http://vocuspr.vocus.com/vocuspr30/Publish/142/CALCASAPublicPolicy.xml Current News en-us http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=41886 http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=41886 Tue, 13 May 2008 12:58:00 -0400 SACRAMENTO, CA - Southern California Assemblywoman Karen Bass will make history Tuesday becoming the first female African-American Assembly speaker in the United States. The Southern California Democrat formally takes over for Speaker Fabian Nunez who is termed out of office at the end of 2008. Several former California Assembly speakers will join her for the official swearing-in, along with soul singer Cuba Gooding Sr. and actress Alfre Woodard. Bass is a life-long community activist who was also a USC nurse and physicians assistant. The ceremony takes place at noon Tuesday, but her honeymoon won't last long. Wednesday Gov. Schwarzenegger releases his revised budget blueprint, a spending plan that is expected to be difficult to pass. Marcey Brightwell http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/85099/?page=entire http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/85099/?page=entire Tue, 13 May 2008 10:48:00 -0400 I knew it was bad, but I didn't know just how bad. Colonel Ann Wright, retired U.S. Army, grabbed the audience's attention at a panel called Women in the Military, hosted last month by Women Center Stage in New York City, when she said that one in three women in the military is sexually abused by her male colleagues. Ann wants to see huge signs displaying this statistic in every recruiting office, to let young women know what to expect if they sign up. After 26 years in the U.S. Army/Army Reserves, Ann went on to serve in the U.S. Diplomatic Corps for fifteen years, receiving the State Department's Award for Heroism in 1997. She helped open the U.S. embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, in January 2002 and then was Deputy Chief of Mission in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. But in 2003 she resigned from the Diplomatic Corps, saying, "I have served my country for almost thirty years in the some of the most isolated and dangerous parts of the world. However, I do not believe in the policies of this Administration," referring to the invasion of Iraq. Since then, she has advocated tirelessly for peace. She described first hand accounts from witnesses and seeing photographs that document an atrocious rape that ended in the murder of a female US soldier in Iraq, which the military had reported as a suicide. She pointed out that even in the handful of cases resulting in court martial and conviction, few perpetrators have served any prison time. Two other young veterans, Kelly Dougherty and Jen Hogg, described life in the military for women today. Sgt. Kelly Dougherty, now Executive Director of Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) and former chair of its Board of Directors, told of a veteran who calmly described killing an Iraqi while she breast-fed her baby. To Kelly, this was just one example of the incredible disconnect veterans live with and of the brutalization that everyone in the armed forces is subjected to. She noted, however, that this is new for women, since for the first time in US history so many women are participating in combat situations. Sgt. Jennifer Hogg of IVAW and Service Women's Action Network (SWAN) explained that women are automatically excluded from the infantry because they are considered unfit to do on-the-ground fighting. Jennifer granted that while some but not all women aren't suitable for infantry service, some men aren't capable either. She declared that categorically excluding women from the infantry is not only arbitrary but another of the many visible ways that women in the military are regarded as second-class citizens, ripe for abuse. It's not just a matter of promotions. Women are given only the basic training that everyone receives; they do not get advanced infantry training. However in the everyday reality of the Iraq occupation, women are routinely thrust into situations that require infantry skills. They then find themselves in combat situations for which they are not prepared. However, the greatest danger that military women in Iraq and Afghanistan face is from their male peers and officers. More women there are the victims of sexual assault than of injuries from hazardous military duties. Reuters reported as far back as 1995, "Ninety percent of women under 50 who have served in the US military and who responded to a survey report being victims of sexual harassment, and nearly one-third of the respondents of all ages say they have been raped." Blatant sexism and misogyny are at the root of this high rate of violence against these women who just want to defend their country. Some military training actually encourages violence thus adding greatly to the inherent violence of war. Jennifer described training while "jodies" were ringing in her ears -- the cadences that sing about a soldier's trashy girlfriend having sex with a civilian who is not as good a man as he. She first heard these chants while serving as a mechanic in the New York Army National Guard from 2000-2005. The "jodies" were crafted to engender men's rage: at women, at non-military men and at "the other." According to Jennifer, some men join the army for honor but also to belong to a group that permits them to express their aggression. She questions whether such motivations are any different