August 15, 2008 – Suddenly they all died. The end.

There was an article in the Des Moines Register this morning dealing with a man in Pennsylvania who wants to open a halfway house for sex offenders. I thought it was a very interesting article and I think it is very nice of him to do such a thing. His request was denied and so he invited three convicted sex offenders who had served prison time into his home, where they help out around the house, contribute to the bills, and actively search for employment and housing elsewhere. His neighbors are furious, but I find his actions refreshing. Residency restriction laws are absolute crap.

I can hear the nay-sayers now: Would you really want your child living next door to a sex offender? What if something happened? Who’s to say they are truly rehabilitated? I see a huge problem with this sort of logic, though. The law in Iowa states that all registered sex offenders must live at least 2,000 feet away from any school or registered daycare. That eliminates all of Gladbrook and I’m pretty sure it eliminates all of Reinbeck. It also eliminates a lot of Marshalltown, as there are schools and daycares all over the place there, and I’m sure the same holds true for other metropolitan areas. With such stringent restrictions on where people are able to live, it creates headaches not only for the sex offenders trying to find a place to live, but also for the police officers whose job it is to keep track of them. Man hours are wasted trying to make sure that registered addresses are not bogus. These people have friends, too, and friends will lie to cover for their buddies when in danger like this.

I am of the opinion that the truly dangerous offenders are locked up in prisons with no chance of getting out. The repeat offenders usually repeat prison sentences, just like other criminals. And jail is a difficult place to be a sex offender, especially if your offense involved children. Better not bend over to reach for that soap. And as far as something happening to my child, the odds of a sex offender living next door to me and doing something to my child are slim. Most offenses take place with someone the victim already knows and who is already allowed access to the child, so just because you enact a law that says sex offenders can’t live within so many feet of a place doesn’t mean that there’s going to be a reduction in sex crimes. Just because you can’t live within 2,000 feet of a school doesn’t mean you can’t go within 2,000 feet of a school. If they want it bad enough, they’ll find a way, and no law will stop them.

It seems the fury over this in Iowa hit fever pitch about the time that Jetseta Gage was killed. What bothered me about that case so much was that her own mother was allowing the Bentley brothers access to her daughter; they were invited into her home and she trusted them around her children. Look how that trust was repaid. I personally think she is a stupid, careless woman for letting people around her child without knowing more about their backgrounds first.

If anyone actually reads this, I anticipate a lot of angry comments, but really, it’s about time that someone stood up and voiced this kind of opinion. The way most people talk, sex offenders are the scourge of the galaxy. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not condoning their actions; I find them as reprehensible as the next person. But people are capable of change. And laws can be a problem; how many men out there have been convicted of having consensual sex with their underage girlfriends? And by men I mean like a 19-year-old boy and his 15-year-old girlfriend. If convicted, he will have to register as a sex offender for his entire life, just because he took a roll in the hay with a girl who was willing but under the age of consent (16 in Iowa). Now you tell me: Is he really such an evil person? Not many people often stop to think about it that way.

I understand that the scenario posed above is not the case with all sex offenders, but it happens more than people think and I think people ought to use their brains a bit before condemning others. Judge not, lest ye be judged. The article I linked to above had a very good quote in it from Jeremiah that I think is very fitting to this discussion: “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sin no more.” It was a wise person who said that.

And now, on to less inflammatory matters. Apparently the future of Delta Industries and that of its employees is looking a little clearer. The plan is to rebuild, but they’re not sure where yet. I really hope they will seriously consider staying in Reinbeck as a lot of employees live in town. I believe it would be a major blow to our local economy for Delta to pick up and leave. As there is no word yet on what caused the fire, I am still curious. I’ve heard arson mentioned, but I don’t know if I’m ready to believe that. I suppose I’m a bit naive, but I prefer to believe the best of people and look for the good in them, so it’s really hard for me to recognize the bad in people, especially people that I know. Hopefully they’ll be able to conclude the investigation soon and provide answers for the community.

And now, something completely different!

My grandpa’s wife underwent two surgeries this week to correct a heart problem. I am happy to say that she came through both operations quite well, but she remains in ICU and will probably be there for four or five more days before probably making a trip to an assisted living facility to continue her recovery. I’m very hopeful that the two surgeries she had will correct all the problems she’s been having and that she’ll be up and around again and back to her normal self in no time. I’m sure my grandpa is hoping the same thing.

I’ve been doing quite a lot of writing and typing today and boy, are my hands tired! So on that note, I think I will bid you all (okay, all one of you) a fond farewell and a happy Friday!

Nineteen days till September 3…