MySpace can now expel sex offenders

As usual the media gets it wrong, there is nothing in the bill signed by Pres. Bush to permit any website to expel or prohibit any RSO from accessing such websites. In fact, the bill specifically says that is not the intent of the bill. However, with that said and the language of the bill proves same, Sen. Schumer and Sen. McCain have both admitted in the media, the Intent of the bill is to keep RSOs off such sites. It appears the Senators have bamboozled Congress. i.e., their words and their legislation show two different intents. Hopefully the courts will recognize same when a case is brought to their intention. Further, MySpace type accounts are not designated JUST for CHILDREN they are websites that have millions of adults on them who are not RSOs, and non RSOs are the ones that have solicited children. It is interesting to note that the Senators seem to be placing most RSOs in a false light before the public without any evidence of wrongdoing excepting their personal perceptions. The U.S. Supreme court had the following to say:

"I join the Court’s opinion and agree with the observation that today’s holding does not foreclose a claim that Connecticut’s dissemination of registry information is actionable on a substantive due process principle. To the extent that libel might be at least a component of such a claim, our reference to Connecticut’s disclaimer, ante, at 3, would not stand in the way of a substantive due process plaintiff. I write separately only to note that a substantive due process claim may not be the only one still open to a test by those in the respondents’ situation." Justices Souter and Ginsburg in CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, et al., PETITIONERS v. JOHN DOE

10-14-2008 National:

WASHINGTON - Social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook can now trace and expel potential sexual predators under new law requiring sex offenders to submit all identifying Internet information along with home addresses.

Under the law, signed yesterday by President George W. Bush, registered sex offenders must submit all e-mail addresses, instant messenger names or other online identifiers for inclusion in the National Sex Offender Registry.

The U.S. attorney general will make that information available on a database where approved Web sites can cross-check their users' information and weed out any potential predators, said New York Sen. Charles Schumer, who introduced the original bill.

Under the law, sex offenders not providing all Internet information face the same penalty as those who fail to register their home address - up to 10 years in prison.

"Millions of teenagers log on to Web sites like MySpace and they, and their parents, shouldn't have to worry about running in to these predators online," Schumer said. "Sex offenders have no business joining social networking communities - especially those with teenage users - and our legislation will help keep them out."

Many child advocacy groups and other social networking sites, including the American Family Association, MySpace and Facebook have also endorsed the legislation.

"We at Facebook are very pleased that Congress has acted to enhance sex offender reporting requirements and give us access to data that will supplement our robust safety systems," said Chris Kelly, chief privacy officer at Facebook. ..News Source.. by JULIANN VACHON