Sex Offender Register

This is a great idea. This should be federal law in my opinion. Every person who offends should be held responsible and forced to register. That information in turn, should be availible to the public.

Oh I know, almost half the states have this thanks to Parents for Megan's Law .

If you don't know this story, you should. A bright beautiful little girl was kidnapped, raped, and murdered by a convicted sex offender. She was seven years old. She lived in New Jersey. Across the street from her a predator lay in wait. Watching her, striking when the time was right for him. Her name was Megan Nicole Kanka.

Now, as great as it is that they have passed these laws in 22 states, that means that 28 states do not have this. The state I live in, does have one, but, it doesn't list the county I live in.

I wish I could believe that this means my county is free of these predators, but it doesn't. It simply means that the database hasn't been updated yet.

In Iowa, the state I live in, another story is made public. Jetseta Gage. A ten year old girl who had her whole life in front of her, was molested by her mother's boyfriend. I don't know all the details about how the molestation came out, but, they did report that this had been taking place for nearly 3 years.

The man has a record. He's done this before. He is arrested, all is wonderful right? Justice will be served.

No, you see, the man has a brother, and, the mother, took him in as her "friend". This man, who, also has a record might I add, kidnapped, raped, and then killed this beautiful child.

Now, they are saying that they might drop the case against his brother. For one, they say he has the right to face his accuser. Two, the only witness in the case can not testify.

This is probably one of the worst cases of gross misjustice I've ever heard. For those of you who are supporting the dropping of this case because of point number one, let me tell you something. Very seldom to they make 10 year old girls go in and stare into the face of a man who's been molesting her for 3 years. If they child >does< go in, it is their choice. They usually do a life feed from another room.

For point number two, I pray that they also charge him with accessory to murder. Maybe he ordered the hit, maybe he didn't, but it is clear to anyone that he was the cause of this little girl's death.

I fear however that I am straying from my subject. You see, both these men were on convicted once before. They were on the Sex Offender Registery lists. The mother says she didn't know this because she didn't have a computer to check the facts.

Now, I might have sympathized for the first boyfriend. These men are predators, they know how to lull you into a false sense of security, but why the hell would you, put your child, into the path of a man who's brother is facing charges for molesting your child?

This mother faces no charges.

I am so full of anger for this little girl. I am horrified that no one stepped in to protect her.

I read so many stories, I've met so many women, and even a few men, I myself have been down this road and it sickens me. When will it stop? When will we ever feel it to be safe for our children?

But, is a registry the answer? What about those who commited the act 20 years ago and served their time and haven't reoffended? What about their rights? Do criminals have rights? They are still people too aren't they? When do their rights end and the victims rights kick in? The right to go to school safely? The right to play in their front yard safely? The right to sleep in their own beds safely?

So many questions, and I am going to come back to this, but, for now, I am heading for work. Thanks for all the well wishes to get better. I am feeling somewhat better and I appreciate all the love.