Should Youthful Mistakes Be Forever?

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam may or may not have been in a college picture with 2 men dressed as KKK member and in blackface. Looks like a bad Halloween costume in poor taste. How many Halloween costumes have you worn in bad taste?

People change as they mature and learn life lessons. Growing up is a time of being awkward, learning and making mistakes. Said the wrong thing, kissed the wrong people, and did things we regret later. Would not want to be judged solely on one of my mistakes. Ralph Northam is not the person who posed for that picture.

Used the same argument defending Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford. They are both upstanding and accomplished adults who deserve respect. Governor Ralph Northam deserves respect, and to let this mistake in his youth pass.

Misdemeanors currently stay on people’s criminal records for life unless expunged, which is difficult. Their lives with criminal records make it difficult to find jobs, rent, or live normal lives. We need to sunset minor crime records after 7 to 10 years, and give these people their dignity back. It is time to revise our laws. The USA has convicted ~20 million people for small crimes.