Likewise, private employers should have to prove "the need for any rule" that discriminates against "someone who has remained crime-free decades after a single offense."

This isn't being "soft on crime" or "indifferent to public safety." It's acknowledging that rehabilitation is not only possible, it will be rewarded. People - like Christians - who know what it is like to be forgiven should understand.

This Atheist agrees.

You know, if more Christian groups showed at least a modicum of introspection and understanding like this one is doing, well, at the least it would give me a much higher opinion of them.

That guy almost sounds like what "real" Christians suppose themselves to be.

There is something to be said for letting things go. Unfortunately, people don't understand that most normal people learn from their mistakes and move past them to become a better person. Why do morons always end up in charge?

Unfortunately our justice system is less about justice or rehabilitation and more about keeping poor people and minorities down and making sure cops lawyers and prison guards have jobs.

Howie Spankowitz: That guy almost sounds like what "real" Christians suppose themselves to be.

Don't worry, they redeem themselves with other articles on that website about how homosexuality is evil and how Obama is forcing churches to pay for abortions.

a Massachusetts law limits "employers' access to information about convictions to 5 years for misdemeanors and 10 years for felonies."

I think this guy would still be screwed in Massachusetts because schools have special background checks. I'd have to read up on the law as enacted to be sure, but I rememer that detail from an early version of the bill.

This logic only breeds more crime. After all, he can always go into selling drugs since he cannot get a job. I don't think cocaine stops you from holding public office. It might even help.

Bravo. If you do your time, that should be it (with some exceptions - like sex offenders running a daycare, but then diddlers should never be let out).

vernonFL: Unfortunately our justice system is less about justice or rehabilitation and more about keeping poor people and minorities down and making sure cops lawyers and prison guards have jobs.

I was just listening to this NPR segment. It was really, really interesting, and definitely worth a listen for the people that have time.

Basically, the gist of the book (as I understood it) was, America does sweeps and arrests young black men (when the drug rates are similar to white college students), crank up the charges on them, and that makes it legal to discriminate against them.

Thus, these black men can be denied food stamps, housing assistance, and employment. And if anyone in their families get those benefits, they may be taken away if they're caring for someone convicted of one of these felonies, which tends to break up families and force estrangement.

The interview (and presumably book) goes into much more detail.

Lionel Mandrake: (with some exceptions - like sex offenders running a daycare, but then diddlers should never be let out)

I don't want to white knight sex offenders but are you talking about the guy who took his ball sack out at a Chuck E Cheese or the drunk who took a piss in an alley during Mardi Gras? Cause they're on the same list.

No I'm not on the list.

Did take a piss in an alley during Mardi Gras but got away with it.

Mugato: Lionel Mandrake: (with some exceptions - like sex offenders running a daycare, but then diddlers should never be let out)

I don't want to white knight sex offenders but are you talking about the guy who took his ball sack out at a Chuck E Cheese or the drunk who took a piss in an alley during Mardi Gras? Cause they're on the same list.

No I'm not on the list.

Did take a piss in an alley during Mardi Gras but got away with it.

Oh, I know. A buddy of mine almost ended up on that list because he took a leak (behind a tree) in a park when some kids were practicing soccer like 300 yards away.

I'm talking about actual diddlers. Sexual contact with children. Kiddie rapists.

Nope. You broke the law. You should have thought of that beforehand. Why not let everybody break one law before we require them to "grow up"?

jaylectricity: Nope. You broke the law. You should have thought of that beforehand. Why not let everybody break one law before we require them to "grow up"?

Because it's better for society to rehabilitate people?

Mugato: I don't want to white knight sex offenders but are you talking about the guy who took his ball sack out at a Chuck E Cheese or the drunk who took a piss in an alley during Mardi Gras? Cause they're on the same list.

Its really sad. I'm on the list, I've done one of these things, and I am offended that society would place me in the same category as the guy who took a piss in an alley at Mardi Gras.

sweetmelissa31: jaylectricity: Nope. You broke the law. You should have thought of that beforehand. Why not let everybody break one law before we require them to "grow up"?

Because it's better for society to rehabilitate people?

Sounds like built-in excuses.

jaylectricity: Nope. You broke the law. You should have thought of that beforehand. Why not let everybody break one law before we require them to "grow up"?

Yeah, f*ck him....just put a bullet in his head.

sweetmelissa31: jaylectricity: Nope. You broke the law. You should have thought of that beforehand. Why not let everybody break one law before we require them to "grow up"?

Because it's better for society to rehabilitate people?

no no.

One mistake should doom someone for their entire lives. NObody can ever, ever change and if that means making millions and millions of people unemployable, then so be it. This guy doesn't mind paying for their welfare since they'll never be able to get another job, nor does he mind paying for their prison once they realize that there is no opportunity for them besides crime.

sweetmelissa31: jaylectricity: Nope. You broke the law. You should have thought of that beforehand. Why not let everybody break one law before we require them to "grow up"?

Because it's better for society to rehabilitate people?

what kind of society would we have if we let the very few people who tried cocaine in the 80s back into the fold?

jaylectricity: Sounds like built-in excuses.

Why? If someone is out of prison, it would be better for society to have that person be a productive member rather than homeless and potentially committing crimes again.

thomps: sweetmelissa31: jaylectricity: Nope. You broke the law. You should have thought of that beforehand. Why not let everybody break one law before we require them to "grow up"?

Because it's better for society to rehabilitate people?

what kind of society would we have if we let the very few people who tried cocaine in the 80s back into the fold?

What kind of message would that send to our children?

WON'T SOMEBODY PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN??

sweetmelissa31: jaylectricity: Sounds like built-in excuses.

Why? If someone is out of prison, it would be better for society to have that person be a productive member rather than homeless and potentially committing crimes again.

if the person has been to prison s/he has likely been exposed to the muslim brotherhood and is potentially a sleeper cell. i don't want that person in my country, let alone working and living along side me.

sweetmelissa31: jaylectricity: Sounds like built-in excuses.

Why? If someone is out of prison, it would be better for society to have that person be a productive member rather than homeless and potentially committing crimes again.

I am sorry to have ensnared you in my trap. Truth is, I'm an anarchist. I don't give a shiat what this guy did, I only care that he's contributing something to society. Anything really.

Lionel Mandrake: thomps: sweetmelissa31: jaylectricity: Nope. You broke the law. You should have thought of that beforehand. Why not let everybody break one law before we require them to "grow up"?

Because it's better for society to rehabilitate people?

what kind of society would we have if we let the very few people who tried cocaine in the 80s back into the fold?

What kind of message would that send to our children?

WON'T SOMEBODY PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN??

next thing you'll tell me that former cocaine users can aspire to great things, like our current and previous two presidents of the united states. that's not the america i know.

Forgiveness? How, very... Christian of you.

Seriously though, why the fark should employers get access to crime records after the incident? The best way to keep someone from going back to jail is to give them a job. And you usually can't get a job with a criminal record.

Obvious tag wants to have the Hero tags babies.

Hey, a christian who actually seems to understand the teachings of christianity... Imagine that.

jaylectricity: Nope. You broke the law. You should have thought of that beforehand. Why not let everybody break one law before we require them to "grow up"?

sweetmelissa31: Howie Spankowitz: That guy almost sounds like what "real" Christians suppose themselves to be.

Don't worry, they redeem themselves with other articles on that website about how homosexuality is evil and how Obama is forcing churches to pay for abortions.

true but at least its a step in the right direction. And better than most evangelicals.