision resulted in ruining the life and family of a man who has, by all accounts, paid his debt and been a good citizen for 15 years.

Is the community safer now? I don't think so. If anything you have only sown discord and mistrust needlessly.

You have caused almost irreparable emotional damage to a wife and young daughter who are innocent of any crime. You condemn Mr. Kimball as a "sex offender" and harming an innocent young woman, but evidently think it's just fine to cause irreparable emotional damage to Mr. Kimball's innocent daughter in pursuit of ratings and ad dollars.

So tell me, how are your actions any different from the very thing you so vociferously objected to? Arguably, both you and Mr. Kimball emotionally raped a minor to obtain your own satisfaction. Only you did it to his wife as well. And while Mr. Kimball greatly regrets his actions, you are not the least bit remorseful concerning your own, nor will even admit to your deficiency.

Seems to me Mr. Kimball is the better man here.

I worked many years as a public affairs officer for the U.S. military. I've worked with minor and major news outlets both at home and abroad. You have just served up a prime example of everything that is wrong with the ethical structure of the news business in America today.

[Disenchanted]

While a bit late to the conversation, I too just heard the story on "This American Life" about James Kimball and KIVI.

I too was rather astonished by the unabashed, in fact seemingly proud disregard for ethical reporting practice exhibited by Mr. Picken. From what the story presented, it seemed tantamount to outright slander (and deserving of a lawsuit).

Others such as OGolly, John Doe, James K, and Jaime Doe have already expressed my impressions for the most part.

I would only add the suggestion that Mr. Picken proactively initiate a revived story about James Kimball, presenting all of the actual facts of the case with a fair and unbiased report. Such a report must inherently include direct input from Mr. Kimball and his family (edited fairly I might add).

Now that KIVI has "won" higher ratings in part at the expense of Mr. Kimball and their sensationalized story about him, at least KIVI could tell the real story to more people than those who were fed the slanted one a few years ago. It may not fully make up for the damage done to Mr. Kimball and his family (not to mention the psyche of the community), but at least it could set the record straight so they could move on with their lives productively. Also KIVI could earn back some lost respect as a reputable and ethical news organization.

Brief update: as of February 1, 2008 the Supreme Court of Idaho ruled that the district court which rejected Mr. Kimball's petition to have his name removed from the sex offender registry was WRONG in their judgement. The Supreme Court vacated the district court's order and remanded the case so Mr. Kimball may have a fair opportunity to present clear and convincing evidence that he is not a risk to re-offend (which he already did in the first petition).

[Katie Langston]

This is considerably after the fact, but I just saw this episode for the first time on a rerun. I wanted to point out how stupid you sound when you say this:

"Perhaps the most telling sign of the truth of this is the fact that despite being Mormon, the Stockdales have not and say they will not have a fifth child."

What the hell? Mormons aren't told they have to have five kids or they won't get grace. Good grief. Take a course in basic comparative religion before you post this kinda stuff publicly.

That's all.

[Dave T]

Singling out Mr. Picken is a bit of a diversion. The fact is that TV news, esp. local TV news, is normally pretty shallow. Clearly, this station is at the bottom in their area, but the problem of rampant sensational news is everywhere. Part of the problem is that there is a positive feedback loop, since more educated citizens will get their news from news sources that cover more significant stories and do it more professionally, so that their veiwers end up being the very people that love these stories. There are clearly a lot of people out their like Mr. Picken. The fault really lies with the audience that encourages their being hired. The fact that Picken explicitly tried for a large number of short stories as their new target is telling.