Sex criminals ‘banned from the Web’
p2pnet news view | P2P | Politics:- Social networking is now seriously against the law for ’sex offenders’ in Illinois.
If you’re one such, “you’ve likely done something very bad, and of which I do not, in any way, approve,” posts Brian Boyer (right) on hacker journalist, going on:
“That said, I’m pretty sure you still have a few rights …”
The law is slated to take effect as of January 1 next year, says the Chicago Tribune, quoted by Brian.
It, “makes it a felony for registered sex offenders to use social networking sites, a move aimed at taking another step toward shutting down an avenue of contact between an offender and victim,” says the story.
“Obviously, the Internet has been more and more a mechanism for predators to reach out,” it has senator Bill Brady, a, “sponsor of the measure and a governor candidate,” stating.
“The idea was, if the predator is supposed to be a registered sex offender, they should keep their Internet distance as well as their physical distance,” he says in the Tribune. “The object is to protect innocent individuals on the Internet from sex offenders.”
Brian says according to the legislation, Social networking website means an »»»
Internet website containing profile web pages of the members of the website that include the names or nicknames of such members, photographs placed on the profile web pages by such members, or any other personal or personally identifying information about such members and links to other profile web pages on social networking websites of friends or associates of such members that can be accessed by other members or visitors to the website. A social networking website provides members of or visitors to such website the ability to leave messages or comments on the profile web page that are visible to all or some visitors to the profile web page and may also include a form of electronic mail for members of the social networking website.
He doesn’t say how ’sex offenderl’ is defined by law in Illinois, but, “Sure, it seems right to stop violent criminal perverts from poking around MySpace, but every damned site on the web is integrating social networking features nowadays,” he says, going on:
“Is it offensive to the public interest if a sex offender shares an article on TimesPeople? What about LinkedIn? Do sex offenders not deserve a place to post their resume?
“Or, what about a social network devoted to sex offenders trying to rehabilitate? If there isn`t a Ning for this already, there sure oughta be.”
This is, “bad legislation,” Brian says, adding:
“Sex criminals have rights too, and this law effectively bans them from the Web.”
hacker journalist – Sex offenders: Your tweets (and LinkedIn and TimesPeople) are now a felony, August 12, 2009
Chicago Tribune – New law makes sex offenders’ use of Internet social networking a felony, August 12, 2009
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August 13th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Agreed. Not only that, you can be labeled a sex offender without actually being convicted! It’s happened before. On top of that, let’s not forget The Woodsman where some “PTA” mother finds out and decides to protect her children by informing everyone and anyone about someone else’s jaded past. You know one of the reasons the return-to-prison rates are so high is because they are treated so poorly once released.
Try moving into a neighbourhood with families, trying to start your life over, working a low-pay job, seeing a shrink every other day, your family hates you… now some do-gooder with good intentions but misguided approaches accuses you of doing something you didn’t. They bring up your past, now the neighbourhood eyes you when you leave your place, you’re not allowed in stores to buy even groceries, let alone restaurants.
Now doesn’t that help you break your cycle you’re going to a therapist about? Continuously being harassed for your past?
That doesn’t include all the assaults you’ll experience because you were walking to your home, after work, and someone’s kid was in a playground 300 ft away, and some PTA parent decided to get the rest of their “gang” of do-gooders to drag you into the bushes for a good beating so you don’t harm their kids.
Too bad all these parents couldn’t have their kids watch in horror as they beat another human being trying to put their life back together senseless for something they *might* do. Maybe those parents in clouded judgment could stop and look at their terrified child’s face and think twice? nah, they’ll just hop their butts back in their SUV’s, drive to Denny’s and eat a Grand Slam, then drive back home, total trip of 1.7km, plop their butts infront of FoxNews, while their kids are playing videogames. Yup totally safe now.
Those are the parents that would be all in favour of such a ridiculous law, which would encourage further repeats of the offender’s cycle, not discourage by providing an environment conductive to change. Not all the offenders are beyond help you know!
August 13th, 2009 at 10:16 am
It’s ‘For the Children’ .
It will pass.
We will give up any freedom ‘for the children’
What historical figure new about this principle ?
August 13th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Amen to Robert! To answer Dreddsnik’s question, the historical figure who did it all for the children was Hitler.
Now, this bill poses all sorts of problems. The internet has become an integral part of our society for many legitimate reasons such as job hunting or keeping in touch with high school buddies that live in Oregon or Cancun. This law is overbroad. Plus, the term “social networking site” cannot be narrowly defined. Does this include THIS site, which has a forum? I could meet new people here.
*ex offender truth can be found @ http://www.oncefallen.com
August 13th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
I know a woman who’s a registered sex offender. She’s also one of the nicest, sweetest people I know. She was raped by a teenager while she was drunk and the kid’s parents had her charged for having sex with a minor. The DA convinced her to accept a plea bargain of a year in minimum security rather than have her name dragged through the mud in a lengthy court battle. I’ve never asked her for the details so I’m not sure why she accepted, but now she’s a registered sex offender.
August 13th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
when this law passes it will effectively ban about 85% republicans from the web. about 45% democrats will be banned as well. its been well documented that these lying cretins do like their young boys(republicans). they are not adverse to raping women either(democrats).
August 14th, 2009 at 12:36 am
Like most specifically State based laws that come out of the USA that bemuse (and horrify) the international community, this one is no different and will most likely be taken to the Federal court system by external parties filing amicus briefs. Though once that happens they too will be accused of being sex offenders.
Oh and re @deadboy (August 13th, 2009 at 11:55 pm comment)
I see you stopped to think and forgot to start again?
August 14th, 2009 at 3:06 am
I am surprised that none of these registered sex offenders have not become so tired of the restrictions placed upon them that they go out on a rampage. If I were to ever find myself in such a position, I would likely carry around a Bick lighter during the hot, dry, windy months of the year and start one blaze after another. These stupid laws not only go against the rights of those who have already served their sentences, they also hurt innocent people such as the neighbnor who is trying to sell her house. They also hurt the people who happend to ive in the same house as a sex offender. There are so many different ways to get on these registries that it is not even funny. One does not even have to harm a person to get on the list. All one has to do is send the wrong text, instant message, picture, etc. to the wrong party. As far as I am concerned, someone who rapes another person should be put to death. I don’t condone sex crimes nor do I believe in coddling criminals. However, there is a right way to do things and a wrong way. These registies and restrictions are definitely the wrong way. If a person is too dangerous to be back in society, then the sententence for the crime shoul have taken that into account.