Comments on: naked pumpkin runners = sex offenders

By: malecution

malecution — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 23:35:03 +0000

Update:

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/dec/18/naked-pumpkin-runner-takes-plea-deal/

By: \n

\n — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 03:03:45 +0000

Sex offenders are generally repeat offenders, so the draconian measures exist. However public nudity / indecent exposure probably does about the same harm to kids playing GTA games (they still ask me for my ID, so this is only because parents buy the bad-behavior games for them I suppose?), so therein lies the problem. In Virginia, there was reports of people arrested for same-sex intercourse (even under police entrapment!), which is a gross violation of state rights due to the Supreme court rulings against anti-sodomy laws. (Generally speaking: states can do anything unless the constitution or previous Supreme Court orders prevent them from doing so. If the supreme court had the time or if the appeals court let him get to the supreme court, or if they didn’t prevent him from seeking political exile, then it wouldn’t matter. But much like the patriot act, nothing will happen if you can’t get political exile or appeals court ruling) We live in a world were you basically need a lawyer to be 100% legal, and even then you can get screwed. All I can suggest is to know your rights, and do it outside state borders (which makes the abortion issue pointless until it goes to the fed).

By: Kathryn

Kathryn — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 19:10:19 +0000

Glad to hear that an article is on the way … it definitely sounds like a tough topic to tackle but an important one to spread the word about more!

By: bd

bd — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 16:39:05 +0000

Thanks for following up on this and highlighting it. Obviously, I find this outrageous.

The article sounds fab. To add fuel to the fire some local jurisdictions (counties, cities) have laws requiring sex offenders live in certain places (like no closer to schools than xx feet and so on). It becomes really difficult for these people to find residences. Often times the registered offender moves and when s/he does it sometimes behooves the offender not to register in the new community for fear of finding the same situation. One person in Snohomish County, Washington (where I live) could only find shelter under a bridge and the police approved of the location. Now, I’m no fan of sex offenders, but these Draconian measures are not going to provide any source of resolution. The idea of police, judges, and legislators expanding the scope of who qualifies as a sex offender (streakers?!!?) appalls me even further.

Don’t these people have enough on their hands locking up marijuana smokers?

By: violet

violet — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:33:49 +0000

yes, the plan is an article; the challenge is that each state’s laws are different and difficult to find, and states have differing levels/categories of sex offenders and registration. I often wish I had more than a short weekly column and could do these more in-depth features. but it’s on my short list and I’m getting close to a solid piece with a lot of horror stories / examples and commentary from legal professionals.

By: Molly Ren

Molly Ren — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:49:05 +0000

Yeah, I want to know the same thing as Kathryn…and what we can do about it. Time for a community protest, methinks.

By: Kathryn

Kathryn — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:24:04 +0000

Scary stuff … would love to know more information on the different laws / application of laws that you’ve researched in various states. Are you planning to put together a comprehensive article about that at all?