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Updates, News, Analysis, and Personal Stories
We aim to provide articles, links to news stories, as well as commentary on the fast-moving area of sex offender policy on our blog. You can make a contribution, too. We are especially interested in reports or analysis of lobbying efforts, reforms, and other developments in your local area, though you may send any media article of interest. We will also accept personal commentary explaining why developing a critical awareness about sex offender policy is important to you. Such personal stories can help others think differently. With diverse content we hope ReformSexOffenderLaws.Org will become an important information resource. Please send us all your comments and suggestions about this site and the project.
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Table of Contents
| DEMO AGAINST POISON PRISON WATER in SF,CA
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By Alex <one2vegas@sbcglobal.net>
Posted on 05.01.2009
Link to this blog entry: [097] |
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Comments should refer to Blog No. 097, and be sent to Alex at the above email - with a copy to alexm60@fastmail.fm
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SF,CA DEMONSTRATION AGAINST POISONED PRISON WATER
Feb. 4 - Federal Courthouse at 450 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco at 9 am.
Dr. B. Cayenne Bird
published January 04, 2009
The media is banned from California´s prisons which is outrageous when a full blown humanitarian crisis is taking place out of public view, which I believe is the reason that journalists can´t interview specific inmates and often have their notes seized. There are four journalists in the UNION and hundreds of family members who refuse to cooperate with this unconstitutional media ban, even though there is severe retaliation against those who file lawsuits and report the news from inside. There is less retaliation against the family members, since there is no way for the wardens and guards to know the source of information. Every effort is made to cover up wrongdoing, which doesn´t work when people are educated and are dedicated patriots who know the difference between right and wrong.
The UNION´s jailhouse lawyers are suffering increased and severe retaliation during the final phases of the Plata trial in a concerted effort to silence them. There is very little help coming from the State lawmakers and officials to do anything to stop the deliberate physical and psychological torture being inflicted. I will be writing more on this topic soon and have been invited to be a guest on a national talk show to discuss the fact that there is no one who will assist families or inmates with real intervention even in life and death emergencies, unless they are able to write big checks or have a friend in office, which is rare. Losing a loved one to Prison is emotionally and financially devastating, which is why there is no large public outcry ad campaigns.
On February 4, 2009, we are going to rally outside the Federal Courthouse at 450 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco at 9 am. In order to get national media involved, at least 500 folks need to be there to stand up against medical neglect and continued abuse of the mentally ill in California's horrific prisons. While more than 100 family members attended our Nov 21 rally, we need five times more than that to make a stronger point that no one is addressing folks who are suffering and dying right now. Many are inmates who could be released right now to save the state billions and give some relief to the parents who are out of their minds with sick worry as a inmate dies daily. Many more will die before this gets resolved, but each of us must be the public outcry and fill up our cars for this historic day. Go here, hit print and mail 50 copies into an inmate to help spread the word, we are all unpaid volunteers in the UNION and cannot afford large mailings. This is a way everyone can help, we need crowds to bring in the national media so the lawmakers will do something to prevent more deaths which are highly visible right now.
Here's the flyer for Feb 4, when closing arguments before Judges Thelton Henderson, Lawrence Karlton and Stephen Reinhardt will take place in the Plata case. The power of noisy numbers is the only solution, suffering in silence doesn't work.
http://www.1union1.com/Feb4_rally_flyer_plata.html
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Land proposal out west for S.O.s
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By Jonathan <gor117@yahoo.com>
Posted on 05.01.2009
Link to this blog entry: [096] |
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RSOL NOTICE: This is a proposal for ¨sex offenders¨ to pool money and move to a remote area in a western state, living in a community that would be far away from other people. RSOL does NOT endorse this idea, but we have agreed to allow this individual to propose it, in case some are interested. Also, anyone who responds to the above email does so at their own risk - we cannot vouch for the property or the deal. We do wish anyone involved the best, and hope to hear from you. Comments should refer to Blog No. 096 and be sent to Jonathan above, copies to me at alexm60@fastmail.fm
Alex Marbury - for the Admin. Team
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Dear Friends,
There´s a nice piece of gated property for sale, 250 acres, paved road with cul de sac at the end. You can look at it by going to google earth and typing in Gloria Trail. The road that is labeled is the road on the property but in actuality the road up above that road with the houses on it is Gloria Trail. The road´s real name that is mis-labeled is Kara Lane.
That is the land for sale. We need at least 100 interested offenders who can invest a couple of thousand dollars each to get this property as a settlement for offenders to set up homestead and raise the flag. I think they are asking around 250 thousand for the piece of land and it has a lake that you can see from the google map.
Jonathan
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Not the Same Man I was 8 Yrs Ago!
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By anonymous - posted by Mary <rsolvirginia@comcast.net>
Posted on 03.01.2009
Link to this blog entry: [095] |
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Comments should be sent to Mary at the above address, with a copy to alexm60@fastmail.fm. They will be sent to Ted, the author of this painful letter, which was sent to the Virginia affiliated state group of RSOL, in response to a letter sent by Mary to all ´sex offenders´ on the Virginia registry.
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NOT THE SAME MAN I WAS 8 YEARS AGO
Ted (named changed to protect privacy)
Dear RSOL of Virginia,
I received your letter, wherever did you get my address? HA!
I must say I am glad to see that someone is speaking out about the as yet seemingly unchallenged disregard for the Constitution and the Bill of Rights when it comes to sex offender legislation. It has been a number of years since I committed my offense. I have been up and down and in and out on why I did what I did.
I am increasingly fascinated by society’s generalizations and ignorance regarding sex offenders as it applies to human behavior. Despite our supposed advances as a society, our handling of the matter of sex offenses seems to be spiraling backwards faster than anyone can keep track of them. I wonder if any of these lawmakers can recite the requirements of a registered sex offender and the list of applicable offenses from memory. Since their decisions affect my fate, it would make me sleep at least a little better if I knew that they knew what they were doing and to whom they were doing it. It reminds me of an interview I saw recently in which a congressman was pressing hard for a sculpture of the Ten Commandments to be displayed in front of a federal courthouse. When asked by the interviewer to name all ten, he could only come up with about one and a half.
I thought the piece written by Paul Shannon was well spoken, what caught my eye was his mention of the public outcry for the rights of people being incarcerated for alleged acts of terrorism and the lack of public outcry about the similar disappearance of rights for those charged with sex offenses. For the record I agree that those detained as suspected terrorists deserve all of the same constitutional rights as anyone. But I think there is a reasonable explanation for the comparative lack of outcry on behalf of sex offenders. People think of terrorists as people in a far off land, they don't think of their neighbor. Sex offenders are all around us. In general, it is easy for the public to keep a clear head about the constitutionality of someone far away, not doing anything near them.
I think the subject of sex offenses forces people in society to take a long, hard look at themselves, their culture and their society that most don't want to think about or deal with. And what do we do when we don't want to understand or deal with something? We bury it. We hide it. Get it out of our sight. Just keep us safe from those perverts, whatever we have to do. Anytime this issue comes up, we punish it more. I believe people just don't like to think about the idea that they are capable of doing the same thing that a sex offender has done. They don't want to try and understand how that person may have come to the decision to do what they have done. While that doesn't excuse the offender, at least we can understand and address the problem in a way that helps everyone. Other people don't want to entertain the idea that “those people” are anything like them, so they distance themselves from “those people” as much as possible and dehumanize them in the process. When we're not human anymore, we don't have any right anymore.
Anytime a “sex offender” is in the headlines, I cringe because whenever a story like that gets a lot of press I can expect some new legislation within a few months, so that I am reminded what the lobbyists and lawmakers think of me, even when they don't realize that people like me are lumped in with 10 or 20 actual predators that we do need to worry about and who will still offend if they really want to, no matter how many crazy flaming hoops the rest of us have to jump through.
As Paul Shannon said, “the worst thing I have ever done becomes the only thing I have ever done”.
Suffice it to say, I am not the same person I was when I committed my offense 8 years ago. I have worked extremely hard to become a better person and I like the person I am becoming. I am a year and a half away from graduating summa cum laude with a B.S in mechanical engineering.
Reaching where I have has taken hard work, dedication and self-exploration and confrontation that would terrify most people to have to do. I think there should come a time when society should take it upon itself to get out of my way and leave my true penance for the things I have done between me and God.
If there is anything I can do to help, volunteer or what not. If you need to reach me, look me up on the state police web-site. See, it’s good for something!
Thanks again. Ted
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Opposed to RSOL Death Penalty Statement
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By Mark Keil <markinohio2004@yahoo.com>
Posted on 28.12.2008
Link to this blog entry: [094] |
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Please refer comments to the above email address, refer to Blog No. 094.
NOTE: RSOL does not take a position on the death penalty per se, but opposes the use of the death penalty for sex offenses which do not involve murder. The US Supreme Court has ruled similarly this year. We are revising our statement to reflect the new situation.
Alex Marbury
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IN RE: Pesky Number Five of the RSOL Statement
While I was a relatively early signatory to RSOL's statement, I was then and still am bothered by the pesky number five statement: "Abolish all laws that provide the death penalty or life in prison without parole for sex offenders."
I have a feeling this may be a stopper for many people with important and influential names and voices, who might otherwise be willing to sign the statement. One of the problems with the statement, in my view, is that it is exactly counter productive to at least one of the missions that RSOL is trying to accomplish: to bring people to the realization and recognition of the fact that all sex offenders are not the same - that all "sex offenders" are not John Couey, e.g.
The fact of the matter is, truly, that some of even the most liberal voices, not to mention more centrist minds, realize that in certain cases, as with any other type of criminal, life without parole is sometimes the only rational and reasonable solution to protect society from certain sociopaths and psychopaths, some of which will undoubtedly happen to be sex offenders as well.
The death penalty, and meting it out for sex crimes in particular, is a separate issue, in my opinion, and thus, in my estimation, deserves its own statement. I don't know what the consensus of the body of signatories on the matter would be, but I feel the death penalty, when and if used, ought be reserved for murderers, alone, regardless of whether a sex offense was a part and parcel of the crime. My reasoning for this is limited entirely to the rationale that if the death penalty is in the offing, then more sociopaths will simply kill their victims, rather than just stop at a sex offense, resulting, ironically, in the deaths of more victims and the elusion of law enforcement by more criminals.
