Jessica’s Law: It is time to get this law passed in Idaho!
If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to the newsletter or RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
From the Florida State Senate in 2005, I am posting what those senators started to work with in creating Jessica’s Law.
Jessica Lunsford Act; creates Jessica Lunsford Act; revises sexual
predator criteria; requires twice yearly reregistration by sexual
predators; provides criminal offenses for failing to reregister, failing
to respond to address verification, failing to report or providing false
information about sexual predator, & harboring or concealing sexual
predator; requires electronic monitoring for certain offenders placed on
conditional release supervision. If you want to read more about the debate yourself, the link is: http://www.flsenate.gov/session/index.cfm?BI_Mode=ViewBillInfo&Mode=Bills&SubMenu=1&Year=2005&billnum=1877 Jessica’s laws have been adopted in most states in the U.S.
I’m embarrassed and angry to say that Utah, Wyoming and Montana are four states that have done NOTHING to progress a bill similar to this for children in each of these states. I refer you to a national website maintained by Bill O’Reilly, who has proven to be a leader in protecting children from those who would violate them. His link is: www.BillOreilly.Com and if you want, you may type “Jessica’s Law” in the search area of his site. I’m hopeful this link will take you directly where you need to be: http://www.billoreilly.com/outragefunnels . You should be able to see a map of the U.S. with purple, yellow and lavender colors on various states. Those states in yellow haven’t passed any laws or even attempted legislation to protect children in their state. Guess what color Idaho is. All one has to do is click on Idaho and read the pre-written e-mail, fill in the appropriate information, agree to and click the e-mail, it is on its way to Gov. Risch.
I not only invite you to join me in letting our governors of the states we live in know how we feel, but I’m begging you to join me. What does it say about us, as adults, if we don’t let our lawmakers know we demand tougher laws be passed to protect our children? Ironically, as I started to write this and was listening to part of O’Reilly’s 10/25/06 show, he read a letter from a woman in Carmen, ID complaining how the law makers in Boise wouldn’t respond to her correspondence about Jessica’s law. That is when I knew I had to finish this and put it out for others to join me and the frustrated woman in Carmen trying to get Gov. Risch’s attention. Apparently, Gov. Risch isn’t very interested in Jessica’s law, to say the least. Maybe the eastern side of ID needs to let him know that our voices count too! Can Idaho Falls or Bonneville County or eastern ID have the leaders and leadership to address this issue with others throughout the state? I’d like to invite the candidates running for state senators and state representatives to comment here, regarding their position on Idaho’s version of Jessica’s law and how each arrived at his/her individual positions on this issue. I would be proud to vote for someone who will take this project on and confront Gov. Risch of why he won’t address it currently.
Bill O’Reilly is a registered Independent and has tried to NOT make Jessica’s law a political issue. I don’t see why it should be: don’t we all want to protect our children? I think some may be a bit confused that O’Reilly isn’t a traditional news show; he is an analyst who invites guests to present information and ultimately comments about the issues in the news and the news makers.
I realize some readers may object to what I believe is an easy, excellent link to send a message to Boise, via O’Reilly’s website. That is fine with me - find others and post them in subsequent posts. Find as many as you can from as many sources as you can. Regardless of where you get your source, or whether you write a letter, please let Gov. Risch know how you feel about Idaho not presently having a Jessica’s law and that residents want one. After all, Idaho now has the “honor” of housing Joseph Duncan, admitted killer of Shasta Groene’s brothers and mother, in the big house. If Shasta lived in Idaho Falls, would you want to protect her and other vulnerable youth?
Thank you in advance for joining me in sending a message to our lawmakers. I want a safer place for children and I believe all the people I’ve chatted with on this site also want a safer Idaho for their children and grandchildren. Let’s get started making sure Gov. Risch knows how we feel. And if you have relatives in adjacent “Yellow” states, please feel free to e-mail them the link and encourage them to start sending messages to their governors.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
Vote:
0 
0 It is good to know your views on real questions, Mr. McGimpsey. Thanks for taking the time in your busy morning to answer.
I didn’t ask for your opinion of O’Reilly, and I asked for anyone to add additional web sites to be added by others from any source they wished so as many people as possible could have access to sending a message to Gov. Risch.
While I’ve read the information you’ve written, I’m willing to bet my 24 hour days are equally or more packed than yours. I would appreciate the courtesy of you referencing your remarks of what has and happened in ID with the URLs or other references.
I guess you haven’t seen or decided how to answer my other question posted for you on another subject several days ago. So let me reiterate one thing and pose the core question again: I appreciate that you are very busy with your campaign, but I honestly believe most people are very busy with their daiy lives.
Given the many commitments you already have, how will you make time to accomplish what you would like to do in Boise?
And back to the subject I presented here, I think if you’ll re-read what I asked for those running for office, I said, ” I’d like to invite the candidates running for state senators and state representatives to comment here, regarding their position on Idaho’s version of Jessica’s law.” Personally, I think it should be named after Shasta Groene. I never said it would be the identical to the law enacted in FL.
I am curious, however, what would make you “likely to support a bill” in the next session instead of knowing you would or woudn’t back it.
Thanks for responding. I hope all the candidates do.
