Help! Hearing in MD Senate to determine future of International dating

[Bugman]

Hello:
I am here to sound the alarm and request your help to defeat a draconian law that we are fighting in Maryland that would require citizens to submit to mandatory criminal background checks and provide their personal life history before they can initiate communicate with a foreigner. The law is patterned after the federal IMBRA law but the MD law is much more intrusive and overarching and would
prevent sending e mails, text messages, photographs or even statistics to a total stranger in a foreign country. Penalties for the new romance law include up to one year in jail!

The law was being rifled through the MD Legislature and had unanimously passed committees in the MD House and Senate. But a few MD citizens urgently built a small coalition with a firestorm of resistance with a number of e mails and phone calls. In a stunning development the MD legislature was so alarmed that they decided to hold a second hearing, a very rare event indeed.

If you value the principles of honesty, fairness and constitutional  issues , regardless of  your state of residence, we are asking your assistance by showing up for the second  hearing to be held in Annapolis, MD, probably within the next 10 days. We need single men and women, married couples, or anyone with a desire to discuss the topic of International dating in a positive light. You can make a difference and help defeat this horrific law! The ideal person should be able to speak clearly and politely for 3-5 minutes. We'll even draft  your words and ideas for you to make it easy. 

For more information please call Michael Parrotte ASAP at 301-305-5050, 301- 695-8004, e mail at michael@agvsports.com  or michaelparrotte@yahoo.com 

[BillyB]

We'll even draft  your words and ideas for you to make it easy.  

Who's "We"? Tell us something about yourself Bugman.

This forum has already discussed the law in the link below. If I was still living in Ft. Detrick/Frederick, I would voice my opinion but I'm on the West Coast now.

Penalties up to one year in jail? Next step is they'll castrate the men in Maryland who are trying to date women illegally.

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=11411.msg223641#msg223641

[protectingromance]

Everyone listen up. Ths new Maryland law is considered a "Gateway law". This is an extremely well coordinated effort by several special interest groups to sabotage your right to date and communicate or date a person of your choosing. If this MD law passes numerous other states will begin to introduce the same exact bill. The MD Legislators Women's Caucus and Polaris Project (an anti trafficking group) are some of the groups behind this and they have lots of clout that extends to other states. The Polaris Project's lobbyists Julie Janovsky is a well known lobbyist who used to work for the Humane society and has a long standing relationship with women legislators in other states.

We recently organized this group after I place an op-ed advertisement in the Cumberland Times (MD) aboput this bizarre law. We(the group) don't even have a name, but there are some powerful well connected individuals in our new group and we are deterrmined to stop this horrific law. Michael Parrotte is currently the contact person, very energetic, intelligent and well connected.

If you live in another state you will be affected. REPEAT. If you live in another state they will likely introduce this bill in your state if the law passes.

This is not a fire drill. We need as many people as possible who can speak clearly and politely at the hearing!

[GregfromGa]

For the record, I have absolutely no problem with mandatory background checks on guys intending to marry a foreigner. The Olga Conroy story is a perfect example of why this law needs to be in effect. An unknowing and unsuspecting foreign lady might not have the resources to find out that the guy she's intending to marry has raped or been charged with sexual assault or a number of other crimes. If you have the time on your hands and feel the need to lobby against something start with this, lobby to keep child molesters locked up until they die or preferably put to sleep. If it is required to get a full extent background check to get certain jobs, buy a gun or whatever then it should be required to bring a lady and her kids here and marry them.

[Shadow]

As I am not American, I will not be touched by this.

However I already expressed great concern over the amount of information one has to submit.
At the current time any IMB site holds:
- your credit card information
- picture
- full name
- full address
- date of birth

With the passing of the IMBRA law, the following information is added:
- Income details
- Fingerprints
- proof of identity
- criminal record

While the law makers would pose the responsibility for the securuty on the IMB site, it is very easy to understand that the amount of data which has to be submitted by law to the IMB is extremely concerning.
In case of a security breach, like an attack by hackers, who could be ordered by international terrorists, it would be possible to steal the full identity and data, which could then be used for crinimal or terrorist acts.

the MD Senate should be extremely concerned that this law will indirectly cause a possibility for terrorism to gain access to personal data of its citizens.

