Pelican

I just read this belated Henson comment of Andrew Bartlett's tonight . It's not very long and well worth a read. It's a thoughtful and nuanced view and I think you'll appreciate it.

http://andrewbartlett.com/?p=2037

"Bronwyn, I am totally with you on this one..........I know this post won't make me popular.."

There's been a few times recently where, like you, I've found myself on the opposite side of the debate to those I'm usually in agreement with. It got me thinking and as far as I could recall I felt I'd disagreed with all the regular posters on OLO on at least one issue. The only person I couldn't ever recall opposing at any time was yourself!

I referred to this on Ginx's Hanson/Henson thread and was hoping you'd pick up on it, but you didn't. Or maybe you did, but didn't want to put your hand up!

Hi Bronwyn
Thanks for that link - it is one of the best articles I've read on this issue and pretty much covers a lot of the aspects debated on OLO. I like the way Bartlett looks past all the distractions and gets to the heart of the debate.

I particularly liked this from Andrew Bartlett:

"This issue involves competing principles. Principles rarely apply absolutely without eventually coming into conflict with other principles. In such circumstances, we often have to decide how to adequately accommodate both. Sometimes one principle or the other has to take priority.

In this case, the principle of freedom of expression (artistic or otherwise) is coming into conflict with the principle of the protection of children. I believe freedom of expression is enormously important, but if there is a clear risk of harming children as a consequence, then the protection of children should take priority.”

And this:

“The issue of child pornography, while related, is not at the heart of this, in part because no one in the community supports child pornography. An obsession with issues like nudity or over-idealising the innocence of youth leads to distorted attitudes. Young teenagers do explore their developing sexuality and we do not serve them or society well by trying to pretend otherwise. But they should be able to do so privately and ideally alongside family or friends, not have distorted versions of it force fed to them through mass media or left exposed in situations where they are vulnerable to adult exploitation.”

I was thinking much the same Bronwyn regarding your comments on the Hanson/Henson thread. I wonder if this is a record on OLO. Statistically there has to be at least a handful of people we are mirrored in opinion, but I imagine it would not happen often on a public forum. :)

I was tired when I went to bed last night and, CJ and Fractelle I hope you are not offended by what I wrote as I am usually in agreement with your thoughts on OLO and respect your egalitarian and compassionate views on most issues.

Pelican

Sorry I didn't reply sooner; I've been away from OLO all week.

Glad you enjoyed that link. I agree, Bartlett outlined the conflicting positions very succinctly. The Senate is certainly going to be the poorer without him.

Will watch with interest to see how long our positions continue to coincide!