What should we do about them? SOme people here don't want a database. Rather than fixing the database system by restricting yhr mandatory reported crimes, they want to do away with it. How do you want to protect people from sexual predators?

Since the SCIENCE shows that different types of offenders have different recidivism rates (which has led to the classification system) we should target measures to those most likely to reoffend. There are some characteristics tha point to major differences in recidivism. By looking at the science, we can make informed decisions about which types of crimes to put in the databases. The CSOM study is considered the best meta analysis right now. This summary discusses the methodological problems of researching sex offender recidivism.

http://www.csom.org/pubs/recidsexof.html A more layman friendsly summary is here http://www.sexoffender.com/sorecidivism_review.html

The biggest thing is the difference between the mentally challenged exhibitionists, rapists, and fixated pedophiles. Within rape there are different categories.

The biggest problem in the whole thing is NOT minor crimes in the database. it is the saturation media coverage which discourages reporting serial sex offenders.

This about.com article discusses why a global "life sentence" is unrealistic, but more targeted usage along with beefed up fixes in the database/tracking system would be important to any system.

http://incestabuse.about.com/od/inthenews/a/sexoffenders.htm

One of those changes must be the reclassification of public urination, sodomy cases, etc. Police departments are complaining that they can't keep up with predators. Limiting the databases to actual predators instead of "quality of life crimes" would help. The Police are pushing for that in severzal states.

It is unrealistic to think the databases will go away. They won't. There is movement to remove minor crimes from databases and monitoring. Even if minor crimes are removed from sex offender databases, they won't go away. The increasing use of employer background checks means they will still be there. http://www.wired.com/news/business/1,63364-0.html

As for those who are fixated pedophiles, there are characteristics that lead to the Level three designations. "These offenders pose a potential high risk to the community and are a threat to re-offend if provided the opportunity. Most have prior sex crime convictions as well as other criminal convictions. Their lifestyles and choices place them in this classification. Some have predatory characteristics and may seek out victims. They have refused or failed to complete approved treatment programs. "http://scso.spokanesheriff.org/home.htm

It is not a matter of them being witch hunted. These are people who are actively refusing treatment, who have patterns of offending violently, who have sexually violent mentally illnesses, and are dangerous. Whether the person who kills you is mentally ill or just plain vicious does not matter in some cases. You are just as dead. A person with these characteristics is a threat, and after offending should be locked up. I prefer locking them up to the death penalty. If a cure comes along, they can be let go. But until then, they are a threat.

There are compromise solutions out there.

You need support from people who understand how debilitating this is. I know that here there are support groups for schizophrenia. I would call the local mental health center or talk to your medical doctor about what is going on. I would also get a medical exam. Stress can tire you out, and this letter sounds like you are under great stress.

You sound tapped out, LW. While everyone was worrying about your mother, no one worried about you. I hope you take care of yourself a little. You deserve the papmpering. Even the strongest can break.

I have no recipe for dealing with delusional siblings. Your sister has to get there for herself. She needs to respect that you need space right now. At some point she will get to where you and your father are. It's always hard to wait.

I wish you strength.

Pastor admits buying meth

http://www.cnn.com/

"I was tempted" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

I guess he never inhaled either.

Not trying to remove the splinter in another's eye until you have removed the plank in your own, a. Haggard had 2x4 in his eye. He preached heavily against the immorality of meth and gayness. He was vicious in his condemnation of anything he saw as not righteous. He's been the very definition of meanness, and he has used our Lord's name to justify his viciousness as he violated Jesus's words about loving our naeighbors and treating others as we would be treated. Haggard has been far meaner than anything said on these forums.

He was campaigning for an initiative to outlaw gay marriage. He claimed homosexuality was a depraved choice, and if people acted like him and his followers, they wouldn't make that depraved choice. His words were inaccurate. Not to mention, he's lied and made fun of people trying to tell the truth and wrestle with these issues in an honest way. He's hurt a lot of people.

God will judge him, true. But if people want to laugh at his viciousness coming home to roost, I can not blame them.

By the way, a, you are judging the others yourself. You might want to live out what you say. It's hard for them to take you seriously when you are doing the very thing you accuse them of.