Vote:
0 0 I didn’t ask for your opinion of O’Reilly,
True, but I gave it since BO is so often slipshod in his research and reasoning. Using him as a source to say that Idaho has “done NOTHING” (he doesn’t say that, by the way, though he implies worse by saying that Idaho is “heading in the wrong direction”) is just not credible.
and I asked for anyone to add additional web sites to be added by others from any source they wished so as many people as possible could have access to sending a message to Gov. Risch.
Sorry, I misinterpreted. It sounded to me like “I realize some readers may object to what I believe is an easy, excellent link to send a message to Boise…That is fine with me - find others and post them in subsequent posts.” was asking for other ways to email the Governor. That way works fine!
I would appreciate the courtesy of you referencing your remarks of what has and happened in ID with the URLs or other references.
Of course - all bills are archived at the Legislature’s web site, including their status. There’s a topical index for each session.
You can find what’s been enacted in Idaho Code via the Idaho Statutes search page.
I guess you haven’t seen or decided how to answer my other question posted for you on another subject several days ago.
No, I don’t remember seeing your other question, but then I don’t read every topic or comment on this site - do you have a reference or URL to the other subject you are referring to?
Given the many commitments you already have, how will you make time to accomplish what you would like to do in Boise?
Hmm…I’m at a loss here. Which commitments are you referring to? I can certainly put my business on hold for the session, and rearrange my schedule for out of session duties, as every other working legislator does.
I think if you’ll re-read what I asked for those running for office, I said, †I’d like to invite the candidates running for state senators and state representatives to comment here, regarding their position on Idaho’s version of Jessica’s law.†Personally, I think it should be named after Shasta Groene. I never said it would be the identical to the law enacted in FL.
I personally don’t care for laws to be named after individuals, but that’s not a big deal to me.
It’s impossible to comment on my “position on Idaho’s version of Jessica’s law”, since it doesn’t exist, as such. I pointed out that the major elements of Florida’s Jessica’s Law have already been enacted in Idaho, with the exception of electronic monitoring.
I guess that my position would be that there’s simply no need for an omnibus law to reenact what’s already in Code.
I am curious, however, what would make you “likely to support a bill†in the next session instead of knowing you would or woudn’t back it.
Very simply, I would never commit to supporting a bill that hasn’t been written yet. There are many, many bills written, and even introduced, that wrap good ideas in bad language. I also won’t commit to supporting a bill without verifying the fiscal impact. It doesn’t do any good to pass a law that doesn’t have the tax dollars appropriated to implement it.
Vote:
0 0 Jeez, chill MCGIMPPSEY! You talk about how much you have “learned” from people visiting door-to-door. What did you learn from Ok4Now? Or, was your goal just to lash out because someone presented data and a source you don’t like?
I frankly don’t care. You’ve shown how you handle stress situations, which is probably the greatest service Ok4Now could have done for any of us.
Vote:
0 0 Okeydokey, got some harsh tones going on here.
Obviously Ok4Now really felt the passion for the good this law can do. I gotta say I like the argumment much better with out Bill O’reilly being involved also.
Ok4Now in trying to really advocate for it kinda made it seem our leaders are cool to this idea (and possibly even against it), and John pointed out a few things that Idaho has actually done. I think Ok4Now felt slighted by John slighted and responded with a harsh tone, and John responded defensively (but I don’t think overharshly).
Scorecard all totalled up? 8^)
When I look at O’reilly’s site and map, I’m really put off that he labels Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana as ‘going in the wrong direction’ on the issue of sexual predators. Like John said, it may not be as far as O’reilly would like but it’s not like Idaho is passing laws to make it easier for sex offenders.
In fact last year they had all that testimony and got rid of the statute of limitations on reporting past child sexual abuses, didn’t they?
And that’s why I and many others discount anything from O’reilly’s mouth, even if he’s trying to do a good thing like with this, because he takes one or two statistics on a complicated issue, puts his blinders on to the rest of the issues (like the many other things we’ve done), and labels us as ‘going in the wrong direction’.
Personally I’d go more extreme and advocate physical about 12 body parts being surgically removed so they have nothing to try to molest with again.
Any law needs to also first pass constitutional muster, and I commend John for being in favor of the idea without painting himself into a corner without seeing the specifics. Kathy Stanger just admitted she made that type of mistake with the eminent domain proposal.
So to further this discussion on the topic, what have the states that have passed this law experienced? Have their convictions gone up or down, are registered sexual predators leaving the state, are appeals downgrading the sentences as overly harsh?
I’d like to see some information on how these early adopter states are working with this law.
Vote:
0 0 Joe,
I encourage you to share your views with Bill O’Reilly. He admits when he is wrong. You are articulate, e-mail him and see what he says. YOu raise many good points - ask him what the response has been. He has a large staff who can gather information quickly.
And I have edited all my other comments as I don’t think it is in the best interest of this site to leave them at this time.
Vote:
0 0 Guest 1382:
Thanks for the feedback. Many times I’ve found that words I’ve written didn’t come across as I intended, and this is obviously one of them.
I certainly didn’t feel either stressed or defensive when I wrote either of the above posts. I was attempting to be plainly factual (except for my opinion of Bill O’Reilly, which is based on seeing and hearing his numerous and unapologetic misrepresentations on a wide variety of issues, including this one), and to answer OK4Now’s questions as straightforwardly as i could.