[I/O]

The IMB thing has been whacked around these boards for the last 3 or 4 years now and although I am not and never will be effected by it, there is, IMO, way too much spook and shadow being preached. I can't help but wonder from this distance if the majority of the supporters of the act (or whatever it is now) would be Catholic Democrats and the majority of the opponents would be Protestant Republicans.

Nevertheless, at this point, has it stopped one guy from going? Has it stopped one couple from marrying? FWIW during Mrs I/O's permanent residency application process (after she was here 2 years), I had to provide a criminal history check (funny how it wasn't required when I sponsored her as my fiance' into the country). Big deal. Bit of a pest to get the document but nothing compared to other aspects of the process. Just get on with it.

[viking]

Submitting background info to a government agency, to confirm your background is one thing. To send all this to some agency site that has little security to prevent your data from being strewn all over the internet is quite a different matter. I support that a woman should know who she is talking to, but reflect that there needs to be a better way to do it so that personal data is secure.

Lets be real. The bad guys will either not send their info and, hopefully, be removed from a site ( another matter to be discussed as most sites wont remove their profiles) or drop their profiles. So only the data from the good guys will be in cyperspace.

What standards will go along with this to prevent your info from being hacked, sold, or otherwise accessed from unsecured sites?

[Markus]

Protecting International women from bad men is something I think a lot of people would agree is a good thing. It sounds good.
It appeals to emotions. But the answer is not Government control. As I mentioned in the other thread, meeting someone online
to date and marry has become popular. This bill is about MD people dating people outside the U.S., but going this direction is
only a beginning point. Next will be state to state. Why? Because someone has to pay for this mandated service and it won't
be subsidized by the state. The fees associated with this bill will be income to the state. It's a money motivator and more
Government control. This bill is another attack on freedom.

If you want to see another attack on freedom, google the Dietary Supplement Safety Act S. 3002

[GQBlues]

For all the Olga Conroys, the Chelsea Kings of this world, I support IMBRA and any/all laws that keep violent abuser, sexual predators; foreign or domestic; past, present, future.....PERIOD.

I abhor any/all agencies who oppose laws such as IMBRA for the love of money.

[BC]

The most effective vote starts with your feet.

[GregfromGa]

For all the Olga Conroys, the Chelsea Kings of this world, I support IMBRA and any/all laws that keep violent abuser, sexual predators; foreign or domestic; past, present, future.....PERIOD.

I abhor any/all agencies who oppose laws such as IMBRA for the love of money.

I'm with you 1000%.

[tfcrew]

There was already a thread on this

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=11411.msg223595#msg223595

[remiel6]

I should add here for what its worth before there is too much paranoia. Marriage in the US is a fundamental right. the changes that were made with the IMBRA were to protect the woman before she gets married. If the law gets out of hand trust me the Courts will challenge it. Marriage is a fundamental right, you cannot limit a fundamental right without passing strict srutiny in the court. In these cases the government or state loses 90% of the time. strict scrutiny requires a compelling government interest and a law that is as narrowly tailored as possible to meet that interest. Perhaps why the IMBRA only requires the woman to have access to the mans past information. It does not limit his right it only requires information to be presented to the woman. It is a very thin line that is difficult to straddle.

[BillyB]

Sounds to me some guys are willing to back anything if it sounds good. We're all for protecting women, cleaner environment, nutritious foods and yada, yada, yada but don't give special interest groups backing or verbal support to lobby government to make things better the way they see fit.

IMBRA is a failure simply because it doesn't stop the problem of violent men. It may discourage them from finding a foreign women since they have a criminal past but they will then in turn focus on domestic. Those of you who vocally support a law that sounds good only support the agenda of the special interest group that pushed it through.

