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Editorials
Scared Straight
Another New Word: ‘Obamavote!’
G rasping a microphone and looking like a Top 40s bal- ladeer, President Obama didn’t croon, but what he
said took the ears of America by storm.
In a youthful, off-handed, Bill Clintonish persona, Pres-
ident Barack Obama said, “Other countries have mandatory voting.” At a Cleveland stop-off, he said that; then contin- ued, “It would be transformative if everybody voted – that would counteract money more than anything.”
Our President peered into the lens of a world-camera and like a loving, trustworthy father explained, “The people who tend not to vote are young; they’re lower income; they’re skewed more heavily towards immigrant groups and minority groups.”
Then he pulled back from his hand-held mike and with a “trust-me” smile, concluded, “There’s a reason why some folks try to keep [people who don’t vote] away from the polls.” He didn’t have to say it. We knew it.
The world gasped as President Barack Obama’s most re- cent example of epiphany struck like lightning. And why not wake Americans up with mandatory voting? Brazil does it; Australia does it; even North Korea does it.
Yet, critics contend there’s a big difference between vot- ing as an “inalienable right” and voting as a “legal duty.” Be- sides, as anyone will tell you, we Americans hate to be told what to do, even if it saves us from political catastrophe.
However, The Sentinel wouldn’t be surprised if the idea of mandatory voting takes hold of America’s imagination and gets the name “Obamavote.”
And what would happen if eligible voters were made to toe the ballot-box line? Would it render us a socialist state? Before you answer “Yes,” remember this: In ancient Athens, the world’s first democracy, voting was mandatory.
Keeping their children safe is, no doubt, foremost on every parent’s mind when a sign of gang violence or gang activity appears in our neighborhoods. In fact, the
most important thing we can do is to educate ourselves as well as our children about how gangs operate. That means we must monitor our children’s behavior for signs that they may be involved in gang activity.
So, what should we look for?
Among gang danger signs in our children are a change in personality, a change in their types of friends as well as a tacit decline in quality of school work.
In addition, signs may include your children’s ready ac- cess to large amounts of money, avoiding communication with family members, the beginning of intense interest in getting a tattoo, beginning to wear particular colors, styles, or items of clothing consistent with other members of their “new” group of friends, as well as becoming increasingly disobedient, confrontational, or even violent.
Youths join with gangs because they feel a sense of fam- ily. Others join gangs because of peer pressure, a need to be- long, protection, excitement, money, or because of intimidation.
Yes, parents and guardians are key to preventing their children’s involvement in gangs. But even more so, we all can help by recognizing and reporting gang activity in our neighborhoods. It does indeed take a village to successfully raise a child.
So, what have you learned?
Taking time each day to show your child that he or she is loved and valued with a hug and kiss is critical. Spending time talking to your children each day, learning who their friends are, and guiding how they spend their leisure time is indispensable. Set rules and limits; plan after-school ac- tivities or events using community resources, and require good study habits. All of these suggestions will save your child because the best gang is the gang called HOME.
Every so often someone asks me how I’m able to come across some of the wild, and sometimes intriguing, conver- sations that I mention at times in this column. I tell them that I don’t do anything special. It is just easier to pick up jewels when you listen more than you speak.
For instance, the other day I was talking to a man who has spent over 15 years in the fed- eral system. As we discussed how much the world has changed in that time span and how much he hates the fact that he missed raising his youngest son, he said to me: “C.B., I’m going to be com- pletely honest with you man. The feds have broken me.
“And I’m going to keep it real C.B. It’s so bad that, even if these people come to me with a bogus indictment when I get out and tell me they want me to sign a plea for 2 more years just because they don’t like me, rather than risk taking them to trial and receiving a life sen- tence, I’ll take those 2 years knowing that I’m completely innocent. I know that sounds bad for me to say but, for real C.B., I’d rather let them have their way than take on a fight I know they won’t let me win....”
When he finished I couldn’t
Florida residents who have been convicted of a sex crime by federal or state courts are legally required to
register as a sex offender in the state for the rest of their lives. Some offenders, however, fail to do so and are
at risk of receiving further legal charges because of it.
