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Weighing the costs

If you knew that there was a cure to one of the most dangerous issues facing your children, would you want it? I'm not talking about sitting back and hypothetically nodding your head- I'm talking about really wanting the remedy, and wanting it enough to get up off your couch and do something about it.

Joseph Duncan- convicted sex offender, killed three family members in order to kidnap two young children- evinitually brutally killed one of them, John Couey- convicted sex offender, found guilty of the kidnapping, rape and murder of a 9 year old girl, Joseph Smith- convicted sex offender, guilty of kidnapping and murder, Jesse Timmendequas- convicted sex offender, guilty of raping and murdering a 7 year old, Robert DeRosario- sex offender, sexually abused and killed a 12 year old boy, I could keep going... but you should have enough of the picture by now.

Does it anger you? Do you pick up the paper and realize just how many children we have lost, how many laws are named after someone's daughter, or son? How many more laws do we really need? What if I told you there was currently a law the would give law enforcement more funds to provide the sort of safety measures needed, followed by longer convictions for those found in violation of the law... but that because of a flaw in it's design- the law would do no good for the next three years? Would you be willing to close your eyes, and just pray that no child befalls the sort of heinous crimes that the above men committed, rather that attempting to help push the law into action now?

Congress passed a incredible law last year, meant to provide LE with more options, and stronger sentencing against those who would hurt our childrem, it is the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act. And, while the law is full of much needed funding, and important aspects that will help ensure the safety of our children, there is a glitch- it gives states THREE years to enact the new legislation. THREE YEARS. I don't know about you, but I've spent the last week wondering what has happened to a 6 year old boy, whose disappearance seems to have something to do with yet another sexual offender. The story of Christopher Barrios is just the latest in a series of horrible, horrible cases that seem to be popping up everywhere. We don't know the outcome of this case, but if past cases are any hint... it's not going to be a pleasant ending. I don't want another law named after another murdered child, and I don't want to look back three years from now and have to count the murders of children that COULD have been prevented, had we all insisted that the law go into effect now, rather than waiting three years to enforce it.

John Walsh, founder of America's Most Wanted has written a great piece on just how we are failing our children with the waiting game Congress is playing with this law. Please take a moment to click over and read it, and then together we can start contacting Congress and demanding that the funding be found, and that the States begin enforcing all of it's provisions now.

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