A New York woman, Margery Tannenbaum, was re-arrested today for further charges due to her posting a Craigslist ad under the guise of her nine year old daughter’s rival that said, “I need a little affection”.  Of course, this resulted in a number of phones being made to the child of those who stood ready to provide this perverted affection.

Her lawyer declined to comment on the specifics of the case, but said that his client is a good person.  In the meantime, another mother across town is surely living in fear of the phone ringing and probably taking monumental efforts to protect her little girl.  Tannenbaum pleaded not guilty when she stood before a judge in May and once again today when she was charged with child endangerment.  She was released without having to post bail.

In a world where kids go missing every day, many of whom are featured on nightly news programs, to purposely place an electronic ad simply because of a rivalry between nine year olds is unthinkable.  Whether or not this woman did it, the ad exists and someone had to have placed it - and it certainly wasn’t the child.  Because the two families happen to be neighbors, it’s doubtful there’ll be a block party this Fourth of July.

Now for the kicker - Tannenbaum was once a social worker and is a licensed psychologist.

The family who was the target of this Craigslist campaign has said that at no time did their daughter answer any of the incoming calls from the twenty-plus men who answered the ad.  Tannenbaum apparently used her own email address and then replied to those interested with the family’s phone number.

This comes on the same day another meddling mother was in the headlines.  This time, the cyberbullying mom, Lori Drew, who relentlessly harassed a young girl on MySpace had her conviction thrown out by a federal judge.  This woman’s hoaxes are what many say led to a 13 year old girl’s suicide.  For now, she’s no longer facing a prison sentence of up to three years nor a $300,000 fine, which her lawyer argued was excessive considering her convictions were misdemeanors.

Social networking sites have taken over as the new neighborhood block parties; except these parties are global and the most we can do in terms of a party is that of a virtual toast being made. Craigslist, Facebook, MySpace…they all have their draws. I have a better time of keeping up with my son through our Facebook accounts than I do in our daily ‘real’ lives. I just found out he got yet another speeding ticket…except I didn’t find out because he willingly volunteered this information; he just forgot I keep a close eye on his page. Needless to say, he’s about to embark on a few less than pleasant conversations. This, of course, is the lighter side (for some who manage to avoid speeding tickets, anyway) of these social networks. It’s the darker sides that are hitting the news.

This time, Craigslist is on the hot seat. With the recently dubbed “Craigslist Killer” finally being captured after having solicited women off of the popular site only to kill them in and around Boston, the spotlight’s now on the high number of ’sex for sell’ ads that seem to be plaguing its want ads. The problem is that Craigslist’s founders and their lawyers insist there’s no way to possibly monitor the millions of additions made to the site on a daily basis and further, they are in no way responsible for what people try buy or sell on their site, thanks to state laws. Besides, they say, they’re too busy scrambling to keep those who participate in human trafficking and crimes against children off of their sites.

In a recent post, there was a similar controversy involving a young woman who was auctioning off her virginity as a way to pay for her education. At first glance, one might wonder why it’s OK to auction off one’s first sexual act while it’s not OK to offer similar sexual services on another site. The difference is the woman auctioned her virginity within the state lines of Nevada, where prostitution is legal. Missouri’s not Nevada and these attempts to force Craigslist to rein in its ad monitoring (or lack of) is sure to become a legal quagmire like none other. A federal judge has been asked to step in and force Craigslist’s founders to completely eliminate its erotic sections. This request has resulted in a meeting with Missouri’s attorney general.

It’s yet to be seen what Craigslist will be required to do, if anything, to clean up its site to the satisfaction of those who disagree with its policies. The first meeting was scheduled for today, although there’ve not been any reports on any outcomes at the time of this writing.

Should defamation be a civil or a criminal issue?  If you live in Colorado, it’s a crime.  You should also know an antiquated law that hasn’t been revised since the 19^th century is applicable to those wishing to unleash their rage on anyone they choose. 

A man posted an incredibly hateful rant about an ex-girlfriend on Craigslist last year.  What he posted included accusations of child abuse, welfare fraud and even went so far as to accuse her employer, a lawyer, of being “crooked” and being in a paid sexual relationship with the ex-girlfriend.  This has set the stage for a battle over the law, the annihilation of the 1^st Amendment  and questions as to why the law hasn’t been revised before now.  What’s not clear is whether or not this law’s existence on the books is an overlooked mistake.  It appears as though Colorado left it on the books for a reason.  And if that’s the case, it very well might be the other 16 states have left those same laws on their books for a reason too.  A Georgia communications professor says these prosecutions are like using “a sledgehammer when a scalpel would do the same trick”.   Maybe.  But sometimes sledgehammers are appropriate when dealing with thick skulls and shortsighted people.

Playing the devil’s advocate for just a minute, I can understand how some allow their mouths to overload their…well, they allow their big mouths to get the best of them and too many times, people speak before thinking it through.  But the vulgarities this man spewed on this public message board go so far beyond petty bickering.  His references to her sex life, as well as the accusations of child abuse, go so far past “talking smack”.  It is criminal.  And yes, I realize this goes against everything we cherish in this country, even though that’s not my intent.  I think common sense must kick in at some point with a focus on the potential damage to this woman and her child (not to mention her employment status).  If she hasn’t abused her daughter, consider what she might face having to disprove that accusation.  Her daughter is now in jeopardy of being removed from her mother’s care.  His accusations stand to affect more than just his target.  Imagine the trauma to this child if worse case scenario plays out.  Further, what if the employer is married and this causes unnecessary problems?  Don’t get me wrong - I don’t know if what he said is true, but what I do know is if he believed his own rants, why not go through the proper channels?  If he believes this child is being abused, there are other ways of ensuring the little girl’s safety.  His lack of consideration doesn’t have her best interests at heart.  Clearly, he had less than stellar intentions.  Unfortunately for him, they hit their mark and he’s now found himself facing a criminal trial.  His bad choices have resulted in a set of his very own mug shots at his local police department. The fact this woman chose not to pursue civil remedies is also telling.  Of course, that could change, but regardless of what happens in criminal court, this should serve as a reminder that just because you can doesn’t mean you should.