than those of the young men who join gangs. So, she asked, why would we be surprised when these super-aggressive men behave brutally toward Iraqi civilians or towards women? She says most of their male counterparts view women in the military as either "dykes," "whores," or "bitches." These women must cope with these grotesque distortions on a daily basis. Kelly, who served as a medic and in a military police unit, says that misogyny is rampant and seldom countered from above. She described how bitter that is when a woman knows that the first duty of an officer is to care for those in her or his command. She is convinced that officers' failure to protect the women serving under them has contributed fundamentally to the serious breakdown of good military operations in Iraq. Betrayal by one's own chain of command is devastating to women, and ultimately, everyone suffers. Kelly and Jennifer both also noted the lack of female solidarity, declaring that women simply cannot bond in that culture. (I had to remind myself that the men in this culture cannot bond with their peers to resist certain kinds of abuses either.) In August of 2006 at Camp Casey I heard such first hand accounts from returning male veterans. One watched a peer shooting Iraqi children from their vehicle, much as some boys will shoot animals. Though horrified, he says that in this environment, he was neither able to stop that marine nor could he come to the defense of a comrade who tried to stop him. So it is not surprising that in this environment, women seldom come to one another's defense. Women who report abuse are often punished instead of helped, creating even greater fear among their peers. Neither Jennifer nor Kelly thinks that having more women officers at higher ranks would change anything. They say the "divide to conquer" system, which begins by conquering U.S. recruits' moral values, permeates the military. Jennifer brought up another issue; as a lesbian, she knew discrimination had started when the "don't ask, don't tell" provisions were read to her before she signed up. Already in the Army National Guard, she was activated for duty on September 11th. Surrounded by soldiers hugging and kissing loved ones before being deployed, Jennifer's partner was unable to support her in the same way. By then, having already been exposed to the "jodies," Jennifer became increasingly aware of the system's brutality and the many injustices it perpetrates. In every area women are not treated as equals, not respected. "The shoes for women are of poorer quality and women's uniforms fit tightly to emphasize her body," Jennifer told us. Since mechanics and welders are deployed as infantry, from which women are excluded, Jennifer was not deployed as a mechanic even though she was qualified. She ultimately left the service, unable to reconcile her conscience with the treatment of minorities, the injustices, and the invasion. She now works in the GI peace movement. Like many young people from blue-collar communities, Jennifer turned to the military for opportunities. She trained as a mechanic, a field that few women enter or consider a likely occupation for such a small, beautiful young woman. Ann pointed out that many recruits join for the education they can get. "Almost no one joins the military because they want to kill people," she commented. Both Kelly, who went to college, and Jennifer, who learned a trade, received their educations as a result of military service. Traditionally, the U.S. military has been good to its veterans, providing not only education but health care and good retirement. However my friends at Camp Casey decried the "economic draft" that exists today: working class young people with little future sign up disproportionately. Ann suggests that if there were another kind of national service, many of these young people would never enlist. If the United States offered free post secondary education to qualified persons like other developed nations do, the number of young people who enlist would be greatly reduced. All three women are proud of their military service. Though appalled at the invasions and occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, they still feel very connected to the military. Kelly expressed sadness and disappointment that people who see her wearing her military jacket remark that is must belong to her boyfriend or husband. She served at great risk to her own life in Hungary, Croatia and Iraq and is now using her skills to stop the abuse of her service by the very people who should respect its integrity. I would not have understood the pride these women feel about their service before I went to Camp Casey. As my friend, Patrice Schexnayder of Texas Impact, an interfaith group working for justice, said: "The military at its best is not about weapons that destroy buildings and the life within, photographed by satellite or spy plane, and totally bloodless, all in the name of aggression. It is about staying awake and on guard, while others sleep." Kelly and Jennifer were key organizers of the Winter Soldier event in March. Their skillful negotiation made the session on gender in the military possible in spite of initial resistance by some of their male colleagues. They spoke of it as a beginning, an opening of the door. I think it is a major victory. The three women veterans of this panel are true Warriors, horrified at the way the U.S. uses their service in Iraq and Afghanistan, but nonetheless willing to serve to protect us. It was a privilege to hear these women tell their stories. Nancy Van Ness http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080513/A_NEWS/805130316/-1/A_NEWS14 http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080513/A_NEWS/805130316/-1/A_NEWS14 Tue, 13 May 2008 10:10:00 -0400 SACRAMENTO - A Valley lawmaker wants to tax the porn industry to help fund statewide law enforcement efforts. Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani, D-Livingston, has signed on as a chief co-sponsor to legislation championed by Assemblyman Charles Calderon, D-Montebello. The bill, which Calderon says could raise as much as $665 million in tax revenue each year off the $4 billion-a-year porn industry, was heard in Calderon's Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee on Monday afternoon. On the Web Read the analysis of the porn tax proposal, AB2914, at www.leginfo.ca.gov. Calderon has tried to pass this measure before without success. But interest in the tax is building, thanks to a growing California budget deficit that could reach $20 billion. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will announce just how deep the hole is Wednesday when he reveals his revised budget. Galgiani appeared with Calderon, law enforcement and medical officials, a former stripper and an ex-porn star at a news conference Monday morning to urge support for the bill. Shelley Lubben, an ex-porn star who now campaigns against the industry with the group Pink Cross, said a tax is justified because of the ill effects porn has on performers and consumers. Everything from addiction to drugs or sex itself, assault, disease, rape and prostitution can be counted as side effects of the industry, she said. Galgiani and Calderon likened the tax to existing "sin taxes" on alcohol and tobacco. They say the cash raised from taxes on strip club fees, pornographic movies, pay-per-view films, sex toys and the like could be used for anything related to education, law enforcement, health care and social services - generally anything paid for from the state's general fund. "It essentially creates a slush fund," said Matt Gray of the Free Speech Coalition. Those in the industry argue that taxing them over and above the sales and corporate taxes they already pay would force them to move to Nevada or some other state. Industry officials and performers testified that the negative effects against their business are overblown. It also is possible that the legislation is unconstitutional. Legal opinion on taxation based on content is mixed. Galgiani's specific interest is finding new sources of funding for law enforcement. A California Senate panel led by state Sen. Michael Machado, D-Linden, axed state support for a series of rural law enforcement programs Thursday. Machado said the state is not required to fund those programs and no longer can afford to. Galgiani says the porn tax could provide that funding. "These are funds that have always been at risk," Galgiani said. "This bill ensures that we can keep those funds in place." Galgiani said it's tough enough to preserve funding for law enforcement activities, let alone expand efforts to fight identity theft or online crime. "I want to expand things like that," she said. "There's just no money to do that." Contact Capitol Bureau Chief Hank Shaw at (916) 441-4078 or sacto@recordnet.com. Shaw, Hank http://vocuspr.vocus.com/vocuspr30/ViewNewsOnDemand.aspx?Preview=true&ArticleID=142_15854_12825517 http://vocuspr.vocus.com/vocuspr30/ViewNewsOnDemand.aspx?Preview=true&ArticleID=142_15854_12825517 Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400 Given unprecedented pre-release attention by leading civil rights organizations and students at an early screening, a number of festivals including Los Angeles LGBT fest Outfest, mainstream Breckenridge Festival of Film, and NewFest The 20th Anniversary New York LGBT Film Festival (where the film is programmed for opening night on June 5th), have made announcements of their selection of TRU LOVED -- the inspiring new family-friendly film about LGBTQ youth and their families -- as a highlight of their 2008 fests (see also ). Last week, the filmmakers allied with The School of Social Justice at L.A. Unified School District's Miguel Contreras Learning Complex (MCLC), where more than 900 students participated in the National Day of Silence. The three-day event honored the students and school as role models in stopping homophobia before it starts. The film's producer, Antonio Brown of BrownBag Productions, along with Eric Borsum, the film's Executive in Charge of Social Partnerships, formed early alliances with numerous organizations, including Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG); the Gay-Straight Alliance Network (GSA Network); the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN); the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA), and others. The support of these groups has been vital to early positive word-of-mouth on the film, and the filmmakers reached out to their leaders to join stars of the film in thanking the MCLC students for their year-round commitment to the protection of LGBTQ students and families. Seeing positive, healthy images of GLBT people and their families ... is critical in transforming hearts and minds, said PFLAG Executive Director Jody M. Huckaby, who during production presented director Wade with PFLAG's Focus on Equality Award. TRU LOVED does this perfectly, and shows how, alongside