Only in San Francisco

I heard on the news this morning there is a new campaign afoot in San Francisco. Apparently someone wants to change job applications. They want the section that asks if you have been convicted of a felony removed from the application. Apparently this person believes they are being discriminated against and not being hired because they have a felony on their record.

There was also another news story of someone who feels that his arrest was illegal. He was on parole and in a routine search of his place, found drugs or something to that effect. This guy believes it is a violation of his 4th amendment rights to have the police search his home w/o any "just cause" and simply because he is on parole.

Am I the only one that believes only in SF does this garbage surface? Forgive me, but I was under the impression that once you commit a crime, let alone a felony, you have voluntarily chosen to give up your rights.

If I am an employer, I have a right to know that you have been convicted of a felony. I still have the option of hiring you depending on what your crime is and how it may/may not impact the job. People have a right to know that they are working in a relatively safe environment and not with convicted felons. Or if a convicted felon has been hired, they have a right to know that information as well. Sorry, but you screwed up and have to suffer the consequences.

Yes, our system is not foolproof. Yes, there are some felonies that in most people's eyes aren't that big a thing. However, people still have a right to know and then you can explain the situation.

In the same vein, when you have been convicted of a crime and are paroled, you know what the conditions of your parole are. You know that a routine search can occur. How is it then a violation of your rights to conduct such a search? Just because you're stupid enough to get caught....again...doesn't mean your rights were violated.

Or maybe I'm completely wrong and there is an element of sanity in it. If there is, someone please explain it to me because I obviously don't get it.

This rant was brought to you by the letter P and the number 7.