I’m sorry that what I wrote offended you, and I apologize.
I use my real name on-line at my peril, obviously, but I appreciate the opportunity to comment.
Vote:
0 0 I must be totally messed up — but as I read the entire thread above I thought that OK4Now got a little “hot under the collar” — and John handled it very well… I agree with OK about BO — actually I love the guy. and to be honest I don’t have a clue who john is, but he makes some great points, and I thought added some good information that added nicely to OK4Now’s nice post. who cares about the URL’s and adding a few points or opinions not “asked for?” This is all conversation… and if you need a URL that bad — learn how to google a word… takes 3 seconds now days to find anything that you need on the web…. whats the big deal?
Vote:
0 0 It was also my impression that OK4Now was being overly antagonistic in this exchange. Although it’s harder to see now that the comments have been edited. As soon as Mr. McGimpsey said that he wouldn’t take BO’s word for anything, feathers got ruffled.
IMO when you start using Bill O’Reilly as a source of information, you set yourself up for confrontation. Although many disagree, it’s obvious to me that Fox News is not really “news” and Bill O’Reilly will twist the facts or ignore other facts to portray the spin that he desires. But people seem to like listening to commentary they already agree with. Doesn’t challenge the mind much that way, does it?
It appears that Mr. McGimpsey got a little defensive himself, but I can’t really blame him. In Ok4Now’s first response to Mr. McGimpsey there were too many insults and sarcastic comments to count. I thought that John did a good job of addressing the comments point-by-point, but sometimes it’s hard to exchange ideas with someone whose mind is already made up.
And no, I don’t know nor have I ever met John McGimpsey, I don’t even know for sure who I’ll vote for. I was just looking at this thread and noticed the new comments, especially the remarks of Guest 1382. I would like to think that adults can disagree without being so rude. Is that the kind of manners you learn from watching Fox News? I thought so.
FeelinLucky, I agree with everything you said in the previous comment.
Vote:
0 0 Nothing in my posts were edited, except the very last one. I probably made an error stating I erased most of that post, because I didn’t want to see this discussion go a direction that wasn’t the most beneficial for the site. Live and learn.
Apparently, from your comments, FeelinLucky and outfoxed, IF I understand you correctly, then you have a free license to comment about what I’ve written, but never do I see you asking me for any clarification or any questions about the words I’ve written. How come?
I don’t know that any of you were online as the bold, solid cap letters were being written in response to what I originally wrote. Obviously, that version wasn’t there by the time others saw it, or even an hour later.
I’m not sure what you hope to accomplish, either outfoxed or FeelinLucky, with your posts, except to let me know you think I was “sarcastic and insulting.” (outfoxed’s words, not FeelingLucky, just to be clear).
I wonder how much you’ve missed in other comments Mr. McGimpsey has made earlier either in the chatbox, on his web site or other discussions in which Mr. McGimpsey has offered his views solicited or not. I don’t remember either of you responding when he told us how busy he was and why he couldn’t check this site, when I asked about his campaign, as he was needed elsewhere, among other statements. Were you online, did you read the discussion? Really, what do you know that is factual vs. how you perceived comments?
Have you read Mr. McGimpsey’s information on his web site about how every person he has encountered has taught him something and what is was? How come that same approach wasn’t applied here?
Unless you’ve seen previous posts and comments in the chatbox, how can you, outfoxed and FeelinLucky, even assume you know what I referenced in my “sarcasm and insults?” (to be clear, those were outfoxed’s words, not mine nor FeelingLucky’s).
Perhaps your views are similar to those of many refs in the NBA. Take that statement however you would like to take it, if you like to read things once and formulate your opinions without further information or clarification. Of course, if either of you had the desire to truly improve communication instead of arriving at your own conclusions, you would ask me questions to clarify my meaning before formulating your opinion. But, I’m not too confident that would happen.
Until one ASKS questions of someone else, who wrote an article, a post or a line in the chatbox here, there is no communication, only opinions and comments about others. And without knowing the entire story and what I intended with my remarks, I don’t find your responses very helpful.
Vote:
0 0 I apologize, FeelinLucky and outfoxed, that I didn’t ask you the most important question in my last post. How do your comments pertain to child protection and how long sex offenders should be sentenced to prison?
Mostly likely you both have thoughts about this subject; however, I can’t be sure. So because I’m not certain, I am asking each of you to please clarify your remarks and how they advance the discussion of Jessica’s Law in ID, a neighboring state, the results of states who have enforced tougher laws or other subjects pertaining to Jessica’s law.
Vote:
0 0 OK — you just need a hot bath and a glass of wine. Relax.
Vote:
0 0 FeelinLucky, Maybe in another format or in person I could make other comments about your suggetion above of how to relax. Maybe that works for you and if it does, great.
But, it’s my understandng that Joe wants to keep this “G rated” so I have to just walk away from any other responses I might say, as I don’t think they are approprate for this page.
However, in reading both your comments, and those by outfoxed again, I realized something I couldn’t quite put into words yesterday. I’d invite you to re-read what oufoxed wrote.
