NBC's "To Catch a Predator" under fire

[virgo]

Interesting. (http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/life/20070905/d_dateline05.art.htm)


By Peter Johnson
USA TODAY

NBC News, which is facing legal and media heat for the suicide of a suspected child predator — a local Texas prosecutor — targeted by Dateline's "To Catch a Predator" series, is facing yet another investigation Friday on ABC newsmag 20/20 (10 ET/PT).

Sight unseen, NBC executives are anxious about ABC's piece, reported by investigative correspondent Brian Ross. On Tuesday, they questioned ABC's motives. NBC has refused ABC's interview requests.

"I chalk this up to the usual network silly competitiveness, in a territory that deserves much more of a serious handling," NBC News president Steve Capus says.

"The competitive wars right now are at a very high level," he says, referring to the tightening network news ratings race. "That's fueling this."


I am curious to learn what everyone thinks about "To Catch a Predator." Personally, I have watched it several times. I see no problem with it.

[Bahlk]

Usually it's the ones who have something to hide that have problems with it. Always remember it could be your kids the pervs are chatting up

[omie2]

I have watched one or two episodes and see no problem with it although I don't care to continue to watch it. Why should the network be responsible for the sucide?

[58ford]

I like to catch a predator. It seems like too many folks are trying to coddle these maggots. If someone is a child molester, shine the light of day on them, if they commit suicide, good.

[CircusRide]

If it were my kid, the sack of money crap wouldn't have to commit suicide because I'd have already murdered him myself.
NOBOBY screws with my kids!!!!!!!!!!!!

[58ford]

This is handy to find out who's in your neighborhood.
http://www.sor.mdps.state.ms.us/sorpublic/hpsor_search.aspx

[Honey]

If it were my kid, the sack of money crap wouldn't have to commit suicide because I'd have already murdered him myself.
NOBOBY screws with my kids!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey CR,
I can't say what I'd do. That way it want become evidence in court if they happen to find the allegedly missing body.

[Honey]

And CR, I would like it to be on record that I was just thanking you (in your previous post) for you loving your kids. Not for murdering someone. Just in case. I stay in enough trouble as it is.

[selmore]

This is handy to find out who's in your neighborhood.
http://www.sor.mdps.state.ms.us/sorpublic/hpsor_search.aspx


That third guy ..Earl Ray (something-or-another) has a conviction date of 1975.

If it was C.M. in 1975, wouldn't it be old folk abuse now?? thats 32 years ago

[eyescene]

Here's a better one. (http://www.familywatchdog.us/)Its like a map of where they live. So put in your address and up it comes and see how many live close by your school or you.

[dream member]

I think it's awesome! Those losers get busted trying to get it on with kids...*uh uh uh, no sir...I was just passing by...I brought the condoms to play water balloons!*

[Bahlk]

"I was supposed to be buying this house and came by to look at it at 11:30 PM...don't mind the booze and whips and chains I have in my pocket."

[58ford]

I like the ones where they catch them in internet chat rooms & they try to weasle their way out of it. They describe graphic acts they want to commit & then say they didn't mean it they just wanna be friends, or they thought it was an adult they were talking to.

Remember, perverts, the kid you're talkin' to might be a cop. (You know that's gotta take some steel nerves to pretend to be a kid on one of those chat sites. Kudos to the cops that are able to do it)

One other thing I'd like to mention is NAMBLA If someone is a member of NAMBLA doesn't that constitute them admitting that they either have already, or wish to in the future engage in sexual activity with a minor? If so, why is the entire membership not arrested?
If you've swallowed poison & need to vomit quickly, visit this site.
http://www.nambla.org/index.htm

[cubby 1]

I don't have a problem with the idea of the show... I just get tired of watching the same thing over and over and over again. It gets old after a while.

[eyescene]

One other thing I'd like to mention is NAMBLA If someone is a member of NAMBLA doesn't that constitute them admitting that they either have already, or wish to in the future engage in sexual activity with a minor? If so, why is the entire membership not arrested?
If you've swallowed poison & need to vomit quickly, visit this site.
http://www.nambla.org/index.htm

Oh good grief! I never heard of such a thing! :smt009

[jewelms]

I hope the series will continue with hope that it will keep as many child predators off the street as possible. And that is what these people are. They prey on children. They wouldn't be on the show if they weren't.

I don't have any sympathy for the alleged predators. But I am always amused by this excuse of "It's always someone else's fault." If the woman's brother had not been looking to have sex with an underage person, he would not have been caught by NBC and I am guessing he would not have committed suicide.

