Originally Posted By Mr X Bob Benchley, at no time in this conversation did I disagree that this guy was a freako. My main issue with the case is that he was being freako in his own place...I assume while his kids were away (if not, then it's a whole OTHER issue). Anyway, this is just getting way to out there. If here were publically exhibiting himself, with the intent for other people to see, then he should get in trouble for it. Patio furniture, while funny and fodder for ridicule, is also irrelevant. The issue is more whether he went outside to expose himself so that others could see (bad), contrasted with he was exposing himself on his own property with the assumption that noone could see (just freaky, but not criminal). Why does the patio thing mean anything? It sounds funny, but when it comes right down to it he masturbated into a round object. Millions of men have done so.
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 Why don't they go after the neighbor for violating Peeping Tom laws? He was doing this in the privacy of his own land in his backyard....
Originally Posted By Mr X That's what I wonder about. I kinda feel bad for this guy, if he really felt like he was in a private place. Sure it's funny and freaky and all that. But, the real issue to me is...was he doing this for the purpose of exposing himself to the nearby school? If so...sure, he's a sick criminal. If not, then imho what someone does in the privacy of their own home is nobodys business.
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 When does this end? Let's say I get a little freaky with my wife and use a whip on her, my neighbor is able to videotape it thanks to some creative angling, so now I am arrested for spousal abuse? Our laws are out of control...
Originally Posted By Mr X Sorry for throwing this in here, since I really agree with you on this one, but weren't you the one recently pushing for MORE laws?
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 Yes, but what you do on your own property should be protected to an extent. I don't mean you should be able to commit felonies without fear of arrest, but you should be able to get some sort of privacy on your own land without fear of the police arresting you. I mean the dude had sex with a picnic table, unless he broke the table, he didn't hurt anybody or anything
Originally Posted By Bob Benchley From the linked article: "Bellevue Police Captain Matt Johnson says Art Price, Jr., 40, was seen on four occasions between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and noon having sex with his picnic table. What makes this a felony, Johnson says, is that it took place in close proximity to a school, which made it likely that children could have seen Price. The neighbor -- who wishes to remain anonymous -- saw Price walk out onto his deck, stand a round metal table on its side and use the hole in the umbrella to have sex." What do we have here? It's daylight, he could be seen by his neighbors, and it's a repeated behavior. The freako apparently didn't bother to raise as a defense the idea that anyone who could see him is a Peeping Tom. And oh yeah, this is near a school. Instead of an adult neighbor, let's say some kids saw this instead. Who's to say they didn't? Also, I wonder how forgiving some people would be if this was their own neighbor. We now cut to a scene in Anytown, USA. Mr. X walks outside and see his neighbor Mr. Price. Price is on his patio. Price is nude, and his grunting noises call attention to the fact he's inserted his member in the hole of his patio table, which has been turned on its end for easier access. "Hey neighbor!" says X. Gosh but you've had a busy morning. What is this, four times already?" Both have a laugh over Neighbor Price's strenuous morning. "Hey kids," says X, can you bring Daddy a cup of coffee? Want anything neighbor Price? Coffee? A cigarette? A towel, maybe?" Chuckles all around.
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 Mr. X, I am all for strengthening the punishments for murder/rape/molestation, not making anything you do in the privacy of your own home illegal.
Originally Posted By Bob Benchley But that's just it, this wasn't in the privacy of his home. Once you go outside and can be seen by others, you're no longer all that private. This guy was getting an all around tan.
Originally Posted By Mr X William, I am pretty much in agreement with you...I ascribe to the libertarian model whereby if you HARM someone else you should be punished, and aside from that you should be left alone. You and I differ on capital punishment, but even on that issue I do believe in it conceptually but don't believe the courts can do a good enough job separating the truly guilty from the innocent or even potentially innocent. But yes, anyway sex crimes, murder, theft, physical intimidation...those sorts of crimes should be punished severely imo. As far as this guy...well, Bob says he wasn't "exactly" in the privacy of his home. My questions are, "was he on his property?", "did he have reasonable concealment from the outside?", "did he INTEND for people do see him?". If the answers are yes, yes, no...then leave the poor bastard alone.
Originally Posted By Bob Benchley I don't know. I'm not sure I'd want this guy as the poster child for any sort of live and let live campaign.
Originally Posted By Mr X And you've never done anything embarrassing in your life? Either discovered or not?
Originally Posted By Mr X And yet I could tell you all about a story of a transsexual hooker thief in southeast asian who had an interesting encounter with a particular LaughingPlace poster... Ewwwwwww!
Originally Posted By barboy The idea that this act happened "near a school" is totally irrelevant to me. "near" is a very subjective/vague description and means nothing. Some want to use the word "near" to justify their Gestapo/police loving/authoritarian views. The real and only question here is: "visibility", was he in a position to be readily seen by young ones or anyone out in ***public***? ---it is very possible that one's property can directly border a school and there are very thick trees blocking a view or a very tall fence/wall. Generally, I don't care about nosy neighbors and what they can see since they are coming at this from a private property angle.
Originally Posted By Bob Benchley "And you've never done anything embarrassing in your life? Either discovered or not?" Never said that, did I? But of this magnitude? Not a chance, baby, not a chance.
Originally Posted By jonvn "Why don't they go after the neighbor for violating Peeping Tom laws? " That's right, and maybe that will happen. It all depends on the circumstances. Did the neighbor have to climb a fence or do something special to tape this? People have gotten in trouble for having sex in their apartment. The drapes didn't cover everything, a neighbor taped it and called the police. The couple was arrested. Then let go. Then the neighbor got into trouble for invasion of privacy. So, unless this guy was doing this in a manner that was very public, then it's really no one's business.
Originally Posted By jonvn "And yet I could tell you all about a story of a transsexual hooker thief in southeast asian who had an interesting encounter with a particular LaughingPlace poster..." OK, I need to hear this one, too. Why do these things keep happening around you Mr. X? Do you put something in the drinks of the people who visit you?
Originally Posted By barboy "Why don't they go after the neighbor for violating Peeping Tom laws? " I would be love to hear that the video taping neighbor got caught up in this in some way and charged and convicted with a crime--talk about some cool Karma. That would teach him not to be so damn nosy.
Originally Posted By Lady Starlight Having sex with a picnic table.....HHmmmm, I wonder what the kids will look like? I Can hear it now, "Woodrow! Plankton! GO TO YOUR ROOM!"
