tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post7730218390968702002..comments2024-03-15T05:45:01.402-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Texas sex offender registry includes kids as young as tenGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-21953805759272194512012-07-24T01:03:12.818-05:002012-07-24T01:03:12.818-05:00It should be pointed out that if a 10 year old chi...It should be pointed out that if a 10 year old child takes a nude photo of oneself that action will result in the child ending up on the sex offender registry, and in many states already has.<br /><br />Isn't it creepy that a 10 year old girl can be required by law to only live in areas that sex offenders may live, cannot go to the best schools, cannot participate in most social activities with other children, and will be denied good employment for her entire life all because she posed nude? Now, realize as well that children who were sent such pictures unknowingly were also sent to the sex offender registry.<br /><br />I might understand if a child raped another child by knife point, but a case like that is rare. Most cases involve self photography, or statutory rape. In the case of statutory rape.<br /><br />The problem here is the logic behind the laws. We believe that children are not capable of making rational choices and so protect them with laws. We say that a child who consents does not have the legal capacity to consent and that is how we prosecute rapists and child pornographers. It all sounds good on paper, but if a child takes their own picture the child will be arrested, and if two children within an age apart have consensual sex the older of the two is often the one arrested of rape. <br /><br />It's here that the problem becomes apparent: If a child cannot legally consent how can we hold a child as legally competent when the child takes their own picture? Either the child is presumed to be incompetent by virtue of being a child and therefore should not be seen as competent enough to stand trial, or the child is presumed to be competent enough to stand trial in which case the the logic behind the law is proven false.<br /><br />In the case of statutory rape I remember this one case some years back: An 11 year old boy had a polyamorous relationship with two girls aged 10 and 12. When it was discovered the parents took the children to therapy after which time the police became aware. The 11 year old boy was arrested, convicted, and placed on the sex offender registry for statutory rape of a 10 year old girl. The 12 year old was not brought to trial in part because there is a bias against boys with cases like these and in part because it would weaken the prosecution's case to portray the 10 year old as both a victim of rape and a rapist simultaneously. <br /><br />These are the kinds of cases that appear on the sex offender registry. In my opinion, leaving out the details of why they are on the registry makes matters worse for them because people can be imaginative. If it says "rape" we assume something violent, when it could easily have been two people in love. Indeed, people who were arrested for statutory rape as children today have families with the very people they were accused of raping and are still on the registry and as a result limited in what they can do with their own children.Ellianderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17305604952683423168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-58433942513435371842011-03-29T22:09:19.089-05:002011-03-29T22:09:19.089-05:00A lot of these comments use the terms "WHAT I...A lot of these comments use the terms "WHAT IF", "MIGHT BE" or "COULD HAPPEN" These are the phrases that excuse these horrible laws and registration. These "MIGHT HAPPEN" laws are to protect the possible few unattended kids, but WILL impact the FOR SURE thousands of kids from the other end! Where's the real logic there? I mean the system is already so vast. Let's focus on helping our children not making them into more the victim.<br /><br />A dad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-68856016412163842072011-01-20T22:46:10.773-06:002011-01-20T22:46:10.773-06:00I myself am a registered sex offender. I read the ...I myself am a registered sex offender. I read the article and was a tad shocked that kids as young as 10 are on the site. whats to stop from a true 'pedophile' from doing something? the address and everything is right there on the persons 'profile.' granted yes what i did when i was a teenager was wrong, however i was in TYC. they got counselors that arent even licensed to be working with sex offenders. i was given a 2 year minimum sentence and was released on a new law that released me before i was even in for 2 years. i myself was a victim of the law. and the treatment by other inmates suck. this was by other sex offenders mind you. more or less because im gay but thats different story. but i do think that we have gone too far with our sex offender laws and texas isnt the only one either. florida has the same bs too. why stop only in texas why not take this to DC? registration limits us to where we can work, live, and do things in the community. this is no longer what it was intended for it is now a huge witch hunt and shapiro is at the front lines along with her lawyer husband.