What if your LBS owner was a felon?

**Jones** · 07-17-2006, 01:52 PM

[QUOTE=bcipam]
Nice thing about this country - I always have a choice!
QUOTE]
I would choose to spend my money elsewhere.

**SadieKate** · 07-17-2006, 02:30 PM

Without knowing the facts, I feel I must allow a person to participate as a normal member of society once he has done penance. I can use discretion in my dealings, as well as my family members', with him but life is not black and white. Our justice system is designed to hopefully dole out justice based on the truth but it isn't infallible and deals are frequently struck for the wrong reasons.

**kelownagirl** · 07-17-2006, 02:32 PM

Nope, couldn't even look at him wihtout barfing. He did that to a kid under 14. There's no rationalizing it in my books...

**spazzdog** · 07-17-2006, 02:53 PM

Wouldn't get my business either...

Though I'm surprised he's allowed to run a business that does have "minors" as clientele. Does he have a sign on the door that barrs entry to anyone under 18 (or whatever the age of consent is)?

**bcipam** · 07-17-2006, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by snapdragen

Unfortunately, there are bad people out there. Unless I know for sure the history, I am wary of the sex offender label. Here is why.

A friend of mine had an aquaintance, a young (in his 20's) gay man. This man met another young man, the attraction was there, and they both went home to young man #2's house. They had sex, then young man #2 left the room, and came back in with his mother.

They informed man #1 that #2 was under age - and if he did not pay them a certain amount of money, they'd call the police and have him charged. So he had a choice, be blackmailed by this boy and his mother (for who knows how long), or be branded as a sex offender for the rest of his life. His word against theirs. How would you choose?

I would choose not to have casual sex... and cause the problem in the first place.

Also - here's my problem with this debate - we are not discussing some guy who when he was young, burglaried houses to buy drugs. Wrong no question and I would expect him to pay the price but afterwards I would give him a chance if he straightened himself out. BUT we are talking about someone, who in my mind and in my very hmble opinion, has committed the ultimate crime and sin... I personally cannot excuse the behavior of someone who preys on children... be it cyclist, or neighbor, or parent, or priest. This is a sin that cannot be forgiven. But thankfully there are lots of folks out there more forgiving than I and since he has a name and a reputable (as a cyclist) he'll no doubt do well without my business.

I don't shop at Walmart or buy Nike because of their business practices but will my behavior affect either business? No. But in my heart I'm chose to do the right thing.

**mimitabby** · 07-17-2006, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by bcipam

I would choose not to have casual sex... and cause the problem in the first place.

I don't shop at Walmart or buy Nike because of their business practices but will my behavior affect either business? No. But in my heart I'm chose to do the right thing.

yup, first, to thine own heart be true; and that's probably the best advice we
can give you. Do what YOU feel comfortable. We all have our own opinions, and you have yours too.
m

**salsabike** · 07-17-2006, 04:09 PM

I agree with mimitabby and the others on this one. Convicted felons need to be able to make a living, and trying to make sure they can't succeed doesn't make any of us safer.

**betagirl** · 07-17-2006, 04:31 PM

While I'd like to say I'd try to not discriminate against him for his crimes, my gut reaction is that I wouldn't shop there because of the severe nature of his crime. But shunning him doesn't do any good in his attempts to re-enter society. It's a tricky thing.

Kitsune06 · 07-17-2006, 07:48 PM

I'm with MT.

I wouldn't let my kid in that shop alone unless she knew the circumstances (but I don't have kids...)

Also, I'm pretty wary of the 'sex offender' title. I had a friend who was nailed with 'statutory rape' when he and his 16 year old girlfriend broke up on harsh terms, and the girlfriend's mother encouraged her daughter to press charges on him. He was 19 at the time. Yes, 16 and 19 are a large age gap... but still.

**pooks** · 07-17-2006, 08:04 PM

I dunno. A 46-year-old man who pleads guilty to numerous counts of sexual acts with an underage girl sounds guilty to me. If he pled guilty to avoid going to jail (plea bargain) it still sounds pretty iffy. Who pleads guilty to that kind of offense if they're innocent?

I wouldn't be able to look at him, though, and talk to him and shop in his store. I'd be too creeped out.

**bcipam** · 07-18-2006, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by Kitsune06

I'm with MT.

I wouldn't let my kid in that shop alone unless she knew the circumstances (but I don't have kids...)

Also, I'm pretty wary of the 'sex offender' title. I had a friend who was nailed with 'statutory rape' when he and his 16 year old girlfriend broke up on harsh terms, and the girlfriend's mother encouraged her daughter to press charges on him. He was 19 at the time. Yes, 16 and 19 are a large age gap... but still.

OK I admit this, I'm old and I guess a prude...

But doesn't anyone see the wrong in a 19 year old having sex with a 16 year old? Yes I know it happens and yes I know it was probably consenual but it's still statutory rape (in the fact the classic def. of statutory rape).

I admit this just to bring some credibility to my arguments; my younger brother is a registered sex offender. He never actually molested anyone but he did download child porn off the internet. Trust me, I have to deal with this issue everyday. I still have not forgiven my brother for what he did (which btw was wrong) but I speak to him and I wish him well and hope he can make something of his life but... I will do what I can in my power to keep him away from small children, even his own nieces and nephews because he now cannot be trusted.

We all live in this society and unless you are a sociopath or retarded, you know the rules. Certain boundaries are never to be broken. Yes he has the right to make a living and yes alot of people will most likely patronize his shop, but I personally would find another shop to spend my money. Again this is the ultimate crime not a petty crime.

**Selkie** · 07-18-2006, 01:09 PM

Pam---I'm sorry to hear about your brother. That must be hard for you. I hope he gets some help.

**chickwhorips** · 07-18-2006, 01:21 PM

i personally would have to know what the situation is to make a complete decision on the person. there are people out there to slander good names, no matter what.

as far as shopping at a place, i would shop there if need be. though i would not let a minor in there by themselves, knowing a situation like that.

**WrensMom** · 07-18-2006, 01:32 PM

Hm. I can see both sides of this, as all of you have presented. It's a tough call, in a way, but honestly, I would most likely not shop there. I have a 2 year old daughter, and the mama-bear in me is very strong. I would have some difficulty with it, so for me it would be just as well to shop elsewhere, which is pretty easy to do anyway.

**latelatebloomer** · 07-18-2006, 02:02 PM

I wouldn't blame anyone for refusing to shop there, and for making sure their kids gave the place a wide berth. I'm pretty sure that the man's parole officer has to feel the man is not at risk to repeat the crime, or the officer would not permit the man to have a business that gives him so much contact with the public, and with a young public at that. The convicted offender that I have contact with at the BI rehab is under EXTREMELY tight constraints via his parole officer, and always will be.

For myself, I would give him a chance to rebuild his life. Hopefully, he's doing hard therapuetic work and making financial restitution to the victim, too.

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