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Just now on twitter, there’s been a remarkable exchange on twitter between Rep. Debra Hilstrom (DFL-Brooklyn Center), Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) and former representative Joe Radinovich.
First, Hilstrom tweets about an article in the City Pages about an adult sex offender videotaping little boys in a locker room:
We must change the law to ensure you have a reasonable expectation of privacy when changing in a locker room. http://t.co/C319LkH81M #mnleg
— Debra Hilstrom (@debrahilstrom) June 4, 2015
As Cory Zukowski’s article, Chris Bradshaw, Serial Perv, Gets Wrist Slapped for Videotaping Boys in Y Locker Room, reports, Hilstrom had authored legislation the would make Bradshaw’s crime a felony:
So how is it that Bradshaw — who just pleaded guilty to using a smartwatch to record two boys changing their clothes at the Andover YMCA — won’t spend a day in prison for his latest crime?
According to Anoka County prosecutors, who originally also charged Bradshaw
with four felonies, state law supplied wiggle room.State statute dictates that kids must be in a sexual position or engaged in a sexual act in order for pictures or videos to qualify as child pornography. Children in states of undress doesn’t meet the standard.
In March, state Rep. Debra Hilstrom introduced a bill seeking to make it a felony if a “person… knowingly takes a photograph, records a digital image, makes a video record, or transmits live video of another person, without that person’s consent, in a restroom, locker room, or changing room….”
But the 2015 session ended before Hillstrom’s proposal could make its way into law.
But Representative Drazkowski had other ideas about what the crime meant:
@debrahilstrom Deb, agreed! Maybe you want to join me as a co-author on @timmiller_mn's student privacy protection bill?
— Steve Drazkowski (@SteveDraz) June 4, 2015
The Miller bill is a response to the Minnesota State High School League policy allowing transgender inclusivity.
Former state representative Joe Radinovich responded:
Privacy from whom? https://t.co/V42BucP33C
— Joe Radinovich (@joeradinovich) June 4, 2015
Draz returned fire:
@joeradinovich Privacy from people that they are not comfortable being seen by when they are changing or showering – just as in the article.
— Steve Drazkowski (@SteveDraz) June 4, 2015
Radinovich pointed out the obvious weakness in Drazkowski’s analogy:
@SteveDraz your definition seems loose. The article was about a convicted sex criminal who videotaped underage boys. Miller bill about that?
— Joe Radinovich (@joeradinovich) June 4, 2015
@SteveDraz because it seems like you just drew a circle around that guy & transgender kids. Wonder if bill's author, @timmiller_mn, agrees?
— Joe Radinovich (@joeradinovich) June 4, 2015
Miller and crew keep trying to claim that it’s not about discriminating against transgender kids. Perhaps it’s something far worse motivating their discomfort and fantasies about bathrooms.
Photo: Winter is coming and Drazkowski is here to protect your children against his imagination.