He/she states all he/she doesn’t like what I’ve written and why he/she doesn’t think Fox News is news. Then his/her very last statement says,
“FeelinLucky, I agree with everything you said in the previous comment.”
It struck me as kind of odd that you have stated you like O’Reilly, then after trashing Fox News, outfoxed says he/she agress wth everything you said in previous comment. Does that mean outfoxed, by ommission, is saying he/she likes O’Reilly too?
Because I want to adhere to Joe’s request (Post #5) to concentrate on what has been accomplished in child protection, identifying what I will call “deadbeat judges” who don’t appear to undersand how damaging sexual abuse is to children, and thus the correct sentencing of perpetrators, I want to say it has always been my impression from some of your posts on other subjects, that you joined me in wanting to protect innocent children. But, because I don’t want to assume anything incorrectly, am I right or is it a subject you have considered much?
I’d better not write anything else untl you answer, because if you haven’t worked with or addressed this issue in your work or volunteer activities, then I don’t want to write more about what I had assumed (which wasn’t wise on my part) would be a common goal for you and me: Child Protection.
One thing I’m speculating anyone who has really watched O’Reilly (and so many assume he is straight news, which he isn’t - he never says that as he highlights the issues he wants). But, I hope you got to see what happened in VT. with Judge Cashman - the one who was sentencing the repeat offender (the one who raped the little six year girl repeatedly) to three months in prison and Community Service, and the other judges O’Reilly is following.
FeelinLucky, I don’t think many have the courage like you and me, to write on this page, that we like what O’Reilly goes after. I know there are others who comment here, who listen to O’Reilly and other commentators. But, unlike me, they won’t participate in a discussion given the exact reason of what happend in this thread. All the pot shots from those who comment on the person writing the theme and the source, not the theme of the thread.
I personally find that fear of participation very sad. Others will write multiple comments about Kimball Mason and other local subjects with some concern of their job security or their own safety. However, many commentators will not write or ask questions about child protection from sexual offenders, based on a national discussion and national information. I know asked why I couldn’t Google a URL earlier as it is easy.  Yes it is; however, I was trying to invite others to bring their sources of information to this thread. I give Mr. McGimpsey total credit for posting the URLs. I guess this isn’t a subject most want to comment about compared to Mason, or whether Larry Craig is gay or not, and other subjects where a person can write his/her opinion without others focusing on them vs. the issue. Some of us do care about child protection.
Vote:
0 0 Some of us do care about child protection.
I can’t agree with you more, Ok4Now, and I commend your passion for child protection.
FWIW, my interest in child protection led to me volunteering as a CASA, and is why I’ve been sensitive to the changes in the law that the Legislature’s made in recent years. I’d recommend the CASA program for anyone with an interest, as long as one realizes that it can take a lot of one’s time (fortunately, my current case is ending very soon).
I wouldn’t assume that the lack of comments indicates a lack of interest as much as a lack of knowledge of how big a problem it is, even here in Idaho Falls, and therefore there’s not a lot of perceived controversy.
BTW - I emailed BO and asked him to recharacterize Idaho on his map.
Vote:
0 0 OK4now — I believe that you are just seriously nitpicking each and every word looking for an arguement where one does not exist. All of us on here love the idea of protecting children — and none disagree on the need to make our laws as tough as possible on this terrible crime. To prove my point I will use one line of yours and show you what I mean — You said:
He/she states all he/she doesn’t like what I’ve written and why he/she doesn’t think Fox News is news. Then his/her very last statement says,
“FeelinLucky, I agree with everything you said in the previous comment.â€
***********************
I said that I really like BO. I didn’t say that Outfoxed liked BO. By Outfox agreeing with everything I said — is he not agreeing that I like BO? No where did he indicate that he liked BO from his comment agreeing with me that I did.
So why you would try to pull some point out of that is beyond me. The fact is — the laws covering protection issues for women and children have changed considerably over the last 10 years or so. The laws are getting much tougher, as they should. The real truth is that when you look at laws governing child protection issues, they are tough! And John pointed out that fact in one of his posts above. The only real difference is that we here in Idaho haven’t named any of those laws after a person — which I personally believe is rediculous to do. When someone runs a stop sign — should they be cited for a “Harvey’s Law” violation, because good Ol’ Harvey was the first guy to run a stop sign in Boston back in 1903? To name the law after a person is quite an honor I would guess — for the families of that particular victim — but it really makes no sense to me. Its the law that counts — and what it will or will not do to protect people from becomming a victim. I am all for tough laws against crimes affecting children. I was able to investigate cases and send several of these animals to prison in my nearly 20 years as a Police Officer. I would venture to say that I have done at least as much as you in an effort to make a difference.
The entire post just hit me as odd because you started out with a great post — about an important topic. Then when John added to that nice post — you began to get so upset at John, who really never even disagreed with you in the first place. Especially on any point that mattered. Then out of the blue comes Guest1382 with the now infamous quote: Jeez, chill MCGIMPPSEY!
I didn’t see where John went overboard at all - so I made my comments in defense of his writings.
You made several very pointed comments that are argumentative in nature:
I didn’t ask for your opinion of O’Reilly,
Who cares what you asked or did not ask for? This is a discussion board where people write their opinions, and some of their opinions may branch out into other areas that are still relevant to the topic.
