Justice in America

shinerbock · #1 01-31-2007, 12:22 AM

There is something to be said for giving dumb kids a second chance. I've seen a lot of people whose lives have been altered for stupid stuff. The problem is that for some police officers, maybe who didn't go to college, getting arrested is just a daily thing. For a kid hoping to go to law school and walking home from the bar drunk, its a bit more than a slip up. I know the standard should be the same for everyone, but some people in positions of power view getting arrested as part of growing up or something you laugh about later. To a degree it can be, but it can also mess up the future plans of a person who is otherwise an all around good kid.

This isn't to relieve people of their responsibility to respect the law. The main point young people need to take away is that refraining from things that often get you in trouble isn't enough. Don't even put yourself in a situation where its possible to get into trouble, be it with an overzealous cop or a lying teenage girl.

James · #2 01-31-2007, 12:38 AM

One more reason not to live in the South.

shinerbock · #3 01-31-2007, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

One more reason not to live in the South.

I'm pretty sure there are several black men in NYC who wouldn't agree that the north is devoid of problems like this...

James · #4 01-31-2007, 01:42 AM

Yah, you and pika2001 are right about that. I was being glib.

And I was referring more to antiquated sex laws, like the oral sex thing than racism per se.

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinerbock

I'm pretty sure there are several black men in NYC who wouldn't agree that the north is devoid of problems like this...

PiKA2001 · #5 01-31-2007, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

One more reason not to live in the South.

It doesnt matter where you live, the HS statutory rape case I mentioned happened in Detroit.

starang21 · #6 01-31-2007, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinerbock

There is something to be said for giving dumb kids a second chance. I've seen a lot of people whose lives have been altered for stupid stuff. The problem is that for some police officers, maybe who didn't go to college, getting arrested is just a daily thing. For a kid hoping to go to law school and walking home from the bar drunk, its a bit more than a slip up. I know the standard should be the same for everyone, but some people in positions of power view getting arrested as part of growing up or something you laugh about later. To a degree it can be, but it can also mess up the future plans of a person who is otherwise an all around good kid.

This isn't to relieve people of their responsibility to respect the law. The main point young people need to take away is that refraining from things that often get you in trouble isn't enough. Don't even put yourself in a situation where its possible to get into trouble, be it with an overzealous cop or a lying teenage girl.

it's completely understandable if he was 25 or something like that. he was probably a junior, and she was a freshman.

shinerbock · #7 01-31-2007, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starang21

it's completely understandable if he was 25 or something like that. he was probably a junior, and she was a freshman.

And while it may be a dumb kid thing, or even accepted now (I don't think 14-15 year old girls having sex should be readily accepted), guys just can't put themselves in those situations. I always thought he was paranoid, but my father has always been big on me being careful around girls of questionable character. Similar thing with police or whoever, you simply can't give them any reason to get you for something.

laylo · #8 01-31-2007, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinerbock

And while it may be a dumb kid thing, or even accepted now (I don't think 14-15 year old girls having sex should be readily accepted), guys just can't put themselves in those situations. I always thought he was paranoid, but my father has always been big on me being careful around girls of questionable character. Similar thing with police or whoever, you simply can't give them any reason to get you for something.

The first thing I thought when I read the story was that if I ever have a son I will definitely drill this into his head.

James · #9 01-31-2007, 01:18 AM

Is there much of a difference, except in persspective, between a 17 year old having sex with a 15 year old or a 25 year old doing it? Either a girl can consent or not.

What is interesting is that consent is not something a 15 year old girl an give . . she isn't adult enough . . but she can committ murder and be considered an adult.

And there is an enormous double standard if the genders had been reversed. Which doesn't make any sense at all when looked at in a way that examines the logical underpinnings of such laws.

Trying to legislate social situations like this is actually kind of stupid.

DSTCHAOS · #10 01-31-2007, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James

Trying to legislate social situations like this is actually kind of stupid.

I think that these types of situations are extreme and most people aren't tried for having sex with someone 2 years younger. For the most part, statutory rape cases are dealing with a more cut-and-dry age differential.