Comments on: Social Conservatives in Georgia Go Off the Rails

By: ChuckEaton

ChuckEaton — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:37:08 +0000

I freely admit, the age of a minor, and their ability to consent, is up for debate. Maybe it should be 14 or maybe it should be 16. The actual age is clearly a legislative function, and our Legislature has determined that age to be 15 and under. O.C.G.A. § 16-6-3.

But, that’s not really the point. The point is, if you believe in the concept of statutory rape, and the implied need for an age limit, then it seems contradictory to say that a young, teenage girl cannot have consensual sex with a boyfriend, but can have sex under the guardianship of a pimp.

I believe in the concept of statutory rape, and the “under the age” of 16 law seems very reasonable to me. I suppose if I were king for a day, I might consider some sort of Romeo and Juliet law – I’d have to think that one through.

By: Mozart

Mozart — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:40:45 +0000

Jos, what you say may be correct, but unless you know for sure what the procedure is or what the procedure will be, unless it is codified in this bill, it will not matter.

By: Joshua Morris

Joshua Morris — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:12:17 +0000

My point, Moz, is that arresting a child is not necessary to bring him/her to the attention of authorities.

By: polisavvy

polisavvy — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:32:38 +0000

There you go again — causing me laughter. You are such a character (and I mean that in a good way). I do get emotional, on occasions (ask my husband); but, I think I do because I’m a mom blob and you know how we are when it comes to children and the thoughts that someone could be harming one or forcing them into acts such as the ones discussed here. I promise I will try to refrain; but, it’s not going to be easy.

By: Mozart

Mozart — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:08:27 +0000

Thank you, Poli. I almost teared-up (in a non-emotional way!) with your comment.

By: polisavvy

polisavvy — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:24:33 +0000

Okay, okay, you are right. (I can’t believe I’m agreeing with you, but I am). I did, at your suggestion, go back and read the bill AGAIN. This time I made sure that I wasn’t emotional. I couldn’t find anything about treatment or therapy. Intentions need to be legislated and spelled out in simple terms.

By: Mozart

Mozart — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:34:51 +0000

“I don’t believe Senator Unterman’s bill to state that the children are to be simply set free. They will be given treatment and therapy.”

Show me in the bill where it says the children “will be given treatment and therapy.” Show it to me, please.

By: Mozart

Mozart — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:44:31 +0000

I am presuming the detention system identifies a kid as being a teenage prostitute, assigns them some sort of tracking number, and keeps these records.

Byte…all I want the legislation to do is to DO what Senator Unterman is claiming will happen if she changes the law. Without having the support center codified in the law, she is, essentially, “de-criminalizing” teenage prostitution. You have to look at what the legislation actually says, not what the “intents” of Senator Unterman are.

Because, if you recall, in the Genarlow Wilson case, Matt Towery came barreling-out with what his “intent” of the law they passed back in the late 1990s was, and the DA in Douglas County didn’t quite get that intended “intent” when he arrested and charged Wilson, did he?

“Intents” that are not codified are useless.

By: Ken in Eastman

Ken in Eastman — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:08:46 +0000

The lack of arrests make me wonder if something else is flying under the radar. I’m not sure what though.

By: ByteMe

ByteMe — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:47:08 +0000

On this we agree.

By: ByteMe

ByteMe — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:46:16 +0000

You are presuming the detention system helps children.

By: Mozart

Mozart — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:11:50 +0000

Chuck,

What about:

13 year old girls?
14-year old girls?
15-year old girls?
16-year old girls?
17-year old girls?

Are all of these ages covered by your premise that only until they hit the physical age of “18″, all of these girls are unable to make a decision to consent to sex?

By: Mozart

Mozart — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:09:20 +0000

You are presuming DFACS helps children…

By: polisavvy

polisavvy — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:17:55 +0000

You and I may disagree, but for some reason, you usually make me laugh with your witty comebacks. For the laughter, I thank you (sincerely).

By: Joshua Morris

Joshua Morris — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 22:07:28 +0000

Does DFCS arrest every child they help?

By: Mozart

Mozart — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:57:56 +0000

On this subject, Poli, I guess I’m “on the warpath.” But, I’ll leave you be to your brow furrowing.

By: Mozart

Mozart — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:55:59 +0000

Erick makes a political statement (something he does every single day), and that takes “guts.” Men and women sacrifice their lives every day in the military, and that takes “guts.”

Kinda devalues the definition of what does and does not take “guts.”

By: polisavvy

polisavvy — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:47:07 +0000

I sincerely trust that you are not trying to imply that I am also ignorant, as well as emotional!

By: polisavvy

polisavvy — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:46:01 +0000

Thank you so very much for the free psychological evaluation. I don’t know why I thought that all facets of my brain worked simultaneously. Is it just me or are you on the warpath with everyone else today? Just curious. I use a lot of descriptive words (very verbose) and I am terribly sorry if it offends you. Let’s leave it at that, okay?

By: Mozart

Mozart — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:41:57 +0000

Who?