One of the largest barriers faced by any group seeking to challenge the status quo is that of being taken seriously by the mainstream. And, one of the greatest impediments to being taken seriously by the mainstream is the appearance of extremism, of irrationality. I submit, that for very many people, considering the quite limited alternatives for the protection of society from the likes of a John Couey, statement number five will appear on its face extremely irrational. No one, I don't think, wants John Couey to be their spokesperson, their poster child, and statement number five makes him exactly that for RSOL.
While the John Couey's of the world may need and deserve the help and advocacy of some reform group, I think they neither need nor deserve the advocacy of one like RSOL, which endeavors to make a better future for hundreds of thousands of other people who are nothing like John Couey. Statement number five is the statement RSOL's opposition will leap upon, and use to proclaim to the world, "RSOL wants John Couey released to your neighborhood to prey upon your children!"
Statement number five is the one statement that restrains me from a more robust support of RSOL and its objectives; the one objective that constrains me from seeking new signatories to the full statement and new supporters for the full RSOL mission. I am sure I am not the only one, signatories and not, for whom statement number five is a similar stopper to more action. Moreover, and conversely, I am confidant that the statement does very little to invite more signatories and more support, not to mention that its placement and wording is a real barrier to being taken seriously.
Not to belabor the point, or resort to hyperbole, but really, who does RSOL need to be taken seriously by more than the politicians writing, and hopefully someday repealing certain sex offender laws? I ask, then, what politician in their right political and vote-earning mind, would ever consider to take RSOL seriously, much less sign the statement, when RSOL wants to "release John Coeuy to the neighborhoods of their constituents"?
A moderation of statement number five could, I believe, both add to the credibility and seriousness of RSOL and remove a barrier to a more broad overall support of its objectives and mission. Think about it: while groups like the "fringe lunatic" stoptheaclu.com gather broad exposure, if not ouright support, on a variety of fronts, the relatively more moderate reformsexoffenderlaws enjoys no such parity. Google "reformsexoffenderlaws" and you get 1780 results, while Googling "stoptheaclu" yields up a hefty 76,000 results. If you're counting, that is 42 times the exposure that that group is enjoying over that of RSOL. In the information age, when dissemination of information, particularly information outside the mainstream, is accomplished in this way, via the Internet, this deficit between these groups, if it weren't so serious, would be laughable.
Therefore, I have taken the time to write this letter and am strongly urging you, and RSOL, to consider a revamping of statement number five, and possibly a separation of it from the death penalty issue. I would encourage you to submit these considerations to the body of your signatories and email list for their feedback on the matter.
It would not surprise me a bit, and nor should it surprise you a bit, either, if there is an overwhelming support among that body for these viewpoints on the matter. It just makes sense. It makes good, rational, and most importantly, serious sense for RSOL.
Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to any action, which you and RSOL may contemplate or take. I am hoping things change in regard to statement number five so that I can more honestly and robustly support the important mission and objectives of RSOL. If not, I haven't a choice, no matter how serious, and ironically, because I am so serious about the issues, but to remain on the sidelines, so far as RSOL is concerned.
Last, if you like, and think this issue deserves the exposure, you may publish at your website, perhaps for feedback, this letter, including my signature.
Sincerely,
Mark Keil
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Kelly´s New Year Message
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By Kelly Piercy <gasoem@gmail.com>
Posted on 27.12.2008
Link to this blog entry: [093] |
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NOTE from Alex: Kelly Piercy is a disabled veteran who has become one of RSOL´s most valuable members and organizers. He is working on multiple fronts to try to change the unjust portions of ¨sex offender¨ laws. In my book, Kelly is a #1 hero! But then, so are ALL RSOL participants. Keep up the struggle in this New Year!
Refer in comments to Blog No. 093, and send to Kelly at the email address above, with copies to alexm60@fastmail.fm
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A New Year´s Message
I was sitting in Mass at Federal Corrections Institution (FCI) Three Rivers. Our Priest was called away by duties at the Diocese. An ancient Priest Emeritus filled in that Sunday.
For the Homily, he came to the front of the Alter from the podium.
Clasping his hands he looked out on the twenty or so of us seated in the chapel. He smiled softly at us and began.
"I don't really have a prepared sermon for you. I am here because you are here....There is something I want you to understand. For whatever brought you here, God forgives you if you ask his forgiveness; I forgive you without being asked....There is something else I need you to understand. I know each of you prays, probably every day, to be let out of here."
"For every one of you, who pray for this, there are a hundred and more that are praying that you are not let out."
With that, he concluded the Mass.
We all work and many of us pray every day to end the registry and inordinate sentences and to stop the shame of false accusation suffered by the 'justice' system.
For all that work and hope and prayer, there are hundreds more working and hoping and praying that it continues and becomes ever more restrictive.
We must each do the work, have the hope, and even say the prayers of those hundreds that oppose each one of us.
It is hard, there are days I want to give up and worry about me and try to navigate the rules alone in hope for the day I can buy my boat and leave this all behind me. I cannot, I will not. We must all resist those times and days and do what we can. When it gets too hard, take a step back, rest and reflect. We cannot let others fight this battle for us, they will not. We must strive, even in the face of despair.
We can try and fail, we must not fail to try.
Kelly
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John Walsh Exploits Fear
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By anonymous <alexm60@fastmail.fm>
Posted on 21.12.2008
Link to this blog entry: [092] |
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Comments about this blog should refer to Blog No. 0092 and be sent to Alex at the above email address. I will forward them to the person who made the comment.
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Concerning John Walsh and his continuing exploitation of fear among the public, against what he portrays on TV, as the bad guys. This is a despicable man, as he has not only profited from the death of his son, but he has also convinced a generation of Americans that child abductions from strangers is out of control. He continues his child abduction crusade despite government statistics that show stranger abductions to be virtually nonexistent. The fact is that the majority of child abductions come from a noncustodial parent, not a stranger as Walsh would have you believe.
The man (Ottis Toole) that the Hollywood Police Department conveniently pinned the murder of Walsh\'s son on was a serial killer, and not a ¨pedophile,¨ as Walsh and the media describe him. Not only is Toole no longer around to defend himself against the Walsh murder, but all the evidence in the case was lost or destroyed by the Hollywood Police Department. His guilt has to be proven in a court of law, not the court of public opinion.
This thing has stunk from the beginning! As far as I know the mother of Adam Walsh was never a suspect in the case, and if this tragedy had happened today, she would have been the first one on the suspect list, as she was the last one to have contact with the boy. As terrible as that statement sounds, that is exactly what a sex offender has to deal with on a daily basis due to John Walsh and his misguided crusade to save the children while lining his pockets.
I don't think this case should be closed, and I am quite surprised that Walsh so easily accepts the Hollywood Police Department´s decision to announce that the case has been solved. This is a prime example of how law enforcement tramples on the rights of all, whether we're in the grave or still among the living.
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SEX PANIC KILLS SANTA
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By Alex Marbury posted this <alexm60@fastmail.fm>
Posted on 19.12.2008
Link to this blog entry: [091] |
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Comments should refer to Blog. No. 0091 and be sent to me at the above email address, and you may also want to send them to Debbie at the email address, naess@gmail.com
Note from Alex: Debbie Nathan is one of the most peristent critics of the ¨sex panic¨ that has spawned the ill-conceived ¨sex offender laws.¨ This is from her blog, already picked up by several websites.
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SEX PANIC DEATH OF OPERATION SANTA CLAUS
by Debbie Nathan
Dec. 19, 2008
URL http://debbienathan.com
Santa Claus is dead! At least, the charity Santa who was born during the first Gilded Age, and whose fantasies about the poor fueled an enormous, Victorian-mentality welfare program, run for decades from the giant Post Office at 33rd Street and 8th Avenue in New York City.
Yesterday, three months after the death of the second Gilded Age, that Operation Santa came to a screeching halt, thanks to additional dark fanatasies: this time about pedophilia.
It used to be that middle-class and rich people pored for hours over hand written letters from the indigent, then went to the houses of the underclass to give them Christmas gifts. To do that, the donors needed kids’ names and addresses. This year, a registered sex offender did his poring and got his address. The Post Office found out and summarily shut down the entire Op Santa program, even though, in its almost 100-year history, it has never received a complaint of child sexual assault or abuse. Officials told the media that in the future, donors will have no access to children’s identifiers, which means they be unable to make deliveries to the slums. Instead, they’ll donate to anonymous recipients, and mail their packages at the post office.
The PO said this will save the program. That’s not true and they know it. The success of Operation Santa Claus was always based on complex class relations and conflict, complete with reticulated fantasies that could only be satisfied by the letter reading, the name gathering, and those noblesse oblige home visits. Without all this, the program is kaput.
In New York City alone, over a million poor families came to depend on the Operation for entitlements — warm clothes, toys, even schooling — that used to be dispensed by machine politicians or New Deal agencies. Today, the old ho-ho-ho pols are long gone. And now the country talks of a new FDR. It took a black man to get that conversation going, and now, thanks to an anonymous, registered sex offender schlemiel with disposable Christmas income, the children and adults of America may be forced recognize that in this day and age, “No, Virginia, there is no Santa Claus.”
Debbie Nathan
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Mother & Wife Lives in Two Worlds
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By anonymous <alexm60@fastmail.fm>
Posted on 12.12.2008
Link to this blog entry: [090] |
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Refer comments to Blog No. 090 and send to Alex at the above email address, and I will forward them to this mother!
MOTHER AND WIFE LIVES IN TWO CONFLICTING WORLDS - HER HUSBAND´S and HER SON´S:
I am a mother with a son who is now serving time for child pornography which needless to say has brought me down to my knees. I truly thought my world had come to an end - even my husband would not comfort me when the news was given to us. Like many other mothers, I felt extremely alone with this. To this day, he won't talk to our son in any way or form, just keeps saying, "I warned him" and nothing else. He has even said he could care less if he was to die and never see him again or if something bad should happen to him while in prison.
