This is what I mentioned on my long post last week---get the families and especially the children of the registrants involved to show people how the registry has affected THEIR lives and that they are suffering for something they did not even do---or deserve.

The registrants have become so demonized that nobody cares about statistics such as the low recidivism rate, which we have been preaching over the years. Lawmakers KNOW that the recidivism rate is very low, yet they keep passing these oppressive laws. What does that tell you? It tells me that they don't give a damn about statistics and that the hate for the registrants themselves---by the general public---- is so profound that they will continue to pass these laws in an effort to appear "tough on crime." And this will continue to happen until we put a HUMAN face to all this just like in these pictures.

Now we are on to something that might give us better results instead of involving the registrant. I like this idea.

Holding up signs without showing the entire face is a crude start, but it IS a start and it can be refined over time. I knew we had the brainpower and someone in our movement could figure a method to get our point across in a positive manner.

In my opinion, that first picture of the young lady holding up the sign saying, "I fear from my son's life because of the label," is very effective. Now it would be even more effective, I think, if it were a much younger person saying, "I fear from my daddy's life because of the label." I would also keep the registrants here to a minimum. Having too much input from the registrants will "poison the well" so to speak and make the message much less powerful.

The next to last sign is also very powerful. It is apparent that it is a child holding the sign, which says, "We live in constant fear of retribution." The picture of that whatever (hey, guys I am out of the loop on these things) on the sweatshirt is an indicator that the child is younger. Pictures on the clothes and maybe some toys or something in the background make a very strong message--------and trust me, visual images make will stick in a person's mind when they correlate the child with the message.

One thing that should be noted. It is my opinion that on the younger people in the pictures that we allow THEM to print the signs and use words that children use. We don't want anyone to think WE printed the signs as adults and gave the children to hold. On that next to last picture, the word retribution is used. I don't know many younger folks that use that word, so it takes away the full impact of the message----although I did notice that retribution was misspelled.

I ran this by my lady friend who is not normally into this movement as much as I am. I wanted to get an "outsiders" opinion, and she thought they were excellent. She would not have given me a favorable opinion if she did not really believe that they were good.

But it gives us something to work with, and it is a good start.

I would like some other opinions. Thoughts???????

Great job guys, and again, thanks Dave.

rewdiazepam

PS I hope Wisconsin allows this post to stand. We ARE not planning anything. We are not asking anyone to call anyone and we are not scheduling any meetings. This is just an example of a positive way to get our message out.

We are showing our board members that there is HOPE with a new project and after all, that is support, isn't it?

If I could just sum it up to fit a sign! I'd just like to expand on REWs statement (as I get ready for my once a month/weekend visit). While we visit, I always tell my LO what is going on here in our community. Just the look on his face when I tell him of some of the small steps we are gaining, makes my heart happy. Believe me, those incidents have bee few and far b/t/w these last couple years. He knows I'm not the bravest women, but I'm doing what I can to hold back the tide!

A friend of mine sent hers in, so i know there's a few that can be added. Also, my sons are thinking of doing signs. They are 18 and 15

More advice received..

"Picture files are LARGE and it takes significant time to download them, long term people will not be able to see them because downloading them ties up their ISP line.

If you look closely at my earlier suggestion, that solves problem and solidifies long term success of such projects. Smaller bits of information speeds up access. And, there needs to be some way to add comments/other info to individual pics.

Think more about the mechanics of the project and the effect on viewers. The project concept is fine, but the mechanics -right now- are not good."

Dave in the Philippines

Some MORE advice, and a FB link to the project.

"Post each photo as its own blog post, not all in one. That would help."

There is also a Facebook page for this project:

https://www.facebook.com/thecollateraldamageproject


Dave in the Philippines

I was reading about the project you all are trying to do and think its an awesome idea. when you put not just words but pics of the children families etc it wil put more impact on this and all , my hub was telling me he always thought that if the families the children would speak up maybe things could change .after all didn't they have someone speak up about getting this registry in 1st place . it came from someone to begin with , well we have a voice to and needs to be seen heard somehow . with out worrying about repercussions done to our families etc. the pics with not showing all face is good , and words or ever lil bit of what they go thru in few lines , . more family the better , . I got my two poster boards today , gotta get me some markers and will be doing two with me our son on it .and take picture . and will send to u al in email , im ALL for it and praying one day all we all trying to participate in and speak up on letting our voices will be heard and will have an impact to changing the way the registry is public to non public and the restrictions to come off .. I say this to say the people that are doing right not getting in any kind of trouble follow pro rules laws land and all , should be allowed a sec chance to prove to society they have changed and not same as used to be . and ALL families and kids should be able to be granted to have their moms dads etc be part their every day life in in this life ,, not imprisoned in own home for mistake happened so long ago . and the chidren are innocent , but society condemn them and car3s less about our children our children don't count , well we all have human rights , where are they . yup we are all suffering so much pain torment and emotional physical damage in this life . an our kids are suffering the most , ....they need a life , will we ever see our chidren have one ?:(anyways I am so all for this , please keep pressing on and pushing forward in all this , im doing what can , here ,


please email Amanda hess , I emailed her thanked her for writing that article about the dr lic stamped law they trying to pass and all she wrote in article was awesome . she didn't down people she seems to understand what we feel in away , anyways to my surprise , she is gona set up time for me to talk with her about how this registry affects the families and the children , what pain and damage it causes etc and she is going to write article on that next!!!!

please email her and tell her u want your story heard too , we don't have to give oour full names . the moms that have children the children , anyone impacted by this registry needs to be heard and told their stories

again she wrote that article in slate and her name is Amanda hess :)

I just responded on your other post "hurting". I sent Amanda an e-mail and she responded that she wanted to talk to me, too. I will e-mail her back to set up a time. Not sure if this will be over the phone or by e-mail. Let me know if any of you have spoken to her yet, just to get an idea.

not spoken to her only email but i think she wants it over phone cause she asked for us to set certain time up . also w if she asked you the charge and details of that i wouldn t go into all that im not going to this is about what the registry does to us all our loved ones and us families children etc , if its the topic should stick to topic . im not going to give free for all details of my hub past its been forgiven and thats where it stays .