SWA #5

"If You Run a Red Light, Will Everyone Know?"

This article, by Brad Stone, illustrated to me the kind of argumentative essays described in "Essentials of Argument." This article talks about a website that can conveniently search and return results of any and all criminal records of citizens in the United States. The article not only includes information from murders or drug busts, but also minor offenses, such as running a red light. Stone fairly defends both sides of this argument by showing that sometimes knowing people's criminal history's can be helpful, but sometimes it can be an invasion of privacy. For example, the website features a map that shows areas where criminals such as sex offenders or murders live. This information can be especially helpful to families with young children, and also just for homeowners piece of mind. However, featuring facts like how many times someone got ticketed for running a stop sign or a red light seems like an invasion of people's privacy, as these crimes are not life changing and don't give accurate reputations of people, however might just exploit a small mistake they have made.
The creator of this website called, PeopleFinders.com, is named Bryce Lane. In the article Lane quotes, " We are just trying to provide what's already out therein an easier fashion, for free, we think it's pretty helpful to families." As previouslty mentioned, part of this quote is true in the fact that the site can be helpful to families, however some aspects of the website are unfair invasions of people's privacy.
Overall, Stone raises an interesting topic in how much information about people's history is fair, and how much is overstepping individuals boundaries. Stone fairly argues both sides of this issue, but ultimately he leaves the decision of "how far is too far" up to the reader. I agree with Stone that some information is beneficial, while a lot of other personal information is unfair to be exploited through a public veiwing website.