Ben Boychuck’s recent article (“Best solution may be sex offender ‘colonies,’” March 6) reminded me of a similar suggestion in 2010 by gubernatorial candidate Douglas Hughes to build a “pedophile island” off the California coast. Thankfully, Hughes was not elected, but his sentiments are often echoed across the nation. Full Letter to the Editor
Related: Best solution may be sex offender ‘colonies’ (Opinion)
i think the BIGGEST problem, is that the term “sex offender” for them is a ONE SIZE FITS ALL. it’s not, and their ignorance is our doom.
i think if they only understood that not everyone with that label has a crime against children, things might get better.
Disagree. The BIGGEST problem is that there is such a thing as a sex offender registry, period. Second biggest problem is that some people who are on it think it is okay for others – just not them.
Completely agree with you. I do not agree with people who think something is okay as long as it is applied to “them” and not to me.
I truly believe that the Sex Offender Registries are idiotic BS. I think that nearly everyone listed on one is more dangerous simply because of that fact. To me, putting someone on a Registry is like putting them in a cage and poking them with sticks for no good or legitimate reason. It is the last thing that we should be doing to people who are actually dangerous (e.g. violent rapists or violent whatevers).
Glad to see a response to Boychuk’s (“Boychuck”) opinion piece , especially since the comment section seems to have been disabled.
Does anyone have any direct experience with COSA? I see that there’s a group in Fresno – http://cosa-fresno.org – but would like to hear of any first-hand experience.
“SadandMad” and “Joe”, it’s a rhetorical question, but I’d love to know what is the ‘social statute of limitations’ on the term, “sex offender”.
If you copied from a friend’s test in 9th grade, when are you no longer considered, first-and-foremost, a “cheater”?
And if you got a DUI in college, when are you no longer considered, first-and-foremost, a “drunk driver”?
And what about those not caught? They are still a sex offender, just not a “convicted sex offender”. Is it any less real because they are an “unconvicted” S.O.?
Sorry & thanks, ‘just venting some frustration.
A person is not a “sex offender” if a person is not committing sex offenses. Just like a person stops being a “police officer” as soon as he/she is not any longer.
The term “sex offender” should never be used by people who do not support the “sex offender” witch hunt. That term is a weapon of war used by the terrorists who support the Sex Offender Registries.
Because of my label (given to me 18+ years ago) I am constantly forced to think, read and be conscience of sex crimes.
I need to keep up on laws and trends. This leads me to reading gruesome stories and court cases about abuse.
Truly I feel this label immerses me into a world of crime I was never in and would never have known about had the government not had these laws.
I can’t beleive the fanatics are allowing mike tyson to have his own cartoon series in cable. Seems like they would be having a heart attack over it and rushing to create some law against it. Oh but he has money and was a champion boxer so no one says anything about him having a cartoon show. I mean its good because the guy did his time and should be free to do whatever he wants I’m just amazed that no one is raving about it. YET that is.
Several years ago, when Mike Tyson had a big boxing match in England, he was allowed in their country for that match – despite their strict laws against S.O.s entering their country. So as long as you’re rich, huh? Hypocrites!!
And what would happen now? Would he get “green flagged” by ICE, but nonetheless be allowed entry by British customs??
Actually, Iron Mike was denied a visa to the UK in 2013.
He is a shining example of someone who did not let the registry and his status as a registrant hold him back. He is obviously someone who possesses the level of charisma and drive to be successful in spite of his past. Promoters know how to capitalize on his celeb, and Mike is willing to out himself out there to make a decent wage. More power to him.
I am impressed by many famous figures who manage to bounce back from scandal. Some I like, but most I don’t.
From the Clintons, who lack the ability to be embarrassed, to Hanoi Jane, who would have been hanged for treason if she pulled her shenanigans with the Third Reich. Yet, Hillary, Bill, Ms. Fonda and many like them seem to turn scandal into money time after time.
Indeed, we need more like them among our ranks. The honest good kind.
Hey Derek,
If you happen to read this….just wanted to say Thank You from all of us here in sunny Californ-i-a