Its funny — right after you BLASTED John for sharing his opinion about BO — that was not asked for — you wrote THIS to Joe V:
I encourage you to share your views with Bill O’Reilly.
Just because a person starts a post about a certain topic doesn’t mean they are “Queen for the day” and can expect to hear only what they have asked for — from only those they ask.
The points I am making are simple and only two:
1. We all agree that these laws need to be tougher — and we all agree that slowly we are heading in the right direction. Also, we all agree that more needs to be done.
2. I believe that for some reason you have a personal problem with John — and you seemed to hit him pretty hard for doing really nothing at all. All I did was recommend a hot bath and a glass of wine — for it was obvious you had a difficult week — it was Friday and it just seemed like you might need one of each. I made the same recommendation to several of my other friends that same day — and even took my own advice — shortly after writing the suggestion to you.
Vote:
0 0 Thanks for the info, FeelinLucky.
I think it is great that John and I, as well as at least one other person have e-mailed O’Reilly. Hopefully, we will draw enough attention that information will get updated and/or exchanged. If O’Reilly is wrong, and looking at what ID has as the most recent info it appears an update may be necessary on his part, then good for all who participated.
I, for one, appreciate your service to protecting those who need protected. So let me thank you, per chance I forget to do so later. AS a former director of a major treatment program for offenders and victims, I appreciate deeply the dedication of law enforcement personnel who pursue these cases. AP and P personnel, are another group of people I think that work hard to do the right thing, but only get attention when things go wrong.
While I might be wrong, I think many in eastern ID are more willing to admit now, after the PR ran the Scouts Honor series, the scope of the problem.
I appreciate your opinion, FeelinLucky. However, I don’t have a personal problem with John. He is wise and on top of many issues. I wish more candidates (regardless of party) would log on here and answer real questions. I’m greatly disappointed that most won’t.
BTW - just like I mentioned to Joe, why don’t you send O’Reilly an e-mail too? It would be great both for accuracy and to draw more attention to the local problem. Wow -what if O’Reilly looked into the local BSA situation and the Stead brothers, and other alleged cases, while at camp.
Thanks again for your work. It’s very easy to get so burned out in child protection (or DV issues) it is easier to look away or work on something else.
Vote:
0 0 Thats a great idea. I will email O’Reilly in the morning.
Vote:
0 0 FeelingLucky - Thanks. Please encourage anyone else you can to e-mail him too.
I really wish O’Reilly would take on the Grand Targhee Council and the mutliple issues. But, for now, I’ll settle for the just looking at ID laws.
Interestingly enough, some people have contacted me privately to let me know that they too will be
e-mailing to O’Reilly.
Thanks!
Vote:
0 0 John- I appreciated your response above and had hoped to post a comment right after it. However, FeelinLucky did so before me and that is fine.
I appreciate your references, your community service, your thoughts about people not really understanding how wide-spread sexual abuse is and you writing to O’Reilly too. I think it would be great if we could unite (not
Vote:
0 0 Ought oh - I apologize. It’s my wrist cast helping me type and mostly submitting before I’m ready.
Anyway, what I was trying to say, is I think it would be wonderful to get many to unite, not just you and me, in writing O’Reilly. I would like the record set straight for ID. And, I have to admit, I’d like to see some of his resources/staff used to look at our local BSA staffing “issues,” shall I say?
I appreciate you adding the links that you did. I hoped others would add some too. As you probably know from another thread, I’m totally disappointed that no other person running for office will come to this site and answer real questions from real people. I admire that you have. I just don’t get why people who want to represent others don’t want feedback. And while door-to-door is not my thing (probably because of my schedule mostly), having a place to post and then look later for an answer is great.
I know this belongs under your thread, and I’ll do my best to get another post written there. It seems that you and I share a lot of the same concerns.
I liked your suggestion to Joe about potentially alternating child care duties on City Counci nights. While it may not work, it was stil a suggestion of how to become involved instead of a “no answer.” I especially appreciated your suggestion about e-mailing the City Council. Regardless of my schedule, that is absolutely something I can do, even out-of-state.
FeelinLucky suggested I might have a peronal problem with you. I don’t. I have a problem with people who don’t ask questions and assume they know specific details which I doubt they do. However, I’ve seen a lot of evidence of you asking questions (your website was interesting to me, and if anything I guess I wondered if your experiences here would enter there as lessons learned on your webpage). It seemed like regardless of whether those you talked with supported you or not, the encounters were polite (mostly) and the hosts felt free to share their views. Not everyone running for any office can say that so many potential voters felt they could share their views!
Beyond asking questions of those you would represent and here, you have gone the extra step of trying to clarify further information. I appreciate your efforts. I really hope O’Reilly will review his data and update it. I know in something I read lately that Gov. Risch was approached by O’Reilly’s people and essentially told Risch wasn’t interested. So hopefully all of us who have e-mailed or sent communication to O’Reilly’s staff in any manner, are sending a different message than what Risch allegedly said.
I wish you the best of luck in your campaign, as well as good health as this has to be stressful. And I sincerely hope that the candidates that win, don’t forget eastern ID residents in their votes.
Vote:
0 0 A caller on todays neal larson show said bill oreilly took butch otter to task on last monday’s show, calling otter villainous for not pushing jessica’s law.