[jkspatty]

That nambla site is creepy.....no age stated just "boys"......

[58ford]

That nambla site is creepy.....no age stated just "boys"......
I don't understand how they are allowed to march when they are advocating committing a criminal act.

[Honey]

That nambla site is creepy.....no age stated just "boys"......

I didn't click the site yet. Is it something I would sleep better not knowing about it?

[Bahlk]

NAMBLA = North America Man Boy Love Association

I'd stay away from it

[CUPCAKE]

Having worked as a Victim Advocate, often with children who have been sexually abused, I can say that a sexual predator is the lowest scum on earth. Psychological scars most often remain with the child his entire lifetime. As for the predator committing suicide.....he kills the spirit of the child he molests and suicide is his escape.

[fuzzis]

One other thing I'd like to mention is NAMBLA If someone is a member of NAMBLA doesn't that constitute them admitting that they either have already, or wish to in the future engage in sexual activity with a minor? If so, why is the entire membership not arrested?
If you've swallowed poison & need to vomit quickly, visit this site.
http://www.nambla.org/index.htm

While I find what NAMBLA advocates to reprehensible, I don't believe we've yet reached the state in this country where we can be arrested for our thoughts or desires ala Minority Report. You can want to do something but never do it. Hell, I can even talk about it. But unless I'm specifically threatening someone, then it isn't a crime. Yet. Which isn't to say that we're all that far away from it.

[BlueDogDemocrat]

Well, if it actually discourges this type of behavior, then I support it. However, I am under no illusion that this is why NBC has this program. It is purely entertainment value, per se, and you know something inside me is saying there is something wrong about using this issue for entertainment purposes.

[58ford]

Having worked as a Victim Advocate, often with children who have been sexually abused, I can say that a sexual predator is the lowest scum on earth. Psychological scars most often remain with the child his entire lifetime. As for the predator committing suicide.....he kills the spirit of the child he molests and suicide is his escape.
But, he won't harm another child. I can live with that.

[fuzzis]

Well, if it actually discourges this type of behavior, then I support it. However, I am under no illusion that this is why NBC has this program. It is purely entertainment value, per se, and you know something about me says there is something wrong with this issue being used for entertainment.

I've watched the program a few times...and I have to say that there is something about it that I find deeply disturbing. I think it is that entertainment piece of it.

These stings are all well and good, but where is the other piece of it? Where do we see folks like NBC and Perverted Justice and the local law enforcement agencies doing educational programs for the children who are being preyed upon and more importantly their parents?

To Catch a Predator seems like such a drop in the bucket in comparison. Almost a waste of time and resources.

[jkspatty]

Well, if it actually discourges this type of behavior, then I support it. However, I am under no illusion that this is why NBC has this program. It is purely entertainment value, per se, and you know something inside me is saying there is something wrong about using this issue for entertainment purposes.


I'm not so sure it is "entertainment" so much as it is the fact that people want to see the bad guy get caught. We NEED to know that this type of thing is not allowed to continue unmonitored.

[Bahlk]

If you take away the food (the kids) by educating them what to expect on the internet, then the sharks will go away. I know it's now as easy as that, but if you can sit a child down and tell them what people say and stuff that's a start. It's like when I was a kid, there wasn't internet but my parents always told me not to get in the car with a stranger even if they said my mother sent them. The end result of pervs are the same, the medium is different

[CircusRide]

I say we cut the maggots' sacks off and feed them to them. Right after we shove a red hot poker up their A$$es.

[Honey]

If you take away the food (the kids) by educating them what to expect on the internet, then the sharks will go away. I know it's now as easy as that, but if you can sit a child down and tell them what people say and stuff that's a start. It's like when I was a kid, there wasn't internet but my parents always told me not to get in the car with a stranger even if they said my mother sent them. The end result of pervs are the same, the medium is different


I'm all for educating the children. Just ask mine. In our house we had fire drills and bad weather drills and 'what if' stranger drills, but how do you tell a child one minute it will be allright if the new sitter or new nursery worker is okay to change the diaper or help with potty training or play games with them and then in the same breath say watch out for 'strangers.' Kids today are in contact with much more people than when we grew up. Education is the key but not the only way. I still think the punishment should fit the crime and pervs don't get second chances.

