Posted on 08/14/2007 4:27:34 AM PDT by Dudoight
The show was an instant success. It lured would-be child-sex predators to a public shaming, delivered by a handsome host. Ratings, awards and even praise from members of Congress followed. But now Dateline NBC's "To Catch a Predator" series is taking heat. And so is the police chief of the Collin County town that hosted it eight months ago. The troubles stem from the show's visit to Murphy, where more than 20 people were arrested but escaped prosecution because of evidence problems. Also a former district attorney ensnared in the sting shot himself.
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
I helped build networking database for investigators, several years ago. One of the key goals was to take down pedophiles.
I can hardly wait until one of these predators arrested and shown on Dateline, after they get a warrant for his house, we find a child who has been enslaved. Then, you will see a rally behind Dateline like none you could imagine. Also, hopefully we will see the death penalty return for things deserving it, such as pedophilia.
No. Their crime was soliciting sex from someone they thought was a minor. That's a big difference.
Where did you get this information? I have seen video of these guys appearing before a judge for arraignment; several months ago I remember seeing a follow-up story where the showed the results of the court proceedings on the entire lot that was caught on a particular show. Given that, I was led to believe that prosecutions were occurring.
Even if the guys were not successfully prosecuted a good public service was done. I’m a strong believer in public shaming. Worked well for prior generations of Americans. And what is more shaming than having every single person you know and tens of millions of Americans watch you busted for being a sex pervert on national TV?
The article notes:
In 11 stings, the show has exposed more than 250 potential predators, many of whom have been convicted.
“NBC is recklessly ruining lives...”
Anybody who shows up at a house expecting sex with young teens deserves to have their life ruined.
sick.
Yep. Just so we're clear as to what the crime really was and that no actual child was harmed in any way.
Now, given that, what should be the penalty? Life in prison (because we know these guys can't be rehabilitated)? Perhaps their face on national TV, a couple of years in state prison, then branded for life as a sexual predator?
For thinking someone was a minor?
As a juror on a kiddie porn trial, I saw horrid photos of adult/child sex and no use for these people.
I also have use for people who use these crimes for entertainment and to stir emotions.
I don't buy for a minute it is to warn people about these creeps, it to make a buck.
Doesn't anyone remember the bogus child abuse cases that propelled Janet Reno's career?
And don't forget, this is the first time he's ever done such a thing.
“NBC is recklessly ruining lives without meeting any kind of an objective standard.”
I’m loathe to defend NBC about anything, but come on...the only fault here in the “ruined lives” department is that of the perverts that were actively trying to pick up underage kids to have sex with.
http://holycoast.blogspot.com/2006/04/nbcmuslim-activists-target-nascar-and.html
As for the teen girls, if you have a 14 yr. old daughter who is talking about sex on the Internet, then you have a real problem and need to deal with it. Too many times now, these girls are facing such dangers that they really shouldn’t even know about at that age. One of those dangers in the legacy of BJ Clinton. Yes, some man would travel 100 miles for that sort of thing, and not care...because they have already talked it over. That’s the rub to this, it is not something that should be presented on TV at 8 p.m. on a schoolnight. And if you think that even 10 yr. old girls don’t know what that sex act is, then you haven’t been keeping up.
Go read the Texas law, it states exactly what level crime it is (3rd degree felony):
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/79R/billtext/pdf/HB02228F.pdf
And just to make it clear, you want to wait until a child is raped or killed before you do anything? You have said multiple times here that “no child was harmed”, so that implies that for you, it is not actually wrong until a child is harmed. You don’t perhaps think that prevention is the better option?
These charges are not bogus. The evidence is right there for everyone to see. Most of the men plead guilty.
“I’m a strong believer in public shaming.”
The problem with that is since there are ‘advocates’ for everything from sex w/boys (NAMBLA), murdering the unborn, unwed mothers, free sex, drug use...on and on, NOTHING is shameful any more.
Yes...we need to raise the bar on shame. It used to be all about ‘us’ as a community. Now it is all about ‘ME’. Sad commentary on where our society is now.
What the hell? There are actually posters here defending these damn perverts? Did NAMBLA invade Free Repulic something?
No, but for a fleeting second, everyone would be happy to have that money before reality sets in. There's the difference, normal people find money to be a good thing, they don't find underage sex to be in the same light.
Apples and oranges, like I said before. Even if some men would be initially delighted by the idea that a very young woman/girl might be attracted to them, reality says that its wrong (or could be) on so many levels. The scum busted by MSNBC are those who who have spent hours online trying to troll for jail bait, and have travelled many miles, bringing things to entice the "girl" to have sex with them. They're not just guys who are flattered for a few seconds.
Our society is way better off without them. And if they finally feel enough shame about what they've done to off themselves, so much the better.
A novel thought, huh?
"If a man mails a picture of his pecker to someone he thinks is a child, that proves enough intent for me."
Well, if you want to make that a crime, then just make sure the punishment fits. These guys are being punished as though an actual child was harmed.
"The idea that we have to wait for a child to get raped before we act is stupid and naive."
Dangerous thinking in the land of the free and the home of the brave, Butch.
“Like the DA who blew his own brains out? Who never broke the law in his life?? “
The man was trying to pick up thirteen year old boys on the Internet, and you’re defending him???
What the hell is wrong with you???
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