Vote:
0 0 Neal Larson fan,
Sorry I didn’t hear the broadcast. Any tougher laws about sex offenders are good, in my book. Glad O’Reilly focused on ID. Maybe those e-mails we sent about 5-6 months ago actually got saved and reviewed?
One reason I wish Idaho would adopt the term of “Jessica’s Law, ” besides the obvious intent, is because people relocating from other states, could easily see if Idaho has gone to extra measures to protect children.
“Jessica’s Law”
is becoming a stronger national term. For many, I think it’s easier to research if ID has a “Jessica’s Law” than looking for specific legislation.
Thanks for the update.
Vote:
0 0 Time magazine this week has an article on trying to get the death penalty for child molesters:
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1616890,00.html
I’m all for this idea or at least tougher penalties for child molesters, but the article points out how these efforts can actually backfire on convictions.
They point out that these cases are often not airtight, and juries and judges are not comfortable sentencing someone to 25 years in prison when there is reasonable doubt that the crime did take place.
Argh! Maybe the solution will be found in somehow being better able to prove molestations took place. If doubt can be removed of a crime, the stronger punishments should logically follow.
I’d rather see a molester get 25 years prison than 4 years, but I’d much rather see a molester get 4 years prison than nothing.
Vote:
0 0 Some states are changing their definitions of rape and other sexual crimes. I’m not positive of this, and maybe CR67 could add clarification here, given hie experience.
It’s my understanding that FL (I believe) is one of the states that is not prosecuting “sexual acitivity” between partners who were both between the ages of 16-22. I may have the ages wrong, but I’m confident of 16 being the younger age.
I think there is some merit in reviewing the couples who have dated and have an age discrepancy less than 6 yrs. However, that being said, sexual abuse can occur with spouses or with partners who are the same age.
Perhaps what our legislature needs, IF THEY EVER WORK TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND FRAGILE POPULATIONS, is to better define what is consensual and can a 16 yr. old truly give “informed consent” at age 16 in Idaho.
How do you think we can change the laws to focus on true sex offenders vs. high school sweat hearts who have a few years between them?
Vote:
0 0 Very interesting article. It does point out correctly that taking away prosecutorial flexibility will increase the dockets and force the prosecutors to take these cases to trail whereas they might have plea bargained before. This would also put the children in a position of being forced to testify to assist in obtaining a conviction. The last thing we want to do is traumatize the victim(s) more.
Perhaps what could help assist in both of these matters is some changes to law in allowing taped and/or closed circuit proceedings so victims would not have to see their attacker and/or allowing for a judge, prosecutor and defense counsel to question the witness in chambers.
Additionally, perhaps allowing prosecutors the flexibility to offer a 15 vs. a 25 yr. mandatory sentence would give them some way of not only gauging the strength of their case and what/when to offer a better deal….but it would still impose a mandatory minimum to avoid the problem(s) that bring the need for this law in the first place, namely, too much discretion from judges and prosecutors, and unequal sentencing for heinous crimes against children.
As for the death penalty application, I think this is a good step. However, we will inevitably have to spend more money on making sure this system, just like in capital cases,has qualified attorneys and adequate resources. If we wish to put a child molester or anybody to death, we need to be very certain 101%. This means creating state capital case units of prosecutors and defense attorneys that handle nothing but these types of cases. Take these cases away from the local prosecutors and apply the law fairly across the board from the State, if you molest a child in Dubois (Clark county) or Boise (Ada county)…the resources are the same for both sides. Obviously if you kill somebody or molest someone in Clark County you won’t get the same justice (prosecution or defense) that you would in Ada County. Allow for adequate scientific testing to prove guilt or innocence. I for one am willing to pay more now rather than have some guy sit 27 years in prison for a crime he did not commit (due to revived DNA testing).
This shift in public policy will require a renewal of our resolve to see to it that more money is placed into the criminal justice system. I just hope it is not into the current system where we throw money at a problem and hope it goes away. If this is all that we do, I think that we rightly provide the courts with a reason to strike down the statutes as being unconstitutional. We have to be able to convince the men in robes that we are serious about the problem and serious about the processes that we utilize. The infrastructure and procedures will need to adapt to preserve the rights of the accused and allow the community to protect itself. I wish that more of the commentators pushing this legislation would talk about these kinds of hurdles and suggest solutions. It seems rather irresponsible to act out like a mob mentality and not get the legislation right the first time.
Vote:
0 0 Looks like Joe is burning the midnight oil too, in a redesign or realign the site effort. It’s always fun to see what emerges after reorganization time.
Vote:
0 0 I remain optomistic Idaho will eventually get this bill. As John pointed out many posts ago, there are laws on Idaho’s books about child sexual abuse; however, I support the name “Jessica’s Bill” as it is a national name that potential offenders recognize as well.
O’Reilly, updated where in the U.S. states still hadn’t moved on Jessica’s bill. HOPE: Gov. Huntsman in UT is close to signing a bill (maybe he can help influence Gov. Otter).
Unfortunately, Gov. Otter will NOT sign legislation for Jessica’s bill, per O’Reilly. O’Reilly’s staff has learned the IDAHO LEGISLATURE supports the bill.
