I don't care much about the Casey Anthony trial, besides feeling sorry for the little girl who died. But some people have proposed a new law named after her. This is a bad, bad, bad idea.
I have no idea how much suffering has been caused by people reacting to a genuine tragedy by saying, 'There oughtta be a law!' We already have laws. We have too many laws, in fact. And at some point we have to accept the fact that no law can ever stop human beings from hurting each other.
In this culture, when bad things happen, we immediately leap into action to try to prevent something that already occurred. There's a phrase for this: Locking the barn door after the horses are gone. We have gotten very good at this. When a child dies and the media turns it into mass entertainment, usually someone will propose a law named after the victim. But laws have far-reaching consequences. There are always circumstances where even the most well-written law will end up hurting an innocent person. In the case of Caylee's Law, what is proposed is that parents must notify the police 24 hours after a child goes missing, or one hour after a child dies, or it's a felony. It's not hard to see how this could lead to grieving parents being put on trial because they cried a little too long over their child's body.
There's other reasons to oppose this law. But most of all because it's the kind of dangerous stupidity that we already have too much of. If it had been in place before Caylee's death, it would not have helped her in the slightest. And it won't help anyone else if it's enacted. All it will do is imprison the innocent and add a bit more punishment to the guilty. That's all this is really about. Punishment. A lot of people feel cheated that Casey was found not guilty, so they hunger for the catharsis of seeing someone punished. It doesn't matter who.
Laws need to be based on more than just sounding good to our gut feelings.
(BTW, I am not at all interested in discussing whether Casey's guilty or innocent. I can't possibly know, so I don't care.)
Sorta reminds me of the idea behind prohibition: "If we make it illegal, it will happen less frequently!" That mindset has never made sense to me. For one thing, if a parent kills their kid, they're already gonna be locked up, and depending on where they live they might get the death penalty. And, far be if from me to inject some twisted logic into the minds of "not psychotic" people, but if you kill your kid... are you gonna tell fucking anyone!? No, you hide the body and pretend she went missing, or blame it on an estranged family member, or that local kidnapper the media's been all the rage about. Calling the cops to tell them your kid died after you just killed them seems like a weird way to try and get away with the killing, at least to me.
Also, is it just me, or isnt it already a crime to not report a death? Seems like one of those things that falls under the sanitary department or something.
Sorta reminds me of the idea behind prohibition: "If we make it illegal, it will happen less frequen
One hour after finding their child dead? What the [expletive deleted]?
The only person who thinks that is a good idea is someone who hasn't been through an accident. When bad shit happens, your mind goes into shock. I very-much remember my first car accident. My only thought was, "This can't be happening." I was stun-locked until someone came up to my car to see if I was okay. Even then, I was in a completely mind-blown state for hours.
On a side note: Punishing or berating someone during this state is a really bad idea. During that time period, a person has no emotion defense. When I had my accident, the police officer who helped me was very kind and understanding. This went a long way in helping my condition and getting me to not repeat this. I'm still thankful to him, even though I haven't seen him again and don't even know his name.
One hour after finding their child dead? What the [expletive deleted]? The only person who thinks
another interesting thing to point out is underage laws. Apparently it's okay for a 15-16 year old drive a 2-ton screaming metal death trap known as a car... but they can't have sex, because oh that's just horrible. it makes me laugh. especially when they can then have sex at 18, smoke and gamble at 18, serve the army at 18-19... and can't have a DROP of alcohol until 21. <_<;
another interesting thing to point out is underage laws. Apparently it's okay for a 15-16 year old d
One way that those of us over 18 (and those of us over 21) can help with this is by refusing to go to events that have an age cutoff.
I've been guilty before of going to a concert and being asked for ID and going "wtf?" but giving it to them anyway. I feel bad about that, but at the time I was with friends and I didn't want to screw up the plans I'd made with them just to make a statement. I was honestly unaware that there was going to be an age cutoff at the time I made the plans. :-/
This weekend I *am* making a special point to go to a local furry event that *is* all-ages, even though I probably wouldn't have chosen to go otherwise. I made the decision to go because I want to "vote with my feet" and encourage people who make things all-ages.
It's so easy to fall into thinking that age cutoffs are normal. We might even welcome them, in the sense of "Wow, I can finally go to over-21 things now! This is so cool!" Or we might just shrug them off and not think much of them. Every time we do that, we encourage and reinforce the making of younger people into second class citizens.
One way that those of us over 18 (and those of us over 21) can help with this is by refusing to go t
well of course it's because your brain is instantly developed at 18. otherwise you just don't know what's best for you. /sarcasm.
i've had friends raise themselves from 16 and up. i've had friends outthink college students, out think our own teachers, who were more adult than their parents, and much more responsible than most of the adults in this town. i've seen it all.
well of course it's because your brain is instantly developed at 18. otherwise you just don't know w
Agreed 100%. (Sorry -- I hope it was clear from my comment that I was agreeing with you! I know I sort of went off on a tangent, there. But it's been on my mind today because of this upcoming event.)