I'm a person who is living in two worlds and it's so very hard. I'm a believer that a person can turn the corner if the right support group is there. You will never know how surprised I was when I fell upon this website - I\'m not alone, not at all!
My son knows he did something so very wrong and wants very much once released to become a productive citizen again. It tore my heart apart when he said to me that he was prepared to sleep under bridges and beg for whatever food he may get. No mother wants to hear that -not at all. All any mother can picture is those pictures taken when the son was a little boy doing little boy things. To think that may possibly be his residence (homelessness) for the rest of his life makes the heart just stop.
He is just a few months into his sentence so I'm just starting now hoping I can make it better for him later. Thank you, thank you for each of you to come together as a group on an issue that many just want to lock away.
As I told people in my family that has basically turned away from me, we used to avoid people with AIDS and people with mental disabilities only because we did not understand, now we do and we find that with the correct treatment the person afflicted can possibly lead somewhat a normal life.
As my son said, registering is no different that when the Jewish people had to wear that yellow star - there is no difference. Yes my son did wrong and is now paying dearly for what he did and as so many have said, will be paying again once released due to the registering. He wants to move back to (his home state - from where he is incarcerated in another state) but I have no clue as to the "rules" that he will need to follow.
Can anyone out there help me with this? Will he truly become a "wanderer" or is there something out there for him?
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Everybody contact all govt officials, demand change!
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By anonymous <alexm60@fastmail.fm>
Posted on 12.12.2008
Link to this blog entry: [089] |
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Comments should refer to Blog No. 089 and be sent to Alex at the above email address.
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I am concerned for our country at this point. I would have thought after the Salem witchhunt days that our Country would know better than to punish people for lifetimes for mistakes. Not everyone is a predator, but many are being set up as ones with the sting operations and destroying lives that would never have been involved in these types of situations without the entrapment. The lifetime punishment for these individuals and their families goes against everything that our country stands for. I urge everyone signing this to contact their local, state and the federal government asking for change. |
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IMPORTANT RIGHTS to disclosure & privacy
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By Sandy Kennedy <sdk5460@yahoo.com>
Posted on 08.12.2008
Link to this blog entry: [088] |
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THE MARYLAND RSOL affiliate contact, Sandy Kennedy, provides this very important brief summary for ¨sex offender¨ who are in mandated therpay programs. PLEASE SHARE!
Comments should refer to Blog No. 88, and be sent to Sandy, with a copy to alexm60@fastmail.fm
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The Right To Disclosure and Privacy
(Summary by Sandra Kennedy, Maryland)
HIPAA ( Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
Protected health information (PHI) is individually identifiable health information that is maintained or transmitted . Medical records are confidential. Health practitioners must ensure that all your information is kept confidential . In a doctor’s offices they hand you a demographic sheet to look over. Your full social security number should not be identified, just the last 4 digits. If their sheet contains you full address, telephone numbers, and date of birth, request in writing that it be deleted. HIPAA stipulates that a patient has a right to their medical records: all medical records, counseling sessions, therapy notes, test answers, polygraph evaluations may be obtained despite who is paying the bill. They have 30 days to comply after submitting a written request. In psychological evaluations, they do not provide you with the test, just your raw answers. Look over your records closely. Ascertain the evaluations they allegedly gave to you, you actually took. In psychological evaluations, make sure the person they are physically describing is indeed you and make sure every sheet you have signed is your signature. If a therapist has signed an evaluation, who you do not recognize, search the internet for their licensure. If you find any discrepancies, file a formal complaint with your state’s Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene. Keep your records and ask for them periodically. Each session, request, in writing, a copy of your progress note.
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Frightened, Broke, Tired, Vulnerable, Defeated
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By anonymous <alexm60@fastmail.fm>
Posted on 04.12.2008
Link to this blog entry: [087] |
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Refer comments to Blog No. 0087, and send to Alex Marbury at the above email address. I´ll forward the comments to the author, who is the sister of the offender.
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My brother was accused of misconduct by his ex-wife in an acrimonious custody battle--AFTER the custody battle began. He was innocent but after an expensive two-year legal battle, he ran out of money and spirit. He eventually agreed to a no contest plea when the DA threatened him with a guaranteed prison sentence. He was frightened, broke, tired, vulnerable, and defeated.
My brother was scheduled to be off-paper after 10 years S.O. registration. That is, until Ohio decided to retroactively extend SO sentences to a minimum 25 years as Level IIs. He is now looking at another 15 years minimum (which in his fragile mental state may exceed his life) and now as a Level II versus a Level I. And this Level II designation is now what he must carry to a new state. In his case, for a crime he didn't even commit.
How is this legal? Had this been the no contest plea in the beginning, he would not have agreed. How can this be right? The court system told him one thing and then said, "No, we lied." And that's okay?
We don't brand drunk drivers, murderers, assault with injury, thieves...no one EXCEPT 'sex offenders' like this.
It smacks of everything this country wasn't founded on and every dark period we've ever experienced. We don't even tell murderers that we think they need another 15 years...¨just because.¨ It's misguided zealotry, hysteria, and madness. It's not right.
I'm not a bleeding heart. I have strong feelings about predators of any type and rapists and serial offenders. I also believe in punishment. I'm not even anti-registration. But there needs to be shades of gray and legal due diligence and sentencing that is fair and finite. This current trend is anything but that. It's plain scary, bad law.
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How Many Are We? Change these laws NOW!
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By Chris and Linda <rsolnc@gmail.com>
Posted on 04.12.2008
Link to this blog entry: [086] |
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These are two comments from NC contacts about the fact that in Georgia and some other states, ¨sex offenders¨ cannot attend college. Chris, the second commenter, makes the point that we need change NOW - in 2009, so people like himself and his family can begin to live their lives again!
TO COMMENT, refer to Blog No. 086, and send to Chris and Linda at the above email address
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That is TOTALLY ridiculous! what is happening to the USA? restrictions of all sorts are flooding in (nc had some new ones that went into effect 12/2 but nothing that drastic) and in the end all SOs are going to be restricted to the point that they would have it easier being in prison!
What's happening here that i notice is that the "laws" are being interpreted incorrectly. For example: our local sheriff's office says that the law saying you cannot be within 300 feet of a place meant for minors means you cannot even DRIVE BY IT. Now, come on! If the ice skating rink is in the mall and you have to drive by the mall to get to wherever you are going they are saying you cannot drive by the mall! ha! asinine, yes?
They are also saying that the new law that states a Sexual Offender cannot be on any internet site that is strictly designed for minors means ANYTHING ON THE INTERNET.
It is WHO interprets the law we need to fear: be really really afraid of the local police/sheriff who does that interpretation! i am just now analyzing the new NC laws; i got the letter about 6 weeks ago from my son and it looked like to me nothing too major UNTIL the newspaper/media get ahold of it and splashed their own opinions of said new laws!
Maybe not all think like we do, but no education? how do they (the gov't) expect lives to be changed, made better, etc. without the access to education? i would definitely say that is an issue to FIGHT!
Linda
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These lawmakers ruling from their high towers believe their actions to be a game where the sub-human S.O.'s are the pawns. They try to see who can most offend the offenders. It's preposterous, unconstitutional, and I'm pissed.
Viva la Revolution whatever that equates to.
I don't have time for these "baby steps" as my 3 children grow older and become less interested in holding their dad's hand as we walk to the park to play on the swings. The heart-wrenching truth you all know is I can't take my kids to the park! It's a heinous crime according to these well-concocted laws. Preventing me from being a father is the sickest form of punishment that one could ever bestow upon me.
How many of us are there? What does it take to pull off a singular, overarching legal action against these laws as a whole so we can live again? I'm not talking about 5, 3, or even 2 years from now. I'm talking 2009. I'm through being robbed of my children's youth. Who do these lawmakers believe they are to be able to keep it from me? We need a heavy hitter. |
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Flabergasted by S.O. Laws Lack of Integrity
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By Marian Cab uto <mcabuto@yahoo.com>
Posted on 30.11.2008
Link to this blog entry: [085] |
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Comments should refer to Blog No. 0085 and be sent to the above, with a copy to alexm60@fastmail.fm
--------------------------------
I am flabbergasted at the lack of integrity within our Federal Justice System concerning sex offender laws. Putting violent offenders in the same category as non violent offenders who would never and have never harmed a child makes my stomach turn. My stomach also turns at my finding that the system deems non violent offenders who chatted on the internet and never touched anyone a violent offender so they could instill fear in our society to get Federal Funding.
My brother was taken to prison shortly after graduating with a degree in Psychology and was Cum Laude academically at the top of his class. He gave to the community and was an inspiring person to know. He has a heart of gold and would never harm a child. He never touched anyone inappropriately, nor would he ever. He was in a chat room sting and in the printed up chat was asked if he would ever meet anyone underage and he said NO.
The fact that inappropriate material is even available on the internet disgusts me and my research shows me that, the availability of that is corrupt as well. Many are entrapped and fear is instilled in them that they must plea bargain with the government or they will get even more time. Right now, these deemed sex offenders (who are not) are being punished, but in the big picture, it is society who is being punished and we must reform these laws. In my brother's case, prosecution did all they could to convict a non violent, non threat to society young man who was an outstanding citizen with goals to greatly contribute to society.
While I don't agree with him even going to prison, I could have maybe accepted such a sentence for his non violent mistake of viewing underage photos I believe he was coerced to view (not taking these type of pictures, but viewing what someone sent him on the internet),however, my eyes have been open to a lot of corruption and I am not so sure, I would even accept a prison sentence. I do not condone viewing such images, but circumstances on the internet for young men MUST be regulated and have warnings. But Sex offender for life for solely viewing pictures and having no other prior record or signs of being a predator is mind boggling to me.
The other very disheartening issue is that the "hands on" sex offenders get a slap on the wrist in comparison to all of these non violent supposed sex offenders they are giving years of prison time to as well as the life sentence of sex offender for life. This site has allowed me to hear the stories of other family members who have endured such wrong doing by our justice system. I hope and pray we can reform these laws.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Sister, American Citizen and Human Rights Activist
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You Might Be a Sex Offender, If...
