03-12-2007, 12:17 PM
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pixie of the wood
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,575
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i'm having trouble with the whole scarlet letter vibe, too. it seems that there are stricter laws in some cases/places where conviction laws are less clear. i do see the logic and can sympathize with the law’s advocates - it’s proven that certain sexual predators have a high rate of recidivism - but i can’t justify making all offenders comply. there’s the reasons pointed out by DB and PF, plus the liberties it takes with some basic constitutional rights, but also because i think the stakes are escalating. i remember the thing about the bracelets, and i thought at the time that bracelets seemed benign enough, but now we’ve got license plates and i saw a news program highlighting a proposed plan to ban sex offenders from coming within 300 feet of schools, and playgounds, yes, but also bus stops and libraries and many other places kids congregate.
i don’t know how megan’s law has been interpreted by any states - i don’t even understand my own state’s laws - but i do know that there are sexual offenders in our community and the communities we visit alot, i know what they’ve been convicted of and where they live, that many of them live near schools, that i will do my best to help educate my kids - and any other kid who gives me the chance - about how not to be a victim, but i can’t stomach the government failing its duties by tagging a criminal so dangerous it needs to be tagged - essentially leaving up to me a job that our government has sworn to do. the answer isn’t bracelets or plates or house arrest, time needs to be spent crafting better laws and punishments.
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