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-25126782157097043702010-05-05T10:28:39.899-05:002010-05-05T10:28:39.899-05:00Hi my friends..The status of the amendment authori...Hi my friends..The status of the amendment authorized by Proposition 2, however, is currently in flux. It was struck down on October 1st, 2009, by Dallas District Judge Tena Callahan on the grounds that it denies same-sex couples equal treatment under the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit was filed by a same-sex couple living in Dallas who had married in Massachusetts in 2006 and were seeking to get a divorce in Texas, because Massachusetts only permits state residents to sue for divorce. Dallas attorney Peter Schulte also claimed the protection of Article IV of the U. S. Constitution, which gives "full faith and credit" by all states to acts validly performed in one. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and Governor Rick Perry are appealing the decision to higher courts, hoping to get the decision overturned. Same-sex marriages are still illegal in Texaspublic sex positionshttp://www.publicsexpositions.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-79826912147821925442010-03-28T14:31:24.437-05:002010-03-28T14:31:24.437-05:00if it is true for a ten yr old to be guided out of...if it is true for a ten yr old to be guided out of this mistake they made is it also true for a 17 yr old 18 yr old...even a 30 yr old to be guided also? im not saying this to be sarcastic. Sometimes it isnt that the "offender" is out of their mind, have a mental disorder, sometimes it is truly just a mistake, an unexpected event. they shouldn't be penalized so young, nor so harshly. once and offender always and offender? i dont think so. for some it could be true, but not for all. it isnt fair to condemn them for life, without any chance for repentance.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-8257229315196724432010-02-22T14:10:38.501-06:002010-02-22T14:10:38.501-06:00I am currently engaged to someone who was place on...I am currently engaged to someone who was place on the registry at the age of 12! He learned his lesson thats why he turned himself in! I will help him pay for this for the rest of our lives simply because of peoples fears. We will never be able to adopt and my dreams of becoming a mother have been flushed. He is so scared of peoples judgments that he wont attend college (a college has the right to post regristry infromation). He is a brilliant man that i love and know with all my heart caould never hurt a child he would die before allowing anything bad of any sort happen to any child! This hole in the law will continue to hunt us down till the day we die!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-2765797341073074322010-01-22T02:26:04.119-06:002010-01-22T02:26:04.119-06:00I 28 years old now and was convicted of aggravated...I 28 years old now and was convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child when I was 16 years old. I was molested as a child and very confused about sex as a teenager. Of course this does not make what I did okay. I acted out by sexually molesting my younger sister. I did not have sex with her or penetrate her in any way at all. I did not hurt her or behave violently. <br /><br />Later I willfully admitted to what I had done to my parents and sought counseling. It was only after doing this that the case was picked up and investigated by CPS. CPS dropped the case because I was already in counseling and doing my best to make restitution and rehabilitate myself. But, a detective with the county sheriff's department decided to pursue legal action against me.<br /><br />I am very truly sorry for what I did. I understand that what I did will affect my sister and my family for the rest of their lives. I did deserve to be punished. I would gladly be tied to a pole and lashed 100 times and have my fingernails ripped out if it would take back what I did. However, I was 15 years old when I committed the offense and it still haunts me, and especially my wife and kids today, 13 years later. <br /><br />I was required to register as a sex offender for ten years after the juvenile offense. As a young adult my parents moved away and I decided to stay in Texas for a couple of months to work and earn money. I lived with some friends and did not update my new address with the sex offender registry since it would require me to update my driver's license first. Not having time and money to do that, I decided to leave my address as my parents' old house. In doing so I failed to register as a sex offender, which is a felony in Texas.<br /><br />Eventually I decided to stay in Texas longer, so I went to the DPS office to change my address and then register with the sex offender registration department under the correct new address. I was arrested at the DPS office for failure to register as a sex offender. Not having any money to pay for a good lawyer, I took the deferred adjudication and thought it would be removed from my record. This was not the case. Now my criminal record shows that I was put on probation for the felony of failure to register as a sex offender. I might as well have a conviction on my record. The ironic part is that I cannot seal my adult record because of the offense that I committed when I was a juvenile, which is sealed itself.