steve wrote:If someone is actually a sexual predator, then catch him in his act of predation, don't create such an act ready-made and arrest whoever walks into it. It accomplishes nothing but punishment, and since I am not a vindictive man, I derive no pleasure from the pure punishing of others. I also think less of people who do.
How is this not catching them in the act? How is this not stopping actual crime. The intent is fully there. Have you read any of the chats on the watchdog sites? It doesn't sound like a trap to me. It sounds like perverts trying to talk up young teens. I get the whole hard line "we can't let the government encroach on our rights" thing, but isn't this a situation where you pause and say "well..I guess in this instance there's some justification?"
You also make it sound like no one should go to jail because of how horrible it is. In this instance, I'm ok with that. Whatever it takes to reeducate people that are caught committing this I'm ok with. But the reality is we have to work with what we have. If I'm given the opportunity to vote for more rehabilitation for pedophiles I will. Until then, just because the justice/penal system isn't spit polish perfect doesn't mean it shouldn't be used in this, one of the most appropriate of situations.