New Sex Offender Laws (so Scary!)

I knew a guy, a real **** head, very wealthy.
I knew him for years.
At a party, he picked up a teenage girl, he was in his mid to late 20's.
He bragged about how young she was. An entire party saw them together.
He had sex with her, took pictures. He was arrested, and the pictures were even IN his possession.
Long story short. Found Innocent. Wealthy, well known family.


I know another guy. A "Good" Guy. Not much money. More recently. Regular guy.
He and another guy shared a work laptop from our work. The other guy constantly talked about porn, and how he has tons of it.
Somebody found 2 pictures of kiddie porn on the work laptop. The "Good" guy was the last to use the laptop, even though the images were much older than that.
After having his entire life investigated, no signs of porn, memberships, history or ANYTHING were found.
Long story short. Found guilty. Made an example of.

Originally posted by Mr No One

Originally posted by ShadowEyes

Originally posted by IeatALIENS

Thank you.
And you, in just a few lines, have explained my point better than I did with all my posts.
Thank you.

It's really very sad to see what has happened to them. They are old, but don't have the money needed to retire so they both had jobs. I'm not sure what his was, but she is a sub. teacher. He lost his job because of it.

He had NEVER had any prior record. Now he is just a doddering old man who rarely goes out because of the shame of it all. It has quite literally RUINED his life. The court even demanded that he be supervised while visiting his own grandchildren. That pretty much broke his heart and he has begun to age rapidly, I would imagine from the stress.

We live on a rather isolated street out in the country, and those of us who have been around long enough to know what travesty has been visited on this couple all those years ago...well, be don't feel there was anything fair or just about it. If they had to work to survive at their age then we are pretty sure they could not afford the representation he should have been allowed to have.

I'll tell you this much, there are many of us out here who are in the habit of keeping an eye on their place, even after all these years, because if someone comes out here to mess with them, they WILL be stopped until it can be proved whether either of that the couple did anything, or not.

Text

Wait a minute - you're original story was based on the implication that the old man was completely innocent. What still remains to be proven or disproved? Is this a simple case of over zealous law enforcement or not? Because that is what IeatAliens is talking about. People unjustly prosecuted due to the extremity of a law.

Yes the original story did imply that he was innocent...because he was. It 's some years since then. And yes, the justice system completely blew it on this one.

The reason we watch over them is BECAUSE he is innocent, and now that his name can be brought up on the web they have had a few uninvited visitors. Neither of them are in any shape to fight off an attack.

However, I never implied that someone who was convicted on irrefutable evidence be let off the hook. I have kids of my own for crying out loud. But that evidence had darned well better BE irrefutable before lives are destroyed. And the proceedings had better be fair as well. In this case, the fact that the kid was a member of a family in town who are considered 'important' I'm sure had a lot to do with it. Plus the county and state in which it took place is well known to pull this kind of crap when the accused cannot afford to buy a defender who cares enough to do their job.

Has your zipper ever slipped and you didn't know it? If so, would you like to be made a criminal because of it?

When we stop intruders out here, it is done in a legal manner in a way that both parties have a chance to explain. But if someone kills them, they won't be able to even have a chance to prove or disprove anything and that's NOT FAIR. I'm referring here to people who have seen the web and for whatever reason, decide to go get the 'terrible sex offender'. And yes, there has been some of that happen out here.

I'm not sure which poster asked for a link but, no I will not provide a link. I will not be the one to add to their misery. I know these people, and I have seen his name listed as a sex offender on the web. I know this is a true story. However, if one should decide not to believe it, then I'm sorry, but there will be no links, names, address, etc. And I hope that the humanness in all of us will cause us to understand how we would feel if this was us.

I really don't know how often this type of injustice is done in any particular area, this is just what I know from personal experience in this particular case.

The man is innocent and this is all I will say about it. Make of it what you will.



Does the law need to be refined? You bet it does, but if you

[edit on 3-2-2007 by ShadowEyes]

IeatAliens, are you a sex offender? You really seem creepy as some guy said earlier.

I have read your post and am sickened. Who are these morons that are chased from society and out of their homes? Even sex offenders get better treatment then what you are describing. Where are you living?

