Yankees On Predator

[Rex Thunder]

Was it just me- or was every Orioles fan smiling when tonight on NBC's To Catch a Predator, with Chris Hanson- and Yankee fan came in wearing full on Yankee's gear to try and have sex with a 13 year old. The show is addicting somehow- unbelievable that there are that many scumbags and perverts out there- but to see a guy wearing a HUGE YANKEES BLAZER on was awesome!

The disgrace! Imagine how embarrassing it would be for all Orioles fans if it were the other way around. I swear I need to tivo that and post it on youtube, with the title CHECK OUT THIS YANKEES FAN!!!

[Pedro Cerrano]

This show doesn't make me smile...it makes me sad.

[ScottieBaseball]

Was it just me- or was every Orioles fan smiling when tonight on NBC's To Catch a Predator, with Chris Hanson- and Yankee fan came in wearing full on Yankee's gear to try and have sex with a 13 year old. The show is addicting somehow- unbelievable that there are that many scumbags and perverts out there- but to see a guy wearing a HUGE YANKEES BLAZER on was awesome!

The disgrace! Imagine how embarrassing it would be for all Orioles fans if it were the other way around. I swear I need to tivo that and post it on youtube, with the title CHECK OUT THIS YANKEES FAN!!!

As the father of a nine-year old boy and two-year old girl, I get a lot of gratification from this show. I find it invaluable in terms of educating myself on the M.O. a lot of these predators employ in trying to seduce children. I've heard people claim the show is entrapment and exploitive, but I think it's great.

Some might find it twisted, but in addition to being a father, I'm also a Yankees hater, so yeah...I got a little extra gratification out of it.

Please, Jeremy, send me a link if you get it Youtubed.

[Lucky Jim]

As the father of a nine-year old boy and two-year old girl, I get a lot of gratification from this show. I find it invaluable in terms of educating myself on the M.O. a lot of these predators employ in trying to seduce children. I've heard people claim the show is entrapment and exploitive, but I think it's great.

Some might find it twisted, but in addition to being a father, I'm also a Yankees hater, so yeah...I got a little extra gratification out of it.

Please, Jeremy, send me a link if you get it Youtubed.

The problem is, that the show feeds off the lowest common denominator - i.e., these guys are complete idiots. And it tells us little about how successful predators actually work.

Further, the likelihood of abuse stemming from a stranger is still far far smaller than from someone close to the family.

Not to get morbid or overly serious. Still, in this way, I think the show does more harm than good by placing an emphasis on the wrong threat while holding up the issue for entertainment purposes.

[Dr. FLK]

The problem is, that the show feeds off the lowest common denominator - i.e., these guys are complete idiots. And it tells us little about how successful predators actually work.

Further, the likelihood of abuse stemming from a stranger is still far far smaller than from someone close to the family.

Not to get morbid or overly serious. Still, in this way, I think the show does more harm than good by placing an emphasis on the wrong threat while holding up the issue for entertainment purposes.

I'm not so sure I agree with you on this one. It seems like kids use the internet younger and younger. And, with the whole MySpace explosion, it's pretty easy for these creeps to get access to children online. This show can be very informative to parents, as it lets them know what to watch out for. Obviously, it isn't the only threat. But, the more threats a parent can be aware of, the safer they can make their children.

[Lucky Jim]

I'm not so sure I agree with you on this one. It seems like kids use the internet younger and younger. And, with the whole MySpace explosion, it's pretty easy for these creeps to get access to children online. This show can be very informative to parents, as it lets them know what to watch out for. Obviously, it isn't the only threat. But, the more threats a parent can be aware of, the safer they can make their children.

I understand your point. I just think that, if you look at the numbers, the number of kids "seduced" via the internet by adults is likely very very small compared to the threat inherent in actual personal interaction.

Not saying it doesn't exist - but we're much more comfortable (this is a psychological bias, I think) with "stranger" threats because it absolves us of some responsibility - as opposed to a relative, family friend, teacher, someone from a church, coach, etc.

I agree that children use the internet at a very young age - but I'm not sure how much this increases the risk. It makes it far cheaper for predators (making contact is easier, and distance isn't an issue) but you still have to find a kid who's willing to meet. I'm not sure those numbers change all that much.

So, real threat, I agree. But sensationalized in a way that distorts where the true risks to children actually lie.

But that's just one man's opinion.*


*To quote Royal Tenenbaum.