This is going to be a controversial post, I know that already. But this is something I feel strongly about. I just hope I can make some sense and generate some thought and open, honest discussion about it.
As someone who has survived childhood abuse (physical, sexual, mental, you name it), I know there is a real need for laws to protect children from predators. We have many laws in place now (The Wetterling Act, Megan's Law, Jessica's Law, and The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, among others) and I expect even more will follow. I appreciate each and every one and all the states that have decided to use these laws, or variations of them to protect the children that reside within their borders.
That being said. I believe some serious changes need to be made to these laws in order to best serve everyone.
Here in Nebraska, for example, I know of a young man whose name I will not post here, 19 years old, who has to be registered as a sex offender for 15 years, his name, photo and description of his crime are available on the sex offender registry website, he cannot be on any social networks that allow members under the age of 18, and, of course, there are several other restrictions in place to keep him completely out of contact with minors, such as where he can or cannot live in proximity to schools or businesses that are child specific. His crime (first offense): At 18, he kissed a girl at school who a couple of years younger than him. It was never made clear to me whether the act was non-consensual, nor who was responsible for the charges being filed.
I understand the philosophy of "zero tolerance" and even agree with it in a lot of cases, such as pertaining to drugs, weapons in school and the like. I even agree with it as it applies to sex offenders when it's perfectly clear that the offender is at risk to repeat or is unrepentant. That wasn't the case here. And this isn't an isolated case.
California is running into a host of problems because of these laws. The most pressing is the number of people on the sex offender registry that have become homeless.
What needs to be done is to have lawmakers sit down and take a serious look at what truly constitutes a dangerous sex offender. Make clear definitions about which actions are clearly criminal and need the severest punishment and which infractions would be best handled by counseling, community service and/or jail time but doesn't necessitate sex offender registry.
The young man in question was required to go through counseling and was sentenced to probation along with the sex offender registry. Personally, I think the counseling and probation were enough. Instead, he is going to have a very difficult time of things for the next fifteen years and possibly beyond.
My hope is that lawmakers will get a clue, stop worrying about looking "soft on crime", and write some laws that make sense and benefit everyone.
Wishful thinking perhaps?
Bellingham
I typed in Bellingham into digg and came up with several posts including it being like the greenest city in the country, a guy driving into starbucks, and this awesome (but horrible) story. Kerry, did you see this? http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2008/04/industrial-cont/
Washington State
Knowing how Lisa loves bears (or is it just Pandas?) I was wondering if she ever saw this when looking at our beautiful state
Geek Alert
The Worlds Fastest Lego Mindstorms RCX Speedcubing Robot. Built entirely from lego elements now scanning and solving any 3x3x3 Rubik's cube combination in under 12 seconds.
Upset with the Left
Read the post and find me in the comments. I didn't go nuts, but I said harsh things. I know he read it because he "liked" a comment I made in a post I commented on after that one. Judging from he has posted today, he didn't take it to heart. I basically said he was becoming Glen Beck, and it sucks because I called the senator dan brown the whole time so I looked like even more of an idiot. My sentiment was correct though.
http://www.americablog.com/2010/02/scott-brown-links-guy-crashing-plain.html
http://www.americablog.com/2010/02/scott-brown-links-guy-crashing-plain.html
Unbelievable
This cat can make my blood boil.
I'm an atheist so I've appreciated Paine for quite a while. Here are some quotes of his that I love, that I think Beck should read:
"Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man. "
"All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit."
"Is it not a species of blasphemy to call the New Testament revealed religion, when we see in it such contradictions and absurdities."
"It is not a God, just and good, but a devil, under the name of God, that the Bible describes."
"That God cannot lie, is no advantage to your argument, because it is no proof that priests can not, or that the Bible does not. "
"The Vatican is a dagger in the heart of Italy. "
My favorite: "One good schoolmaster is of more use than a hundred priests."
Beck's base should be fucking outraged on so many levels. Too bad they probably think he is a guy who makes movies for black people.