The old guy described earlier with the zipper must have had other issues, otherwise that would never be true! Pissing in public is illegal, but it hardly qualifies as a sex crime and where I am from is not charged as one. Viewing porn does not qualify you as a sex offender (unless it is children) or everyone in America would be registered. Porn is a billion dollar industry. And who wants to see anyone reguardless gay or not, fooling around in public. It isnot legal, children could see it! This thread is sick and twisted and only someone accused of such a thing could write this.

Originally posted by IeatALIENS

Originally posted by ridin2live
I'm sorry, but I agree with Mr No One here.

Exactly what is a "low level" sex offender ? One who hasn't touched your family ... Yet

What he gets is what he gets. I won't lose any sleep over it.



Ridin

Won't lose any sleep over it huh?
People like you deserve what's coming.

Low Level, or Tier 1 offenders have almost nothing to do with other people.
It is mostly things that a person does in privacy, but just happened to get observed.

Urinating, Masturbating, Viewing Porn Illegal and Legal, get caught fooling around with your girlfriend outside, or get caught with your gay lover anywhere, etc, etc.

The funny thing is, that the fact of these people usually NOT being real sex offenders, means that just before they got caught doing one of these HORRIBLE crimes, they were probably just like you. They didn't care, didn't see any of these people as PEOPLE, and were just going on about their business.

Until they got caught peeing on a tree, the wrong porn found on a work computer, or screwing around in public.

In the case of "things you do with yourself" that shouldn't be legislated or regulated by anyone - period. I don't care what you do to yourself up to and including suicide. That's a sad, tragic final step but one that you as a human being can decide to take or not.

Viewing porn illegal or legal. Hmmm. Bit of a dilemma in that one. On one hand if its illegal to view it, less people will want it thus making it less likely to be made - i.e. child pornography. Contrary wise, if you want to watch two consenting adults bumping uglies who am I to say you shouldn't. That becomes a bit of a grey area that doesn't really need to be grey. We can, through clear and conscious thought make it more black and white. And that is exactly what we should do and in some cases already are doing.

Get caught with your gay lover anywhere (well that's a bit of a stretch but I know what you mean) if you're both consenting adults again there should be no judicial interference. If one of you is 12 and the other 40 - different story. If one of you is conscious and the other drugged - different story again.

Caught peeing on a tree. Well now. That's interesting. To pee or not to pee? This one can be pretty grey. Out in the woods taking a leak and someone happens to stumble by - not a sex offender. In a crowded park in the middle of a bunch of little kids - that is a sex offender.

These situations are what we must rely on judges to weigh out. That is why we, as a people, need to be more concerned with the election and appointment of our judges. You do realize we have a say in that right? So when you hear that the President is about to nominate some radical right wing religious zealot to the supreme court - it is your duty as a citizen to make your displeasure known. Then we can start getting into the real abuse of power that I think is the core of your concern. Still you cannot throw the baby out with the bath water on this one. The laws are necessary. No they aren't to be feared. Yes they need to be refined.

Its that "almost nothing to do with other people" that bothers me. Me masturbating in my home - not a problem. In my car - maybe a problem. On a bench in a school playground - PROBLEM. And yet in all three cases you could say I had "almost no contact with other people." See what I mean?

But hey, I gues the bottom line is - if you think the laws are scary, then go ahead and be scared. Me? I think the laws are necessary and good.

