Although you know it's true!
There must be wanted criminals out there, from petty thieves to king-pin masterminds, who tweet and keep up with their Facebook pages. And just as social networking has become ubiquitous among honest types, so has it surely expanded further among the naughty folk.
In response, I would wager that local police departments will be expanding their cyber-crime divisions into whole force resources. All divisions from fraud to homocide, will make greater and greater use of network investigation techniques.
Next time some perp gushes in his tweet over Justin Bieber's hair, his location will be found by online hunter-seekers, the razor sharp tip of a very long spear.
Seconds later, the remaining head and shaft of the spear will blow through his front door, laser sights sweeping back and forth. "Eeek," the perp cries, as his iPhone flies from his sweaty, piggy fingers.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Sex Offender in a Desert Town
A short piece on Nightline tonight featured a small desert town in California that now seems to live in fear of a so-called "predatory sex offender" who has been placed in their town. His location - a double-wide trailer 50 miles outside of the small town center.
He's on permanent satellite GPS and can only leave his trailer with an escort. He goes out once or twice a week, for therapy and to do some grocery shopping. The remainder of the time, he stays in his trailer, alone, in the middle of the desert.
The town is living in FEAR.
The man is probably in his late 60's, maybe early 70's (reporter Lisa Ling only gave us a bare hint of background, only that he had been convicted of rape and child molestation). The viewer learned nothing about when he was convicted or under what circumstances, but that he had been released from prison in 1997 and had spent the remaining 12 or 13 years in a mental institution - perhaps California's version of civil commitment.
The story did tell us that both his mental health therapist and a judge had approved his release to "freedom." But to the residents of this small desert community, he is Satan in their midst.
I would suggest to the residents of this community, go meet the man. Two or three at a time, go pay him a visit. Ask him to honestly tell you how he is doing. Yes, he may be a sociopath willing to do anything he can to convince you he is no harm to you or your children. Or he may be truly remorseful for his crimes and just trying to spend the remainder of his life on the outside.
But whatever he is and whatever he does, it's best for the community to at least meet the man, to know that he is a human being and not a monster. And, if he is truly remorseful, allowing him to meet you could make all the difference in his rehabilitation, to learn that he might, one day be able to make some kind of life in society.
As paradoxical as it may sound, it would be the safest thing for this desert town. And it would be the moral, compassionate and humane thing to do for this man, even if he is a "monster."
He's on permanent satellite GPS and can only leave his trailer with an escort. He goes out once or twice a week, for therapy and to do some grocery shopping. The remainder of the time, he stays in his trailer, alone, in the middle of the desert.
The town is living in FEAR.
The man is probably in his late 60's, maybe early 70's (reporter Lisa Ling only gave us a bare hint of background, only that he had been convicted of rape and child molestation). The viewer learned nothing about when he was convicted or under what circumstances, but that he had been released from prison in 1997 and had spent the remaining 12 or 13 years in a mental institution - perhaps California's version of civil commitment.
The story did tell us that both his mental health therapist and a judge had approved his release to "freedom." But to the residents of this small desert community, he is Satan in their midst.
I would suggest to the residents of this community, go meet the man. Two or three at a time, go pay him a visit. Ask him to honestly tell you how he is doing. Yes, he may be a sociopath willing to do anything he can to convince you he is no harm to you or your children. Or he may be truly remorseful for his crimes and just trying to spend the remainder of his life on the outside.
But whatever he is and whatever he does, it's best for the community to at least meet the man, to know that he is a human being and not a monster. And, if he is truly remorseful, allowing him to meet you could make all the difference in his rehabilitation, to learn that he might, one day be able to make some kind of life in society.
As paradoxical as it may sound, it would be the safest thing for this desert town. And it would be the moral, compassionate and humane thing to do for this man, even if he is a "monster."
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Care
Word of the Day: Care
Care for; care about; care of; etc.
Before I contemplate asking the gods for favors, I need to show that I can care for the blessings I've received. Like a child who asks for a new toy, but whose old toys lie busted and broken in a corner of the room, how can anyone expect the gods to bless you further if you haven't shown that you can care for the blessings you've already received?
The Secret says I can have anything I want, all I need to employ is the Law of Attraction. But how can I ask for anything without showing gratitude for what I've already received? I ask for better health - have I shown care for the health I have received? I ask for Love - have I cherished and nurtured the Love that I've been shown already? I ask for wealth - have I managed my money well, or have I shown it disdain, spent it on crap that I really don't need or want?
The gods have no patience for those who treat their gifts frivolously. Before we ask for more, show the powers-that-be that we honor their efforts. The gods have no time for ingrates.
Care for; care about; care of; etc.
Before I contemplate asking the gods for favors, I need to show that I can care for the blessings I've received. Like a child who asks for a new toy, but whose old toys lie busted and broken in a corner of the room, how can anyone expect the gods to bless you further if you haven't shown that you can care for the blessings you've already received?
The Secret says I can have anything I want, all I need to employ is the Law of Attraction. But how can I ask for anything without showing gratitude for what I've already received? I ask for better health - have I shown care for the health I have received? I ask for Love - have I cherished and nurtured the Love that I've been shown already? I ask for wealth - have I managed my money well, or have I shown it disdain, spent it on crap that I really don't need or want?
The gods have no patience for those who treat their gifts frivolously. Before we ask for more, show the powers-that-be that we honor their efforts. The gods have no time for ingrates.
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