Full Version: No Halloween for Sex Offenders
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&...sex_offenders_1
Recently, the State of Tennessee says that ALL sex offenders are not allowed to celebrate Halloween, even if the sex offender did not touch any child. It's reasonable for the states to prohibit sex offenders from celebrating the holiday with children. But I think Tennessee is going too far by prohibiting sex offenders from wearing costumes and celebrating the holiday with other adults.
I think this is a symptom of a deeper problem in American culture. We have become so paronoid about protecting children that we pass all these strict laws to keep sex offenders away from them but we don't address the root cause of these crimes and ask why sex offenders feel the desire to molest children. Its a problem that seriously needs to be addressed just like the drug abuse epidemic in America. America needs to do something about those problems besides building more jails and setting up an Orwellian survelliance system on people.
So the question for debate is
Are the states being fair in not allowing sex offenders to celebrate Halloween at all?
Is America being tough enough on sex offenders or has America become too paranoid about them?
Recently, the State of Tennessee says that ALL sex offenders are not allowed to celebrate Halloween, even if the sex offender did not touch any child. It's reasonable for the states to prohibit sex offenders from celebrating the holiday with children. But I think Tennessee is going too far by prohibiting sex offenders from wearing costumes and celebrating the holiday with other adults.
I think this is a symptom of a deeper problem in American culture. We have become so paronoid about protecting children that we pass all these strict laws to keep sex offenders away from them but we don't address the root cause of these crimes and ask why sex offenders feel the desire to molest children. Its a problem that seriously needs to be addressed just like the drug abuse epidemic in America. America needs to do something about those problems besides building more jails and setting up an Orwellian survelliance system on people.
So the question for debate is
Are the states being fair in not allowing sex offenders to celebrate Halloween at all?
Is America being tough enough on sex offenders or has America become too paranoid about them?
Are the states being fair in not allowing sex offenders to celebrate Halloween at all?
In this case, the legislation only applies to those on probation or parole. Technically, they are still serving their sentence, so unless this can be construed as cruel or unusual, I think it's fair enough.
Is America being tough enough on sex offenders or has America become too paranoid about them?
I think we are tough enough, but we are certainly not effective enough. Like addiction, sex crimes tend to be more a health issue than a legal issue. As you suggested, we are addressing the symptom, not the cause. As to the second part of your question, of course we are too paranoid about sex crimes. We're Americans - we're too paranoid about everything. We are quite possibly the most fearful, deluded, and superstitious people who have ever walked the face of the earth.
In this case, the legislation only applies to those on probation or parole. Technically, they are still serving their sentence, so unless this can be construed as cruel or unusual, I think it's fair enough.
Is America being tough enough on sex offenders or has America become too paranoid about them?
I think we are tough enough, but we are certainly not effective enough. Like addiction, sex crimes tend to be more a health issue than a legal issue. As you suggested, we are addressing the symptom, not the cause. As to the second part of your question, of course we are too paranoid about sex crimes. We're Americans - we're too paranoid about everything. We are quite possibly the most fearful, deluded, and superstitious people who have ever walked the face of the earth.
Are the states being fair in not allowing sex offenders to celebrate Halloween at all?
Well, this is a tough question- you see, it didn't specify WHICH sex offenders- just all. Now- the problem with that is what is being called a "sex offender" these days is REALLY hurting the real fight against REAL sex offenders. Too frequently- a person that had consensual sex, such as a nineteen having sex with a 16 year old, is a sex offender, while the true "chester" is being held as the same class of sex offender status. Not good. It should apply to predators, and we use too many resources on minor stuff when we need to go after the major offenders. So, if it were all sex offenders that had sex with pre-pubescent kids, and all the predatory serial rapists and what not, I am all for it. We are so schizzo when it comes to sex in this country. For example- if a 15 year old girl, in the company of a 21 year old man, were to rob a bank, she would be charged as an adult (and I agree with that), but, if she has sex with that 21 year old, and nothing else- she is a child- huh? Either she can make adult decisions or she can't- having it both ways isn't justice either.