Hmmm....time to pull out the big guns i say. In this day its hard to say what is right and wrong, what is white and black. Look what is all around us, porn ads all over every website; porn sites/ads area dime a dozen, you got magazines and cable. everyshow now day talks about sex, every women on tv has to more of a hoe each show, our children look at all these "rolemodels". Example: Lindsey Lohan, a girl that is marveled by millions of other girls, just checked her self into a rehab. What does that tell those girls? "Everyone wants to be a party girl". Its hard not to think about sex in this day and age, even being surrounded by Mormons(good people)you still have girls/guys that look like trailer trash. Most people have lost the respect for themselves and for others. My friend was convicted of Agrivated Sexual Assult (it was an A misdemanor for him), his ex-girlfriend was jealous he was with another girl and accused of him of rape, she eventually she admitted she lied, but what can you do? he didnt want to take the risk of spending 20 years in jail for rape so he took the plea bargin. Now he is on the sex offendor list, was it ever his fault? maybe for dating the psycho in the first place, but being dumb sometimes isnt a crime(to add the girl got a slap on wrist basically and nothing happened to her) What is a crime though is one someone rapes a or molests another person, and there is hardcore evidence,(not some he said she said crap) then i could see a death penalty or sterilezed. With a death penalty people would think twice, but again it must be hard evidence. Thoughts arnt a crime.........yet. All this does go for other crimes......like terrorism...terror this terror that everyones a terrorist.....Im a convicted terrorist, sure i had my fun as a youth ran from the cops partied......but in order to nail me in a case(i served my time rightfully and with through counseling and cleaned up my act) they charged me with terroristic acts to get around all the hardevidence they didnt have or couldnt get. now im on the fbi watchlist...and for what? for a fight at school, i got kicked out charged with terrorism and 3 other charges....kicked out of the school district...just so the school could use me as an example to get cameras and a new security system.....costly fight........tell me if this sounds fair, i spent 3 months in a dention facility awaiting trial....thats right i hadnt even gone to trial...the max they can hold you for petty crimes in a dention faciliaty as a minor is 30 days..if you were convicted.....so i gave in and took the plea bargin..they let me out, didnt charge me a cent(no fines) and suggested counseling...thats it........ what ever happened to innocent untill PROVEN guilty, not he said she said....i think crimes should be more agrivatedly investigated, cops dont even care nowa days they charge u and leave it up to the proscuter to come up with some bs story. Again its this age, we all are being conditioned to conform, next they will be asking you watch your neighbor. I tell everyone atleast this one thing. EVERYONE IN THIS DAY AND AGE HAS TO READ GEORGE ORWELLS BOOK 1984

en.wikipedia.org...

Real crimes should have harsh punishments, but they should also be throughly investigated and hard evidence should be presented.
In my youth i aquired a rather large "wrap sheet", it consited of lots of misdemanors, trouble...like most teenagers...(i just had the horrible luck of always getting caught) but it came to attention that i had alot more on my rap sheet that i was never convicted of or even aware of. for example selling achohol to minors....this one confused me because i do not drink, nor do i like it when my friends do....and there was many other ones on there..like conspiracy to rape? this one baffeled me....i hadnt realized i raped anyone, though i did have an exgirlfriend that was jealous enough to pull something like that on me(the girlfriend or boyfriend that tells you they love you at 15-17 and cant live with out you and hates it when you leave them) the US goverment makes tons of money on having people in prisons, they paid 15,000 a month for me in that dention facility alone. organizations and stuff earn alot by having personages in prison.(of course they wanted my mom to pay it, she being the sturdy lovely women she is said hell no, im not paying for his stay at a dention facility that YOU put him in and contained him there untill he confessed)

society has become very twisted and ignorent. small things are big deals..big deals dont even blip on the radar. in conclusion, from experiance, i think if your never convicted of anything they should close the case and that charge should dissappear(and not remain on your record including things you didnt know you even were involved in) no matter what type of crime it is. All crimes though should be investigated throughly and hardevidence presented, even have a "watchdog" to oversee to make sure it is done correctly, none of these bogus charges to get around stuff, if everything points that this person commited the crime(like a person shoots someone in the middle of a crowd, everyone sees it, cameras catch it, weapon is found etc etc) then they should have a extreamly harsh punishment. harsh punishments would prevent others from doing it. White or Black?

-Confed

Besides being WAY off topic your rant makes little sense. So you commited crimes, were charged with crimes and detained for those crimes. You admit that you did it - where's the injustice? If you were a minor your Mom should have been held responsible for the costs of your incarceration. Had she been doing her job as a parent - you wouldn't have been commiting crimes to begin with.

AND the US Government does NOT make money on having persons in prison. It COSTS money to imprison someone (that's why your Mom was asked to foot the bill for your detention). The rest of us taxpayers are the ones that foot the bill for that. Where there are many things that politicians get rich from, incarcerating criminals just isn't one of them. Sorry to disappoint you, but noone built a mansion on the three months you were in Juvey.

We are talking about laws that are enacted to punish those guilty of being a sexual predator of some kind - be it rapist, molestor, etc. Its not a question of what is right and wrong, who is a terrorist and who isn't. Its how we punish the guilty and the concern for the WRONGFULLY convicted innocent.

[edit on 4-2-2007 by Mr No One]

Originally posted by conspiracy_101
IeatAliens, are you a sex offender? You really seem creepy as some guy said earlier.

I have read your post and am sickened. Who are these morons that are chased from society and out of their homes? Even sex offenders get better treatment then what you are describing. Where are you living?