our straight allies, we all can create real change. At the event, civil rights leaders such as Huckaby, Kevin Jennings of GLSEN, Carolyn Laub of GSA Network, and TRU LOVED stars Jasmine Guy, Bruce Vilanch and Nichelle Nichols spoke to students and celebrated their leadership in protecting LGBTQ students against bullying and harassment. In her address to the students, Nichols said, As someone who knew and was inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, I believe he would be very proud of your efforts, for he too fought against discrimination and unfairness and for a better world. Melissa Etheridge, whose music is included in the film's soundtrack, sent a message to students, stating, I'm so pleased that TRU LOVED and the LAUSD are working with GLSEN, PFLAG, The GSA Network and other organizations to lead the charge on this year's Day of Silence ... congratulations to the LAUSD for showing the movie TRU LOVED to get the dialogue going, so that we can all use our voices to end bigotry and make our world safe for ourselves and our children. Actor T.R. Knight (Grey's Anatomy) was also in attendance, speaking to students from the heart, saying, Thank you so much for what you're doing, because if I ... had this support when I was your age, I wouldn't have wasted so many years ... I would have gone out there and made a difference. TRU LOVED (http //www.truloved.com/), written and directed by Stewart Wade (Coffee Date) tells the story of Tru, a sixteen year old uprooted by her lesbian moms from her gay-friendly home in San Francisco and moved to a conservative community in Southern California. Tru's only friend is a closeted football player, and that friendship is jeopardized when she starts the school's first Gay-Straight Alliance. Produced by BrownBag Productions, TRU LOVED stars Najarra Townsend (Me And You And Everyone We Know), Jake Abel (The Lovely Bones), Matthew Thompson (Drake and Josh), Alexandra Paul (Baywatch), Cynda Williams (Tales of the City), Alec Mapa (Ugly Betty), Bruce Vilanch (Hairspray), Nichelle Nichols (Heroes), Jasmine Guy (A Different World) and Jane Lynch (The 40 Year Old Virgin). Copyright © 2008 Science Letter via NewsRx.com http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/05/08/sex http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/05/08/sex Mon, 12 May 2008 12:19:00 -0400 The college social scene is the setting or context for much of the unwanted sexual contact that happens on campuses, as a new report by researchers at the University of New Hampshire, exploring the experiences of the university’s undergraduates, details. “For both female and male students, unwanted sexual contact occurs where they live, at social events, and often when the perpetrator and victim have been drinking. The vast majority of incidents occurs between UNH students, and an acquaintance is most often the perpetrator,” the report states. “I think the main point we’re trying to make is that there are situations in which students find themselves, where they have these kinds of experiences, and they’re not situations that they would define as threatening situations,” said Sally Ward, a professor of sociology and one of five faculty authors of the report, which is based on paper- and Web-based surveys completed by 2,405 New Hampshire undergraduates, male and female, in 2005-6. “It’s part of the normal social scene. People go out and they party and things happen that they aren’t expecting to happen. That is, we think, a consistent finding over time in this research,” said Ward. The report, on “The Context of Unwanted Sexual Experiences” at UNH, is the latest product of a research project begun in 1988 and funded by the president’s office at New Hampshire. The university is relatively unusual (although not alone) in tracking, and publicly releasing, campus-specific data on unwanted sexual contact, defined as sexual situations including kissing or touching but excluding intercourse, that students knew at the time they did not want to engage in and communicated that in some way (or otherwise were incapacitated), as well as unwanted intercourse. “There aren’t a lot of studies that have followed this for 20 years,” said Ellen Cohn, a professor of psychology and coordinator of justice studies who has been involved in the project since 1988. Overall, 28 percent of New Hampshire women report at least one incident of unwanted contact, as do 11 percent of men. About 7 percent of women and 4 percent of men report unwanted intercourse. The researchers find that, by and large, the contexts for unwanted sexual contact are similar for women and for men. They do find some differences, however, in the contexts for unwanted sexual experiences based on type of experience (i.e. intercourse versus contact) and gender. Researchers find, for instance, that men are more likely than women to experience unwanted sexual contact in a UNH residence, while women are more likely than men to experience it in a Greek house. The association with alcohol is higher for women than it is for men (though it is high for both). And men who experience unwanted sexual contact are proportionately more likely than women to be victimized by a date or romantic partner (such incidents comprise 19 percent of experiences reported by men, versus 10 percent among women). Friends or acquaintances were identified as the perpetrators 53 and 56 percent of the time for men and women, respectively. “These differences suggest that unwanted sexual contact is