The Sexual Predator Notification Act of 1996 is a clear violation of 
the rights of one segment of our society, effectively singling out
that one group.  If the government is allowed to do this, then what
group will they target next?  
Yes, there are those who prey on children, but I'm not convinced 
that the numbers are as large as the government would have us to
believe they are.  And how many of those who are convicted of such a
crime were convicted wrongly due to a rush to judgement by our judicial
system?  This DOES happen, and far more often than anyone in power 
cares to admit, because it's not Politically Correct.
Once these falsely convicted persons are released, they have the right to
try and start their lives over.  But thanks to this bill-and the ones
passed by some states, they will be unable to have the chance to put
their past behind them and begin anew.  Now, no matter where they go,
they will be branded a sexual predator by the community and treated 
like a pariah.  
This bill will create a new class of society, a group of people who 
keep moving  from place to place, trying to start over, only to be forced
out by people who only hear the worst and won't wait to hear the
explanation before judging and convicting again.  
Sen. Phil Gramm, one of the sponsors of the bill, dismissed the fear of
violating the civil rights of convicted offenders by saying, "You 
don't have to have your name on that list.  It is not as if it's there
by random.  It's there bcause you have committed a sexual predatory
act and you have been convicted for it.  So if you are concerned about
your rights, don't molest our children."  I submit to Sen. Gramm that
a CONVICTION doesn't necessarily mean guilty given the current status
of our judicial system.  What about all of those people?  What about 
their rights?  
And speaking of rights, by abrogating the rights of one group, you place
the rights of all at risk.  What group next?  Murders?  Drug sellers?
Drug users?  Theives?  Once we run out of those groups, do we start on
others?  Such as people who don't like the government's policies?  It's
a dangerous road, Senator Gramm, slippery and full of deep holes.  Once
we start down it, there will be no turning back until all of our
rights have vanished, and we are left wondering how it happened.
Everyone should write or call their Senators and Representitives and
tell them that you are opposed to this bill before it's too late and
they come for YOUR rights.
Nancy Eddy
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... That which does not kill me only makes me stronger.
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