I can help, I have a complete chart of all the states and how much it would cost them to implement AWA and what their federal grant amount is that they are subject to losing.

I have a lot of information on recidivism and studies that have been done on it. I'll put it together and send it on.

Since we're talking action (Thank God! I was reading another thread today and thinking to myself, we're never going to get anywhere if all we do is sit on this site and whine to each other!), I have another idea that I'm working on, I'll share it here and would welcome any comments or ideas to help me implement it.

While my husband was in lock up, I heard some preacher say the following while I was half asleep on the couch "fight for justice for others and God will bring justice to you." I've looked everywhere I can imagine for the quote, trying to decide if I was just crazy or if I had really heard those words. I can't find them or find who said them, but they keep coming back to me. So I've been looking for a path in, a place to start fighting for justice. We have a long history in the church (PCUSA) and feel that it's as good a place as any to start getting wider community support, rather than just families of RSOs. Here's the deal. Churches in general do not understand what their legal obligation is in dealing with RSOs. That's where we've begun, researching and writing to help church administrations understand that obligation (long story short, they don't have any obligation, but you have to go through a lot to convince them of that).

Recently I found out that an adjacent state has passed laws so restrictive that it is illegal for an RSO to attend a worship service in a church where there is a nursery. It's not my state but the thought of it outraged me. What happened to seperation of church and state and why aren't the churches in that state rising up in anger? My conclusion after talking with some pastors there is that they just don't know. I'd like to start a campaign through the churches. First I need to know what other states have those kinds of laws (so if your state has such laws for all RSOs, not just those on parole or probation), then I'd like to start an e-mail campaign to churches in those states. I've also thought of engaging the assistance of the American Center for Law and Justice... a Christian not for profit which has defended residency restrictions in NJ, but one which I think might be persuaded to see the other side of the constitutional justice in this issue. Does anyone think the ACLU would be interested in such a case?

you can forget about the ACLU i went to them lasy year asking for help and they told me they did not have the "FUNDS" they just didn't want to help a RSO anyway everybody that information i aske you for send it to dadgamor2003@yahoo.com thanks LETS KICK START THIS THING!!!! peace out and god bless SEMPER FI

I think that's why I like this church tactic so much. I wouldn't be asking teh ACLJ or the ACLU to defend RSO's rights, I would be asking them to defend the seperation of church and state. It is the church's right and calling to spread the gospel to everyone everywhere. They can not stop a church from allowing a drug addict or a convicted murder to attend church, why should they be able to dictate whether or not an RSO attends? We're not trying to promote RSOs, only defend the church's right to control who they minister to.

Sheiliedwesu;
I live in Utah and there is no such thing as separation between Church and State here, the Mormon Church leadership "whispers" and the "Churcheslature" jumps. (I am a NON practicing member of the Mormon Church). The President of the Ut. State Senate openly admitted that he consults with his "Bishop" before approving or Disapproving Bills!

I'm so far a supporter of Herman Cain, but if it came down to it, I will also support Fmr. Ut. Gov. John Huntsman, also a Mormon, BUT a moderate Mormon who actually cares about the people. I WILL NEVER VOTE FOR MITT ROMNEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Firecracker,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
I GOT THE ARMS MY FRIEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Right behind here, Firecracker, all the way! I will start gathering whatever I can come across and if and when you are ready maybe we can do a letter writing campain with what you compile? I don't know who said the qoute one of you mentioned about fighting for justice for other's and God will bring Justice to you...But I love it.
I still have a house full of company so it will be the start of next week before I get my "me" time back, but as soon as that happens...I will jump straight in. I definatly wanna help write letters if that is a direction you are interested in taking this? Let me know about that part of it.
Can't wait to activally do SOMETHING!!!
Thanks Firecracker for organizing something and giving us direction!!
Laurie

Firecracker,
I have every report, costs and documents you need. Pm me with your email addy and I will forward it to you!
Hugs!
RWsMom

Sorry about my last post, I just read it and I have no idea what the hell it has to do with this thread, I was sober, so I have no excuse...

I will help in all ways I can, Just keep posting what you need, I will began researching Goggle Scholar or Google Scholar advance are a great source for legal stuff.

ex felons have a right to vote if they are not incarcerated or still on parole, probation, I think only 2 states still do not allow your right to vote, Kentucky and Virginia, everyone check with your state for regaining your voting rights.

D

Although I agree with the premise of fighting, I also feel like it's spitting into the wind.
There are just too many DO GOODERS and most of them mothers who will block any attempt to repeal of adjust any law. And....it's difficult enough to find an Attorney to defend a SO let alone one who might consider risking his reputation do defend the cause unless he's one himself. BTW. I wonder how many Attorneys are SO'S?

Who said anything about a lawyer? and as far as the DO GOODERS so what? if NOTHING is done how can we expect CHANGE here's the thing i have on my side US history and the US CONSTITUTION and trhe right to free speech i dont need no stinking lawyer peace out and god bless

LOL Coastie you crack me up!!!!!