more a product of the college social scene for women, and more a relational phenomenon for men,” the report states. The report also finds that, for women, unwanted sexual contact is likely to happen as part of the college social scene, whereas unwanted intercourse is more likely to happen in the context of a date or relationship. The report notes that the number of men who report unwanted intercourse is too small to make any comparisons across types of unwanted sexual experiences. Male victims were, however, more likely to have used drugs than female victims (8 versus 2 percent) and more likely to report a same-sex perpetrator (9 versus 2 percent). Overall, UNH has found that the number of unwanted sexual experiences on campus declined significantly from 1988 to 2000, during which time the university established a crisis center and put a number of prevention programs in place. However, there has been little change since 2000 — prompting a need for more creative, broad-based responses, said Victoria Banyard, an associate professor of psychology and a co-author. “We need coordinated community responses. We really need to think about how to involve everyone, change community norms, change peer norms, those kinds of things,” Banyard said. “It’s a hard thing to research, but I think on the other hand, the national data is very clear that this is a problem on all of our campuses,” Banyard continued. “UNH has really been a leader in saying, ‘You know what, this is important and we know it’s happening here because it’s happening everywhere and so we want to understand more about it.’ ” “Our prevention efforts are going to be better if we know the specifics of where we live.” Elizabeth Redden http://news.vocus.com/click/here.pl?z1409358876&z=950239508 http://news.vocus.com/click/here.pl?z1409358876&z=950239508 Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400 VANCOUVER - Stefanie Colgrove thought it would be 'cool' if she could collect a few books and start a lending library at her home in Colorado City, Ariz., a city dominated by members of the polygamist Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She never imagined her little project would stir the imagination of people - in Utah, Arizona, California and beyond into Canada - who see the library as an opportunity to open up a community that has shut out the world. She received thousands of books days after talking about her idea at a meeting on polygamy. 'I'm amazed how far it has gone,' Ms. Colgrove, the great-granddaughter of former Lethbridge MP John Blackmore, said late last week in a telephone interview from Colorado City. The library project, begun early this year, attracted international attention following a raid of the Texas compound of the FLDS in early April. Child-protection workers apprehended more than 400 children at the compound on evidence of child abuse and a pervasive pattern of grooming young girls for underage sex. Current plans call for a full-service library with computers for a community that includes many self-educated people who have been told to stay away from television and the Internet, Kathy McGehee, of the Mohave County library district, said in an interview from Kingman, Ariz. 'They have been so isolated,' Ms. McGehee said. 'It will open the world to people who have never been exposed to this before, those born and raised there who have never been out, especially those in the Warren Jeffs group,' she said. Mr. Jeffs is currently in prison, serving a 10-years-to-life sentence for being an accomplice to rape for performing a religious ceremony in Utah that forced a 14-year-old girl to 'marry' a 19-year-old man. Also, he has been charged in Arizona with incest and sexual conduct with a minor. He will be in court on a preliminary matter later this week. Despite the criminal charges, a new church leader has not yet claimed the allegiance of the members. The extent of how much continuing control over the church Mr. Jeffs has from prison is unclear. Many of those living at the Texas compound at the time of the raid came from Colorado City following a crackdown on FLDS in Arizona. Before the attack on polygamy-related crimes, Mr. Jeffs had been head of a multimillion-dollar trust that owned businesses and most of the property in Colorado City, population 10,000. His influence was also felt in the city's public-school system. Student enrolment dropped by 85 per cent in 2000 after Mr. Jeffs told his followers to withdraw their children and switch to home schooling. Mr. Jeffs closed the Colorado City library shortly after succeeding his father, Rulon Jeffs, in 2002 as the so-called prophet of FLDS. He had people do away with their books, Ms. Colgrove said. 'He took things that helped people gain knowledge and put them away. He wanted them to read what he wanted them to read, and to think what he wanted them to think,' she said. Ms. Colgrove believes Mr. Jeffs still retains influence over the affairs of the church even though he remains in prison. On his instructions, FLDS families continue to move to more secluded areas in the United States, abandoning their homes in Colorado City, she said. Ms. Colgrove, 38, was raised in a polygamous family living in Colorado City but left the community in the 1980s and has been in a monogamous marriage for 15 years. Last year, she moved into one of the abandoned houses in Colorado City. A group called Friends of the Colorado City Library was formed in late April. Mohave County officials are to consider a proposal to turn an old school building into the library later this month. If the scheme is approved, the library group will be required to raise money for the building. The county will supply books, shelves and pay for a full-time librarian to set up the collection. Ms. Colgrove first mentioned the idea of a small lending library in her house during a discussion on polygamy at a meeting in Salt Lake City, before the raid in Texas. 