I’m utterly disgusted by blogger Andy Parx’s support of Rep. Joe Bertram’s defense of a child sex predator. Andy stated this on his blog :
“Of course Bertram was absurdly painted as being “pro child molester” even though he was defending a once-sacred constitutional right that has been tossed aside but this couldn’t have endeared him to many in law enforcement who chose the expediency of shredding the constitution over the legitimacy of good police work.”
I guess Andy has never seen Chris Hansen’s MSNBC series To Catch a Predator. It is certainly not a imaginary crime especially when they expose their genitalia over a web cam.These folks were also busted with alcohol,condoms, and other gifts.Thus in a nutshell this all shows probable cause that they were fully intending on having sex with a minor.
In Rep. Joe Bertram’s buddy’s case, his friend perpetrated this before he was busted for soliciting sex with a minor :
“Police told the Maui News that Marcantonio arranged the November 2007 meeting after numerous e-mails, a telephone call and a sexual demonstration via Webcam.”
On top of that, he admitted this to the police :
“he had done this before” with a 15-year-old Oahu girl”
Andy, your support of Rep. Bertram is simply disgusting !
Federal economic stimulus money should be starting to have a impact here, according to this PBN article.35 million dollars of these funds will be used locally to build the first phase of the Ane Keohokalole highway.
SB 603 passed the legislature today. This legislation would eliminate any Hawaii PUC regulatory oversight of Hawaiian Telcom.Larry Geller chimes in a again here criticizing this legislation.I think Larry believes in tin foil hats since he feels that this bill simply corporate welfare and will result higher land line costs. However the latter is not reality. This bill simply levels the playing field. Oceanic Time Warner’s digital phone service, or the numerous statewide cellular phone providers are not regulated by the Hawaii PUC. But on the flip side Hawaiian Telcom is currently heavily regulated putting them at a competitive disadvantage.
There was a excellent WHT letter to the editor about the Hawaii County bulldozer scandal. There really needs to be an investigation why C&H Ishii General Contractors got such a sweetheart deal from the county.
Rep. Lynn Finnegan had a excellent commentary here explaining the negative effects of raising the Transient Accommodation Tax.
I hope the legislature does something meaningful to address our state’s medical crisis.But I’m not entirely hopeful. After all they dropped the ball on medical tort reform once again.
Lastly, I received this e-mail from Hawaii County Corporation Counsel Lincoln Ashida about the Hawaii County employee Internet scandal.He also sent me a copy of Hawaii County’s e-mail and Internet usage policy.
Internet and Email investigation
“In responding to questions regarding the internet and email investigation, enclosed is the current internet and email use policy in effect in our County. From the time this investigation started, we received some “tips” from various County employees regarding what may be characterized as the inappropriate use of the internet (both content and duration of use) by County workers. This is part of the reason Mayor Kenoi indicated that the period of January 2008 through December 2008 would be the initial focus; to look at internet use by County employees during political campaign season.
If it is determined a violation of the County’s policy occurred, the matter will be referred to the employee’s appointing authority for disciplinary action. At that point in time, it will be up to the appointing authority whether or not to release the information publicly, applying UIPA guidelines and standards. This is the point in time where the investigation is completed, disciplinary action is meted out (if any), and where the public’s right to know may outweigh any significant privacy interest. Also at this point in time there is no longer a “frustration” argument under the UIPA, and this favors public release.
If it is determined illegal gambling or profiting from private business activity using County resources occurred, the matter will be referred to the Prosecuting Attorney. The criminal law standard with respect to the public dissemination of investigatory records will apply.
I want to stress that with respect to the focus of the investigation; gambling and private business use; it is not a widespread problem within the County. However the responsible thing is to investigate even if it turns out the allegations are without merit.”
Apparently, I too will be inviting being called “disgusting”, as Mr. Bertram and Mr. Parx have been called.
You know what? That’s okay. This is a discussion concerning law enforcement policy and its constitutional underpinnings, or lack thereof.
I suppose the most vehement reactionary stance to this comes from parents. I understand that; however, that does not make this a neatly black and white issue.
In such an environment of responsibility, or lack thereof, conflated with internet technology, I’d think there is a whole lot of gray area.
It certainly invites civil discussion of these POLICY issues. Emotionally-tweaked reason that arrives at labeling people concerned with constitutional law, as “disgusting” (or “commies” or “terrorists”, for that matter) is dangerous.
However, the U.S. constitution, when upheld, enforces your right to do so.
Aaron- I guess you find it okay that these bozos flash their privates over a web cam to underage girls ?
No. You guess wrong.
Your assumption that I advocate someone broadcasting their schlong to a minor on a web cam speaks for itself. Constitutional issues surrounding internet technology, as well as its potential for harming our keiki is a much larger issue. And it’s one that requires a decent discussion — and that obviously isn’t here.
Aaron- When these folks expose themselves online to a minor, they are committing a crime. When they set up a meeting to meet with a minor that is even more of crime. To me, there is no grey area with this. I urge you watch Chris Hansen’s MSNBC series To Catch A Predator. The folks they bust wanting to have sex with a minor are disgusting individuals.
Darren, as I wrote on Andy’s blog, I agree with you that inflammatory language is unhelpful to civil discussion (although Parx is pretty much the poster boy for labeling and name-calling). I also agree that there’s something philosophically troubling about cops trolling for predators, but I see it as the only practical way to get at them. The kind of rebellious, troubled kids that these guys target are NOT going to report them to the cops. I also don’t see any constitutional objection to the practice. When the guys set up a rendezvous and show up, they’ve taken a substantial step toward the commission of a crime, regardless of whether the person they’re talking to is actually a minor. They had the required mental state and took the actions to commit a crime.
Thanks for posting the letter from Mr. Ashida.
He is being pretty frank with this if I must say.