People who have been con- victed of a sex crime may
be too embarrassed by the stigma surrounding their crime, and may avoid registering for the sex offenders list. Other people are misinformed about Florida sex offender regula- tions, miss a crucial deadline to register, or are unclear on how to go about registering.
Registering As A Sex Offender
According to Florida statutes, people who have been convicted of a sex crime, have 48 hours to register as a sexual offender. Not only are people required to register in the county where they live, but they must also register in the county
help but give him one of those silent stares. You know the kind, the one where your face automatically expresses a look of confusion after hearing something totally absurd.
The first thought to enter my head was, “This dude has to be insane.” I mean, seriously, who in their right mind would vol- untarily go to prison, without making a fuss, for something they didn’t do?
For an hour after that con- versation I laughed to myself about how ridiculous the guy came off. But, the more I re- flected on what he was saying, the less humorous it began to sound.
There is no denying that the feds have a tendency to play the game sideways once a per- son has the misfortune of be- coming caught up in their web. And, knowing all too well how easily they can throw someone into a simple conspiracy, his position started making sense to me. That is when it occurred to me that I could be just as crazy.
I started thinking about all of the men and women I know in the federal system doing se- rious time after being arrested on trumped up charges. People who were indicted on hearsay and convicted by the state-
where they were originally con- victed, attend school and work. If offenders have a temporary residence where they stay for five or more days a year, they must register in that county as well.
Getting The Right Information
When registering as a sex offender, people will be asked to provide information regarding the exact nature of
their conviction, according to The Florida Department of Law Enforcement. In addition to basic information, such as date of birth, race, social security number and place of employ- ment, offenders will be asked to provide immigration, passport, vehicle and professional license documentation. Facts about the offender’s physical appearance, including his or her hair color, eye color, height, weight, palm prints, finger prints and whether there are any tattoos present, will also be recorded. Further Legal Action
In Florida, offenders can be
ments of individuals they had never met.
Knowing those stories, and realizing that the same thing could happen to anyone, made me a little more sympathetic to how the brother was feeling. After all, anyone familiar with how the federal system oper- ates knows that all it takes is two or more people partaking in a criminal activity to impli- cate a third party as a co-con- spirator.
And, because of the low level of proof needed to secure a conviction in federal court, that co-conspirator could be a ham sandwich and, when it’s found guilty, the feds will put it on a bus headed to the nearest institution.
This is the reason why most reputable defense attorneys re- fuse to take federal cases. Ac- cording to them, it’s like playing against a stacked deck.
Being aware of all of this and understanding what a per- son is up against, especially if he or she has already been shipped down a federal high- way, it’s hard for me to knock someone for curring up at the sight of F.B.I, D.E.A or A.T.F badges.
It is easy to say what you would or would not do if you’ve never faced those types of odds. But, once you’ve seen the same ugliness he’s seen, it be- comes extremely hard to blame him.
Reality On Ice is © by the Florida Sentinel Bul- letin Publishing Company. Anyone wishing to contact Clarence Barr can email him at: realityonice@yahoo.com.
charged with a third degree felony for failing to abide by Florida laws regarding sex of- fender registration. The FDLE can issue a felony to:
• People who fail to register as a sex offender in the counties required by law.
• People who do not update their information on the sex of- fender registry when they have a change in address, vehicle, job, phone number or marital status.
• People who fail to obtain or renew their driver’s license with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Ve- hicles.
• People who do not provide accurate and complete informa- tion, including a photograph, as required.
• People who do not reregis- ter as a sex offender as man- dated by law, which is two to four times a year depending on the specific crime committed.
A sex offender is expected to abide by a strict set of regula- tions and deadlines. Some peo- ple may find it difficult to understand what they are sup- posed to do and when. A crimi- nal defense attorney in Florida may be helpful to people who are facing federal or state sex crime charges. With a thorough knowledge of state and federal laws, an attorney may be help- ful in reviewing the details of your case and providing legal counsel.
Preventing Gang Violence: Part Two
Failure To Register As A Sex Offender Could Lead To Trouble In FL
TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 5