<br /><br />I have been through years of therapy and I am positive that I have been rehabilitated. I have begged forgiveness of my younger sister, and we have a very healthy, happy relationship now. I am married to a wonderful wife and have three children. My youthful mistakes, as serious as they were, should not be something that hinders my ability to get a job to provide for my family. I cannot participate in many church activities, scouting activities, coach my kids softball teams, and many other such activities.<br /><br />I believe in strong sex offender laws, but when it comes to juvenile offenders, I believe that rehabilitation is possible and probable if done properly. There are those who should be required to register, such as those teenagers who hold a knife to a child's neck and rape them, or actually behave violently. But, call it what it is. What I did was not aggravated, nor an assault in any way. Don't make my wife and kids pay the price for what I did as a teenager.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-38259178997197333152009-10-24T12:19:53.805-05:002009-10-24T12:19:53.805-05:00I have a new op/ed out that you may enjoy.
Dear oh...I have a new op/ed out that you may enjoy.<br />Dear ohara,<br /><br />Congratulations, your article Punishment VS Rehabilitation has just been moved to<br />the Featured Article spot on the homepage. Click here to see it http://www.austinpost.org.<br /><br /><br />Thank you for providing thought-provoking content to Austin Post.<br /><br />We look forward to more great content from you.<br /><br />The Austin Post TeamSBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17771426407793750051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-34146448358349548022009-10-24T09:50:53.902-05:002009-10-24T09:50:53.902-05:00Texas' law is extremely out of line, their law...Texas' law is extremely out of line, their laws are sadistic and barbaric! There are LAWS against "child abuse", it is illegal and there are consequences. Just not for the government and lawmakers. Think about this? If a parent, an authority figure or a teacher put a child in the corner for as little as 6 hours, let's say? No one would care why this person did this, they wouldn't care what the child did. it would be considered cruel and abusive, It would be considered, "child abuse"! The people would want the offender or affenders, heads on a platter, for harming that child or allowing someelse to harm the child. Everyone involved would be held accountable. People could loss their parental rights, job or licence to care for children. Come on people? Are we civil human beings or NOT? The kids in this country really NEED our help!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-31687662445186597762009-10-02T05:06:23.203-05:002009-10-02T05:06:23.203-05:00I was 14 years old back in 1996 when me and my 10 ...I was 14 years old back in 1996 when me and my 10 year old brother experimented with one another. We both played with eachother and yet we knew it was wrong to do, I never knew that I would have to register as a sex offender. In fact I had no idea that it was illegal when it took place.<br /><br />I am 27 now and still on the registry. I am considered a high risk but I am wondering when will be the next time I commit an act! Ummmm NEVER! I learned not to do this ever again BEFORE the court stepped in. However, I am still paying for it with my picture and label on the internet for all the world to see. Including my ex-girlfriend who in which we have a baby together and she holds this against me.<br /><br />Why do juveniles register but celebrities and judges like Mark White do not? Why are there exceptions to the rule when it comes to money and social status? BETTER YET, I AM 27 YEARS OLD AND I WAS 14 YEARS AT THE TIME OF MY OFFENSE, WHY AM I STILL REQUIRED TO BE LABELED A PEDOPHILE????????Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-18540399442231019752009-09-19T12:38:59.767-05:002009-09-19T12:38:59.767-05:00Is the requirement to register as a sex offender a...Is the requirement to register as a sex offender always for life? If not what are the exceptions?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-67616385371638755202009-09-18T21:55:26.221-05:002009-09-18T21:55:26.221-05:00SB i'm only seventeen too. and i rather kill m...SB i'm only seventeen too. and i rather kill my self that go to prison too... but i got two yrs probation and i finsished that and group and i still have to register for ten years... wheres the future in that!? no college education! um screwed for something me and my cousin did. i accept responsibility but they try to brainwash me into thinkin it was all my fault. when honestly it wasnt...