Comments on: In Defense of Sex Offenders

By: Greg

Greg — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 18:43:35 +0000

Hi,
I agree with the facts that not all that are on the OS Reg are pedophils. But I would like to add not all those that are on the OS Reg molested children or even touched children or even inticed children. I was almost 44 years old when I was convicted of sexual assualt of a child under the age of 16. My step daughter abandoned her son at the age of 1 yrs old. My wife and I took him into our house. We already have a son from my wife’s first marriage and we had a daughter between us. Social Services approved my step grandson to stay with us. On day while I was in the bathroom my step grandson fell out of bed. He was crying and opened the door to come in. I huged him and settled him down and sent him out of the bathroom. As I stood up he touched me accidently and I pushed him away. He left a waited for me to come out. I told the police about it and about 1 or 1 1/2 yrs later I was arrested for sexual assualt. I couldnt get an attorney cause I made to much money the prior year and because the place that I worked closed their doors I was unemployed. Because of this I lost my house, my wife lost her job, I lost everything and my wife and I divorced because of her association with me made it impossible to find any type of work. 10 years later, absolutly no indiscretions, Im still looking for stable work. I have a BS in Accounting and Business, an enormous education and experience background – military police officer, legal specialist, etc… Not only am I condemned for life, so is my ex wife and family. What is this world coming to ?

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:42:50 +0000

Thank you, a voice of reason. My mother in law and I got into a fight over this because I didn't know where the sex offenders lived in my neighborhood. I think that we should know and leave it at that. We need to keep living our lives and not be in fear. Jennifer's last blog post..In a funk

By: Read What YOU Wanna Read | A Whole Lot of Nothing

Read What YOU Wanna Read | A Whole Lot of Nothing — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 03:21:13 +0000

[...] you don’t want to read about people voicing their opinions on sex offenders (see: Miss Britt) or see pictures of kiddie poo (see: Sarcastic Mom) or about raising 6 kids in a tiny house (see: [...]

By: Miss Britt

Miss Britt — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:22:08 +0000

Selma: oh man, your friend’s story is freaking tragic. Does he teach in some other capacity???

Frances: I think it’s impressive you had the courage to leave on your own.

Courtney: thanks for your input.

Aaron:

kapgar: I’m glad to hear it’s been on TV and things like that – it’s good to know at least that the info is getting out there.

Philosopher Jeff: wow, thank you. That was an excellent assessment of this whole “thing”. I’m impressed you took the time to wade through it all.

By: Philosopher Jeff

Philosopher Jeff — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 15:39:40 +0000

“Miss Britt Says:
chicken: maybe I should find the group that tries to cure hunger. Is there such a thing?”

Here is an amazing organization that is trying to stop hunger while making people self reliant.
http://www.oneacrefund.org

As a totally neutral observer to this blog and this particular post, I wanted to share my 2 cents.

First, Miss Britt was spot on to broaden the discussion of Sex Offender Lists and point out its flaws.

Second, Miss Britt did offend her Mommy group by relating their discussion to a mob mentality. Most people would take offense at such a comparison.

Third, in no way did Miss Britt’s “mob mentality” line deserve the angry personal attacks from some members of her Mommy’s group. In particular, Teresa (Your Ex-Mom’s Grp) comment was so far out of line that it made me audibly gasp when I read it. It always saddens me when people are so thoughtless and hurtful.

Fourth, some of Miss Britt’s blog readers also crossed the line with personal attacks on the Mommy group. The defacto president of the group obviously did kick Miss Britt out of the group over the post (the timing gives it away) but that action still does not deserve the name calling and personal character assassinations from the blog readers. Plus most of the group was not involved in this online discussion and should not be attacked just because we did not hear from them.

Fifth, Miss Britt, I have huge respect for you and how you handled this ugly insult fest. You stayed calm and above the fray. I always try to do the same in similar situations but I doubt I could have handled it as well as you did.

Finally, Miss Britt, way to not be afraid to be the lone voice of reason. Often in life you will get attacked for going against the grain, but it’s so much better to be a soloist than part of a choir. You will gain rewarding relationships based upon respect instead of empty relationships based upon superficial congeniality.

Best wishes to you and your family.

By: kapgar

kapgar — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 21:24:05 +0000

I just say something on TV recently about this very thing. A 17-year-old boy (under the statutory rape age of 18 in this particular state) had sex with his 16-year-old girlfriend. The father freaked out and had him arrested. He was put on the list as a result. However, the father, once he cooled off a bit, said that he never should’ve called, but it was too late. And he even wrote letters and went to court on the kid’s behalf to try to have him removed from the list but to no avail. The state (can’t remember which one) would do nothing to change it.

This is a fantastic post, BTW. I hope some people take it to heart.

kapgar’s last blog post..The devil’s in the house of the rising sun…

By: Aaron

Aaron — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:09:00 +0000

Oh, remember the creep out game. Lord knows I do. :hug: Aaron's last blog post..The Kid In The Helmet…

By: Courtney

Courtney — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:27:32 +0000

In MT, the sexual offender list and the violent offender list are one and the same. What often happens is someone looks at the list, sees that someone lives on their street, and doesn't bother to look at whether the person is a rapist or got into a bar fight. They're just assumed to be the former, and get ostracized for it. Seems like BS to me. Courtney's last blog post..Nim’s Island

By: Frances

Frances — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:30:59 +0000

Just found this and I have to say I totally hear ya. I just recently left a mommys group for this same type of attitude. Love the blog.. will be back for sure! Frances's last blog post..It's a blah Friday night...

By: Selma

Selma — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 10:44:48 +0000

I’ll tell you a little story in support of Britt’s position. My good friend, JD, who I went to University with, had sex at age 16 with his girlfriend who was one day away from being 16 herself. (Age of consent in Australia is 16.) Anyway, her parents found out and had him charged. He was placed on a sex offenders list (which I believe at that stage was not publicly available in Oz) which didn’t affect him until he applied for a teaching job. In Australia, when you apply for any position where you work with children a criminal check is done on you. Anyway, it came up that JD was a ’sex offender’ and he was not able to get a teaching job. EVER. He was one of the most gifted teachers I have ever seen and I often cry when I think about him being denied the chance to follow what for him was a true vocation.

20 years later he works in a factory packing spare parts for dishwashers. Incidentally, he had a relationship with ‘the girl’ for 10 years but they split up over her parents refusal to drop the charges.

I, of course, like every other parent the world over, do not want my child preyed upon by a known sex offender but we must watch the hysteria here. It’s like a witch hunt.

This is an important post. There are many innocent victims on both sides. My friend JD is not living the life he should because of ill-conceived legislation. It’s a crying shame. Those Mother’s Group people need a kick up the backside. What childish behaviour. Love you Britt. As always!

Selma’s last blog post..Taking It To The Streets