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Sunday, Mar 29, 2009
Preppie lacrosse players
Your last comment about comparing these stupid, silly, immature actions to real sexual abuse is correct and should guide all law enforcement.
there was a news story about a 14-year-old in Northern NJ who posted "racy" photos of herself on MySpace. No description of what was "racy". She has been charged with child pornography and could be branded a sex offender. Another stupid prosecutor trying to score cheap points with the "values" crowd.
The girl of course was irresponsible but probably watched "Sex and the City" or "Desperate Housewives" a little too much. But the prosecutor is disgusting. No matter how it turns out, the family will be out some big bucks for attorneys and the girl will be branded for life; doesn't every dog get one bite any more?
Unfortunately, the suit will probably be barred by the pernicious doctrine of qualified immunity. But it's high time some of the arrogant prosecutors get a little dose of their own medicine. These prosecutions are ridiculous. But a few more lawsuits like this and even with the qualified immunity, perhaps the district attorneys will learn, as I'm sure they've said to others, "Even if you beat the rap, you won't beat the ride."
I really think these prosecutors are just using the system for their policial gain, like this is the first it has ever happened. it is obcene to think that these children must register as sex offenders etc... if they are prosecuted. it is just real scary how far a prosecutor can go with his powers. i wish this would happen to their kids and i gaurantee you this would not happen again. power is very scary when used for someones personal gain.
As I wrote on my blog, regarding "sex offenses," LOL:
If you doubt, for instance, that we 'mandate by law...that certain activities be conducted "in private",' try urinating in public in front of a police officer sometime (say, maybe after attending that Jimmy Buffett concert you now only dimly remember in the wake of all that tequila). Under Nevada law, after trial and conviction you will subsequently be permanently in the system as -- minimally -- a "Tier I Sex Offender" ("flashing," "streaking," and, yes, peeing in public are considered "sex crimes" here -- only the first of which might truly be regarded as one worthy of the subsequent moniker "Sex Offender").
The topic of that post was "privacy amid a war on terror" (link in my name), but it goes to some of the general idiocy of overbroad "definition" when it comes to crime. We're good at stupid shit here (Nevada), notwithstanding our otherwise libertine culture. We once had some asshat legislator introduce a bill defining "terrorism" as "any act which interferes with law enforcement."
This counter-move reeks of upper class entitlement. I can't get all "you go girl" over it. Yuppie parents need to start teaching discipline and values now and then.
The very fact that the prosecution offered such a weak slap on the wrist as a deal indicates how little leg they realize they have to stand on. If they tried to impose real punishment their targets would be motivated to fight, and the prosecutors know they'd lose.
It's basically the good cop/bad cop routine applied to mask weakness. It's basically bullying, and it's sad that such a small minority of the families affected were willing to take a stand.
So, if she's distributing child porn, she is also the victim of the crime, yes? What criminal acts are there in which the perpetrator and the victim are one and the same? Suicide?
everyone should be entirely supportive of resistance to this.
Jprfrog, I highly doubt those shows were the 14 girl's inspiration.
Sexting is a product of technology, and inspiration is obvious; people love to use technology to do "Cool" things.
Sexting is a fade, and the popularity of it doesn't seem to be waning.
The real inspiration for sexting is homemade porn, which has been around since the 60s, but was a practice that was too expensive and cumbersome for teenagers to take an interest in, and was too difficult for a 14 year old girl to do by herself.
Sexting is just too easy for a 14 year old girl to do by herself, and the reality is we won't be able to stop our 14 year old daughters from participating in the fade, unless we give them something more interesting to do.
Any suggestion?
1. Sports
2. Theater
3. Karaoke
4. Dancing
5. Arts and craft
Please give me more suggestions if you can think of them.
(and if there is it wouldn't be a pleasing substitution to the people who think "sexting" is too much)
Unfortunately this lawsuit will be tossed out instantly as prosecutors now have basically unlimited power and no possible way of being punished except in the ballot box. But if this case opens up a dialog on our sex laws it can only be a good thing. There are states where you do not even need to commit a sex crime to be put on a sex offender list. The list is probably the most abused punishment we have now in our country. Instead of putting high risk repeat offenders that might actually be a danger when released like child molesters or rapist on the list. We put people that have consensual sex in public, public urination, or 21 year olds screwing 16 or 17 year olds. While they might deserve to be punished they do not deserve to have their names to be linked with a person that prays on 6 year olds. They basically have their lives ruined for no obvious increase in the public's safety.
I am sad that these cases have to happien but if this is what it takes to change our current system maybe some good can come out of it.
Also, while on a similar topic why no mention of Savana Redding case in broadsheet? This is a 13 year old honor student that was molested by her school nurse err make that strip searched because she might have had prescription strength idopriffian. You know if you let the kid have aspirin next they are shooting meth in their eyeballs.
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