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-49520937682869460252009-09-17T19:54:07.095-05:002009-09-17T19:54:07.095-05:00I don't think you can get past it and my heart...I don't think you can get past it and my heart breaks for you. It doesn't matter what she said. It happened and the law says there is no defense. Getting him out of itI expect means keeping him out of prison but there is probation and the registry.<br />Houston has the highest number of 15 tear old mothers in the nation. Until these girls start getting punished for their behavior this will not change.SBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17771426407793750051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-37396871925498296662009-09-17T16:01:13.166-05:002009-09-17T16:01:13.166-05:00My seventeen year old son is about to be charged w...My seventeen year old son is about to be charged with aggravated sexual assualt of a minor.He has several witnesses that say this was consensual.He has text messages from her stating she was older than she was, friends that heard her say she was older than she was. His lawyer believes he has the evidence needed to get past this. Still he is devastated-he has changed schools is alienated from his classmates and very humiliated by the accusation.We have spent five thousand dollars on this and have been told it could be much more, this from our retirement account.As his father I am scared to death for his future,regardless of the hope the lawyer offers.He has been told by law enforcement that he could get 25 years to life-his comment to that was he would kill himself. HE IS 17 YRS OLD. She is 13.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-8683975246179945272009-09-16T05:19:50.969-05:002009-09-16T05:19:50.969-05:00i just wanna ask a question...
first of this is a...i just wanna ask a question...<br /><br />first of this is a rhetorical question...<br /><br />how many of us played house with our cousins at a young age? how many of us had a fling with a cousin?<br /><br />this leads to my question... How do you feel about a 14yr old boy, honor student, being placed on a SO registry for touching his 9yr old cousin?<br /><br />he didn't know the extend of his experiment until he was faced with the registry. now he cant attend college and barely made it out of high school.<br /><br />how do you feel about that? about a boy who had one moment of weakness, and has to pay for it for life. how do you feel about the boy who played a simple game of truth or dare with the 9yr old who brought it up!? Do he deserve to die!? If so... kill me now!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-26089837666980470262009-09-14T22:19:06.633-05:002009-09-14T22:19:06.633-05:00"HOW MANY LITTLE GIRLS NEED TO BE HURT TILL P..."HOW MANY LITTLE GIRLS NEED TO BE HURT TILL PEOPLE UNDERSTAND ITS DISGUSTING WRONG AND HORRIBLE"<br />Why only little girls? You talk about other kid pervs like your kids would never do anything wrong. Are you one that argues that death is preferable to purity? How did you ever have kids? A dirty, perverted man had to be involved to make it happen.You don't seem to like males.SBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17771426407793750051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-6010683615547784232009-09-14T21:52:25.994-05:002009-09-14T21:52:25.994-05:00That is the way to help stop the cycle. We don'...That is the way to help stop the cycle. We don't always know who is abused but I think all of our kids could use a boost in self esteem.<br /><br />I have brought up the counseling so many times in child advocate groups. Here are the type of replies I get. "They are the victims so why make them go through more?" and "This would minimize what happened." Damned right! We could minimize it as much as possible.We could help kids get a decent start in life but the adults want victims. Kids are sacrificed in favor of vengeance.Sexual abuse is said to follow one through life so it surely would play a part in one becoming an offender.SBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17771426407793750051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-6205857847903949182009-09-14T20:51:47.490-05:002009-09-14T20:51:47.490-05:00I keep hearing that most sex crimes are commited b...I keep hearing that most sex crimes are commited by individuals who were abused themselves. Can we honestly say it is their fault for committing the same crime?<br /><br /> Should the offender be counseled after the first offense, to open their eyes to the fact they were abused, and thus repeating this cycle.<br /><br />I agree that the majority of offenders will not offend again.<br /><br />They are sorry for what they did, and now have to pay the ultimate price, punishment for life!<br /><br />Families are ruined, embarressed,whispered about behind their backs.<br /><br />Kids are placed in the forefront at school, with their friends, with their teachers. Do they deserve this? Why are the families punished also? <br /><br />There needs to be a way for RSO's to get off the registery if they complete rigorous counseling, and certified fit to enter society again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-66300974532922747602009-09-03T23:44:29.188-05:002009-09-03T23:44:29.188-05:00Ah, the wonderfulness of living in a Christian Nat...Ah, the wonderfulness of living in a Christian Nation, where there is BIG talk of Jesus this and Jesus that but when it comes to actually practicing Jesus's teachings like mercy, compassion, forgiveness and allowing individuals to redeem themselves or that the laws are too harsh, you are called soft on crime, or even a pedophile (because you believe the laws are too harsh).