The old guy described earlier with the zipper must have had other issues, otherwise that would never be true! Pissing in public is illegal, but it hardly qualifies as a sex crime and where I am from is not charged as one. Viewing porn does not qualify you as a sex offender (unless it is children) or everyone in America would be registered. Porn is a billion dollar industry. And who wants to see anyone reguardless gay or not, fooling around in public. It isnot legal, children could see it! This thread is sick and twisted and only someone accused of such a thing could write this.

So, because you are creeped out, you are wondering if I am a Sex Offender.
Now, I want to thank you for proving my other points.
Hey, Clowny, I don't like giving any personal details about myself online, but no, I am not a sex offender. I am a 265 pound father, ex-network engineer, completing a degree program in Computer Forensics.
And, as far as my stand goes on rapists and molesters: if one threatened my kid, or any kid I know, I would perform an immediate Prostate removal on them. And, I am fully able to do such a thing. Then again, I believe I would perform the same procedure on anybody that were to accuse me of being a Sex Offender to my face. So, I guess that makes me a pretty fair guy!
Now, on to you... Please tell me you are kidding. You have not heard of these people being chased out of their homes? Are you kidding me?
I am sorry to be the one to have to educate you, but no, they do not get better treatment than what I am describing. And, as I have said, I am not that concerned about true offenders and rapists.
Dude, not only are people kicked out of their homes by landlords, on a constant basis, but now there are new laws that limit how far they can live from all kinds of facilities. Even though it is mostly kooky family members that are doing the rape and molestation.
You honestly don't think people can get on the list for pissing in public?
You have never heard of parents getting in trouble because their kids found their porn stash?
Hey, do some research before arguing, accusing and insulting.
And yes. You did insult me.

Originally posted by IeatALIENS
I knew a guy, a real **** head, very wealthy.
I knew him for years.
At a party, he picked up a teenage girl, he was in his mid to late 20's.
He bragged about how young she was. An entire party saw them together.
He had sex with her, took pictures. He was arrested, and the pictures were even IN his possession.
Long story short. Found Innocent. Wealthy, well known family.

Exactly why we need strict laws. Spell it out. If there is evidence of guilt, there is guilt - no ifs ands or buts.

Originally posted by IeatALIENSI know another guy. A "Good" Guy. Not much money. More recently. Regular guy.
He and another guy shared a work laptop from our work. The other guy constantly talked about porn, and how he has tons of it.
Somebody found 2 pictures of kiddie porn on the work laptop. The "Good" guy was the last to use the laptop, even though the images were much older than that.
After having his entire life investigated, no signs of porn, memberships, history or ANYTHING were found.
Long story short. Found guilty. Made an example of.

Absolutely nothing to prove that this one guy had nothing to do with the porn found on the company computer? Sounds like a great wrongful termination suit to me. Any lawyer worth his salt would take that on a contingency fee. Your friend should seek council.

Sounds more like there is more to the story. Like with the old man who didn't know his fly was down, but still might be proven innocent or guilty.

Originally posted by conspiracy_101
IeatAliens, are you a sex offender? You really seem creepy as some guy said earlier.

I have read your post and am sickened. Who are these morons that are chased from society and out of their homes? Even sex offenders get better treatment then what you are describing. Where are you living?

The old guy described earlier with the zipper must have had other issues, otherwise that would never be true! Pissing in public is illegal, but it hardly qualifies as a sex crime and where I am from is not charged as one. Viewing porn does not qualify you as a sex offender (unless it is children) or everyone in America would be registered. Porn is a billion dollar industry. And who wants to see anyone reguardless gay or not, fooling around in public. It isnot legal, children could see it! This thread is sick and twisted and only someone accused of such a thing could write this.

Another off topic rant. Why do people insist on trying to make this a personal issue? I don't get it.

And, while we are on the subject,

does anybody know why we can't just track down the child porn sites, and finally get rid of this?

I don't understand. Is it really impossible for law enforcement to track a web site to it's source? Hell, they are even getting money from people, paying for webspace, etc.

I don't get it. Anybody?...

Originally posted by IeatALIENS

Originally posted by conspiracy_101
IeatAliens, are you a sex offender? You really seem creepy as some guy said earlier.

I have read your post and am sickened. Who are these morons that are chased from society and out of their homes? Even sex offenders get better treatment then what you are describing. Where are you living?