Here is something to start with... it is Federal so will apply to everyone...

HR1981- Protecting Children From Internet Pornographers Act of 2011

To amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to child pornography and child exploitation offenses.



http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-1981



Sponsor/Patron-

Rep. Lamar Smith [R-TX21]



Co-Sponsors-

Dutch Ruppersberger [D-MD2] Debbie Wasserman Schultz [D-FL20]



Bill Status-

05/25/11- HR1981 Introduced
05/25/11- Referred to House Judiciary Committee

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

HR2355- Hallowed Grounds Act

To amend title 38, United States Code, to exclude individuals who have been convicted of committing certain sex offenses from receiving certain burial-related benefits and funeral honors which are otherwise available to certain veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and related individuals, and for other purposes.



http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h112-2355



Sponsor/Patron-

Rep. Vicky Hartzler [R-MO4]



Co-Sponsors-

Todd Akin [R-MO2] Rodney Alexander [R-LA5] Spencer Bachus [R-AL6] Brian Bilbray [R-CA50] Charles Boustany [R-LA7] Mo Brooks [R-AL5] Dan Burton [R-IN5] John Carter [R-TX31] Geoff Davis [R-KY4] Jeff Denham [R-CA19] Renee Ellmers [R-NC2] Blake Farenthold [R-TX27] Jeff Flake [R-AZ6] Bill Flores [R-TX17] Randy Forbes [R-VA4] Trey Gowdy [R-SC4] Kay Granger [R-TX12] Richard Hanna [R-NY24] Jeb Hensarling [R-TX5] Jim Jordan [R-OH4] Jack Kingston [R-GA1] Larry Kissell [D-NC8] Robert Latta [R-OH5] Blaine Luetkemeyer [R-MO9] Connie Mack [R-FL14] Donald Manzullo [R-IL16] Michael McCaul [R-TX10] Cathy McMorris Rodgers [R-WA5] Randy Neugebauer [R-TX19] Alan Nunnelee [R-MS1] Joseph Pitts [R-PA16] Ted Poe [R-TX2] Mike Pompeo [R-KS4]

Michael Rogers [R-AL3] Timothy Ryan [D-OH17] Marlin Stutzman [R-IN3] Lee Terry [R-NE2] William Thornberry [R-TX13





Bill Status-

06/24/11- HR2355 Introduced
A similar bill was HR731- “Jenny’s Bill”, Introduced on January 27, 2009 by John Shadegg (AZ-R) To amend title 38, United States Code, to exclude individuals who have been convicted of committing certain sex offenses from receiving certain burial-related benefits and funeral honors which are otherwise available to certain veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and related individuals, and for other purposes. HR731 was amended to only deny veterans who were convicted of forcible rape from receiving full military burial honors instead of denying them to ALL registered sex offenders on 05/28/10. The amendment was then rolled into another bill, HR2647 The National Defense Authorization Act and the House accepted it. HR2647 Passed the House on 06/25/10, HR-2647 Passed the Senate on 07/23/10 and HR2647 Signed into law by the President on 10/28/10
05/25/11- HR2355 was Referred to House Veteran’s Affairs ( http://veterans.house.gov ) and House Armed Services Committee ( http://armedservices.house.gov/ )

There are no Virginians on the House Veteran’s Affairs Committee but there are 3 on the House Armed Services Committee including one who is a Co-sponsor.

The RSOL of Virginia asks you to call, fax or write to the 3 Virginia representatives and ask them to vote against this bill. Any citizen who served the U.S. Honorably, defended the Constitution and all our Freedoms should NOT have their burial rights revoked for a conviction that occurred years later. HR2355 proposes Tier 3’s be denied burial in Veteran’s cemeteries, well Virginia doesn’t even have a 3-Tiered system so how would this even be applied to Virginias veterans who are also registered offenders.



Please contact the 3 Virginia representatives immediately as well as your district's Virginia representative.

Congressman Randy Forbes Office

2438 Rayburn HOB
Washington DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6365
http://forbes.house.gov/

E-mail:

Sarah.seitz@mail.house.gov; Jessica.mancari@mail.house.gov; Carolyn.amirpashaie@mail.house.gov; Joe.hack@mail.house.gov; Tinisha.weigelt@mail.house.gov; Brenda.hankins@mail.house.gov;

Christy.grubbs@mail.house.gov;

Congressman Scott Rigell’s Office

327 Cannon HOB

Washington DC 20515

Phone: (202) 225-4215

http://rigell.house.gov

E-mail:

abby.gunderson@mail.house.gov;

Congressman Robert Whittman’s Office

1317 Longworth HOB

Washington DC 20515

Phone: (202) 225-4261

http://www.wittman.house.gov/

E-mail:

Jamie.miller@mail.house.gov;

OHHHHHHH im all over this one like white on rice thanks

ya it may be "like spitting in the wind", but we've got to learn to wipe the spit off our faces, "keep our eyes on the prize" and "keep pushing for the prize"! So let's all hang in there and not lose hope. :)