<br /><br />But you know, I am all for these kinds of laws and I think they should be more oppressive because such laws breed chaos and anarchy in the US.<br /><br />Think about it. What pays for prisons? Taxes. How are taxes collected? When people work. If you have "Sex Offender" on your record, regardless if you are a molester, a rapist, a guy that got caught peeing in the street or someone like Brandon the hypocritical maggot population will play the "Protect the Children" or the "We are a Family Values Company" cards (from the bottom of the deck) resulting in the person being denied a chance to get their life back together.<br /><br />In the end, some may just do something like stage a fight, kill someone, rob a place or just do anything that lands them back in jail where they are burdens instead of producers.<br /><br />This means that the person is no longer working which results in less taxes being collected, but you still have to take care of the inmates needs and in our atmosphere for "privatizing" everything, you just know that For-Profit prisons are going to overcharge the government to make us feel "safe."<br /><br />This then results in prison overcrowding and red ink which then translates to prisoners being released early, only to return to become a drain again and again and again.<br /><br />Must be nice to be "Tough" on crime.<br /><br />Here's to the Fall of the United States of America. We don't need terrorists. Its the greed, corruption and "morality" that is doing us in.The Emperornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-71037633533119223672009-08-19T22:47:16.363-05:002009-08-19T22:47:16.363-05:00HOW MANY LITTLE GIRLS NEED TO BE HURT TILL PEOPLE ...HOW MANY LITTLE GIRLS NEED TO BE HURT TILL PEOPLE UNDERSTAND ITS DISGUSTING WRONG AND HORRIBLE , I JUST WISH ALL THE OTHER MOMS WOULD CARE TO BE HONEST WITH EACH OTHER WHEN THEIR PERV KID COMES TO [PLAY , OTHERWISE THE ABUSE-SEX APADE CONTINUES ON TO THE NEXT , ALL LITTLE GIRLS AND BOYS ARE CHILDREN OF THE LORD LETS PROTECT THEM NOT JUSTIFY FOR THESE DIRTY PERVS,...MEN LETS BE HONEST 99.5%ARE MEN HURTING WOMEN AND GIRLS AND BOYS AND EVEN BABIES....SO SO SICK ...LETS PRAY AND THEN GO DO SOMETHING LIKE ,HMMM ALL THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN US ONLY MEN GO , IN JUST A MONTHS TIME YOUD SEE A COMPLETE DIFFERENCE , WOMEN WHO FEEL SAFE KIDS WHO FEEL SAFE AND ALOT OF LOVE...NO KILLING ,STEALING AND HURTING=Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-12437056048527830762009-08-11T07:55:08.477-05:002009-08-11T07:55:08.477-05:00Florence Shapiro of Texas, proudly states' “If...Florence Shapiro of Texas, proudly states' “If one child is saved, then the laws will be worth what we've done.” <br />Will Ms. Shapiro be taking the credit for TEXAS' laws that do "NOT" save children but, destroys them? HONEST OPINION: Texas needs to save it's children from PREDATOR law makers, Predator prosecutors and Predator Judges!<br /><br /> Texas Teen Sentenced To Sixty Years in Prison For Consensual Sex (Brandon 17) <br />Monday, 11 May 2009 03:17<br /><br />I will never forget that day in June when I heard Judge Banales say, “You are hereby sentenced to 60 years in the Texas Department of Corrections”. My legs felt like spaghetti, my hands went cold. I had no moisture in my mouth. I was numb all over. I wanted to throw up. I could hear my mother’s horrific cries in the background. I turned to see her and I saw my father holding her and my grandmother tightly. He was so scared, I could tell. There were other ladies that were also crying. They felt for my mom, and possibly for me. The judge told my dad if he didn’t quiet my mother, he would have her arrested. My mother had a look of fury in her eyes when they met with mine. I knew right there and then that her love and commitment as a mother would induce a fight for justice. The bailiff was so nice to me. He kept asking me if I needed some water. I couldn’t talk. All I could hear was my mother’s cry, over and over. I couldn’t even hug her goodbye.<br /><br /> <br /> <br /><br />When I was 17 years old, I made a mistake, a mistake that will haunt me and my family for the rest of our lives. I had consensual sex with a girl whom I believed to be much older. I was young and immature, drinking and smoking pot like many other teens at our school. I never intended to hurt anyone. I am not a dangerous predator or a violent rapist. I am a young man who has been given a punishment far beyond what is reasonable and just.<br />story here: http://www.freebrandon.