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As much as we see the stories in the news, like
we have with 9/11(and this is just my opinion), many
people seem to ignore that this concern involves ALL
of us on a continuous basis, and the problem doesn't
go away just because it makes us uncomfortable, or has
faded from the forefront of our minds as we have to
deal with bills, family, work and so on.
The NBC program, "DATELINE", has been running a
series of reports on child predators, and one of the
amazing things they have discovered is, in SPITE of
the many places they have traveled, the many stories
they have broadcast, these predators still continue to
go online, and SHOW UP at the homes where they think
they will be able to have a sexual encounter with a
minor. Often we think these TV shows have "hyped up"
the concern for ratings. That can and does happen
sometimes, they are businesses after all.
However, I
caution you about blowing this particular concern off
with that thought. I have traveled around the states
between Michigan and Florida, and some of you know I
was just recently in Pennsylvania attending a family
memorial service, and I have read newspapers from
major cities, suburbs and rural areas. I have YET to
not see at least one story of an attempt by some
non-de script "low life" trying to take advantage of a
child. Why is this? Research has shown that our
children lead much more complex lives than when I was
growing up in the late 50's to 70's. Parents have
demands on their time so much that "family time" is
very different than what it was for me, and many of
you.
Some children feel that they are "low" on the
priority list, and search for love and affection in
the anonymous world of the global INTERNET. Predators
have for years developed great skills at getting into
the minds of children who have self esteem and self
worth issues. Predators now have the unique power of
the INTERNET to connect and exchange techniques in
"Chat Rooms" with each other and create a "virtual
university" of approaches. All the while, the
complacent citizenry go about their daily lives while
Predators(and other criminals and terrorists)make
their plans to take advantage of that complacency ("I
never thought THAT would happen to me, this
neighborhood, etc.").
In spite of the fact that I, through PPT, the
Federal Government, national Law enforcement, and
other safety experts continue to tell the public they
need to develop a plan of safety, they still continue
to suffer from
"Ostrich-itis"(Head-in-a-hole-in-the-ground), and
ignore facts placed right in front of them.
So, I am making this appeal to check out
reporter CHRIS HANSEN's (a former DETROIT Television
reporter, I'm proud to say) blog on his Predator
investigation:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14817741/#060922a
(or go to MSNBC.com and click on the "DATELINE" link
if this link doesn't work) and also read the link there
to "Dateline" producer, ALLEN MAYRAYNES observations
on the continuing lessons they are hoping to impart to
the public from this series. As always, I encourage
you to send this to friends and family, and give me
feedback on the subject at, ppt854@yahoo.com Thank
you and have a GREAT DAY.
"Personal Safety IS, your PERSONAL
RESPONSIBILITY! Don't take it LIGHTLY!"(TM)
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