[Bahlk]

I'm all for educating the children. Just ask mine. In our house we had fire drills and bad weather drills and 'what if' stranger drills, but how do you tell a child one minute it will be allright if the new sitter or new nursery worker is okay to change the diaper or help with potty training or play games with them and then in the same breath say watch out for 'strangers.' Kids today are in contact with much more people than when we grew up. Education is the key but not the only way. I still think the punishment should fit the crime and pervs don't get second chances.

I agree 100%. I'm educating my children and watching over what they do, but if somebody harms a hair on their head, they better hope than the police get to them before I do.

[dream member]

I agree 100%. I'm educating my children and watching over what they do, but if somebody harms a hair on their head, they better hope than the police get to them before I do.

Heck yes! :) That goes for my dogs too! :)

Whether it's entertainment or not...I like watching those guys get busted! I point to the tv and laugh! From professional business men to the ones who can't hold a job.

I love when Chris says they're free to go and then he has a few guys waiting for him outside!!! That's when they start crying...of course, I think the camera should shut off for about 5 minutes..... :smt118

[XC9]

NAMBLA = North America Man Boy Love Association

I'd stay away from it That is friggin gross!

[dream member]

I don't understand how they are allowed to march when they are advocating committing a criminal act.

Even the worst criminals should have a nice comfy bed...for well needed rest to go out and destroy the world! :bowrofl:

[BlueDogDemocrat]

I'm not so sure it is "entertainment" so much as it is the fact that people want to see the bad guy get caught. We NEED to know that this type of thing is not allowed to continue unmonitored.

Oh really? Then tell me, why has NBC turned this "special" into an almost regularly scheduled fanfare? We've been made aware of the problem, so what are we learning from watching creep after creep get busted for soliciting children online? Admit it. We watch it because we LIKE watching these people get busted for this sick act. I just don't know if that is healthy.

[dream member]

Oh really? Then tell me, why has NBC turned this "special" into an almost regularly scheduled fanfare? We've been made aware of the problem, so what are we learning from watching creep after creep get busted for soliciting children online? Admit it. We watch it because we LIKE watching these people get busted for this sick act. I just don't know if that is healthy.

I love it and I hope they don't stop :-D Show the world this scum!

[58ford]

I just like the look on their faces when the cop walk in.....and I love it when they run.

[dream member]

I just like the look on their faces when the cop walk in.....and I love it when they run.

Me too...I'm always thinking...please run...it's more fun! :bowrofl:

[jkspatty]

Oh really? Then tell me, why has NBC turned this "special" into an almost regularly scheduled fanfare? We've been made aware of the problem, so what are we learning from watching creep after creep get busted for soliciting children online? Admit it. We watch it because we LIKE watching these people get busted for this sick act. I just don't know if that is healthy.



Public humiliation is a good thing sometimes. And hell yeah I LOVE seeing some sicko get busted.

[Guru]

I don't know how right, correct or accurate the tv program is and I would certainly not like to see anyone caught in the guilt-by-accusation syndrome but I do know that if the suspects in this world do not think anyone is watching them they will just keep getting and doing worse.

[Baloo]

I love NBC's "To Catch a Predator" series and hope that they continue the show forever! Look at how many sick people that they have caught and gotten off our streets! I applaud their efforts and hope that they will always have shows like that one!!!

[wilebill]

Speaking of this show, last night on Dateline (or whichever one it was) they were talking about how a DA somewhere in TX where they had taped one of the shows threw out the charges against everyone that was picked up during one particular session. A dozen or so people.

He gave several different reasons - wrong jurisdiction, no arrest warrants, no backup evidence (chat logs), etc. The TX AG basically said none of those reasons were valid for throwing out the charges.

I'm sure they'll keep us updated.

[threekidspa]

Bottom line is, NBC wouldn't be airing this show so much if they were'nt making a killing on advertising. It might have been a way to inform us when they did it the first couple of times, but now its a cash cow entertainment device for NBC, and advertisers know we all love to watch train wrecks.

[Honey]

I'm not one to watch a lot of TV but everytime it is on and I happen to be in front of the TV, I watch it.

[dream member]

Speaking of this show, last night on Dateline (or whichever one it was) they were talking about how a DA somewhere in TX where they had taped one of the shows threw out the charges against everyone that was picked up during one particular session. A dozen or so people.

He gave several different reasons - wrong jurisdiction, no arrest warrants, no backup evidence (chat logs), etc. The TX AG basically said none of those reasons were valid for throwing out the charges.

I'm sure they'll keep us updated.

DAMMIT!!!!!!!! That pisses me off...but it seems the fools will "weed themselves out." It's more fun to watch them get busted when they call the law :) on themselves! :bowrofl: