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April 27, 2009
MCLU: Sex Offenders Deserve Privacy, or Something
The Maine Civil Liberties Union pats itself on the back for all the wrong reasons.
PORTLAND, Maine — The Augusta lawyer who is challenging Maine’s Sex Offender Registry law will receive the Maine Civil Liberties Union’s annual prize next month.The MCLU is the state affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, a group that seems more interested in protecting the rights of sickos who violate the innocence of kids than protecting actual civil rights enumerated in the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Noticeably missing? The rights granted by the second and the tenth amendments, both valued by conservatives. Go figure.James E. Mitchell, 67, who lives in Vassalboro, will be honored at the annual Scolnik Dinner to be held on Wednesday, May 6, at the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport...
He said last week he is “very honored to be singled out for the award.”
On Good Friday 2006, Mitchell filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Maine Sex Offender Registry. Two days later two men who were listed on the registry were murdered by a 20-year-old Canadian man who committed suicide less than 24 hours after the killings. Neither of the men was Mitchell’s client.
Personally, I think the registry should consist of the offender's name, the crime he or she committed, the town lived in and a picture. If anything, we should edit the registry, not eliminate it. For the most part, I want the registry to ensure that those who committed crimes against kids are not given a job or volunteer position where they're given an opportunity to be around kids.
The constitution should protect rights, but those who commit crimes should be aware that the nature of their offenses have consequences.
Posted by slublog at April 27, 2009 11:21 PM
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