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By Derek Logue <derek@oncefallen.com>
Posted on 27.11.2008
Link to this blog entry: [084] |
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NOTE: This copyrighted article appears on the creative website, oncefallen.com, which we hope soon to link to RSOL. Comments should be sent to Derek, the webmaster of that site, as well as to alexm60@fastmail.fm. Please contact Derek and check out his website.
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You Might Be a Sex Offender If…
Derek “The Fallen One” Logue
November 11, 2008 -- Last Update Nov. 25, 2008
NOTE: IF YOU HAVE A STORY TO ADD TO THIS LIST PLEASE EMAIL ME THE LINK TO THE NEWS
ARTICLE: derek@oncefallen.com [PS: Please read some of the articles, especially those featured on my front page announcements]
One of the prevailing myths in society is that everyone on registries are all violent rapists or pedophiles. However, landing on a sex offender registry (or even the prospect of landing on the registry) is a very real threat. Over the years, I have collected some very outlandish cases which have either landed someone on
the registry or have at least made them potentially subject to placement on the registry. Some are sad, some are ludicrous, others leave you questioning the laws. However, it is important to keep in mind how easily one can be caught up in the registries. Think about that next time you look at a sex offender registry.
Thus, in the tradition of another popular comedy skit, I present to you the following cases as “You might be a sex offender if…:” [Laugh Track NOT Included]
-You might be a sex offender if… you ever paid for a prostitute in New York [unless, of course, your name is New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer]
http://www.criminaljustice.state.ny.us/nsor/sortab1.htm -- Penal Code 230.4-6
-You might be a sex offender if… you use a stolen credit card to hire a stripper in New York
http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/ethicalesq/2007/12/13/was-legal-news-1/
-You might be a sex offender if… You had sex with a teenager while you were a teen yourself [unless you happen to be Mark Lunsford's son] www.rickyslife.com
http://sadlynormal.wordpress.com/2006/12/06/ut-teen-both-a-perpetrator-and-victim-of-sex-offense-presents-legal-puzzle/ (Pamela Mason, “Utah teen both a perpetrator and victim presents legal puzzle.” Salt Lake City Tribune, Dec. 12, 2006)
-You might be a sex offender if… you ever got drunk at a party and videotaped yourself having sex with your teenage girlfriend
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10972703
-You might be a sex offender if… you have ever given your kids too much information when giving “the birds and the bees” speech
http://www.courttv.com/news/2007/1112/smalley_ctv.html (Mallory Simon, “Woman prosecuted for giving her children too much information about sex.” Court TV, November 12, 2007)
-You might be a sex offender if… a topless woman has ever talked you into "unwrapping your whopper" in a public park
http://current.com/items/88801861_cops_use_topless_woman_to_lure_men_in_police_sting (original story taken down: Marcus Baram, “Topless Woman Lured Perverts in Sex Sting.” ABC News.com)
-You might be a sex offender if… anyone has ever accused you of a sex crime in Ohio -- thanks to a “civil” registry, you don’t even need a criminal conviction, only a civil conviction [like O.J.]
http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/109:5-4 - Ohio Chapter 109:5-4
-You might be a sex offender if… you ever participated in “slap butt day” in school
http://www.590klbj.com/JeffWard/Story.aspx?ID=71743
-You might be a sex offender if… you allow your teenage daughter to have sex or don’t do enough to stop her from getting knocked up
http://sexoffenderissues.blogspot.com/2007/11/ga-editorial-registry-without-reason.html
-You might be a sex offender if… you touched the knees of another man over 60 years ago
http://www.reason.com/news/show/30272.html
-You might be a sex offender if… you have ever taken a picture of your child playing in the bathtub, or if you have bathed a baby in your tub
http://archive.salon.com/mwt/feature/2000/01/31/kincaid/index.html (James Kinkaid, “Is this child pornography?” salon.com, Jan. 30, 2000)
-You might be a sex offender if… you’ve ever simulated sex on the sidewalk
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/south_of_scotland/7079288.stm (“Man simulated sex act on pavement,” BBC News, Nov. 5, 2007)
-You might be a sex offender if… you had sex with a picnic table (note: why was the person who videotaped this person NOT charged with creating obscene material? Hm...)
http://www.nbc24.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=150083
-You might be a sex offender if… you are a teen and you take pictures of yourself and send it to other teens
http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/story?id=5995084&page=1 : Scott Michaels, “Teen Charged With Sending Nude Pics of Herself.” ABC News, Oct. 10, 2008
http://sexoffenderresearch.blogspot.com/search/label/Sexting
-You might be a sex offender if... you have ever chatted with a teen online, even if you never planned to meet them [unless, of course, you're a senator and/or John Walsh's friend]
www.changingthelaw.com
-You might be a sex offender if... you have oral sex with an intoxicated partner
www.meganslaw.ca.gov/registration/offenses.aspx?lang=ENGLISH -- California Code 288A (I)
-You might be sex offender if... you look at a child too long in Maine
http://www.seacoastonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080406/NEWS/804060343/-
1/NEWS01 -- Maine's "Visual Sexual Aggression" law
-You might be a sex offender if... you are caught urinating in public multiple times [courtesy of a blogger at Reddit]
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/14238442/detail.html
-You might be a sex offender if... you grab the arm of a 14 year old girl to chastise her for stepping in front of your moving car (assist to Ian for this gem)
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45104
-You might be a sex offender if... you flirt with a girl in Egypt
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24684272-912,00.html?from=public_rs
-You might be a sex offender if... you had sex with a bicycle, bringing new meaning to the brand name "HUFFY" [thanks to Colin for the link]
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/10/26/bike_incident/ or
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7098116.stm
-You might be a sex offender if... you are a school teacher at a school that forgot to pay for anti-virus software [ironically enough, she'd have faced less time for sleeping with one of her students]
http://blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/11/proof-porn-pop.html?cid=140574368#comment-
140574368
----The Following is not an actual case, but the author poses a REALLY good point here:
-You might be CONFUSED FOR a sex offender if... you leave your lights off and don't pass out candy at Halloween!
http://freestudents.blogspot.com/2008/10/we-are-all-sex-offenders-now-happy.html -- One can’t ignore the damn holiday without possibly getting accused of being an offender. For years I’ve safely ignored the holiday. Now, what will the neighbors think? Will they assume
that the light is off because a sex offender lives here?
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No Registries for ANY Class of People!
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By anonymous <alexm60@fastmail.fm>
Posted on 24.11.2008
Link to this blog entry: [083] |
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Comments to this blog, specify the blog entry no. 0083, and send to Alex Marbury at the above email. I´ll forward to the person who wrote it.
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I will not sugar coat my offense, or deny that it occurred, but I will say this, a one time lapse in judgement on my part with a promiscuous teenage girl does not make me a danger to society or some kind of monster, it makes me human and subject to all our frailties and indiscretions.
After reading yet another story of a sex offender professing his innocence and complaining that he shouldn't have to register because he is not as bad as other sex offenders - this is about all I can take at this point!
I am seriously considering giving up my efforts to help abolish these draconian laws, and make my hasty exit from this country. I
have been considering this option for some time now, but thought I would stay and help to put out the fire. Well, as I see it, the fire is fear, and it is out of control, and the building it is consuming is our liberty, and at this point I believe it to be a lost cause unless we all stand together to abolish any type of registration, for any class of people.
Without a united stand, I see no real future for myself in this country, and I strongly encourage others to follow my lead. It is only a matter of time before they come and drag us all off to special camps, innocent or not.
I am amazed at how history repeats itself. I won't be a victim of another holocaust! Will you?
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Turn the Tables: Register Politicians!
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By anonymous <alexm60@fastmail.fm>
Posted on 19.11.2008
Link to this blog entry: [082] |
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Refer in your comment to Blog No. 0082, and send to Alex Marbury at the above email, and I´ll forward it to the person who sent it in.
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TURN THE TABLES ON THE POLITICIANS!
In my opinion, perhaps it is time to turn the tables! How about a registry related to so called politicians?
I'm sure they would love to see their name splashed all over hell´s half acre. Why, well let it be for or against the laws that decimate our kids by means of the so called sex laws. This site could detail what this or that politician is doing or has done good or bad. The site would allow and provide electors information that could determine if one votes for this or that person.
In my opinion it is time to use their tactics to inform others of just how "great: they are.
The registry could be set up...not by law, but rather by people with an interest in ensuring our laws are indeed there to help protect our kids. I'm appalled that even streaking people have been targeted! In our day we just laughed and wrote the matter off... Today we have politicians and so called well intentioned lawyers bent on one thing: to tarnish whomever they can, and at the same time pocket monies by ensuring that someone has to pay a lawyer to defend them. List DA's on the registry too! We have to ensure ourselves they are doing their job! Numbers play the game.. Number of convictions, number of charges... Something to impress us and let us assume they are doing the job they were elected to do.
It´s time, in my opinion, to play their game: expose them and allow others to see its just a farce with good bucks. It has little or nothing to do with ensuring the safety of the public. It´s rather to protect their phoney-baloney jobs! |
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FIGHTING THE FEAR FACTOR
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By anonymous <alexm60@fastmail.fm>
Posted on 17.11.2008
Link to this blog entry: [081] |
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Refer to Blog No. 0081 in your comments, and send to Alex at the above email address. I´ll send them on to the person who wrote this blog.
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FIGHTING THE FEAR FACTOR
What we have discovered is that our media and government, especially local sheriffs etc, have put that FEAR syndrome in people. Basically, people fear the "unknown." I cannot tell you how many times I have discussed in a general conversation about this topic only to have changed peoples' thinking.
