I would be interested to learn if any of Henson's offending photos turn up in the material siezed during the recent raid (or have indeed surfaced on the sites these creatures inhabit).

That would be a pretty reasonable assessment of the true situation.

I may be mistaken but I thought that the motivation behind child porn was that the children actually had to look like children - not made to look like adults.

PaulL.>"however we need to balance this with the more important responsibility of protecting children."
PaulL>"...is more important to protect than the child."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_The_Children_(politics)

"The phrase "for the children", or similar phrases such as "think of the children," is an appeal to emotion and can be used to support an irrelevant conclusion (both logical fallacies) when used in an argument. "

-=-=-
"Won't someone think of the children?
Too many people these days are thinking of the children, or at least claiming to think of them. Keeping kids safe and virginal — protected from seeing the "wrong" things — is the rallying concept so many people use to forward their agendas.

Ban this, eliminate that, censor the other thing — it's all done in the name of protecting children. Not, heaven forbid, because anyone wants to force their morality and sensibility on the rest of us. Perish the thought."

-=-=-=-

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/web/la-oew-mcgough4oct04,1,1478875.story

"This nonsexual pedophilia is a recurring theme in federal legislation, as it is in the culture. It is based not just on the fact that children are vulnerable -- a major advocacy group is called the Children's Defense Fund -- but also that they are unspoiled and therefore deserving of government assistance in the way their corrupted elders are not."

I've been considering the idea of balance between life choices and risk in relation to this discussion.

It can be argued that art of this nature does pose an element of risk to those involved. My own view is that the risk is very low (or was until the photo's were drawn to the wider publics attention and published in the press). The art is not necessary, but does in the view of it's supporters bring some benefits to society and possibly to the youths involved.

Some would argue that no risk is worth it. That we should protect children from any forseeable risks especially where the benefits associated with the risk are uncertain or the risk is unnecessary.

I got to thinking of a risk most of us place children in on a regular basis. To quote from the summary report of the NSW Child Death Review Team

"Transport incidents have consistently been the leading external cause of death for children and young people aged 0-17 years." http://www.kids.nsw.gov.au/uploads/documents/CDRT_summary_2007.pdf

Can any parent who uses a car claim that they have never taken their children on a journey in the car which was not strictly necessary for the childs wellbeing?

Does your child always get a choice about taking part in the journey?

Have you ever allowed someone you trust to transport your child on a journey which was not absolutely necessary for the child?

Is being mangeled in a car accident somehow more acceptable than having a photo seen by strangers?

Who would be willing to be regarded as a child abuser for placing yours or someone elses child at risk by taking them on a motor journey which was not strictly necessary?

Adults and children make choices about risk all the time, often without even considering that they are doing so. It's part of life.

R0bert

R0bert,

Your thoughtfulness continues to impress me. You're exactly right. So much emphasis is placed on the idea that the kids in questions might regret it in later life. No matter that every Henson model who has outed his or herself has said that they not only do NOT regret the decision, but they are happy and proud of the artwork.

Beyond that, why do we so want to protect our children from doing things they might regret? I did numerous foolhardy and experimental and life-threatening things when I was a kid. Some were character-forming, most were just stupid. None of them my parents knew about. Some I regret. Most I don't.

Ginx you do let that anger out don't you? self righteous my way or no way very often.
Yet I am sorry you do not have more time for OLO.
Our first clash, the first unleashing of that blind anger was in a thread about saying sorry but lets stay on subject.
Do you see a thread condemning the latest pedophile ring?
Can you think you are the only one life has allowed to see more than one child destroyed by an adults needs?
In fact how dare you? yes you, mix up your concern for victims with this victim less art?
Did you see chains holding these kids to chairs?
Religion has much to answer for I am unsure if I should laugh or cry if I think of the story of Adam and Eve and compare it with this story.
Thrown out of Eden for covering up, the fable at least shouts to me. what is wrong with the human body?
Why do horrible true story's such as those from the forgotten people, Gday Micheal, not bring so many posts?
It was clear from day one these two related threads would have to confront the fact no crime had been committed.

Good point R0bert. I see it just about every day; people driving with kids on board in a manner that immediately indicates that they either don't know or don't care about the unnecessary risks they are placing upon their kids and themselves. This is especially true out on the open road, where speeding, tailgating, risky overtaking, etc are commonplace.

The other thing that practically every parent fails to do in this regard is insist that the safety regime on our roads be greatly improved….which could so easily happen if the collective will was there.

When considering adults’ decisions, childrens’ decisions, the law and wellbeing, how does road safety with respect to our kids compare to any perception of child safety issues within Henson’s art? It is at least a thousand times more significant.