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*salutes* Laters!
Jul. 27th, 2006 06:15 pmAlright children, I'm leaving town.
I'll be back Sunday night...or whenever I feel like strollling back into town.
WARNING: this is a babbly rant inspired by a disagreement that resulted in an unfreinding:
But before I go, I'd like to go on the record (again) as being opposed to the death penalty.
And I also oppose the gov't right to make lists of citizens that anyone can access, using unclear or downright arbitraty criteria in order to placate people by pointing out where the "bad people" are--be they communists, pot smokers, enemy radicals, or "sex offenders."
Over 90% of children in this country who are molested, beaten, kidnapped or murdered are victims of their own parents and less than half of those parents do any jail time. Where're the laws to protect children from their own parents?
Almost nowhere, because people don't have a panicky, knee-jerk reaction to abusers that they have for pedophiles. And while pedophilia is abhorent, it almost never results in death.
But in the end, the government should NOT get to kill people even if their mental illness makes people really, really, really, really uncomfortable. If they commit a crime, by all means, they should go to prison. And they should have counseling. And they should have lifetime parole so they don't hurt anyone. But they should not be at the mercy of everyone they meet for the rest of their lives--which is the end result of such lists.
And just to be clear, just because I don't think pedophiles should be put to death doesn't mean I'm pro-sex-with-children. Not sure why I have to say that, but apparently it's not clear to everyone.
I suggest that educating people, including children would help a lot. Not just that whole "good tough/bad touch" thing, but the dangers of secret keeping, finding "lost" puppies, being photographed by strangers, don't talk to strangers, etc . That would be a lot more proactive than making a bunch of lists that send people into hysteria upon finding out that there neighbor once had a younger girlfriend or peed in the park. Not that I'm making light of molestation or abuse. I'm not. People seem deluded by the idea that you're safer knowing some of the criminal history of your neighbors. If you want to know so bad, why don't you go to city hall and look it up? No matter who you are or where you live, that shit will make you want to move.
Besides, this is just another Bush smokescreen to get people fighting with eachother while gas prices climb and he treats the UN like a four-pack of Charmin. Like American Idol, I'm suprised and angered that people fall for it. I'd never watch American Idol, but I always fall for this social policy as law bullshit. ;-[
Ultimately, the responsibility for protecting children comes first from parents, then from the community, then...distantly, from the government. It's not as if you can assume people are safe because they're not on "the list." And if you're trusting the feds, or even local law enforcement to label all the bad people for you, you're kidding yourself. You'll have to rely on *gasp* instinct and common sense. Good luck.
And finally, I'm always sad when people remove me from their lists because of a disagreement. I'm always much more keen on talking that shit out. Too bad really. Funny though, because this certain someone was involved in more drama in my journal that anyone else...except Nate. ;-} Ah well...as the goth kids say: cest la vie!
Now I have to go spend the weekend on a boat. Wheeee!
I'll be back Sunday night...or whenever I feel like strollling back into town.
WARNING: this is a babbly rant inspired by a disagreement that resulted in an unfreinding:
But before I go, I'd like to go on the record (again) as being opposed to the death penalty.
And I also oppose the gov't right to make lists of citizens that anyone can access, using unclear or downright arbitraty criteria in order to placate people by pointing out where the "bad people" are--be they communists, pot smokers, enemy radicals, or "sex offenders."
Over 90% of children in this country who are molested, beaten, kidnapped or murdered are victims of their own parents and less than half of those parents do any jail time. Where're the laws to protect children from their own parents?
Almost nowhere, because people don't have a panicky, knee-jerk reaction to abusers that they have for pedophiles. And while pedophilia is abhorent, it almost never results in death.
But in the end, the government should NOT get to kill people even if their mental illness makes people really, really, really, really uncomfortable. If they commit a crime, by all means, they should go to prison. And they should have counseling. And they should have lifetime parole so they don't hurt anyone. But they should not be at the mercy of everyone they meet for the rest of their lives--which is the end result of such lists.
And just to be clear, just because I don't think pedophiles should be put to death doesn't mean I'm pro-sex-with-children. Not sure why I have to say that, but apparently it's not clear to everyone.
I suggest that educating people, including children would help a lot. Not just that whole "good tough/bad touch" thing, but the dangers of secret keeping, finding "lost" puppies, being photographed by strangers, don't talk to strangers, etc . That would be a lot more proactive than making a bunch of lists that send people into hysteria upon finding out that there neighbor once had a younger girlfriend or peed in the park. Not that I'm making light of molestation or abuse. I'm not. People seem deluded by the idea that you're safer knowing some of the criminal history of your neighbors. If you want to know so bad, why don't you go to city hall and look it up? No matter who you are or where you live, that shit will make you want to move.
Besides, this is just another Bush smokescreen to get people fighting with eachother while gas prices climb and he treats the UN like a four-pack of Charmin. Like American Idol, I'm suprised and angered that people fall for it. I'd never watch American Idol, but I always fall for this social policy as law bullshit. ;-[
Ultimately, the responsibility for protecting children comes first from parents, then from the community, then...distantly, from the government. It's not as if you can assume people are safe because they're not on "the list." And if you're trusting the feds, or even local law enforcement to label all the bad people for you, you're kidding yourself. You'll have to rely on *gasp* instinct and common sense. Good luck.
And finally, I'm always sad when people remove me from their lists because of a disagreement. I'm always much more keen on talking that shit out. Too bad really. Funny though, because this certain someone was involved in more drama in my journal that anyone else...except Nate. ;-} Ah well...as the goth kids say: cest la vie!
Now I have to go spend the weekend on a boat. Wheeee!