The old guy described earlier with the zipper must have had other issues, otherwise that would never be true! Pissing in public is illegal, but it hardly qualifies as a sex crime and where I am from is not charged as one. Viewing porn does not qualify you as a sex offender (unless it is children) or everyone in America would be registered. Porn is a billion dollar industry. And who wants to see anyone reguardless gay or not, fooling around in public. It isnot legal, children could see it! This thread is sick and twisted and only someone accused of such a thing could write this.

So, because you are creeped out, you are wondering if I am a Sex Offender.
Now, I want to thank you for proving my other points.
Hey, Clowny, I don't like giving any personal details about myself online, but no, I am not a sex offender. I am a 265 pound father, ex-network engineer, completing a degree program in Computer Forensics.
And, as far as my stand goes on rapists and molesters: if one threatened my kid, or any kid I know, I would perform an immediate Prostate removal on them. And, I am fully able to do such a thing. Then again, I believe I would perform the same procedure on anybody that were to accuse me of being a Sex Offender to my face. So, I guess that makes me a pretty fair guy!
Now, on to you... Please tell me you are kidding. You have not heard of these people being chased out of their homes? Are you kidding me?
I am sorry to be the one to have to educate you, but no, they do not get better treatment than what I am describing. And, as I have said, I am not that concerned about true offenders and rapists.
Dude, not only are people kicked out of their homes by landlords, on a constant basis, but now there are new laws that limit how far they can live from all kinds of facilities. Even though it is mostly kooky family members that are doing the rape and molestation.
You honestly don't think people can get on the list for pissing in public?
You have never heard of parents getting in trouble because their kids found their porn stash?
Hey, do some research before arguing, accusing and insulting.
And yes. You did insult me.

While I applaud you for sticking up for yourself in the face of a senseless and personal affront, I don't see how it proves your point. Yes you can get on the list for pissing in public. BECAUSE it is illegal and considered a sex act in some cases. That's where my point about definition comes in.

People kicked out of there homes because kooky family members raped or molested someone? Hmm. Well if I owned a property and found out that a child molestor was living there I sure as HELL would throw them out. Might even throw out the rest of the family too. And that would be my right as a owner of private property. I'm sure there are discrimination laws which could be sited to sue me for the act, too. But really, how often do you think this happens? Is it so prevelant that it warrants decrying the law that allows for it? "On a constant basis?" methinks thou dost protest too much.

There are reasons registered sex offenders can't live near certain buildings - its called minimizing the risk. Why is that wrong? And (I can't say for sure mind you) but I doubt the laws say that family members of convicted sex offenders can be desciminated against in any way shape or form. Now maybe I'm wrong. Maybe there's a law where you live that says if your brother rapes a woman you can't live on the same block as an all girls school. But I doubt it. And if there is such a law it needs to be changed. Your brother can't live on that block, but unless you aided and abetted him in some way there's no reason you can't.

And I'm not trying to say you or your brother raped anyone, its just an example.

I don't believe its a matter of can't or even won't. Where the real problem comes in is that this is a WORLD WIDE web. Unfortunately in some countries its just not illegal. In those cases there's jsut nothing that can be done - except to make viewing them illegal and hopefully discourage people from viewing them. Oh and we can go after people that advertise them. Like through spam. You can report it to the FBI and they will investigate (I know I went through it). However, DO NOT attempt to forward child pornographic spam to the FBI. Make a note of the source address and delete it from your computer. Pass on the source information via e-mail, phone, etc to the FBI and they will investigate it. Actually forwarding the e-mail can get you into trouble. Now that might prove your point there. But with the way information is disseminated on the web I can understand why the law is the way it is in this case.

[edit on 4-2-2007 by Mr No One]

While I applaud you for sticking up for yourself in the face of a senseless and personal affront, I don't see how it proves your point. Yes you can get on the list for pissing in public. BECAUSE it is illegal and considered a sex act in some cases. That's where my point about definition comes in.

People kicked out of there homes because kooky family members raped or molested someone? Hmm. Well if I owned a property and found out that a child molestor was living there I sure as HELL would throw them out. Might even throw out the rest of the family too. And that would be my right as a owner of private property. I'm sure there are discrimination laws which could be sited to sue me for the act, too. But really, how often do you think this happens? Is it so prevelant that it warrants decrying the law that allows for it? "On a constant basis?" methinks thou dost protest too much.