It normally happens like this:
person 1: wow! it's about time they put up this sign at the park that says that sex offenders are not legally allowed here. guess that's a GOOD thing. i don't want MY kids being messed with!
person 2 (me): Oh? what exactly is a sex offender in your mind?
person 1: i don't know. it's someone who messes with young children. they should all be kept in prison. (some even tell me they should be castrated or killed!)
person 2 (me): what about murderers? are you ok with them being in the park?
person 1: LONG PAUSE: hmmmm, well, NO NOT REALLY! (another long pause)
person 2 (me): so why is it ok to ban the sex offender?
person 1: because they hurt children.
person 2 (me): don't murderers hurt children and adults? do we need to ban the park from everyone who has ever been arrested? do you know that there are degrees of EVERY crime. sometimes a sex offender is simply someone at a computer who has never met, talked with or hurt a child.
person 1: OH! well in that case maybe they can limit the park to just those who hurt kids? i didn't know there were levels.
the conversation usually continues on but it is SO easy to show someone what they failed to see before or were told NOT to see it due to the FEAR FACTOR. (they are not so blind as they who will not see?) we don't need to get on a defensive road or we look like fools. if we talk softly and carry a big stick..... |
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Familes & Employers Learn to Respect upfront offenders
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By anonymous <alexm60@fastmail.fm>
Posted on 17.11.2008
Link to this blog entry: [080] |
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Comments to this blog should refer to blog no. 0080 and be sent to Alex Marbury at the above email address.
Thinking of several recent letters from you let me address the family reaction: I have been helping an old friend who became a registered sex offender thanks to a hateful wife who made accusations. He spent 6 years in prison and I put him in my rental house, gave him an old truck and then found him another place to stay when I had to sell the house. My four adult kids reacted over the phone with things like: Mother are you crazy? Don't bring him around us. Maybe we should have you committed. etc. After two years they have modified their reactions a bit. Only one of them has ever met him since they all live out of state.
This friend of mine went to look for a job. He saw a sign out in the front window of a veterinary clinic. He walked in, approached the owner, a middle aged woman, and almost the first thing he said was, "I am a registered sex offender." She replied, "I don't care, it doesn't matter to me." He got the job, has happily worked there for over two years, does extra work for some of the vets, etc. One day a new girl, just employed came in waving a copy of his registration around the work place. The boss fired her, told her to leave immediately. So I think if SO's are upfront about their registration, not sneaking around about it, they might be surprised that the employer would recognize an honest person they would like to employ. Worth a try. |
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Not Every S.O. is a ¨Predator¨!
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By anonymous <alexm60@fastmail.fm>
Posted on 17.11.2008
Link to this blog entry: [079] |
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RESPONSE TO 0077, Not Every S.O. a Predator!
This was sent by the brother of an rso who has seen up close how these laws are so harmful to so many who are indeed not predators at all. Please send comments to me, Alex Marbury, at the above email address and refer to Blogs 0077 and 0079.
---------------------------------------------------
Thank you so much for fighting these ridiculous restrictions
placed in low-level sex offenders. Society and our legal system has
labeled each and every one of them "Pedators". Now society thinks
every person convicted of a sex offense is a predator. I have a brother who was convicted of a sex offense (Incest), served 7 years in prison, has been out for seven years without any trouble, and each time a new law is enacted , it lessens his ability to make a living. He is retired military and a spent two tours in Viet Nam. If it wasn't for his retirement pay, he would be homeless. Society has just simpy been deceived to think every sex offender is a predator, (and seems just to) to wans to do like Htler and extinguish them off the face of the earth, using the law to take away their means of survival. Again, thank you for what you are doing.
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Media Sensationalize S.O. Hysteria to push product
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By anonymous <alexm60@fastmail.fm>
Posted on 16.11.2008
Link to this blog entry: [078] |
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Comments should refer to Blog. No. 0078 and be sent to the email address listed above.
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This is a much needed organization. I believe our media has
used sex offender sensationalization to sell their product and created an hysteria that is rolling over offenders civil rights.
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¨Don´t downplay abuse.¨
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By anonymous <alexm60@fastmail.fm>
Posted on 14.11.2008
Link to this blog entry: [077] |
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Comments about this blog should refer to Blog No. 0077 and be sent to Alex Marbury at the above email address.
NOTE: This comment came anonymously, without even an email address for us to respond to. Normally we don´t post these, but we do want to air all views. RSOL does not, however, downplay abuse of any kind, certainly not against children. Unfortunately, while the clinical definition of a ¨pedophile¨ relates to pre-pubescent children, many people have been called by that name, and charged with crimes against ´children´ whose alleged acts were with older teens - and in some cases, even those in their 20s. This is the ¨confusion¨ in a term that has come literally to be demoized.
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Don´t Downplay the Abuse:
An assault does not have to be violent to be destructive. No-one is confused about pedophilia. Pedophiles molest children. How "gently" they do it does not change the horror and emotional trauma they cause. These people didn't accidentally sneeze on someone, they molested children, quite often children who trusted them.
Do they need treatment? Yes. Should children be protected from them? Absolutely. Don't downplay the abuse. |
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Texas Voices Radio - tune in!
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By Mary Sue Molnar <marysueintx@yahoo.com>
Posted on 12.11.2008
Link to this blog entry: [076] |
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NOTE - THIS IS AN URGENT ITEM - posted as both blog and action item.
Refer to Action Item No. 0029 or blog No. 0076 and contact Mary Sue Molnar at the above email address.
TEXAS VOICES, the Texas RSOL affiliate, has its own radio show on ¨real public radio.¨ Texas Voices, American Voices.
The 2nd program will be Nov. 15, then weekly thereafter.
You can listen online or by phone.
Listen Online:
Go to TalkShoe.com and enter in Call ID: 29561
or click on the link below:
http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=29561&cmd=tc
Listen by phone or call in with
comments:
724-444-7444 enter Call ID: 29561
Press 1# to join as guest
Look at this link for additional information:
http://tx.american-voices.us/TexasVoicesRadio.html
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Son put in ¨the hole¨ for cashing paycheck
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By anonymous <alexm60@fastmail.fm>
Posted on 12.11.2008
Link to this blog entry: [075] |
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Send comments, referring to Blog 0075, to the above email address and I will forward them to this mother and her son. Alex Marbury
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This is actually addressed to all of the members of RSOL and concerning a little article I read from Margie Furlong. Basically saying that the PO's and/or officers really don't know what they are doing sometimes.
My son is now on Work Release, but as I am sure all of you know there are so many restrictions that he has to follow to be allowed to do this. Anyway, where he is working right now, they direct deposit his pay checks directly into his checking account which he was allowed to open. He was not sure if he could even go into the bank to do anything he had to do. They do give you a form stating the things that you can and cannot do, but the form is not specific. Some of the things that he is not allowed to do, we all just take for granted. So he called his probation office and asked, "Am I allowed to go to my bank and do the transactions that I have to do?" The office response was, " Why are you calling and asking me that? My son's response, "Because I need to know what I can and cannot do". The office response was, "Yeah, go ahead and do what you have to do." End of conversation. My son took this as permission to go to the bank when he needed. How else would he get his money if his check is direct deposited? So about a week later, he went into the bank before going to work to withdraw some money for his daughter who is away at college. An off-duty officer saw him and reported him to the prison personnel.
The next day, they came and got him and put him in what the call "the hole". Not knowing what was going on, my son was very upset. I had not heard from him in four days and he always calls me at least one time per day. So I called the prison. The only thing they would tell me was that he was somewhere he was not supposed to be and that was the end of the call. So I called his lawyer and asked him if he knew anything about this. He said "no", but would check into it. His lawyer did check into what was going on and the excuse was the probation office does not like inmates writing checks. But they don't mind getting their check from my son every week for $70 so he can have the priviledge of work release. Anyway, his lawyer took it to the judge, the judge immediately over-rode their decision and he was back to work the next day. Thank God the people at his work place liked him and held his job for him. But the kicker to this is that he got a huge write up in the prison and that may affect his parole. The prison told my son that if the probation office agreed that it was a miscommunication, then the write up would be dropped. However, the person that he talked to denied even having the conversation. I have dealt with this officer personally and he, just like the majority of them act like since they wear the uniform and the badge, it makes them God.
My son is doing very well right now, but he is even afraid to stop and get gas now, wondering if the same thing won't happen. Anyway, I just wanted to share this with all of you. And also say that I am new to this group and I need any advice, any information that any of you can give me. Right now I am living in Maryland, but I will be moving to Pennsylvania within the next two months so my son will have an established place of residence when his parole comes up. I have been keeping up with all of the news, but when I get settled in PA, I will really start forming some kind of actions. Of course, that is if they don't make me give up my computer since my son will be living with me. SUCH A CROCK!!!!!!!!
Peace to you all
(name withheld - please send comments to alexm60@fastmail.fm, refer to Blog 0075)
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Thanks for signing the petition!
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By Renee Clevenger <reneeclevenger@yahoo.com>
Posted on 12.11.2008
Link to this blog entry: [074] |
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Comments should refer to Blog No. 0074 and be sent to the above email address, with a copy to alexm60@fastmail.fm
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A heartfelt letter from the RSOL Illinois state contact to those who sign our petition to reform sex offender laws. We urge you to contact her and support her brave efforts!
Thank you for signing the petition to reform sex offender laws. Thank you even more for writing to me about your feelings. I do not want these to be simply a website for statistics. I have never changed a law before but that is my intent. I want to be instrumental in changing these unfair, unconstitutional laws in the entire country, not just my state. My family is going through hell because of the blanket laws we are under. That was my first motivation behind this. My husband is on the sex offender registry serving a sentance for a crime he never committed. Once I started researching the laws and found out how much damage was being done to people all over the country I knew God was calling me to help more than just my family. I do not know exactly how this will get done or when but I will promise you that each signature will be seen by every person who holds office that will agree look at it. If you want to discuss this further you can contact me at this email address.
With Much Hope,
Renee |
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Sex Offenders & Libraries in N.M.
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By alice <Madalleyreport@aol.com>
Posted on 12.11.2008
Link to this blog entry: [073] |
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Comments to the email address above, refer to Blog no. 0073, and send a copy to alexm60@fastmail.fm
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Letter to the editor, Albuquerque Journal, Nov. 11, 2008
from Alice, the RSOL New Mexico state contact! Good going, Alice!