SO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM GOV. OTTER?
You have kids and grandkids, doesn’t this mean anything to you? Or, do you want to be the hold out to be the last Gov. to sign this into law so you have gain national attention?
You wife, an educator, should be quite aware of the problem. Doesn’t she understand the rest of Idaho residents aren’t that far behind? Or is it you, Gov. Otter, who doesn’t recognize what Idaho residents and the legislature approves?
Is there some reason the trial of Joseph Edward Duncan can’t go forward if new legislation is signed into law now? I don’t think this is the case as I thought the State’s case had been plea bargained and what was awaiting was the Federal Case, but I might be wrong.
I encourage all to e-mail, write or otherwise get in touch with Gov. Otter’s office. It’s embarrassing and unrepresentative of what most people in Idaho want, to now have a Jessica’s Law in Idaho.
It won’t hurt to reach local representatives as well. While they are apparently on board to pass this bill, it never hurts to remind them that they haven’t. Maybe some very influential law makers, such as Bart Davis and others, need to have a “long visit” with Gov. Otter and encourage him, in whatever ways they must utilize, to get him on board.
After all, Gov. Otter, not only are Idaho residents (who vote you in or out next tern), but others nationally are watching the decisions you make. Please don’t embarrass and anger us with your choice!
Pass Jessica’s law Gov. Otter. It is long overdue!
Had other former Idaho Govs been more proactive with this issue, perhaps the Groene family wouldn’t have had their lives as shattered as they did from a criminal who admitted he has killed other children in other states.
Vote:
0 0 I sent Otter an e-mail about this issue. I got a letter back stating that Idaho already has some of the toughest sex offender laws in the country. Translation=not gonna change a thing.
Otter fails to realize that you can have tough laws all you want, but when you don’t have judges with the hutzpah to impose serious time, i.e. Brent Moss in Madison County, Richard St. Clair in Bonneville County (who is retiring 8/31 thank goodness), and others then it means nothing. These judges are letting molesters…not stat offenders…molesters of 5-6 yr. old kids out on probation.
I will say it again…like I told Otter….we have manadatory minimums for drug offenders….why not for sex offenders. I for one would be more than willing to trade one for the other and lock a molester up before I lock up a manufacturer!
Once again, Otter is out to lunch.
Vote:
0 0 Mike,
Thanks for your efforts! If the laws are so tough, what would it hurt to add the nationally recognized “Jessica’s law” to this alleged tough group of laws.
I fear you are right Otter equals no change. I don’t care the political affiliation of anyone who takes this issue on, as long as they hold the Gov. accountable.
Judges may “grow” backbone if the Gov. had one.
Do you think the legislature has the guts to override a bill Otter would veto? Someone in Idaho has got to get this on the “agenda” as a major problem.
Any thoughts about writing the first lady instead of the Gov? I really want to see this change and there just has to be a way to make it happen.
Vote:
0 0 I think Rep. Dean Mortimer is interested in hearing more about the idea.
I have gotten no response from Rep. McGeachin. (as usual) What does she do all the time. She is really unresponsive….another topic….
I don’t know about Bart Davis.
I think we need to bombard them with e-mails about the subject.
Vote:
0 0 Could someone explain the differences we would have between Idaho’s current sex offender environment and if Idaho passed this Jessica’s Law?
Vote:
0 0 Current law has no mandatory minimum provisions for sexual offenses, even if repeated. Jessica’s Law imposes mandatory minimums for select offenses. The penalties increase if one is a repeat offender from Idaho or another state. This basically takes the judges out of the equation in certain instances and forces them to impose a mandatory minimum determinate time for the offense.
Some states like Oklahoma and North Carolina recently enacted provisions that if you rape a child under 12 and it is a repeat offense, you are eligible for the death penalty.
Vote:
0 0 I’ve always supported stronger penalties for these criminals, but then I heard something a few months back to cast doubt on mandatory minimums.
Some prosecutors say it is actually more difficult to get testimony and convictions with super-strong mandatory minimums like life in prison and death penalty.
They say kids are even less willing to testify against the family member or family friend if they know they will help send them to prison forever or to the chamber.
They say judges and juries are less likely to convict for the same reasons.
The concern is that it is better to get ten years than nothing at all.
Does anyone know if the states who have enacted these tougher penalties have experienced this phenomenon?
Vote:
0 0 Yes, I’m aware that many here don’t exactly enjoy Bill O’Reilly. But, in the new guidelines we (the users) recommended and helped to impliment, we agreed to show respect for each other’s viewpoints.
O’Reilly has taken on Jessica’s Law as a major cause for himself. He wants children protected from potential perps. This is personal to him, he has two young kids. His view is all children should be protected from those who sexually abuse children.
Are there any users, on this site, who don’t share that goal?
O’Reilly made an interesting statement, on 7/18 (more info to e-mail those people who are SUPPOSE to represent us in Boise) and the Gov. I also recommend e-mailg the Gov’s wife as well, given her background as an educator of elementary age children.
O’Reilly updated us that now in the 50 U.S. states, only 8 don’t have a Jessica’s law. Unfortunately, Idaho and Wyoming are 2 of those 8 states, or 25% of those states who won’t use a mandatory minimum sentences and a recognizable name throughout the U.S.
