Response from "Sex Offender" author Peirce
About a week and a half ago I posted a bog entitled Celebrated Sex Offender Laws Doing More Harm Than Good, which largely consisted of what I consider to be a very important article by Neal Peirce (yep! that's how it's spelled).
My kind friend Susannah Dean was sufficiently inspired to write a letter to Mr. Peirce. And today, she received a response from him. I suspect at least a few of my long-time readers might find this response as interesting as I do.
Thanks for forwarding it to me, Susannah!
To All Who Wrote Me Regarding the Sex Offender Column —
Sorry — there have been so many of you I just can't handle individual replies.
It's interesting — In response to the column I thought I'd receive a goodly share of abuse e-mails by people intolerant of anything except angry and excoriating depiction of all accused offenders. A couple of rude and lurid ones came in, but overwhelmingly the responses were positive, welcoming a more nuanced and careful approach.
Unquestionably — there's a long way to go in this country to even-handed and careful treatment of these cases. I encourage you to write your mayor and local council people, as well as state legislators, to express your feelings on the topic.
I'll return to this subject in my weekly column in time. I try to treat sensitive social issues like this fairly often. If you'd like to be on the e-mail list (no charge) to receive the column weekly, this is the link to request it:
http://lists.citistates.com/mailman/listinfo/peircecolumns
Best regards-
Neal Peirce
Citistates Group and
Washington Post Writers Group
My kind friend Susannah Dean was sufficiently inspired to write a letter to Mr. Peirce. And today, she received a response from him. I suspect at least a few of my long-time readers might find this response as interesting as I do.
Thanks for forwarding it to me, Susannah!
To All Who Wrote Me Regarding the Sex Offender Column —
Sorry — there have been so many of you I just can't handle individual replies.
It's interesting — In response to the column I thought I'd receive a goodly share of abuse e-mails by people intolerant of anything except angry and excoriating depiction of all accused offenders. A couple of rude and lurid ones came in, but overwhelmingly the responses were positive, welcoming a more nuanced and careful approach.
Unquestionably — there's a long way to go in this country to even-handed and careful treatment of these cases. I encourage you to write your mayor and local council people, as well as state legislators, to express your feelings on the topic.
I'll return to this subject in my weekly column in time. I try to treat sensitive social issues like this fairly often. If you'd like to be on the e-mail list (no charge) to receive the column weekly, this is the link to request it:
http://lists.citistates.com/mailman/listinfo/peircecolumns
Best regards-
Neal Peirce
Citistates Group and
Washington Post Writers Group
i was heartened by his reply, personalized or not, it's good to know that the replies were overwhelmingly positive.
i may not get out much, but i have a modem and a keyboard and i'm not afraid to use them
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LOL... thanks again, mb!
It seems like the tide is turning.
At least one can hope.
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Glad to know the responses were good. Thank you for sharing.
Namaste'
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Thanks, Shyloh! Peace....
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Yes .. this is an encouraging letter. I think the issue affects more people than we realize. And has shattered peoples lives in the same way yours has been JC. So people are realize now the affect this heavy handed legislation is having.
Thanks mb for finding and following thru on this and sharing it with us you all...
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Thank you, Chris! I could tell many heart-rending tales - just from the guys I've met and known. Of course most would prefer not to have the publicity, which is understandable. But that's a large part of why we don't hear often about the good people who are affected. The bad folks on the registry, conversely, are the ones who often get the most press.
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JC was convicted 15 years ago of something he didn't do. How many are there who have done something, been convicted, spent time in prison and still are being punished. It is not only those whose "crime" was really "victimless" but their friends and families who also suffer the consequences.
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Very true, Elena....
Thanks for your comment and friendship!
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RE "people intolerant of anything except angry and excoriating depiction of all accused offenders" - Interesting how vindictive people can be. We are really all just animals in people clothing.
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You remind me of this from George Orwell's Animal Farm:
"Four feet good, two feet bad."
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