Agreed 100%. (Sorry -- I hope it was clear from my comment that I was agreeing with you! I know I so
Just gonna add my own two cents here: agreed, 100%.
It's not just little thing like not being able to drink or smoke or go to concerts because you're under 18. Under-18s, particularly in the US, have much more to worry about than that. Some real injustices are happening because of how under 18s are held in the eyes of the law, and that's not going to change as long as people like "Justice" Thomas are sitting on the Supreme Court.
Ever heard of the NYRA? http://www.youthrights.org/ If you haven't, you might want to take a long look at that website.
I like Tamino's idea there, but it's very difficult to just boycott some things with age limits. Those that you _can_ boycott? Let them know why. A boycott has no effect if they don't know why you're boycotting them.
Just gonna add my own two cents here: agreed, 100%. It's not just little thing like not being able
I know that it's not just the inability to do X, Y, and Z... but those are the easiest to grapple with. I sent a letter to my representative asking her to vote no on the STANDUP Act, a couple of years ago. But I'm not sure what else I can do.
Thank you for the link! I donated $200. I know that it's not just the inability to do X, Y, and Z..
The thing about parents (or anyone) who kills children is that they are completely bat-shit insane. That being the case, no amount of law or punishment will divert them because they are not sane enough to think in those terms.
The thing about parents (or anyone) who kills children is that they are completely bat-shit insane.
Complete agreement. Someone who has the capacity to go through with murder is not going to be stopped by the existence of any law. If they think at all, it will be how to get away with it.
Complete agreement. Someone who has the capacity to go through with murder is not going to be stoppe
What worries me most about this whole silly affair is how much of a pointless distraction it is from the far more important issues confronting us right now. You have slaughter in the streets in North Africa and the Middle East, the economies of Europe and North America collapsing while our respective politicians do nothing but posture, dramatic climate change taking place before our eyes... And we're all worried about a trial in Florida. Forgive me. It's sad this child died, but I'm just not interested in talking about it. I'm certainly not interested in 24 hour a day coverage. This is symptomatic of our society's complete detachment from the issues that really affect us.
What worries me most about this whole silly affair is how much of a pointless distraction it is from
I think what we need is a law that any lawmaker who proposes a stupid piece of legislation as a knee-jerk reaction to public outcry, and that proposed law is defeated, that lawmaker will be publicly flogged in a manner both embarrassing to the lawmaker, and disturbing to the attending crowd.
We need some way to get these sheeple to start THINKING, instead of bleating for a new law every time something bad happens. You want to know why health care is so expensive? Part of every bill goes to pay for the doctor's malpractice insurance, which (s)he needs because there have been so many laws put in place lumping more and more liability on the doctor's head if anything goes wrong, including things that he had no control over.
----edit---- You can bet I signed that petition.
I think what we need is a law that any lawmaker who proposes a stupid piece of legislation as a knee
Actually, malpractice insurance isn't a big source of cost for the system. The three major costs are:
1. For profit pharmaceutical industries are incentivised to create drugs that treat but do not cure illnesses. This is because they are cheap to produce once researched, have an inelastic demand (you have to buy them, or be sick), and cause a monopoly due to copyright law. This is why it costs hundreds or thousands to get prescriptions filled when the pills themselves took $4 in materials, labor, and transportation costs.
2. Doctors order more tests than necessary. This is not just because of malpractice suits though. Doctors have independent practices that are specialized. As such, they get business by referral. But they will only get referrals if they refer people to others. So even if it is a waste, unneeded testing will end up getting the doctor more business and then more money.
3. The for-profit insurance industry has a much higher overhead than single-payer systems. That means you get less healthcare for your buck. Oh, and then there is the "pre-existing condition" bit.
Actually, malpractice insurance isn't a big source of cost for the system. The three major costs ar
Way too many laws... waaaaay too many. In fact we're in dire need of a law reset/redesign or something because it's impossible for people to follow it.
Way too many laws... waaaaay too many. In fact we're in dire need of a law reset/redesign or somethi
reminds me of Charmed. an episode where they "get rid of evil." Everyone's smiley and happy-go-lucky and aw shucks... and when the cop comes up to talk to piper about her car being parked in the wrong spot, he smiles at the end, pulls out his pistol, and shoots her in the gut. "have a nice day." he says with a grin as she's lying there on the ground bleeding to death. the reason they got rid of evil is because they made every minor offense punishable by death. -.-
reminds me of Charmed. an episode where they "get rid of evil." Everyone's smiley and happy-go-lucky
This law will be a classic case of "Criminals still do it, innocent get screwed in the interim." Prohibition, murder, child sex abuse/pornography, etc. are all cases where laws like this have done little to deter those intent on going through with such acts, and harmed innocents whom were unjustly persecuted and tried as "Guilty until proven innocent in the hearts and minds of all America and its media entertainment outlets".
I'm sad that Caylee Anthony died, and I'm indifferent about the outcome of the trial. Sure I feel bad that we don't know WHO killed Caylee, but imprisoning someone who only "Could have" been the killer isn't justice, it's just reckless lust for punishment for the sake of punishment. The evidence was spotty, it's obvious someone in the Anthony family was involved, if not outright the killer, but so long as no evidence directly affirming those allegations come to light, we can't know who is the right one to imprison.