I'm an atheist so I've appreciated Paine for quite a while. Here are some quotes of his that I love, that I think Beck should read:
"Belief in a cruel God makes a cruel man. "
"All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit."
"Is it not a species of blasphemy to call the New Testament revealed religion, when we see in it such contradictions and absurdities."
"It is not a God, just and good, but a devil, under the name of God, that the Bible describes."
"That God cannot lie, is no advantage to your argument, because it is no proof that priests can not, or that the Bible does not. "
"The Vatican is a dagger in the heart of Italy. "
My favorite: "One good schoolmaster is of more use than a hundred priests."
Beck's base should be fucking outraged on so many levels. Too bad they probably think he is a guy who makes movies for black people.
Lysacek took Gold
Unexpected, but I'm sure well deserved. I haven't seen it yet because NBC is an asshole corporation. Can you tell I have a problem with the lockdown of the peoples' competition? If I can find a link later I'll post it in the comments if you'd like to see it. Since it is the free skate, I'll make sure it is HD.
Do you enjoy that photo as much as I do? Go ahead, try to tell me a straight man approves that photo from a photo shoot.
Lily the Bear and Her Cub
I can't believe I hadn't already posted this. It's a wonderful site sponsored by the North American Bear Center in Ely, Minnesota. The page features Lily, a 3-year old female black bear. Lily just had her first baby about a month or so ago. There is a den live webcam and a wealth of fascinating information about black bears.
http://www.bear.org/website/
http://www.bear.org/website/
Lysacek took Silver
The Olympics have their content locked down, as expected so I can't embed the performance. The video that is posted is from the 2009 Worlds and imho is better than what he did at the Olympics. This routine was amazing, especially with the music. I wish I could find it in better quality. My favorite from this even was 3rd place a first timer Japanese guy, who's name I forgot. He skated to Jimi Hendrix and he was doing something you'd think he would do for fun at practice. He was really really good.
Suicide Manifesto of Pilot Who Crashed into Austin IRS Office
I know, I know, it’s a Faux News link but an interesting read….
“I know I’m hardly the first one to decide I have had all I can stand. It has always been a myth that people have stopped dying for their freedom in this country, and it isn’t limited to the blacks, and poor immigrants. I know there have been countless before me and there are sure to be as many after. But I also know that by not adding my body to the count, I insure nothing will change. I choose to not keep looking over my shoulder at “big brother” while he strips my carcass, I choose not to ignore what is going on all around me, I choose not to pretend that business as usual won’t continue; I have just had enough.”
“I know I’m hardly the first one to decide I have had all I can stand. It has always been a myth that people have stopped dying for their freedom in this country, and it isn’t limited to the blacks, and poor immigrants. I know there have been countless before me and there are sure to be as many after. But I also know that by not adding my body to the count, I insure nothing will change. I choose to not keep looking over my shoulder at “big brother” while he strips my carcass, I choose not to ignore what is going on all around me, I choose not to pretend that business as usual won’t continue; I have just had enough.”
Apolo
Joe, this is for you - here's the link to Apolo's website:
http://www.apoloantonohno.com/home
Also, check Facebook - I sent a page recommendation to you that is Apolo's. Join it and check out the picture albums - there is one picture you will totally love. That's all I'm going to say about it!
http://www.apoloantonohno.com/home
Also, check Facebook - I sent a page recommendation to you that is Apolo's. Join it and check out the picture albums - there is one picture you will totally love. That's all I'm going to say about it!
I Apologize
Sorry for just disappearing without a word. I feel like I don't have anything to offer or anything to say. I know I won't feel this way forever....
King Tut
Just read this article at Yahoo! and think it is absolutely fascinating - it is about a two year study on the DNA and physical examination of King Tut:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ml_egypt_king_tut
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/ml_egypt_king_tut
Astounding Photo
This guy has quite a few money shots on his Flicr account, including some awesome photos of the Northern Lights. Here is the link to the page of his stream that this photo came from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterprzybille/page10/.