Reier on today's "Myths and Facts" about sex offenders

Is the discussion of social issues on the basis of “Myths and Facts” a myth in its own right?

 John Graham has chosen to discuss the issue of housing sex offenders in our community on the basis of “Myths and Facts”. Consider the following observations. When dealing with social ills or sociologic problems there is a paucity of well established theories and a plethora of hypotheses parading as fact. Virtually every social issue such as the death penalty, necessity of incarceration, or how to deal with drugs and drug problems has been debated for centuries without resolution. Therefore the format of discussing the issue of how to manage previous sex offenders on the basis of “Myths and Facts” is unacceptable in dealing with two sides of this highly controversial social issue.  

For example:

Myth or Fact? An established religion is good for society.

 Since many great civilizations seem to be centered around an established religion, it would imply that this statement is one of fact. Unfortunately it could be equally well argued that religion is the reason for the collapse of many civilizations.  Even within a given faith such as Islam or Christianity we find examples of violence that bring societies to the brink of anarchy. Such examples are seen between the Irish Catholics and Protestants and the Muslim Sunnis and Shiites.

Graham’s statements such as “This program is good for the community” and “If we ban sex offenders the community will be less safe, not more safe” and similar comments are examples of socio-babble that have inflammatory and chilling components that prevent dialogue and consensus building between stakeholders.

             Can anyone explain the selection of 2:00 pm Thursday as the time for the “Sex Offender danger in Greenville?” presentation by David Berenson of the Ohio Dept of Rehabilitation and Correction? If the address is meant to be an effective communication, shouldn’t the time selected be one suitable for the working taxpaying public? Is the presentation basically the same one Mr. Berenson made on October 26, 2007 based on a 2000 report from the US Department of Justice Center for Sex Offender Management (CSOM)? Couldn’t the presentation be made on-line and more easily available to the working public along with a section for comments?

Fortunately, we have the liberty to adjust our schedule and will be attending. We will report on the meeting and other issues in a subsequent communication.

Dr. and Mrs. Charles Reier

Greenville Ohio