Assumptions and allegations based on spotty and inconclusive evidence shouldn't be trusted when another life is on the line, innocent men and women were convicted and subsequently convicted, only to be posthumously cleared after their execution/natural death/murder by homemade knife or what have you.
On the subject of too many laws, hell, there's HUNDREDS of useless laws that, despite not being enforced anymore, are still on the books and available to BE enforced. One in Washington State is that one cannot carry a "Concealed weapon at or exceeding six feet in length", I shit you not. I think Shaq would have a hard time concealing a six foot weapon in his coat or pants, don't you?
And some involve it being illegal to hitch horses in certain areas, illegal to wear a collar/leash in public (Furries might know this one depending on whether some of the big cons have been held in these states) due to anti-slavery laws, etc.
It's utter bullshit, but there's not much to be done about it right now =/
This law will be a classic case of "Criminals still do it, innocent get screwed in the interim." Pro
This law is utter bullshit. Parents who want to kill a child and think it through will allways report it as missing - after disposing of the corpse. So the law would only catch idiot murderers who would most likely get caught anyway - and a disproportionate number of innocent people.
It is a typcal case of politicians promising laws purely to get votes and the media milking it for all it's worth and then for the last drop of blood to get ratings. The lives and reputations of the people involved are collateral damage at best.
Or it is the latest source of revenue for the prison industry, also very possible. The more people get jailed, the more they get paid. That would explain many of the laws actually.
This law is utter bullshit. Parents who want to kill a child and think it through will allways repor
My biggest issue is it's named after Casey. Anyone who votes against it or wants to repeal or amend it to be softer later on can be construed by critics as equivalent to saying, "I support Casey murdering her child." That's dumb, and it's a good enough reason by itself to oppose it!
My biggest issue is it's named after Casey. Anyone who votes against it or wants to repeal or amend
This sounds like something off a comedy skit. Are you fucking serious?
Within one hour of seeing your child killed, by accident or by another person? You wouldn't even be thinking about the law in that time. This law should be shot down and the people who suggested it punished for attempting to inflicted another travesty of legislation upon the people.
I'm serious. If it wasn't for the very real tragedies we're talking about here, this is so batshit insane I'd sooner expect to see this on a comedy show than proposed as a real law. A comedy show with extremely poor taste.
What's with this practice of naming laws after deceased children, pretending society is some arbiter of justice, creating a new weapon with which to smite the evil-doers in the name of the wronged child? It's really quite embarrassing, actually. "We'll do this in the name of {one of the many children killed this year, the one the media spent all their time blabbering about instead of the dozens of others}! Yes, we'll fuck things up in their name! For justice!"
This sounds like something off a comedy skit. Are you fucking serious? Within one hour of seeing y
>"We'll do this in the name of {one of the many children killed this year, the one the media spent all their time blabbering about instead of the dozens of others}! Yes, we'll fuck things up in their name! For justice!"
HA! Well said. And this is why distraught mothers are not who we should have writing our laws.
>"We'll do this in the name of {one of the many children killed this year, the one the media spent a
No, it doesn't sound callous. Whether someone is grieving or not has no bearing whatsoever on the validity of their ideas.
Plus, there's this trend in pop culture, especially the news, of treating parents like Gods. They can do no wrong. They are always right about everything. Unless they make some tiny mistake, in which case they are publicly crucified.
Basically, a lot of their audience is parents. And they want to blow smoke up their asses and convince them that, 'You guys are the perfect parents! You want to do everything that's right for your kids and protect them from the big bad evil world! It's OTHER childrens' parents that are the bad ones! Never you!'
No, it doesn't sound callous. Whether someone is grieving or not has no bearing whatsoever on the va
When in Ingleside IL, My sister was out with a friend and the friend abandoned her in the woods.. We were new to the neiborhood at the time and we would always go out to play and ride our bikes around. It was 8pm 2 hours after 6pm which was dinner time and when she didn't come back we got worried. We called the police and they told use that you can not file a missing persons report untill the person has been missing for 24 hours. And then they left... Lucky it was at 11pm she actrully made it home..
So if this law is saying with in 24 hours of a missing child then that is outragous when the police won't do a damn thing..
When in Ingleside IL, My sister was out with a friend and the friend abandoned her in the woods.. We
Nah. I don't think anything['s likely to destroy humanity other than a bigass asteroid. The reality is, we're slowly getting smarter and more empathetic to one another. Things seem awful to everyone in every time period, but only because they didn't experience how godawful things were decades or centuries ago.
We'll be okay. It'll just take time.
Nah. I don't think anything['s likely to destroy humanity other than a bigass asteroid. The reality
If an asteroid comes you can bet lawmakers would probably put up some anti-asteroid law in place I'm tired of stupidity so I hope the next era of more intelligence and empathy comes sooner than later
If an asteroid comes you can bet lawmakers would probably put up some anti-asteroid law in place I'