DON'T BRAND SEX OFFENDERS
I commend the ACLU for going to bat on the issue of sex offenders in our libraries... I know sex offenders who had one offense 10 years ago with a child, spent 10 years in prison, and now want to get their lives back together, go to college and of course do work in a library...
A sex offense is the least repeated crime of all crimes. It is usually committed within the family or with acquaintances. There is absolutely no evidence that we are safer by listing these individuals on a registry. We should list serial pedophiles, mass killers, international drug dealers and perhaps our criminal leaning politicians who have taken millions from the public for their own enjoyment.
We have branded sex offenders in such a way that they have to be
segregated in our prisons to keep them from being brutalized. Our
current treatment of sex offenders deserves to be considered a hate
crime.
Alice (name omitted on this site, but it´s in the paper!)
Tijeras
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JUSTICE POLICY INSTITUTE REPORT
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By Mary Sue Molnar <marysueintx@yahoo.com>
Posted on 11.11.2008
Link to this blog entry: [072] |
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Please refer comments to Blog #72, and send to Mary Sue at the above email address, with copy to alexm60@fastmail.fm
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REGISTERING HARM -
JUSTICE POLICY INSTITUTE Briefing Book
This is an excellent briefing on unjust sex offender laws! We urge all RSOL folks to download and use it!
http://www.justicepolicy.org/images/upload/08-11_BRF_WalshActRegistries_JJ-PS.pdf |
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A Late Halloween Rant - We are ALL S.O.s
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By Shelley L. <shelley_led@hotmail.com>
Posted on 11.11.2008
Link to this blog entry: [071] |
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Comments should refer to Blog No. 0071, and be sent to the above email address, copies to alexm60@fastmail.fm
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Tuesday, October 28, 2008
We are all sex offenders now -- Happy Halloween.
The URL is -
http://freestudents.blogspot.com/2008/10/we-are-all-sex-offenders-now-happy.html
One can almost bet that a politician is, right this moment, concocting some new stupid piece of legislation. And he will crow if he manages to pass the new absurdity into law -- and the more absurd it is, the more likely it is that it will pass.
Consider that we are now about to enter Halloween. It is not a holiday I have ever particularly enjoyed, not even as a child. And my general response has been to ignore it. I don’t wear a costume and I don't say “trick or treat” or hand out candy treats. Maybe I’m a spoil-sport but I don’t care for the day. So I’d usually turn off the lights and curl up in front of the television and watch a good movie, or maybe a not-so-good movie.
Now I can’t. The morons who get elected to office seem intent on making it dangerous to ignore Halloween, perhaps even deadly. Let me explain how this happening.
Politicians like to solve “problems” especially where there really is no problem after all. And Halloween gives them such an opportunity. In all the years of Halloween the scare stories are more scary than the real stories. In actuality one child has been abducted while going out trick or treating. That was 35 years ago. Only one case.
But the politicians in their campaign to rile up the public about sex offenders (a label that is given out easily and for some very non-serious issues -- such as streaking, urinating at the side of the road, or sex between two teenagers) are intentionally fanning the flames of fear for their own personal profit.
In South Carolina anyone deemed a sex offender is forbidden to give out candy on Halloween and is required to turn out the porch light -- to pretend they aren’t home. In New York an “offender” is forbidden to hand out candy, answer the door, possess candy or wear a costume on Halloween.
In Missouri a judge judiciously put a halt to some of the bizarre regulations on sex offenders, such as forbidding them to engage in any Halloween activity with their own children. But they are still required to turn off the lights and pretend they aren’t home.
And that pisses me off. I’ve been turning out my porch light and pretending I’m not home for years. And I’m no sex offender, registered or otherwise. So now my problem is what do I do this year? If I turn out the lights, and don’t answer the door, is that the same thing as advertising “sex offender here!!!!”?
One can’t ignore the damn holiday without possibly getting accused of being an offender. For years I’ve safely ignored the holiday. Now, what will the neighbors think? Will they assume that the light is off because a sex offender lives here? Or will they just think an old grump who doesn’t care for being annoyed on Halloween is here? I don’t mind the old grump reputation -- I’ve earned it. But damn, that sex offender thing upsets me. The only offending thing about my sex life is that there is damn so little of it. And that doesn’t seem to bother other people much -- just me.
Ever since the witchhunt hysterias of the days of McMartin and dozens of other such fake child molestation cases I have judiciously and cautiously avoided even the appearance of any involvement with someone underage. I don’t hang around where kids hang around -- actually that would be annoying to me. I don’t think I’ve ever been alone with a kid in years. I avoid even speaking to kids I don’t know. Being male in a dangerous thing and some asshole is quite likely to make up accusations, and just the accusations alone can ruin your life. So I’ve done my best to stay away from even the appearance of something like this.
And one way I did that was just avoiding Halloween. (Quite honestly, I’ve always ignored the holiday but this was another reason for doing so, just not my original, primary reason.) Now ignoring Halloween is a sign that one is a sex offender, thanks to these laws.
The other thing I know is that with the hysteria that the politicians have been feeding it is not safe to be a sex offender. Several people assumed to be offenders have been attacked, some have been killed. A podiatrist in the UK faced continual harassment because stupid individuals confused podiatrist with pedophile. Individuals who moved into homes previously occupied by registered sex offenders found their address was still listed on-line and they were harassed and attacked by vigilantes out to protect kiddies.
So the mere whisper, or suspicion of being some sort of sex offender, is enough to cause you physical harm and all sorts of grief. Now ignoring Halloween is a sign of being a sex offender. All of this to address the “problem” of offenders attacking children on Halloween -- something that only happened once almost four decades ago. The odds that anyone is being protected by these relatively new laws is extremely small -- probably non-existent. But come Halloween, numerous states will be sending their cops out to make sure offenders have turned off their porch lights.
The majority of offenses that qualify one as a sex offender have nothing to do with children anyway. So a man, who got drunk, fondled a woman against her will, and is a sex offender, is now considered a threat to children for eternity. Come Halloween the police will be making sure he isn’t wearing a costume, doesn’t own any candy and has his porch light off -- good time to be a criminal since the cops will be occupied.
Sure, that sort of misallocation of police resources is upsetting. But what really has me pissed off is that I may have to hand out candy this year lest it be assumed that my disdain for the practice proves I’m something I’m not. Of course, this sort of bizarre absurdity can only be created when politicians get involved. In one of the Tremors sci-fi films the character Burt told two government agents: “Why don’t you guys go do what you do best. Take something simple and complicate it.” Well, that is what the politicians have done with Halloween. If I turn out my light, to have the evening to myself, I could be assumed to be a sex offender thanks to the politicians. But handing kiddies candy in the dark of night is supposedly a sign of a child molester -- hence the reason for the ban. Handing out candy is suspicious and not handing out candy is suspicious, perhaps we have reached the final outcome of this hysterical earlier than I thought -- we are all sex offenders now. |
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Too Much Finger Pointing on RSOL
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By annonymous <alexm60@fastmail.fm>
Posted on 02.11.2008
Link to this blog entry: [070] |
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A "sex offender" sends in this suggestion - he feels that those who say "pedophiles" or "predators" should be on the registry, but not "false accusations" or teens, or nonvictim cases, need to think twice. For comments, refer to Blog 0070 and send to Alex Marbury at alexm60@fastmail.fm - I'll send the comments along to the person who sent this blog.
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STOP FINGER POINTING
I've been reading many opinions on this site, and frankly I'm still surprised at the finger pointing. It seems to me that everyone has their own agenda toward their own situation. I came to this site looking for rational thinkers.
The point I'm trying to make is that as U.S. citizens we should stand up and fight against all injustice, no matter what class of people the injustice is directed. All types of registration of any persons, for any purpose is wrong!!! Look back at history and you will find, for example, how the Nazi's started their campaign against the Jews. Yes, it was fear, followed by registration. We all know where it went from there.
Sex Offender laws are good for politicians, law enforcement, judicial system and the prison guard unions. All you need to do is follow the money.
There is only one way to fight sex offender laws, and that is together, no matter what type of sex crime was committed. With every new law passed, no matter what it is for, we all lose a little more freedom. I have done my own research on crime in America, and the statistics that I have found are very easy to find and understand. DOJ crime statistics should be part of this site!
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Education: Key to Understanding & Peace of Mind
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By Sandy <sdk5460@yahoo.com>
Posted on 20.10.2008
Link to this blog entry: [069] |
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Education: Key to Understanding and Peace of Mind
by Sandy of MD RSOL
Americans crave education. Once educated, Americans are no longer victims to the scare tactics used by officials of power. It is time for Americans to be educated on the subject no one wants to talk about: `Sex Offenders.`
A colleague of mine recently had an encounter in a restaurant. The woman beside him started up a conversation concerning another man in the restaurant whom she recognized from the Sex Offender Registry. She asked a couple of questions: “I wonder what the re-offense rate of sex offenders is?” And “How many on the registry have been falsely convicted?” Long story short, when she found out the answers, she stated “I feel so stupid!” Like this woman, the facts will surprise you.
This article will attempt to answer to answers those questions and more for you. A very helpful source for answers to questions about `sex offenders` is 10 Myths and the Facts, an RSOL edited version of which can be found on the reformsexoffenderlaws.org homepage - see the Discussion Items, and click on 10 Myths for the full version.
Here is a summary of these Ten Myths About Sex Offenders
MYTH No. 1: SEX OFFENDERS WILL ALWAYS KEEP OFFENDING
Of all crimes, `sex offenders` are widely believed to have the highest level of recidivism. However, treatment professionals and criminologists have known for some time that once sex offenders are caught, only a small minority of them will commit another sex crime....Although some `pedophiles,` before they are caught, have many victims, most have a single victim in or about their own family. . In recent years social scientists and criminologists have combed through an immense accumulation of data from hundreds of studies, which have tracked tens of thousands of individual sex offenders for long periods of time, some even for decades. By 1994, 670 studies of sex offenders had been done and by the end of 2005 well over 700. Many of these studies have been systematized through a methodology called meta-analysis. The resulting data reveal that many common myths about sex offenders are simply false. We outline here some of them.
