Dateline NBC's pervert show

[homerjayla]

It's a show there they catch people who "love" underage kids and put them in jail. It's a reality show. I watch it sometimes wondering if the people on that show are real or not.

[gbeenie]

I have an issue with the whole prior restraint approach to this sort of sting operation. I don't claim to know what the solution is (I REALLY hate people who prey on children), but I have to hope there's a better way out there than arresting people who haven't yet committed a crime.

[Minnesota]

haha, I love this show, or at least the clips that E!'s the Soup shows, its hilarious, seriously how can anyone object to NBC's approach; these guys deserve all the humilation and more

[gbeenie]

haha, I love this show, or at least the clips that E!'s the Soup shows, its hilarious, seriously how can anyone object to NBC's approach; these guys deserve all the humilation and more

See? The humiliation angle, I adore. It's the arresting someone for a crime that hasn't been committed part that troubles me...

[torgosPizza]

See? The humiliation angle, I adore. It's the arresting someone for a crime that hasn't been committed part that troubles me...

People get arrested for crimes they haven't done yet all the time, for different reasons. It's called intent.

It may be a little underhanded, but it's better to catch someone with intent to molest an innocent kid before they actually do, as long as you have more than enough reason to believe that is their intent in the first place. With everyone I've ever seen on that show... yeah, they all deserve it. If there is a hell, there's a special place reserved for them. Unfortunately I think most of them get off to easily these days... although, in the news I DID just hear about a guy who was sentenced to 220 years to life (220 years doesn't sound mean enough - let's add "to life" at the end!) for molesting 2 little girls. And yes, he deserves it. Talk about a sentence.

Wow I went off on a tangent. So in conclusion and to tie this up, I feel that catching the criminal with intent before anyone's hurt is the way to go.

[gbeenie]

See? The humiliation angle, I adore. It's the arresting someone for a crime that hasn't been committed part that troubles me...

People get arrested for crimes they haven't done yet all the time, for different reasons. It's called intent.

It may be a little underhanded, but it's better to catch someone with intent to molest an innocent kid before they actually do, as long as you have more than enough reason to believe that is their intent in the first place. With everyone I've ever seen on that show... yeah, they all deserve it. If there is a hell, there's a special place reserved for them. Unfortunately I think most of them get off to easily these days... although, in the news I DID just hear about a guy who was sentenced to 220 years to life (220 years doesn't sound mean enough - let's add "to life" at the end!) for molesting 2 little girls. And yes, he deserves it.

I completely agree.

So in conclusion and to tie this up, I feel that catching the criminal with intent before anyone's hurt is the way to go.

But that's not the way our system of law is designed. That's why I'm torn; I REALLY want to get these assholes, and I really don't anyone to get hurt. But law is not for the purpose of preventing crime; it's for punishing it.

[BEERxTaco]

I agree with Torgo, arrested isn't the same as convicted, it's just taking a much closer look at what you're up to there...

Also, the show could serve as a deterrent, fear-of-humiliation-wise (if these monsters have any self-respect left). Although sex offenders have signs in their yards, and new sex offenders are being nailed every day. Here in St. Louis we are still reeling from the Ben Ownby/Shawn Hornbeck ordeal...

[BEERxTaco]

But law is not for the purpose of preventing crime; it's for punishing it.

Side Topic:
Has anyone suggested Minority Report for Rifftrax?

[Minnesota]

Another great thing about To Catch a Predator is that it most likely stops other predators from using the internet, now they are forced to think about the consequences to themselves. (counter argument: you know like how the death penalty is supposed to deter murders )

[mrbasehart]

But law is not for the purpose of preventing crime; it's for punishing it.

Side Topic:
Has anyone suggested Minority Report for Rifftrax?

Good Lord, yes.   

[torgosPizza]

But that's not the way our system of law is designed. That's why I'm torn; I REALLY want to get these assholes, and I really don't anyone to get hurt. But law is not for the purpose of preventing crime; it's for punishing it.

But ... isn't it?

That's why we have speeding laws, age limits for drinking, and even laws that include the threat of harsher punishment - to deter people from committing the act in the first place. We also have laws that govern what to do in the cases when someone "Breaks the law," which is a separate topic in itself.

You may not agree with the way the laws are written (I know there are many I disagree with) - but I believe a lot of them are there to prevent crimes, accidents and other bad stuff from occurring, and when it does occur, to deal with those responsible.

[AmandaGal]

I seriously doubt that is the first time any of these guys have had sex with kids anyway.  Maybe putting them on TV and arresting them will uncover crimes they actually did commit.

[Thom_Serveaux]

Another great thing about To Catch a Predator is that it most likely stops other predators from using the internet, now they are forced to think about the consequences to themselves. (counter argument: you know like how the death penalty is supposed to deter murders )

counter/counter argument: The individuals are not executed, (though some may feel as though they've been embarrassed to death) They are arrested, read their rights, and taken into custody.  In short, even though we see these alleged sexual predators being led away in hand cuffs, it's important to remember that being arrested and being charged with a crime are two entirely different things.  Once arrested, it's up to the DA's office to decide if charges are to be filed against that individual, presumably based on the amount of evidence they have at the time.


EDIT: Oh and if we can set aside the leagal ramifications for a moment, at the very least the show is helping to document these individuals.  The society then at least has a heads up and can be a bit better informed and protected by this knowledge...

[Nunyerbiz]

I don't have any sympathy for people that prey on and vicitimize other people, teenagers or otherwise.

That said, I think the show itself is pretty despicable. Just explotative fear mongering at it's worst. You mean if underage girls on instant messenger invite strangers over to their house to have sex there are men out there who might be interested?!?!? STOP THE PRESSES!

There really isn't any defense for the stupid fools who take the bait, and I'm sure many of them are legitimate creepy sickos... but borderline entrapment for the sake of ratings is plenty loathesome in it's own right.

A high-school buddy of mine had to register, for many years, as a sex-offender. His crime? He had consentual sex with his 16 year old girlfriend a week after his 18th birthday. By that definition, I was sex offender as well about 15 years ago. There is a point where fear and "zero tolerance" destroy rational thought... and trying people in public court for the sake of ratings doesn't help.

[gbeenie]

I don't have any sympathy for people that prey on and vicitimize other people, teenagers or otherwise.

That said, I think the show itself is pretty despicable. Just explotative fear mongering at it's worst. You mean if underage girls on instant messenger invite strangers over to their house to have sex there are men out there who might be interested?!?!? STOP THE PRESSES!

There really isn't any defense for the stupid fools who take the bait, and I'm sure many of them are legitimate creepy sickos... but borderline entrapment for the sake of ratings is plenty loathesome in it's own right.

A high-school buddy of mine had to register, for many years, as a sex-offender. His crime? He had consentual sex with his 16 year old girlfriend a week after his 18th birthday. By that definition, I was sex offender as well about 15 years ago. There is a point where fear and "zero tolerance" destroy rational thought... and trying people in public court for the sake of ratings doesn't help.

I have a young friend in the exact same boat.

And, although I like the idea of exposing these assholes, I agree with you about scaremongering. The fact is, crimes of this type against children have been on the decline for many years; it's just that we hear about it more now.