[ae-mod] Re: "Target hardening" RE: [SCA-AE] ANNOUNCE: Background check FAQ

[Monica Cellio]

> If these background checks protect even _one_ child in
> Aethelmearc from sexual molestion or rape, it is worth it.

Try this logically-equivalent statement: "If outlawing all motor
vehicles saves even _one_ innocent victim from being killed by a
reckless driver, it is worth it."  Of course you wouldn't agree
to that; while we want to minimize deaths due to reckless drivers,
we recognize that there are other relevant factors, like the needs
for commerce, transport to employment, and so on.

The world is not 100% safe.  Any society (small "s") has to balance
*all* of the legitimate needs of *all* of its members in trying to
figure out where the best balance point is.  Even if background
checks were a silver bullet (and I can argue that they do *harm*
to the childen they supposedly protect), you aren't done until you
also address the problems they would impose.

I am not personally affected by the background-check rule, but we
are all harmed when bad "logic" is allowed to steer policy.  A
restriction imposed on the society needs to be accompanied by
sound argument, not hyperbole and appeals to emotion.

She'erah