Georgia Republican stands up for sex offenders’ access to schools and playgrounds

[meegbear]

Source: RawStory.com

A Georgia Republican state House member submitted a bill to the current legislative session that would remove restrictions on convicted sex offenders and allow them to go anywhere in the state they like, including schools.

According to the Cherokee Tribune, freshman Georgia Rep. Sam Moore (R-Macedonia) said that once they satisfy the terms of their parole, sex offenders have “done their time” and should be allowed to go forth unhindered by intrusive government supervision.

Moore’s HB 1033 would overturn the crime of loitering and loosen restrictions on convicted sex offenders, enabling them to go anywhere they like, including schools, church youth functions, parks and playgrounds. Moore said that the risk of recidivism is outweighed by the increase in freedom.

“I am OK with that,” he told the Tribune. “The reason I’m OK with that is the assumption is they have done their time. If they’re still a danger to society, they should not be free.” “Am I saying it’s not creepy?” he asked. “It’s definitely creepy,” but worth it to avoid big government’s infringement on personal liberties.

Read more: http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/21/georgia-republican-stands-up-for-sex-offenders-access-to-schools-and-playgrounds/

[JoePhilly]

1. Sounds like he's thinking ahead.

Just in case, ya know, some one finds out about his hobby.

[flying rabbit]

17. Scary

Word for word, that was the reply I had in my head when I read the OP.

[Happyhippychick]

2. Republicans: locking up the pedophile vote because no one else wants to.

[valerief]

13. Bwahahaha!

[7962]

3. This will go NOWHERE. I understand the premise, but a line must be drawn somewhere.

Kinda like an animal abuser never being allowed to own an animal again. Or felons not being allowed to own a gun.

Edit- from the looks of it, his bill has NO co-sponsors.

[awoke_in_2003]

15. No sane person...

would attach their name to such a thing.

[barbtries]

4. yeah and i bet he's all for

never letting a convicted felon vote again.

[SoapBox]

10. And for rooting out that Voter Fraud!

Cheaters like seniors, disabled, students, etc...THOSE are the real criminals, not Uncle Chester the Child Molester.

[Drunken Irishman]

5. In a way, I actually agree with this guy...

I think there are a group of child sex offenders whose repeat levels are probably way too high to ever be allowed around children. However, it's not hard to be labeled as a sex offender in this country and there are many men, and some women, who have been put on that list - like that boy who, last year, faced being labeled as a sex offender because he went streaking at a high school football game. He later killed himself. You can also get on the list by taking photos of yourself nude if you are a minor, going to a prostitute, peeing in public and flashing your boobs.

The list is brutal for a lot of people who are far from being sexual predators out to molest and rape children.

That's not to say that everyone on the list shouldn't be - but once you're on it, good luck trying to live a normal life.

[7962]

6. In GA, the law has been changed to do away with some of what you're talking about

Such as a 17 yr old boy with a 16 yr old girlfriend. Not sure how far it goes, but some of what you mention is really ridiculous in our "zero tolerance" world
I also dont know if its retroactive

[Drunken Irishman]

7. That's good to hear and hopefully it is retroactive...

[Jake Stern]

8. Part of the problem is that when most people hear "sexual offender" they think "sexual predator"

Sexual predators were the people the creators of the registry program had in mind.

The drunk caught peeing in an alley is NOT a sexual predator.

The woman sunbathing nude in her backyard is NOT a sexual predator. (Yes, in some states, you can be charged with lewd display if a child happens to look over your fence. I believe Florida is one of them)

The 19 year old found having sex with his 17 year old girlfriend is NOT a sexual predator.

A frat brother streaking a game is NOT a sexual predator.

In some states getting caught selling sex toys can land you on the sex offender registry.

All of the above can (and do) end up on sex offender registries which can ruin their lives denying them jobs, places to live, even having the title in big letters on their driver's license (Oklahoma does this) yet virtually none of them would likely re-offend.

The sex offender registry needs serious reform to better target the people who truly be on it and get people who aren't likely to re-offend off of it.

[jaysunb]

9. +1

And let's not forget those convicted of consensual sex w/ a minor. They represent the largest number of listed sex offenders. We actually have had 3 cases where the parties are now married but the husband remains listed as an offender.

There's got to be a better way....

[riversedge]

16. You have made some pts which I agree with.

[rustbeltvoice]

11. what i find interesting is at the end of the article

....One of Moore’s fellow Republican lawmakers unloaded on him at the state House session on Friday morning.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution quoted Rep. John Pezold (R-Fortson) as saying, “I am shocked and appalled anyone would suggest that pedophiles should be allowed to loiter near day care centers, schools — the places where our children learn and play.”

“If Mr. Moore’s mission was to come down to the state Capitol and alienate his colleagues by staking out positions that no one in their right mind could agree with,” Pezold continued, “he can now hang a ‘Mission Accomplished’ banner behind him because he has done just that.”

________________

“he can now hang a ‘Mission Accomplished’ banner behind him”

We know whom, and what this is referencing. Here is an admission (used as the standard), made by a Republican of a Republican before Republicans (and others) that gwbjr was a colossal buffoon, the absolute epitome of ridiculous stupidity.

[7962]

12. Oh, I've heard a few R's use that as a slam. But never in a state house! nt

[awoke_in_2003]

14. 5th rec for exposure...

republican asshats, but then I am being redundant.

[Recursion]

18. Take away the inflammatory language and this is something a lot of DUers have argued for

I'm also concerned about restricting people's liberty based on what they might do rather than what they have done (and, in fact, sex crimes don't have a higher recidivism rate than other crimes).

As it is, there are places where all the sex offenders have to live under this one bridge because it's the only place in town that they can be however many yards away from a school or church is required.