There are reasons registered sex offenders can't live near certain buildings - its called minimizing the risk. Why is that wrong? And (I can't say for sure mind you) but I doubt the laws say that family members of convicted sex offenders can be desciminated against in any way shape or form. Now maybe I'm wrong. Maybe there's a law where you live that says if your brother rapes a woman you can't live on the same block as an all girls school. But I doubt it. And if there is such a law it needs to be changed. Your brother can't live on that block, but unless you aided and abetted him in some way there's no reason you can't.

And I'm not trying to say you or your brother raped anyone, its just an example.

Actually, I got side-tracked. I guess I can't resist a good fight.
Anyway, as I tried to explain earlier, my concerns are not as much about the rights of the hard-core offenders. I am more concerned with how easily, and fast laws are being made and then made real.

And, also how the laws are being eyed up for uses with other crimes, and even non-criminal situations.

It is almost like Megan's Law is a big experiment for something else coming down the pike. It was originally for use on rapists and child molesters, and that was understandable.

Then, Sex Offenses became more and more inclusive, so more things, even harmless things became sex offenses.

Then, once that happened, they started increasing the punishments.

And, while they did this, the public just sat back, and trusted that it MUST be the right thing to do.

Now, there are plans to do the same with DUI, Contagious Medical Conditions, Criminal Records, Thought Crimes, Hate Crimes, even Financial Records. All public.

So, while people twisted my words into this being about my fear of the Sex Offender Laws, my real fear is about what this means for EVERYBODY, and how it will be used in the future.

Wait till people start going to jail for racial slurs, and then, upon release, being hounded by it for the rest of their lives, and kept away from children, "lest their racial hate spread to the young ones!" Hehe. Gawd.

Or, we can all give up a percentage of our paychecks, so the government can create the new "Department of Impure Thoughts", to somehow monitor people who have been caught looking sensually at women at work, or teenagers in music videos.

I agree with you, IeatAliens, some of these sex offender laws are just downright scary.

I was watching the program "Religion and Ethics"on PBS just a week or so ago, about a new sex offender law in Georgia that has people in an uproar.

Here is the link to the story:
HERE

O'BRIEN: Specifically, registered sex offenders are not permitted to live or work within a thousand feet of a playground, a church, a school, or even a school bus stop. While no one quarrels with the legislature's goal of protecting children, critics say the law is so broad it is unfair and may not even work.

Since this new law leaves virtually nowhere for the sex offenders to live (1000 feet from a bus stop?), people fear that sex offenders won't bother to register themselves., which IMO is so much more unsafe than being aware of a sex offender living in your area and being able to take proper precautions.

If you think this law could never apply to you, listen to this woman's story:

O'BRIEN: Whitaker's mistake was having oral sex with a high school classmate 10 years ago when she was only 17. That violated Georgia's sodomy law at the time. Even though that law has since been repealed, Whitaker, a convicted sex offender, still must register every year.

Just so no one jumps on my back over this, pedophiles and rapists make me sick, and I am in no way condoning that type of behavior. But to say a law like this, that is running a woman out of town for having oral sex in HIGH SCHOOL, let me ask you this: How is that protecting you and your children? Do you honestly think this woman is a threat to your family's safety?

Originally posted by Pink_Cola
I agree with you, IeatAliens, some of these sex offender laws are just downright scary.

I was watching the program "Religion and Ethics"on PBS just a week or so ago, about a new sex offender law in Georgia that has people in an uproar.

Here is the link to the story:
HERE

O'BRIEN: Specifically, registered sex offenders are not permitted to live or work within a thousand feet of a playground, a church, a school, or even a school bus stop. While no one quarrels with the legislature's goal of protecting children, critics say the law is so broad it is unfair and may not even work.

Since this new law leaves virtually nowhere for the sex offenders to live (1000 feet from a bus stop?), people fear that sex offenders won't bother to register themselves., which IMO is so much more unsafe than being aware of a sex offender living in your area and being able to take proper precautions.

If you think this law could never apply to you, listen to this woman's story:

O'BRIEN: Whitaker's mistake was having oral sex with a high school classmate 10 years ago when she was only 17. That violated Georgia's sodomy law at the time. Even though that law has since been repealed, Whitaker, a convicted sex offender, still must register every year.

Just so no one jumps on my back over this, pedophiles and rapists make me sick, and I am in no way condoning that type of behavior. But to say a law like this, that is running a woman out of town for having oral sex in HIGH SCHOOL, let me ask you this: How is that protecting you and your children? Do you honestly think this woman is a threat to your family's safety?

