He grabbed girl's arm -- now he's a sex offender

Chicago Sun Times ^ | 7-1-2005 | Steve Patterson

[frogjerk]

You argue that it is uncommon for seniors in high school to date sophomores? Give me a break. Even fooling around would be against the law for a couple like that. Want your kid to be a registered sex offender for dating a sophomore when he is a senior?

I'm arguing that you are stating that most of us are all "sex offenders". Your blanket statement condemning most of us as such is contemptible. Believe it or not, some kids were not sexually promiscuous during HS. I know it is a shock to the MSM and liberal sex experts everywhere.

Anyway, I don't see an epidemic of police arrest for 18/17 year old HS Seniors dating 16/15 HS Sophomores. I think you are stretching reality just a bit...

[buckleyfan]

This is weird, and I have to agree it doesn't sound right. You shouldn't be able to convict someone or label them as something for what they "might" do, especially, when there is no clear indication that he had any such intentions.

With that said, I do think the guy is not very smart. In this day and age, whose instinct tells them to jump out of the car and grab a 14-year-old girl by the arm? Even if she carelessly walked in front of his car.. You have to know you just can't grab someone like that, even if you are angry, or want to lecture them, or whatever.

Do it to most people, and you'll get a punch in the face. Do it to a young girl, and you will raise suspicion, and be arrested. I just have to wonder what he was thinking. jmho

[stinkerpot65]

American courts are evil.

[monday]

"Which means, I would guess, a sizable number of all of you are probably sex offenders."

"That's a pretty wide brush your painting with there. Don't assume your behavior on everybody else..."

A "sizable number" does not mean the same thing as "everybody".

Words mean something specific, they are not random letters whose meaning you can twist to your whim. If you don't know the meaning of a particular word, do yourself a favor and look it up before posting.

[monday]

"Hey, dude, next time just hit her with the car."

If the situation comes up again thats exactly what he will do.

Every other adult reading this might want to consider what they would do in a similar situation. Whatever you do, don't touch anyone under 18. Your neighbors will think you are a pedophile no matter where you move to.

[Lurker]

""it is [Barnaby's] actions which have caused him to be stigmatized, not the courts.""

Wow....

L

[monday]

"I'm arguing that you are stating that most of us are all "sex offenders". "

lol.... did you even go to school? The statement "most of us are all" makes no logical sense. Which is it, "most of us" or "all of us"?

[MosesKnows]

Tom Stanton said Barnaby should have to register "because of the proclivity of offenders who restrain children to also commit sex acts or other crimes against them."

I see these poor people are saddled with idiots. Isn't it sad that a people have to put up with a state's attorney office and judges with no more gray matter than is displayed here.

[Publius6961]

Oh great!
This will do wonders for destroying the stigma toward real sex offenders.

Unintended consequences stupidity --- big time!

[goodolemr]

Good God. I feel for this guy.

[frogjerk]

OK, I'll break out my College Harbrace Handbook for your sake. Give me a break, I'm from NJ...

Why don't you argue the point instead of correcting my grammar?

Question: While you were a Senior in HS did you have sex with Sophomores? If so, you fit the posters criteria...

[monday]

"Why don't you argue the point instead of correcting my grammar?"

The Point is, he didn't accuse everyone of having sex with sophomores like you said he did.

Question: While you were a Senior in HS did you have sex with Sophomores?

Just my girlfriend. I was 17/18, she 15/16. Pretty young, but also pretty typical.

[Cagey]

"Give me a break, I'm from NJ..."

Hahahaha! I am also, and I understood you perfectly the first time.

[mysterio]

You don't have to be sexually promiscuous. If grabbing a girl's arm is enough, then I suppose making out would pretty much be covered too, right? I bet that would make many of you sex offenders. The only difference between many in the population and those who are on that database is that when they were necking in the back seat of dad's car, they didn't get caught.

There are stories each year about two high school kids dating and one of them ending up a sex offender. There is a difference between an 18 year old dating a 15 year old and a 60 year old man molesting little boys. If our laws refuse to recognize that, they should be thrown out.

And no, I was not promiscuous in high school, and no, I am not in one of those databases. I just think making everyone jump through the hurdles designed for child molesters is ridiculous.

[frogjerk]

It's not really the law here that is wrong, it is the stupid judge and prosecutor who don't have an ounce of common sense. The Judge by his own admission stated he most likely thinks the man was just trying to chastise the girl. Isn't that reasonable doubt?

A stupid judge and/or prosecutor can take any law on the books and turn it into an absurdity...

[ConservativeMan55]

This is nuts!

[newgeezer]

This just proves my theory.

This only gives your theory some legs (scrawny, short ones).

This single story took place in suburban Chicago. Remember, Chicago's bluer than blue. Chances are still awfully good that any registered sex offender in our state and your 'hood is there because he was convicted of something at least resembling an actual sex crime, and nothing even remotely as inane as this.

When I was 6 I played doctor with the neighbor girl. I'm sure I'd be on that list today.

Are you really so sure? For 99% of six year olds, I'm betting there's no way. (Maybe you're the 1%. You were there. ;O)

[cyborg]

This happened to me once. I just called the little brat a effing dumbass and warned that next time a truck won't miss. Mean but some kids don't realise their stupidity.

[Old Professer]

What good is the "Village" if the denizens are all restrained?