In the wake of the latest Anthony Weiner incident, I can’t help but wonder one thing. Should people on dating sites, chat rooms, and all over the internet be subject to the same soliciting a minor charges in the same way as someone doing it in person? After all, no one lies on the internet, right?
Mike, stop obsessing over Weiner.
I’m probably gonna get lots of thumbs down … and, I hate saying this cuz I fucken’ LOATHE those kind of people but, No.
I’m primarily concerned over what it will lead to down the road. For example — “Hillary is a stupid cunt and should be hung for treason.” Should I be prosecuted for making terroristic threats, or hate speech, or triggering hurt feewings? OK, I know it’s not exactly the same thing … that I am just expressing an opinion. But, isn’t that what these solicitors are doing when they are on the INTERNET? …. expressing an opinion of wanting nookie?
I guess I’m uncomfortable with prosecuting INTENT (which is all you can do over the internet) to the same degree as an ACTUAL ACTION (which is done when meeting IN PERSON).
If that’s fucked up, just lemme know. I’m open to changing my opinion.
BTW, excellent question today.
Thanks Stucky, not obsessing over Weiner, actually kind of taking his side.
Weiner should pull out.
“Should” would require a legislative act regarding the legality of harmful intent or harmless non intent. Barring that what we deal with is what the law is now, not what it should or shouldn’t be.
There are a lot of things that could stand legal definition or redefinition for the internet age that haven’t been addressed by legislation and probably won’t be soon.
You can also ask whether making legitimate death threats or plotting a terrorist attack should be legal and only the actual attempt or attack be considered illegal.
As for Weiner, that guy has some serious problems that he needs to address if he wants to avoid self destruction on every level of his life.
There was a case several years ago where a highly regarded States Attorney with a spotless background, who was in his 40’s, pretended to be a young guy of 20 something online. He befriended an “underage kid” who was actually a 20 something investigator for one of those pervert prevention websites. A one time sexual conversation ensued…
They never met and never spoke, but a search warrant was issued by a local judge on the S/A’s home. Make a long story short, as the police were preparing to enter his home the S/A kinda figured out what was going to happen to him so he blew his brains out – presumably from the thought of embarrassment and humiliation.
I just always thought it so friggin bizarre that a situation developed where 2 people, both of legal age, playing games online and pretending to be someone they aren’t, could develop into such a legal clusterfuck.