Do you really think perpetrators DON’T KNOW where those 8 states are? Why should we in eastern ID have our own state and our bordering state, where much of our recreation occurs, be in the ever-decreasing minority on this issue?
A new point O’Reilly made was about Idaho and Wyoming also being states that don’t have laws protecting animals, such as dogs in dog fights.
Apparently, in some some areas in the U.S. where these fights occur and spectators pay to see animals destroy one another, the finale is killing the dog deemed the weakest.
Personally, I wanted to vomit when I heard this and still do reading back through what I just wrote. What about you?
O’Reilly said, “I guess Idaho and Wyoming don’t care either about protecting their children or their animals, as no laws are in place to prevent these disgusting events.”
If you like to watch dogs fight and be destroyed, and I’ve offended you, I can’t apologize for what I’ve written. I respect your right to have a different opinion than mine.
Does Gov. Otter have pets? Maybe trying to get him to think about this on a personal level about his grandkids (if he has any) and his pets, it would seem more real to him.
I disagree with O’Reilly that the citizens aren’t ready for the law. But, until the legislature demands it (and that goes back to us demanding it from them) and the legislature has the potential to override a veto by Gov. Otter, Idaho is vying to be in last place.
Wow - what an honor to be know for our lack of protection of the most vulnerable. What an awful message to send to the rest of the Civilized World about Idaho and residents of Idaho!
Joe, I’ve not seen data to back up that chldren are reluctant to testify now under Jessica’s Law. Would you please post the links?
There is plenty of data to suggest kids don’t want to testify with the perp in the same room, which is why video cameras are allowed.
Besides, why is the City of Idaho Falls working to build ONE CENTER where abused children can see all the local officials they need to see, and not have repeated interviews with many from law enforcement/CPS and others? Maybe it’s Bonneville County who is building the center. Regardless, it’s time for it and a great idea.
These centers work exceptionally well in other states. I anticipate the same for the one being built in Idaho Falls.
So who is ready for another round of e-mails and including the information about lack of protection for animals being killed as a part of it?
Is there anything Gov. Otter values that could be used as an anology? If we already have laws on the books, fine. But, as I’ve have said before, those who sexual abuse children don’t necessarily look at state laws before abusing.
Jessica’s Law is a name that some are running from right now to states that won’t adopt it.
What does it hurt to add another law about child sexual abuse and what happens to those who violate children?
If it’s not that important, why is there a link on Idaho Fallz.Com so you can check what sex offenders live in your neighborhood? And don’t be surprised if the numbers increase as more states pass, Jessica’s Law.
Vote:
0 0 I wonder where O’Reilly stands re- his own sexual harassment issues in terms of sexual aggression and perpetration. I’d be first in line to support him were he first in line to register.
Vote:
0 0 Hey anonymous…this thread is about Jessica’s Law…not beating up O’Reilly. Are you so hellbent to nail O’Reilly that you missed what we have been talking about here…..you must not have kids or have a friend that was raped!
You are entitled to your opinions…however, if you want to attack O’Reilly write an article and give us some more information rather that a sentence that makes a serious allegation and demeans the seriousness of the topic at hand.
Vote:
0 0 I have to admit I haven’t seen research or reports that about kids being reluctant to testify in sex abuse cases, and if or how mandatory minimums affect that. I’ve just heard anecdotally about it, but yeah real research or professional opinions should be examined.
“O’Reilly said, “I guess Idaho and Wyoming don’t care either about protecting their children or their animals, as no laws are in place to prevent these disgusting events.””
See this is why Bill O’Reilly is not a great source. He says here we have ‘no laws in place to prevent [child sexual abuse]’
Really, we have no laws against it? Just because we do not have his favorite law means we have no laws on the topic?
Vote:
0 0 Forgotten so quickly have we O’Reilly settling out-of-court re- the allegations of sexual harassment by a former employee? Wouldn’t take much to look that up, I would assume, were one truly interested…….
Vote:
0 0 I don’t much care about Bill’s personal past, but I am increasingly frustrated that he would say Idahoans must not care about our kids because we have no laws in place to prevent sex abuse.
Really? No laws whatsoever to prevent sex abuse? Such a blatantly wrong generalization should illustrate his journalistic integrity.
That’s Faux News for you.
Vote:
0
Vote:
First, regardless of his political registration, I wouldn’t take BO’s word for anything…
Nor would I agree with his characterization that Idaho is “headed in the wrong direction”. It’s true that there’s no law in Idaho with the name “Jessica” attached to it, but there were several laws enacted this past year which address many of the elements in the Florida law:
- Idaho’s registration requirements for sexual predators are twice as frequent as Florida’s (3 months vs 6). Idaho also requires monthly verification by mail between registrations.
- Idaho increased the mandatory minimum sentence for sexual abuse from 5 to 15 years, with mandatory life for a second offense. That’s less than the minimum 25 in FL, but it’s hardly BO’s “slap on the wrist”.
- Failure to register is already a felony in Idaho.
- A bill was introduced last session to provide for electronic monitoring of parolees, but it died in committee, probably because other provisions of the bill were addressed in different legislation which may have conflicted. I’d expect that issue to be reintroduced this coming session, and I would likely support it.