MYTH #2: "TREATMENT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE."
The public has been told for years that treatment doesn't work, that "for sex offenders nothing works," but here too a myriad of major studies indicates otherwise: (See the complete article on the Discussion page).
MYTH #3: "THE GREATEST THREAT TO OUR CHILDREN COMES FROM STRANGERS."
According to the most recent major study by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (2004), where 9,700 sex offenders were tracked, only 7% of such crimes against children were perpetrated by strangers.
(See the complete article on the Discussion Page)
MYTH #4: "BANNING SEX OFFENDERS FROM PLACES WHERE CHILDREN CONGREGATE WILL SIGNIFICANTLY PROTECT OUR CHILDREN."
To claim school yards, daycare centers and other places where children congregate need legislation or Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) geo-fence to keep sex offenders away may sound sensible, but again the facts do not fit the reality. (See discussion page)...
MYTH #5: "TOUGHER LEGISLATION IS THE ONLY SOLUTION."
In the U.S., our judges are learned and principled and render few decisions without due diligence. Very stiff punishments for child murderers are certainly called for, but punishment is just only when it is proportioned to the severity of the crime. Such judgments should remain in the courts, subject to very specific deliberations --they should not be rendered in the legislatures, where careful deliberation is impossible. (See the discussion page)....
MYTH #6: "THE ONLY WAY TO DEAL WITH THEM IS PUT THEM BEHIND BARS."
Today, with two and quarter million inmates, our country has more people in jails and prisons than it does in all our colleges and universities combined. When three-quarters of all offenders are going back to prison, just funding more prison cells isn't the answer. (See the Discussion page)....
MYTH #7: "MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES ARE EFFECTIVE AND WILL HELP PROTECT SOCIETY."
Although the public may believe that extremely stiff, mandatory minimum sentences and lock'em up strategies send a message that deters crime, history tells another story. (See Discussion page)...
MYTH #8: "SEX OFFENDER REGISTRIES ARE NECESSARY TO PROTECT SOCIETY."
Posting names, addresses and photographs on a Sex Offender Registry is not only a risk to those on the list; it can also lead to unintended, inappropriate and destructive consequences for the whole community. (See Discussion Page)...
MYTH #9: "TRACKING DEVICES ARE A PRACTICAL AND JUST MEANS FOR KEEPING SEX OFFENDERS UNDER SURVEILLANCE."
If we want fewer victims of sexual offenses, the primary goal should be to reintegrate former offenders peacefully back into society as law-abiding citizens. This cannot be done if we keep them in fear and on the run. Tracking devices that have to be worn conspicuously only make targets of the people we are trying to reintegrate into society. (See discussion page....)
MYTH #10: "THE EXPERTS SAY THAT STRONG, REPRESSIVE MEASURES ARE NECESSARY TO KEEP SEX OFFENDERS FROM RE-OFFENDING."
Below are some revealing quotes from various experts and authors who have studied sex offender legislation and treatment.
Tom Masters, Program Director, Correctional Treatment Services at Oregon State Hospital:
Unfortunately a lot of crime legislation is a function of politics and does not lead to rehabilitation or community safety.
Margaret Love, former Justice Department Pardon Attorney, writes:
Mean spirited vengeful legislation is only an incitement to vigilante injustice masquerading as a responsible public safety measure.
In the June 2006 issue of National Wildlife, Richard Law summarizes some studies on how we in America have become so overcome by fear. Here are some excerpts:
Fear is felt nearly intensely in suburban Overland Park, Kansas, as it is in urban Philadelphia. One suburban father told me, "I want to know where my kid is 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I want to know where that kid is. Which hours. Which square foot. Which telephone number. (See Discussion page)....
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(Continuation of text by Sandy)
As you can see, `sex offenders` are one of the least re-offenders. Surprising still, is the fact that it’s not strangers that we need to worry about harming our children, but someone you know and trust. Good to know around Halloween. And did you know, not even one sexual abuse has ever been committed during trick or treat.
So why are they in the news all the time? For one, all though some but not all offenses are against children. This makes it a front page story and acts as a very powerful scare tactic. A better choice for parents and for women in general would be to teach and practice safety. Why s it just during Halloween do we print, educate, and encourage safety? These are rules that should be followed every day. Women, you need to take it one step further: 1) Always lock your doors to your car, your home and even your windows. 2) Ask for an escort if you leave work or the mall at night. 3) Take self defense classes and practice until it’s a reflex. Self defense classes teach more than how to physically protect yourself, they teach you to act smart and think safe. I had myself and my daughter is self defense classes not once but twice. Once when she was 8 years old and again when she was 14. And we practiced. From the time she was a toddler, I preached safety and educated on strangers. We had a password when she was in school and we have one now even though she is 24 years old. It is what you do as a parent that makes your child safer, not what is posted on the internet, or on the doors during Halloween.
The other question to be discussed “How many sex offenders are falsely accused?”
More than you realize. According to the Innocence Project, there have been 223 post conviction DNA exonerations in the United States alone. Common causes of the wrongful convictions were: poverty, racial issues, eye witness misidentification, corrupt scientist, corrupt police, corrupt FBI agents, corrupt prosecutors or inept defense counsel. Unfortunately for many, the Innocence Project only takes on cases where DNA can be tested. There are many innocent men and women, still being punished for a crime they did not commit. Why? Because they have been told that all the evidence collected when they were convicted in the 1970’s and 1980’s had been destroyed. So until we can find a way to help these people, we will never know the true number of innocent people who are paying for crimes they did not commit.
I hope this article helps you make more educated and informed decisions in the future. I also hope it helps you to distinguish what is just a scare tactic and what is fact.
If you need more answers, you may e-mail me at sdk5460@yahoo.com.
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American ``Injustice`` system is criminal
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By Shelly <shelly_led@hotmail.com>
Posted on 15.10.2008
Link to this blog entry: [068] |
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NOTE: When we get internet site opinion pieces, we sometimes put them on as blogs. This one is quite old - 2006 - but we think it puts many of the issues about `sex offenders` into a larger criminal justice system context. The opinions are NOT those of RSOL, but we think they deserve a hearing. Let us know what YOU think. Comments should refer to Blog No. 0068 (very important, since if you don`t give us this, we won`t know what you`re commenting about!) and send to the email listed above, and a copy to alexm60@fastmail.fm
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From the Libertarian blog site, lewrockwell.com
America’s Injustice System Is Criminal
by Paul Craig Roberts
The United States has a large number of wrongfully convicted. There are many reasons for this. One is that the US has the largest percentage of its citizens imprisoned of all countries in the world, including China. One of every 32 US adults is behind bars, on probation or on parole. Given a wrongful conviction rate, the larger the percentage of citizens in jails, the greater the number of wrongfully convicted.
According to the International Center for Prison Studies at King’s College in London, the US has 700,000 more of its citizens incarcerated than China, a country with a population four to five times larger than that of the US, and 1,330,000 more people in prison than crime-ridden Russia. The US has 5% of the world’s population and 25% of the world’s prisoners. The American incarceration rate is seven times higher than that of European countries. Either America is the land of criminals, or something is seriously wrong with the criminal justice (sic) system in "the land of the free."
In the US the wrongful conviction rate is extremely high. One reason is that hardly any of the convicted have had a jury trial. No peers have heard the evidence against them and found them guilty. In the US criminal justice (sic) system, more than 95% of all felony cases are settled with a plea bargain.
Before jumping to the conclusion that an innocent person would not admit guilt, be aware of how the process works. Any defendant who stands trial faces more severe penalties if found guilty than if he agrees to a plea bargain. Prosecutors don’t like trials because they are time consuming and a lot of work. To discourage trials, prosecutors offer defendants reduced charges and lighter sentences than would result from a jury conviction. In the event a defendant insists upon his innocence, prosecutors pile on charges until the defendant’s lawyer and family convince the defendant that a jury is likely to give the prosecutor a conviction on at least one of the many charges and that the penalty will be greater than a negotiated plea.
The criminal justice (sic) system today consists of a process whereby a defendant is coerced into admitting to a crime in order to escape more severe punishment for maintaining his innocence. Many of the crimes for which people are imprisoned never occurred. They are made up crimes created by the process of negotiation to close a case.
This takes most of the work out of the system and, thereby, suits police, prosecutors, and judges to a tee. Police do not have to be careful about evidence, because they know that no more than one case out of twenty will ever be tested in the courtroom.
Prosecutors do not have to make decisions about which cases to prosecute or risk losing cases. By coercing pleas, prosecutors can prosecute every case and boast of extremely high conviction rates.
When prosecutors had to decide which cases to prosecute, they had to examine the evidence and to investigate the defendant’s side of the story. No more. The evidence seldom comes into play. In place of a determination of innocence or guilt, prosecutors negotiate with lawyers the crimes to which a defendant will enter a plea.
Prosecutors have lost sight of innocence and guilt. What we have today is a conveyor belt that convicts almost everyone who is charged. Every defense attorney knows that today prosecutors can purchase testimony against a defendant by paying a "witness" with money, dropped charges, or reduced time to testify against the defendant. Many prosecutors become highly annoyed at any disruption of the plea bargain conviction process. A defendant that incurs the prosecutor’s ire is certain to be framed on far more serious charges than a negotiated plea.
Going to trial is no guarantee that an innocent person will be acquitted. Prosecutors routinely withhold exculpatory evidence and suborn perjury. Generally, jurors trust prosecutors and are unaware of their inventory of dirty tricks. Few jurors can tell the difference between bogus evidence and real evidence. For example, psychologists and criminologists have established beyond all doubt that eye-witnesses are wrong 50% of the time. Yet, jurors usually believe eye-witnesses unless they think the witness has it in for the defendant and is lying.
Prosecutors – and there are still a few – who are meticulous about their cases and fair to defendants show poor results compared to the high convictions attained by prosecutors who run plea bargain mills and frame-up factories. Today’s criminal justice (sic) system is results orientated, not justice orientated.
In the past judges could give light sentences to people they believed had been wrongfully convicted. But "law and order conservatives" have taken sentencing discretion away from judges. Today prosecutors hold all the cards.