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33:texas-teen-sentenced-to-sixty-years-in-prisonHonest Opinionnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-7097857111590453912009-08-11T07:32:51.748-05:002009-08-11T07:32:51.748-05:00Well I have been known to shared my feelings of di...Well I have been known to shared my feelings of disgust with these laws and in response to the news of a young man murdered in Texas I contacted Texas' legislators and wrote comments. It really is disturbing that a young man was alone and dumped out into the streets without any resources to survive. NO ONE cares to help this youth or the thousands of others caught up in this mess? While Ms. Shapiro claims her law is to protect children?<br />I read in an article: <br />Florence Shapiro of Texas, proudly states' “If one child is saved, then the laws will be worth what we've done.”<br />I responded to Ms. Shapiro's statement,<br />Is harming even one child with the mark "SEX OFFENDER" worth what you've done? How about 4000+ lives being ruined. Does she also want credit for ruining the entire family, their spouses and offspring by the "HIT LIST"? Think about it, If anyone makes a hit list you know what happens, they are prosecuted and punished? This "HIT LIST" is not on a piece of paper passed in classroom. This government has the power to pass their "HIT LIST" around the world! No prosecution or responsibility for what happens as a result, that's sick! Sen. Florence Shapiro of Texas crafted Texas' "HIT LIST" to include children, will Florence Shapiro, ever be ready to assume or admit that labeling juvenile offenders may be harmful to children, even deadly?<br /><br />Texas: According to DPS data, Of the more than 47,000 people listed on the state's Department of Public Safety Web site, only 275 are under 18, while 3,853 are registered based on offenses they committed as juveniles, how many 18, 19, 20, year old, are listed for consensual relationships with younger peers?<br /><br />Ms. Shapiro there is ONLY 4000+ children juvenile records and youthful MISTAKE being displayed to the world as sex offenders, banished from towns, unemployed, tracked, hunted, hated, forced into poverty and a life of endless turmoil.<br />One young man felt the wrath of Magen's law and the legislator who crafted the laws in Texas. He now has a place to rest! And the media will fail to mention that he was a kid of 14 who has suffered at the hands of the politicians and their senseless laws. Homeless, poor and now dead! That's rehabilitation and protection that is promised by America for all juvenile offenders?<br /><br />The heading of the article was:<br />Murdered Homeless Man Was Convicted Sex Offender<br />Excerpt:<br />A 20-year-old homeless man whose body was found in an abandoned building in Bryan was a convicted sex offender.<br /><br />It should read: At 14 years old boy, a past adjudicated juvenile's life is of no value. Forced to be homeless, unemployed and labeled on the Internet as a sex offender, has been bludgeoned to death at 20 years old.<br />The article should have said: Senator Florence Shapiro and Texas legislators, influenced the murder of a young boy. Their child protection laws created a painful and disheveled life for young Dale Wayne Ellis. Lets give Senator Shapiro another "Child Advocacy Award", NOT! It is very scary when Legislators are having secret meetings and passing laws in which People even young children all across America are punished, labeled, responsible and held accountable in any law named and based of murdered children, Magen Kanka, Jessica Lunsford and Adam Walsh and the entire world will know who they are, for the rest of their lives to be banned, tracked, hunted and hated because no one wants another child murdered, GET REAL, what happened to my country? These powerful leaders call their vigilante antics "unintended consequences"? This insults the intelligence of all American citizens and makes as all look like FOOLS to the rest of the world! Speak up for our children for God's sakes!Honest Opinionnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-28283697730453361642009-08-11T07:19:35.043-05:002009-08-11T07:19:35.043-05:00There is a "BIG" problem here and it mus...There is a "BIG" problem here and it must get fixed!<br /> Children, teens and young adults, all across this grand country are being ripped from their homes, people are forced out of their homes and away from their loved ones, homeless, unemployed and treated worse then animals! And youths from consensual acts are being imprisoned across our nation! Even in spite of the Supreme Courts opinion in Roper v. Simmon , it's noted, Youths are not mentally mature or culpable when committing murder and deserve rehabilitation and a second chance. But, Sex Offender Laws overrides all reasoning for juvenile protection, in this country a consensual sex act equals culpability, extreme punishment, lifetime registration, tracking humiliation and exiled, way worse then an adult gets for murder? These laws are out of whack and Laws are being broken, the constitution is ignored, human rights are violated and this government isn't willing to stop it, fix it or enforce justice. It is shocking and disgusting that the Government acts as the "Head Hunter"! Of course to "Save the vulnerable children" ! If YOU smacked your own kid in the face, YOU are a child abuser and this government would not care why, you did what YOU did. You would