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We all must take responsibility to keep our children safe

Re: Tough talk, tough laws, but no easy answers.

Howard Troxler raised some interesting points in his April 19 column regarding the Jessica Lunsford Act and the outrage surrounding the calls for stronger punishments for sexual predators.

I personally do not feel any punishment could be strong enough for anyone who hurts and/or kills a child. I also know, however, that we all must take personal responsibility for our children and not just rely on legislators to make it right.

We must know where are children are and who they are with. We must also know who we ourselves are spending time with and subjecting our children to. We must instill in our kids the ability and confidence to talk to us about anything at any time, and we must then take the time to listen.

Each and every one of us, as a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, any other relative, friend, educator and neighbor, must assume responsibility to keep our kids protected and safe.

Offenders deserve no pity

Re: Tough talk, tough laws, but no easy answers.

While I agree with Howard Troxler that the system of notification and sexual offender registry is not what it should be, I am disgusted that anyone feels that those poor sex offenders should not be unfairly lumped with sexual predators.

So, those who simply have illegal sex with those legally unable to consent should get a free pass? We don't want those poor folks embarrassed, huh?

How many molestations, fondlings, possessions of kiddie porn, statutory rapes are acceptable, Mr. Troxler, before the public is allowed the knowledge to protect itself?

As for your friend: I hope she is outed. She used sex and power to take advantage of someone younger and without the ability to legally consent. Her embarrassment was earned, as is the public's revulsion.

In closing I resent, as does any victim or loved one of a victim, the implication that our diligence is shortsighted bigotry or herdlike following of fear. We know these people, and we know that the sexual dysfunction that creates these nonhumans does not go away.

When it's his child, Troxler can get indignant and feel superior about his enlightened view.

Predators have forfeited their rights

When will our children's well-being come before the rights of convicted sexual offenders and predators? What will it take to protect our children from monsters who prey upon them?

Individuals rights, which many brave men have fought and died for, are the cornerstone that sets America apart from other nations. However, we all make choices in life, and with those choices come consequences. I believe that convicted sexual predators have forfeited their rights. I further believe that the sickness of this disease does not just go away and that these people will most likely strike again.

Convicted sexual predators should have a device attached to them at all times. It is not enough to have them report their location under an honor system. I believe a monitoring system would help prevent them from doing something they cannot seem to stop themselves from doing.

We must all contact our lawmakers and press this issue. If we do not individually do something, what do we say to the families of the next victim? We can make a difference. Please help those who are most vulnerable.

Keep these misfits off the streets

Re: Murder suspect has violent past, April 19.

Is it any wonder people such as David Onstott fail to register as sexual predators or offenders? Obviously, they realize that our criminal justice system metes out little or no punishment if they're arrested for this trivial oversight on their part!

Onstott was arrested in March of this year in Hillsborough County for "failure to register as a sexual offender," yet, even with his "troubled past" he was able once again to use his "get-out-of-jail-free" card and wind up charged with the murder of Sarah Lunde the following month!

When will the bleeding-heart judges in this state learn to impose much stricter sentences on these societal misfits and keep them off the streets and away from young girls such as Sarah Lunde and Jessica Lunsford?

A day to connect with nature

Re: Earth Day.

Millions of people have an opportunity as they celebrate Earth Day to be part of something extraordinary: a worldwide movement to protect our planet, our children and our future.

While Earth Day has brought annual attention to the environment since 1970, our world faces serious threats and your help is needed 365 days a year.

Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. senator from Wisconsin, proposed Earth Day as the first nationwide environmental protest "to shake up the political establishment and force this issue onto the national agenda."

There is no doubt that Floridians are politically motivated to support conservation. Last year voters approved $246-million for Florida conservation on Nov. 2 through referendum campaigns. With approval rates as high as 71 percent, county conservation programs were created and extended to bring the total number of counties in Florida with local conservation programs to 28 out of 67 counties.

The Nature Conservancy measures success in the wetlands, forests and prairies it has helped preserve. To date, the conservancy's Florida chapter has helped preserve more than 1.1-million acres of fragile lands and waters with the help of government partners, corporations and people like you.

Earth Day has taught people to be much more aware of environmental issues. But many people, especially children, are spending less and less time outside. To effectively protect natural habitats, we must learn about them and experience them. This Earth Day, make a point of going outside to explore Florida's parks, forests and beaches. Share the experience with someone, and take time to connect with nature.

An RV offense

Re: RV caucus, by Carrie Johnson, April 19.

Maybe these Republican legislators - motoring to and fro in their "palatial" estates - can pick up those of us who cannot afford the gasoline to get to and from work.

In a time when we are all encouraged to conserve fuel and be responsible, this is the ultimate slap in the face.

[Last modified April 22, 2005, 00:43:11]