Is America being tough enough on sex offenders or has America become too paranoid about them?
Nope, not near tough enough on the predatory pedophiles and seriel rapists. Certainly too easy on the predatory female pedophiles. I believe in 2 strikes and your out on this one. One strike for multiple cases if only caught and charged once, when there are multiple victims. And then, the death penalty- not prison. I also don't mind them being used to be expirmented on medically against thier wishes. Maybe brain surgery while they are still alive to see why they do what they do- if they are hard wired this way- of if it is bad software.
Pedophiles certainly need not be treated equal to human beings, and not near as humanely as lab animals.
Well, this is a tough question- you see, it didn't specify WHICH sex offenders- just all. Now- the problem with that is what is being called a "sex offender" these days is REALLY hurting the real fight against REAL sex offenders. Too frequently- a person that had consensual sex, such as a nineteen having sex with a 16 year old, is a sex offender, while the true "chester" is being held as the same class of sex offender status. Not good. It should apply to predators, and we use too many resources on minor stuff when we need to go after the major offenders. So, if it were all sex offenders that had sex with pre-pubescent kids, and all the predatory serial rapists and what not, I am all for it. We are so schizzo when it comes to sex in this country. For example- if a 15 year old girl, in the company of a 21 year old man, were to rob a bank, she would be charged as an adult (and I agree with that), but, if she has sex with that 21 year old, and nothing else- she is a child- huh? Either she can make adult decisions or she can't- having it both ways isn't justice either.
Is America being tough enough on sex offenders or has America become too paranoid about them?
Nope, not near tough enough on the predatory pedophiles and seriel rapists. Certainly too easy on the predatory female pedophiles. I believe in 2 strikes and your out on this one. One strike for multiple cases if only caught and charged once, when there are multiple victims. And then, the death penalty- not prison. I also don't mind them being used to be expirmented on medically against thier wishes. Maybe brain surgery while they are still alive to see why they do what they do- if they are hard wired this way- of if it is bad software.
Pedophiles certainly need not be treated equal to human beings, and not near as humanely as lab animals.
[quote]Are the states being fair in not allowing sex offenders to celebrate Halloween at all?[/quote]
On the surface, it might appear to be over the top, but it's a provision that is very common sense oriented. This is one holiday where a sex offender's "triggers" can be highly increased. On top of that, I fail to see where in the constitution a duly convicted person has the right to celebrate a holiday.
Is America being tough enough on sex offenders or has America become too paranoid about them?
[/quote]
Considering that places like Vietnam use the firing squad, I'd say that offenders would prefer to be punished here than over in Ho Chi Minh City.
On the surface, it might appear to be over the top, but it's a provision that is very common sense oriented. This is one holiday where a sex offender's "triggers" can be highly increased. On top of that, I fail to see where in the constitution a duly convicted person has the right to celebrate a holiday.
Is America being tough enough on sex offenders or has America become too paranoid about them?
[/quote]
Considering that places like Vietnam use the firing squad, I'd say that offenders would prefer to be punished here than over in Ho Chi Minh City.
QUOTE(Wertz @ Oct 28 2006, 12:01 PM) 
Are the states being fair in not allowing sex offenders to celebrate Halloween at all?
In this case, the legislation only applies to those on probation or parole. Technically, they are still serving their sentence, so unless this can be construed as cruel or unusual, I think it's fair enough.
Is America being tough enough on sex offenders or has America become too paranoid about them?
I think we are tough enough, but we are certainly not effective enough. Like addiction, sex crimes tend to be more a health issue than a legal issue. As you suggested, we are addressing the symptom, not the cause. As to the second part of your question, of course we are too paranoid about sex crimes. We're Americans - we're too paranoid about everything. We are quite possibly the most fearful, deluded, and superstitious people who have ever walked the face of the earth.
Could you provide a source that supports this perception? From what I've read and heard, there has been little to moderate success treating sex offenders, and pedophiles seem the least treatable.