be prosecuted, punished and the division of human services would be all over you your child would be PROTECTED from YOU? This government entity sits and watches the LOSER (Lifetime On Sex Offender Registry) struggle and suffer and they say and do NOTHING! This is Acceptable abuse, it's their law! If ANYONE in this country devised a "HIT LIST" subjecting "anyone" to harm, they would be held responsible, accountable and prosecuted under law. But, when a registered sex offenders is murdered, commits suicide or suffers from vigilante attacks by dangerous people or this government, because of they are listed on the governments GRAND "HIT LIST" it's acceptable? As my government plays "VIGILANTE", I advocate for all the THOUSANDS upon THOUSANDS of our "FREE" American citizens marked and TARGETED for harmful vigilante antics and destruction!<br /> I "DO NOT" trust this government's practices of what they like to call law or opinion of who is dangerous or not! A kid touching a breast is now a predator, youths having a loving relationship are now heinous criminals, sexting teens are child pornographers, as far as the these law makers are concerned! What's even more unbelievable is that many people in our society are rooting for these laws! They can't be paying attention or are unaware of the real facts, statistic or true understanding of our constitution and abuse of government? As billions of dollars are wasted on mythical and misguided policy's? This entire Government, the dept. of justice, corrections, public safety, legislators, all reap from our taxes, with grand benefits and pension plans. They certainly would NOT want to change and fix this mess? John Walsh, with all the multi million dollar grants to hunt down our children for life, he certainly wouldn't want change! Who will stand up, little old ME?<br /> Being a witness of politician gaining favoritism and wealth on the backs of these poor vulnerable children is my biggest "pet peeve."<br />I ask America for "HELP" on behalf of our children, caught up in the "LIE"Honest Opionionnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-35533810531322654892009-08-09T19:37:54.192-05:002009-08-09T19:37:54.192-05:00I am torn between being grateful that a ten year o...I am torn between being grateful that a ten year old is on the sex offender list, and feeling sad for her, as I don't believe that information should be public. <br /><br />I am grateful because it has only been within these last five years I've started seeing more recognition that children are capable of sexual offenses, and believe me when I say that I've looked. For those that are dubious that such a thing as a child sex offender is possible, think of it, if you will, as a form of bullying, only with sexual motivations behind it. Everyone knows children can become very violent or persuasive bullies, but once you try to label them a sex offender, many would tell you they were only experimenting. Children know not to harm others, and they are taught at a young age peer pressure is wrong. Telling another kid to go steal their parent's cigarettes or money is bad, and they know it. In many instances they use peer pressure, social ostracizing, and the knowledge that no one would believe them if they told to get away with a lot of "bad" things. I believe they are fully capable of being charged as a sex offender. It's usually not even really about sexual gratification, it's about humiliating and harming the other. It's about acting out what may have already been done to them. It's even a way of dealing with their own trauma. No matter the motivation, in most instances, I fully believe child offenders are aware that what they are doing is wrong.<br /><br />However, I believe children need second chances, and therefore they should go through extensive counseling and must be monitored closely. Putting them on the registry will only impede their recovery. It will convince the child that he/she is a bad person and why change if he/she is already marked "forever"? In many cases, child offenders were previously sexually abused. By publicizing their crimes, the children have just been labeled as the same as their previous abuser. <br /><br />It is not experimentation when both children know that one of them does not want to participate, but is forcefully persuaded (physically or mentally) otherwise. Children are capable of serious sexual offenses regardless of age and while I do not necessarily believe pre-adolescents' crimes should be publicized, I do not doubt the potential seriousness of that 10 year old's crimes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-10082374546425951552009-08-04T17:46:24.490-05:002009-08-04T17:46:24.490-05:00Actually, to counter the person who said "......Actually, to counter the person who said "...once you are on the registry, good luck trying to get a job anywhere except day labor construction jobs..." that is not true.<br /><br />The day labor establishments in Austin will not hire a sex offender either. The only way to get a job is to lie about it and make money until you are caught.<br /><br />...Guess that is protecting society.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com