Proverbs 6:16-19 (ESV): Practical Warnings
16 There are six things that the Lord hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers.
We expect better from our government, from law enforcement. We can equate these stings to these seven things from Proverbs whih the Lord Hates.
Haughty – One who is arrogant and full of pride, having a big attitude and better than other people. Those running these stings are prideful and certain they are doing good. They are catching child predators…right?
Lying Tongue – There is A LOT of lying in the conversations going back and forth. There is deception by posting on Adult Websites, responding quickly, steering conversation and re-engaging chatter.
Shed innocent blood – People have died as a result of these stings. I can point to at least nine (9) deaths in the WA State Operation Net Nanny stings. I also know people whom have been raped and assaulted as a result of the charges placed on them while in Jail or Prison.
A heart that devises wicket plans – Who would go to Adult Dating and hookup sites and post an ad and try to ensnare unsuspecting random individuals? Steer the conversation, attack their weakness, deceive, lure, manipulate and get them to show up and charge them with Class A Felony offenses?
Run to Evil – There is a certain eagerness to do a deed, egged on by law enforcement. How does law enforcement convince one who might otherwise be a law abiding citizen to be lured into doing something that might bring harm or pain to another (as well as himself)? An evil is being presented and a barrier is overcome. This is what law enforcement would consider the substantial step. You’ve accepted a deal with the devil and show up–you have run to the evil.
False witness who breathes out lies – Law enforcement IS the false witness who is deceiving and telling lies. Trickery, deceit, luring, manipulation. Like the serpent in the garden of Eden, take from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Most know right from wrong but sometimes a little push can send us in the wrong direction.
Sows discord among brothers – The discord is sewn when the sting is done and the news articles are published condemning and shaming the individuals arrested in the sting operation. A fear is placed in the community that things are not safe and our neighbor is a criminal. The fear is a misplaced lie and the newly minted criminal is the doing of our own government.
How can our own government do this to its citizens? Why? Perhaps for money? To raise fear in a community that really doesn’t exist? What are these stings doing? Perhaps they create a few more jobs–those who run the stings getting overtime, helping pad prosecutors winning percentages, providing jobs for the DOC which has to care for these individuals for their 5-10 year terms. But in the end the state loses–think of all the tax revenue that will be lost when these individuals can’t get high paying jobs due to a Felony and Sex Offense. Plus the state taxpayer has to outlay $42k per year for incarceration. This is NOT A SMART trade-off. All to say law enforcement is putting away predators. Really? Perhaps one predator out of ten at best. So nine non-predators also go to prison.
If anyone every wondered or were concerned about sending “innocent” individuals to prison these sting operations take the prize. Over 294 arrested in the 5 year Operation Net Nanny out of Washington State with most severing 5-10 year sentences and a couple receiving LIFE. More individuals and their families are harmed as a result of these stings than any potential saved “victims” that are discovered.
We MUST continue to speak out and fight as long as this injustice and exploitation of laws exist. In Washington there are many culpable in this travesty of justice: the MECTF division of the WSP, the prosecutors, law enforcement aiding and abetting in these stings, the judges allowing the exploitation of the law to continue and of course the Seattle Police ICAC division for being complicit in the injustice taking place all in the name of protecting children. A redirection of efforts to finding criminals rather than making criminals is a must.
Shame on Washington State and the Operation Net Nanny stings for abusing the power bestowed on them and acting in bad faith.
WE EXPECT BETTER,
- Samuel