Many conservatives believe that prisons are full of hardened criminals who liberal judges are determined to release to prey upon society. In truth, the largest percentage of prisoners are drug users who are victims of the conservatives’ "war on drugs." Drug offenses account for 49 percent of federal prison population growth between 1995 and 2003. Many of these prisoners are mothers arrested for drug use. The greatest victims of the drug laws are the children whose mothers are incarcerated.
As females become sexually active at younger and younger ages, state legislatures have stupidly raised the age at which it is legal to engage in sexual activity. Today, a significant percentage of new prisoners are young men imprisoned for engaging in sexual activity with teenage girls. In the US, criminal justice (sic) has more to do with ruining people than with punishing criminals.
I have written often about wrongful convictions. We know that wrongful conviction is a serious problem when the advent of DNA evidence has led to the release of a significant number of innocent people who were convicted of murderer and rape, and when a number of law schools feel that it is necessary for them to operate innocence projects that work for the release of the wrongfully convicted.
Prosecutors are like President Bush. They absolutely refuse to admit that they ever make a mistake and have to be forced to disgorge their innocent victims. Nothing makes a prosecutor more angry than to have to give back a wrongfully convicted person’s life.
Lt. William Strong and Christophe Gaynor are two of the hundreds of thousands of wrongfully convicted Americans whose lives have been ruined by an irresponsible and corrupt criminal justice (sic) system.
In Virginia, Lt. William Strong, the son of a military family, grew tired of his wife’s unfaithfulness and filed for divorce. The unfaithful wife retaliated by accusing Strong of marital rape. Neither police nor prosecutor investigated the charge. Instead, they proceeded to set Strong up for plea conviction. The arresting officer recommended Strong’s attorney, an incompetent who owed his cases to the police.
Strong insisted on a trial, but the arresting officer and attorney convinced Strong’s parents that with a plea their son would be out in a year. No one told Strong or his parents the implications of a plea, and Virginia Judge Westbrook Parker, playing to feminist voters, gave Strong a life sentence of 60 years.
The case has many unsavory appearances. If reports are true, the arresting officer paid numerous visits to Strong’s unfaithful wife, as did Strong’s attorney, and the arresting officer ended up separating from his wife and leaving the police force.
The perk kit exists and Strong could be given a DNA test, but Virginia refuses on the grounds that Strong admitted his guilt. Strong says the semen, if any, is that of the wife’s boyfriend.
Strong has been in prison for 15 years on the basis of zero evidence. He is in prison because he and his parents trusted the police officer and the criminal justice (sic) system.
Another Virginia case is that of Christophe Gaynor. Gaynor was the coach of an adolescent skate board team, which he took to New York City for a competition. One of the adolescents expressed his intention to buy drugs. Gaynor forbade it and threatened to report the boy to his parents.
The irresponsible kid retaliated by accusing Gaynor of sex abuse. There was no evidence. There was no investigation. Gaynor had never displayed any homosexual tendencies. The entire team knew the accusation was false. Gaynor went to trial. He was framed by the prosecutor with the help of the judge, who intimidated Gaynor’s witnesses by incarcerating one of the kids overnight without cause. Gaynor was sentenced to 32 years with no possibility of parole on the basis of no evidence, just an unproven accusation. His trial was full of irregularities, and the same judge who sentenced him denied Gaynor a new trial.
Ten years later, this past summer Noah J. Seidenberg, who brought the unproven accusation against Gaynor, died apparently of drug overdose at the age of 24 years.
There is no institution in America that is a greater failure than the criminal justice (sic) system. The system can do nothing but fail, because the search for truth and justice plays no part in the system. The prosecutor’s career depends on his conviction rate, not on discovering the guilt or innocence of the accused.
Virginia’s governor could pardon Strong and Gaynor. But feminists and "child advocates" would scream and yell, as would prosecutors and "law and order conservatives." Nothing matters to these groups but their own single-issue, and justice is not part of it. In America justice cannot be done unless a governor is prepared to sacrifice his own political career in the interest of justice.
What kind of people are we when we exercise no oversight over a criminal justice (sic) system that destroys the lives of innocent people with lies?
December 12, 2006
Paul Craig Roberts wrote the Kemp-Roth bill and was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in the Reagan administration. He was Associate Editor of the Wall Street Journal editorial page and Contributing Editor of National Review. He is author or coauthor of eight books, including The Supply-Side Revolution (Harvard University Press).
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Republican `Sex Offender` Fetish?
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By Ken Camp <>
Posted on 14.10.2008
Link to this blog entry: [067] |
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NOTE: This blog is obviously partisan, which RSOL is not. We think that the two parties have been equally responsible for the current hysteria. But we often publish blogs not in strict agreement with the RSOL position. Comments about this blog, refer to blog No. 0067 and send to alexm60@fastmail.fm
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Republicans' sex offender fetish
by Ken Camp - NW Progressive Institute Advocate
(website - http://www.nwprogressive.org)
What is it with Republicans and sex offenders? It's getting so ridiculous that the Party (Republican Governor's Association included) is starting to look like former legislators Jim West and Richard Curtis posturing about gays. Methinks they doth protest too much.
Back in 2006, House Minority Leader Richard DeBolt sent out ridiculous mailers into various districts claiming that the incumbent Democrats in that district were lenient on sex offenders.
The postcards show a mug shot of a middle-age man with slicked-back hair. His eyes and his name are blacked out to shield his identity. The cards, shown in photocopies provided by Democrats, carry a bold headline that reads, "This violent predator lives in your community."
They also describe sex crimes supposedly committed by the person, then mention the name of a Democratic lawmaker and claim the legislator "refused to impose life sentences for violent sex predators."
The charges by the mailer were bogus, and voters summarily rejected the Republicans' claims by expanding the Democratic majority in both houses of the Legislature.
Fast forward to 2008, and the Republicans are back at it with the sex offenders. This time Governor Chris Gregoire is the victim of a scurrilous mailer by the Republican Governors' Association.
Year after year, the Republican party, particularly as seen in this mailer and the McCain-Palin campaign, plays to the lowest common denominator. It plays on hate and fear at every opportunity. In the 1980's Ronald Reagan warned us of nuclear armageddon, welfare queens and the commies. In 1988, a criminal named Willie Horton was the undoing of Massachusetts Governor Mike Dukakis' campaign. Congress under Newt Gingrich was all about family values and demonizing those that weren't like them (despite the irony that they didn't seem to have any family values). George W. Bush's administration has played on the fear of terrorism since September 11, 2001.
More locally, its a common feature of Republican legislative campaigns to introduce sex offenders and the most violent, gruesome crime into the mix, and to blame the Democrat in the race for doing nothing to stop the crime or, more disgustingly, for enabling the perpetrators.
The truth is that since becoming Governor, Chris Gregoire has strengthened laws that keep our communities safe and given more resources to law enforcement and prosecutors to keep sex offenders out of our neighborhoods. But don't take my word for it, read this letter from some prominent members of the law enforcement community.
Fear and lies. It's all the Republicans have to run on.
Posted by Ken Camp : 7:09 PM
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`Sex Offender` Laws are Insane!
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By anonymous <alexm60@fastmail.fm>
Posted on 14.10.2008
Link to this blog entry: [066] |
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Comments should refer to Blog no. 0066, and send them to alexm60@fastmail.fm - or go to the www.nolanchart.com website and leave comments there.
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Topic: Crime and Punishment
The Sex Offender Registry
by R.L. Davis
Nolanchart.com (a Libertarian website)
Oct. 9, 2008
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Why are we targeting the very people we are charged to protect?
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by RS Davis
(Libertarian)
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Our world is going absolutely insane. We've lost all sense of scope or perspective, and we've abandoned common sense and reason, seemingly content to just stay the course and push forward, oblivious to the absolute stupidity of our actions.
No, I'm not talking about the Iraq War - I'm talking about our war against sex offenders. It's gone off the deep end - it's being taken to absurd ends - and no one seems to care. We're targeting the very innocence these laws are designed to protect.
Case in point - police in Newark, Ohio picked up a fifteen year old girl last week and held her over the weekend on felony charges of child pornography and possession of criminal tools. Her crime? She took nude pictures of herself with her cell phone and sent them to friends.
They're now debating on whether to charge the children to whom she sent the photos, as well.
Not surprising in Ohio, who went fully nuts in 2006, when they passed a bill that made it so you didn't have to be even charged with a sex crime to be put on their "civil" sex offender list.
Or there's Alex Phillips, the seventeen year-old boy who, after being dumped by his sixteen year-old girlfriend, uploaded to MySpace the nude photos she had sent him. Now he's facing charges of sexual exploitation of a child. I'm surprised she wasn't also arrested for producing child pornography.
There's also the case of "Amber" and "Jeremy," a couple of Florida teens who took photos and videos of themselves engaged in sexual acts at Amber's house and then emailed them to Jeremy's computer. They have been convicted of "producing, directing or promoting a photograph featuring the sexual conduct of a child." Because they were sent to his computer, Jeremy was also convicted of possession of child pornography.
The conviction was upheld on appeal, the majority opinion stating that the "Appellant was simply too young to make an intelligent decision about engaging in sexual conduct and memorializing it."
If they were too young to make an intelligent decision, how can they then be held legally responsible for it? It's a bizarre paradox where they are too innocent to choose sex, but mature enough to choose be sex offenders. I mean, the courts didn't even release their real names, to protect them!
The dissenting judge in the case rightly pointed out the obvious, that these laws were "designed to protect children from abuse by others, but it was used in this case to punish a child for her own mistake."
This is what I'm on about. These kids are all going to be put on the sex offender registries, and their lives are never going to be the same. They will be ostracized and villified. They run the risk of having their future homes vandalized by angry neighbors. In many states, they will not be able to be within 2,500 feet of children, including their friends and siblings, not to mention the problems if they marry and have children. They may even be targets for murderers.
The definition of sex offender has been expanded to the point of being so broad, its meaningless. When you look at your local registry, you don't know if your neighbor is a child-molesting pervert, or the eighteen year-old senior that got | |