Thank you for such a sane, thought out post.

What has been discussed in the most recent posts goes a long way toward proving my point. The fact that there are laws detailing what one consenting adult can do with another is wrong. How "sex offender" is defined needs to be clearer so as to eliminate the ridiculous situation of a woman having to register because she had oral sex with a consenting partner. How these laws are used and whether or not they are parlayed into something else is up to us.

We need to get involved (no posting on this site doesn't really count) and actively work to change laws and prevent bad ones from being created. The problem with this situation is there is nothing to harsh that can be done to a serious sex offender. They shouldn't even get a choice about registering. If your town wants to make a law that says all the child molesters have to live on one specific street in the worst neighborhood possible, then I'm all for it. Its up to we the people to make sure that that law cannot be used against some old man whose fly was unzipped and he didn't know it. Don't let your representatives turn around and say thinking the word 'n-word' is a crime and you have to register when you do it. This is Germany where its illegal to say the holocaust didn't happen.

In the book 1984, government was all controlling because the people let it be. George Bush was able to pass the Patriot Act because people let him. Sex offender laws are passed becuase people let them be. The really scary thing is how people are willing to vote for laws without REALLY knowing what they say.

Originally posted by Mr No One
What has been discussed in the most recent posts goes a long way toward proving my point. The fact that there are laws detailing what one consenting adult can do with another is wrong. How "sex offender" is defined needs to be clearer so as to eliminate the ridiculous situation of a woman having to register because she had oral sex with a consenting partner. How these laws are used and whether or not they are parlayed into something else is up to us.

We need to get involved (no posting on this site doesn't really count) and actively work to change laws and prevent bad ones from being created. The problem with this situation is there is nothing to harsh that can be done to a serious sex offender. They shouldn't even get a choice about registering. If your town wants to make a law that says all the child molesters have to live on one specific street in the worst neighborhood possible, then I'm all for it. Its up to we the people to make sure that that law cannot be used against some old man whose fly was unzipped and he didn't know it. Don't let your representatives turn around and say thinking the word 'n-word' is a crime and you have to register when you do it. This is Germany where its illegal to say the holocaust didn't happen.

In the book 1984, government was all controlling because the people let it be. George Bush was able to pass the Patriot Act because people let him. Sex offender laws are passed becuase people let them be. The really scary thing is how people are willing to vote for laws without REALLY knowing what they say.

You hit the nail on the head.
As you said, a true rapist or child molester should be happy that they are just out of jail, and registering on a list should be considered the lesser of many other possible evils.

But, let's leave consenting grownups alone. What somebody does with somebody else, or with themselves, is their business.

Want to get rid of kiddie porn? Hey, I'm with you! Let's start by attacking the scumbags that are making it, and making it available! I'm with you.

Let's face it, the easiest thing in the world is to target individuals. There is no money, no high-priced lawyers to face. And, hey, the public will buy it! They will think that something is really being done about the problem.

EVERYBODY is weird and perverted to a certain extent. You can ask the judge that got caught with a penis pump under his cloak DURING court about that!

The question is, are they harming somebody else?

I mean, the government isn't targeting drug users, smoking pot in their own homes. (Although, I think that is probably next) Hell, it's easier than going after the REAL problem.

You people NEED to see this.

Prison time for viewing Porn? (Update)

abcnews.go.com...

This is exactly what I mean. He was improperly accused and given a bad plea bargain just to make the DA look good. Then a JUDGE said it was wrong and requested an appeal. Then everything was reversed. Yes there was a disruption in this young man's life and that is sad. But unfortunately necessary in this day and age. As the reporter pointed out at the beginning of the piece - the victims of child porn never recover. If knowing that this law is out there makes it less likely for people to go look at this garbage, then it will eventually make it less profitable for people to make and distribute it.

BRAVO. Excellent example of why the law is good.

Thank you.

BTW - I don't believe for an instant that child pornographers are secretly stashing their pics on unsuspecting computer to view later. These filth mongers hide their files in Trojan horses hoping to find another willing customer whom they might otherwise not reach. And, as was stated, competent experts can prove where the files came from and when. Like in the story about the guy who got fired 'cause his coworker downloaded porn onto a shared computer.

This thread parrallels our topic.

Seems relevant to me. What do you think?