In this case, the legislation only applies to those on probation or parole. Technically, they are still serving their sentence, so unless this can be construed as cruel or unusual, I think it's fair enough.
Is America being tough enough on sex offenders or has America become too paranoid about them?
I think we are tough enough, but we are certainly not effective enough. Like addiction, sex crimes tend to be more a health issue than a legal issue. As you suggested, we are addressing the symptom, not the cause. As to the second part of your question, of course we are too paranoid about sex crimes. We're Americans - we're too paranoid about everything. We are quite possibly the most fearful, deluded, and superstitious people who have ever walked the face of the earth.
QUOTE(The Founders Intent @ Oct 29 2006, 08:04 PM)
QUOTE(Wertz @ Oct 28 2006, 12:01 PM)
I think we are tough enough, but we are certainly not effective enough. Like addiction, sex crimes tend to be more a health issue than a legal issue. As you suggested, we are addressing the symptom, not the cause. As to the second part of your question, of course we are too paranoid about sex crimes. We're Americans - we're too paranoid about everything. We are quite possibly the most fearful, deluded, and superstitious people who have ever walked the face of the earth.
Could you provide a source that supports this perception? From what I've read and heard, there has been little to moderate success treating sex offenders, and pedophiles seem the least treatable.
If it's the perception that you bolded, no I can't - at least, not without turning this (at least in part) into a religious debate. I was generalizing about the American character as it has evolved (assuming, of course, that one accetps evolution as a viable concept on any level). Our history is rife with policies set by fear and delusion - and that has been amply demonstrated over the past five years. Our population has always been steeped in superstition - and that would appear to still be the case:
QUOTE
A TIME/CNN poll finds that more than one-third of Americans say they are paying more attention now to how the news might relate to the end of the world, and have talked about what the Bible has to say on the subject. Fully 59% say they believe the events in Revelation are going to come true, and nearly one-quarter think the Bible predicted the Sept. 11 attack.
If, on the other hand, you were referring to the perception that we have not been effective enough in dealing with sex offenders, your own assertion that there has been little to moderate success treating sex offenders (combined with the recidivism rate among untreated sex offenders) shoud attest to that fact. Clearly, our "catch and release" program is not working - though I would further argue that incarceration alone will never address the problem. I think we're actually more in agreement here than may seem apparent.
We had this same debate last year at Halloween.
And why is it 'pertinent or a detriment' that known sex offenders of any ilk are not allowed to participate in Halloween festivities? Its not a religious holiday, although a holdover from paganism, its just a day when there are alot of adults and kids about in disguises which has a 'potential' to be quite dangerous for the children.
While the term and reality of 'sex offense' has taken on some ridiculous disporportions in our society, I dont think the suffering for those unjustly condemned will change one iota by being banned from Halloween, however for those justly accused , we are better without them being 'allowed' to participate.
Yes, we need to adress some law and societal problems with the terms of sex offense, but until that happens, like so many unjustices, some are going to have to pay unfair dues on Halloween (puleese! so what!) for the others.
You know, Guantanamo Bay and US backed/Syrian torture flights come to mind right now as a comparison of true injustice.
And why is it 'pertinent or a detriment' that known sex offenders of any ilk are not allowed to participate in Halloween festivities? Its not a religious holiday, although a holdover from paganism, its just a day when there are alot of adults and kids about in disguises which has a 'potential' to be quite dangerous for the children.
While the term and reality of 'sex offense' has taken on some ridiculous disporportions in our society, I dont think the suffering for those unjustly condemned will change one iota by being banned from Halloween, however for those justly accused , we are better without them being 'allowed' to participate.
Yes, we need to adress some law and societal problems with the terms of sex offense, but until that happens, like so many unjustices, some are going to have to pay unfair dues on Halloween (puleese! so what!) for the others.
You know, Guantanamo Bay and US backed/Syrian torture flights come to mind right now as a comparison of true injustice.
This is a simplified version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.