Soon it will be illegal to date domestic women in certain States without submitting your life history. Maryland's law is not fair since some dating site will be exempt and it does not protect all Maryland women and men equally. Keep on supporting laws that grant special rights instead of equal rights and see where this country ends up.

[GregfromGa]

Sounds to me some guys are willing to back anything if it sounds good. We're all for protecting women, cleaner environment, nutritious foods and yada, yada, yada but don't give special interest groups backing or verbal support to lobby government to make things better the way they see fit.

IMBRA is a failure simply because it doesn't stop the problem of violent men. It may discourage them from finding a foreign women since they have a criminal past but they will then in turn focus on domestic. Those of you who vocally support a law that sounds good only support the agenda of the special interest group that pushed it through.

Soon it will be illegal to date domestic women in certain States without submitting your life history. Maryland's law is not fair since some dating site will be exempt and it does not protect all Maryland women and men equally. Keep on supporting laws that grant special rights instead of equal rights and see where this country ends up.

I guess you might be lumping me in with the some guys will back anything if it sounds good crowd. I have no problem being in that crowd. Just curious Billy, did you ever get married? If our government doesnt police these criminals then who will? Maybe we can just count on the criminals to police themselves and not worry about exposing innocent and unknowing foreign women to these animals.

[GQBlues]

Identity theft? Puhleeese!

Every single adult wishing to rent (or buy) a place of residence is required to divulge personal information to any prospective landlord. Buy a car, you're required the same, apply for a credit card, the same is required. These compnies are bonded and authorize to acquire these information if the applicant is so inclined to proceed and finish the transaction...same with agencies, it's his right and choice if what he wants to go that route. He doesn't want to proceed, then don't.

There's no violation of individual's rights and no privacy infringed...

I think if the government sees fit to release past sexual predators, violent abusers, etc...back out into the free world, the least they should do is tattoo their foreheads with their convictions as follows:

Warning: "S-E-X-U-A-L   P-R-E-D-A-T-O-R", or Warning: "C-H-I-L-D  M-O-L-E-S-T-E-R", or Warning: "P-E-D-O-P-H-I-L-E", etcetera, etcetera, etcetera...

The government owes that much to society if they are convinced these idiots are rehabilitated. After all, parents like that of Chelsea King, or Chelsea herself; would have had the privilege of knowing who is within their midst.

It is every person's responsibility, man or woman, to know who they're marrying to, foreign or domestic...

[Ravens9273]

As a person living in Maryland I could not support those who wish to abolish laws like this. While many may see it as a violation of our rights, there is a good reason why the these laws are starting to exist.
As a person who owned an international dating site I can honestly say there are more predators searching for foreign wives then actual good Men.
While the age discusion has been played out many times here there has really only been one side of that discussion. Is it a big deal for a 30 year old to be with a 50 year old? These types of ages have been discussed. What I have seen little of is discussions of how many 50 year old Men try to meet 18-20 year olds. What has not been talked about is just how many Men are really on that pursuit.
While owning the site 80% of Men wanted Women from 18-22 years old. These were all Men 40 and over with many being in their 50's and 60's. I will never forget one Man who was 72 years old. His username was even older4younger.
He did not want a lady over 20. His whole profile was just sickening that I do not even want to talk about it here. I deleted him and had some heated words through email when he complained.
I could not proceed in this business because I saw that most of my customers were nothing more then pedophiles.
The fact you have 40, 50, 60 year old Men wanting to be with 18 year olds already says this Man is trouble. If they would date an 8 year old they would also date a 15 year old if the law allowed it. These are Men who are capable of Molesting a child and would do so if they believe they could get away with it.
It turned my stomach each day I use to go to the site to review and activate new profiles. There just came a time I could not do it any longer and that was it for me.
After what I have seen I feel there is not enough laws yet to stop it.

Another point I want to make as well.
The subject has also been discussed many times as to why Men have decided to search for a RW etc...
I have seen ever excuse in the world.
The are more family oriented
They are not as materialistic (that one always gave me a good laugh)

I can go on and on to the excuses.

