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Wednesday, March 30, 2005

Government Pre-Approval For Online Dating

Sigh...

LANSING, Mich. - Sandie Cornillie did a double take when she first heard about a bill that would force online dating sites to say whether criminal background checks have been conducted on their members.

The 46-year-old divorcee from Portage prefers finding dates on the Internet over visiting the local bar or relying on a friend to play matchmaker. The Web is less intimidating, more convenient and arguably safer, she said.

"It's a very safe way of getting to know someone before we meet face to face," said Cornillie, who has tried online dating for five years. "I haven't met any rapists or any crazy people. It's kind of up to you to be careful."

Some lawmakers, though, say that as online dating becomes more popular, users need better protection from predators. Twenty-six million people visited dating sites in January, according to the Internet research firm Nielsen/NetRatings.

The Senate is considering legislation that would require an Internet dating company serving Michigan residents to disclose on its Web site whether it has conducted criminal background checks on users, based solely on the names provided.


Is this a road we want to go down? What's next, mandatory blood tests before sexual intercourse?

And what does this say about the government's opinion of a private citizens ability to make logical decisions about their own security and the people they choose to be around? Not to mention the fact that they seem to be implying that the web dating companies are to be held responsible for the ill deeds which could be potentially be perpetrated by their clients.

Whatever happened to personal responsibility?

Update:

But then there's always this.

(via Ace)

Comments

Avatar for likwidshoe

Whatever happened to personal responsibility?

Personal responsibility?  What’s that?  It’s always someone else’s fault.  Welcome to the age of narcissism.

likwidshoe on March 30, 2005 at 10:04 am
Avatar for Robin S.

You know, I’ve had extremely bad luck with the women I’ve chosen to date, and not one of those was met through a website intended for that purpose (a couple have been met through other online communities, though).  I think it’s ludicrous that the government should only move to protect online daters.  I demand that someone protect me

No one should be allowed to date without a dating license.  This license should warn potential dates about mental stability, criminal record, and credit rating at a bare minimum.  This would protect us from getting involved with potentially insane dates or those who’re likely to drag us into financial ruin.

(A brief note the humor impaired: The preceding was a joke.  I do not seriously hold any of these views.)

Robin S. on March 30, 2005 at 11:03 am
Avatar for canuck

oh rob, surely you jest. personal responsibility??!  are you kidding! if we had that it would mean i couldn’t blame you. and i do. blame you, that is.

canuck on March 30, 2005 at 12:03 pm
Avatar for WOOF
WOOF on March 30, 2005 at 05:03 pm
Avatar for LoadTheMule

The Senate is considering legislation that would require an Internet dating company serving Michigan residents to disclose on its Web site whether it has conducted criminal background checks on users, based solely on the names provided.

So, lemme see… Hmmmm.  If I ‘own’ the dating service, I post a general announcement on the first page saying, “XYZ Dating Service has NOT conducted criminal background checks on any of its users.  Caveat emptor and carpe diem.” and I’ve satisfied tha law.

Now that’s what I effective legislating!  Jeez, and y’all are paying these bozos?

Regards…

LoadTheMule on March 31, 2005 at 06:03 am
Rob
Rob
17183 comments
Send a private message

and i do. blame you, that is.

For what, those pants you’re wearing in your Gravatar?


The war against illegal plunder has been fought since the beginning of the world. But how is… legal plunder to be identified? Quite simply. See if the law takes from some persons what belongs to them, and gives it to other persons to whom it does not belong. See if the law benefits one citizen at the expense of another by doing what the citizen himself cannot do without committing a crime. Then abolish this law without delay … If such a law is not abolished immediately it will spread, multiply and develop into a system.

Frédéric Bastiat, The Law

Rob’s recently listened-to songs:

robport.gif border=0

Rob on March 31, 2005 at 09:03 am
Avatar for canuck

yes. and for the Gravatar itself. you don’t expect me to blame myself, do you?

rasberry

canuck on March 31, 2005 at 12:03 pm
Rob
Rob
17183 comments
Send a private message

Well, maybe you could blame the old golfer guy you stole them from.

wink


The war against illegal plunder has been fought since the beginning of the world. But how is… legal plunder to be identified? Quite simply. See if the law takes from some persons what belongs to them, and gives it to other persons to whom it does not belong. See if the law benefits one citizen at the expense of another by doing what the citizen himself cannot do without committing a crime. Then abolish this law without delay … If such a law is not abolished immediately it will spread, multiply and develop into a system.

Frédéric Bastiat, The Law

Rob’s recently listened-to songs:

robport.gif border=0

Rob on March 31, 2005 at 01:03 pm
Avatar for canuck

see, now you’re just talking crazy talk....

smile

canuck on March 31, 2005 at 01:04 pm
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