uberreiniger | Writer's Block: Ripped from the Headlines (Reply)

[Error: unknown template qotd]There have been several news items recently about teenagers who texted naked pictures of themselves or other teens and are now facing child pornography charges and potentially the label of Sex Offender as a result. I think of you're sending out pictures of others with malicious intent you should be punished, but in nearly all these cases the punishment these kids are facing does not fit the crime. We're talking potential prison sentences of as much as 17 years. And being sex offenders they will spend their lives unable to find most jobs or to leave their state of residence. Even Maureen Kanka, mother of Megan Kanka for whom Megan's Law is named has spoken up about the unfairness of some of these sentences. Instead of teaching these children at a crucial time in their lives about the need to respect their bodies and the far-reaching repercussions of digitally-distributed information, (something many adults don't even think about!) they are facing life-changing criminal charges. They are being punished to fit the letter of laws designed to protect them without consideration for the spirit of said laws.

I hate sex offenders and feel no compassion for them. But sex offenders aren't the same thing as these kids in many cases.

Something good on the news... hmmm. Well that guy from AIG who took out a page in the New York Times to announce his resignation and that he was giving his bonus away. He seems like a good egg.