'The response was so enthusiastic that I got over 4,000 books so I had to rethink my plan,' she said. The scheme jumped the border when Nancy Mereska of Two Hills, Alta., 160 kilometres northeast of Edmonton, circulated a news release in late April to her online network promoting the new library. 'I sent out the word that a public library is being opened in Colorado City. I was thrilled. It means that children of polygamy can be helped,' Ms. Mereska, a former member of the mainstream Mormon church, said in an interview. Ms. Mereska contributed $50 and challenged those on the network to match her. 'Dig into your pockets, folks. Dig deep,' she wrote in her e-mail. 'The more these kids learn, the more we won't have to be screaming about their abuse and bound minds.' ROBERT MATAS http://news.vocus.com/click/here.pl?z1409232276&z=950239508 http://news.vocus.com/click/here.pl?z1409232276&z=950239508 Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400 BAKERSFIELD -- Two women who used to work in the adult entertainment industry are set to testify Monday at an Assembly committee hearing in favor of a 25 percent tax levied on revenues. Shelley Lubben and Daphne Khoury prepared their testimony Sunday afternoon in northwest Bakersfield, arguing why a tax on pornographers is necessary. The tax, proposed by Assm. Charles Calderon, (D) - Whittier, would be on the gross revenues of business like strip clubs, video and adult toy stores, and even pay-per-view channels. If approved, it could raise more than $500 million every year to fight secondary effects supporters say porn has on drug abuse, rape, and domestic violence. Opponents, including the California Association of Club Executives and the Free Speech Coalition, say the tax does nothing to help the possible $20 billion shortfall. Those organizations are also expected to bring adult industry professionals to tomorrow's hearing. http://news.vocus.com/click/here.pl?z1409150807&z=950239508 http://news.vocus.com/click/here.pl?z1409150807&z=950239508 Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400 A growing number of communities across the USA are moving to prevent sexual predators from becoming ice cream truck drivers. Cases in which ice cream truck drivers have been convicted of crimes against children in New York and Florida, as well as concerns about a registered sex offender selling ice cream in California have prompted some state and local governments to consider banning criminals from selling ice cream or at least requiring background checks before licenses are issued. In California, where a convicted sex offender was found to be driving an ice cream truck in the city of Perris last summer, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors will consider an ordinance Tuesday aimed at stopping them from driving ice cream trucks, said David Zook, a spokesman for Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt. In Massachusetts, a bill that would bar sex offenders from operating ice cream trucks is under consideration in the Legislature. The idea stemmed from a New York state law that passed in 2005, said Michael Lawlor, an aide to Massachusetts state Sen. Michael Knapik. In Rapid City, S.D., an ordinance requiring criminal background checks for ice cream vendors is under review by the city attorney's office, Alderwoman Deb Hadcock said. Efforts to keep predators out of ice cream trucks gained momentum in 2004, when Eduardo Grau of Troy, N.Y., 56, was arrested after police said he offered rides in his ice cream truck to children and abused a 9-year-old girl. The case spurred the 2005 New York state law. Grau eventually pleaded guilty to first-degree sexual abuse in 2006, according to District Attorney Patricia DeAngelis. Since then, cities including San Antonio and Tucson have passed similar measures. New York appears to have the only statewide restriction, said Sarah Hammond of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Florida Assistant State Attorney Harmon Massey prosecuted a 2005 case involving the driver of an ice cream truck who was eventually convicted of battery against a teenager. Massey said Florida should consider an ice cream vendor law. 'Can you think of a better kid magnet, if you were a sex offender?' Amanda Burnham of Perris, Calif., said that for a sex offender, 'there are a bazillion things you could do for a living that don't involve children. It just seems like a very, very odd choice.' Burnham learned last summer that a man who drove an ice cream truck down her street is a registered sex offender. She and her neighbors put notices 'on every single house' to warn residents, she said. The effort helped inspire the proposal in San Bernardino County. Such laws can go too far, said Jennifer Ring, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of the Dakotas. 'If you're throwing everyone in the same bucket, you're really restricting these people who have paid their debt to society to go on and be productive citizens,' Ring said. Martin reports for the Argus Leader in Sioux Falls, S.D. Jeff Martin