What I find ironic about these excuses is the moment a younger Man who is attractive, and good living comes to these boards they are always asked why are they looking if they can get any AW.

When I see that I instantly think all your excused just went out the window.
This comment just told me that the others are looking for RW because they cannot get AW. So leave all the other BS excuses out of it. But that is also a sign of a troubled person.
They either want something they can not get at home (which most of the time equals to a much younger Women) or they have other issues that the foreigner should know about. If no one where this person lives wants anything to do with them then does this not already present red flags as to what type of person they are?

Believe me. There are not enough laws.

This is an edit I will make to this post.

Of all the major websites online such as Aweb, HRB etc...
These websites have many ladies listed who have children. However you will never see a child in any pictures in their profiles.
It would seem to make sense that a lady may want to put at least one picture of a child since it would be a package deal.

These websites do not allow any pictures of children to be posted in the profile. They do allow ladies to privately send pictures of their children if she is comfortable sending it to the Man. However the sites do not allow such pictures because they know the many low life customers they have and they do not want some of these low lifes to see a childs picture and write to the mother as a way to get to the child.

[Brianinaz]

Wow, I don't post much because I don't often have much productive to contribute but what I'm reading here astonishes me. Maybe I bought into that American ideal of freedom and individuality too much but if someone thinks they can dictate to me who I talk to and under what circumstances then we are at serious odds. WTF

[Boethius]

You can hop on a plane and talk to any woman to whom you wish and your government will not interfere.

The internet is also used to traffic prostitutes and sex slaves.  The more it is regulated, the better.

[Shadow]

Identity theft? Puhleeese!

Every single adult wishing to rent (or buy) a place of residence is required to divulge personal information to any prospective landlord. Buy a car, you're required the same, apply for a credit card, the same is required. These compnies are bonded and authorize to acquire these information if the applicant is so inclined to proceed and finish the transaction...same with agencies, it's his right and choice if what he wants to go that route. He doesn't want to proceed, then don't.

There's no violation of individual's rights and no privacy infringed...

Do you give your finger prints and a criminal backgrond check when you buy a car ?
And if so, do you agree for them to store it in a database that can be accessed through the internet ?

I am fully agreed that we should protect both women and men whenever possible, but if anyone wishes to describe the US as land of freedom withsuch laws I can only laugh.

You might think it is laughable regarding the identty theft, so why not publish the for IMBRA required dat publicly on the internet... nothing can happen, right ?

[Shadow]

You can hop on a plane and talk to any woman to whom you wish and your government will not interfere.

The internet is also used to traffic prostitutes and sex slaves.  The more it is regulated, the better.

I suggest that at the door of any bar or community gathering every person will have to submit their personal data, background check  and fingerprints.
After all the amount of incidents there is a multitude higher as those happening through the internet.

[Gylden]

Prohibition did wonders to curb drinking....right?  ......(NOT)
Best way to prevent something from happening is through education IMO!
 

[Turboguy]

Prohibition did wonders to curb drinking....right?  ......(NOT)
Best way to prevent something from happening is through education IMO!
 

I am not sure I would agree with that as the answer.  I think it just increases awareness.   For example, I can't see that the improved sex education in schools have curbed promiscuity.  If anything they have increased it but maybe slightly decrease pregnancys as a percentage of sexual events.

I do think DUI enforcement has had some serious effects on drinking and isn't that just another approach to prohibition?

[Gylden]

DUI enforcement is another form of prohibition, but here in Norway it has been taken to extremes. There is virtually NO ONE who drinks and drives here, one beer puts you over the top of promil limits. On top of that alcohol is very expensive, i.e. a beer at the pub=$10.00, a bottle of scotch, $100.00. Never the less alcoholism is out of control, you can see people on Friday and Saturday night in the town, overall, just falling down drunk. So my conclusion is that in the US where awareness in much higher, it is much less of a problem, but I had to live outside the US before I could understand it. There are fewer DUI problems here, but a much larger drinking problem.

[Markus]

See http://maryland-dating-law.com/ for some of the cons against this bill. There is more to this bill than the protection of International women.