Very sad indeed

It looks like we have yet another tragedy. A registered sex offender has confessed to abducting and killing Jessica Lunsford, a missing 9-year-old Florida girl, according to police there. Supposedly this cretin snatched her from her own bedroom, reminiscent of what happened to Polly Klaas in California, several years ago. Why as a civilized society do we tolerate despicable individuals living in our neighborhoods? When will we learn that the rights of innocent children far outweigh any potential or perceived loss of liberty or rights of convicted sex offenders? More to the point, why do we tolerate such pleasant treatment of sex offenders, especially those convicted of offenses against our children? Countless studies have shown that perpetrators of this ilk have virtually no chance of rehabilitation and any attempts at such ill-conceived notions are simply giving these predators one more chance to commit these heinous acts. As parents we need to defend those who are least able to defend themselves, namely our children. Is there anyone in their right mind who believes a convicted child sex offender should be coddled and welcomed into our communities with open arms? As far as I am concerned, anyone who has been convicted once should be banished from any civil contact for the rest of their lives. They should not be entitled to education, employment, recreation, or anything near children, period! In other words, one strike and you're out.