The atmosphere around this issue is so supercharged at the moment that it is impossible for my sort of views to be put out there in the mainstream media. But I am sure (I think it very likely but I am not absolutely sure) that this paradigm will change in the near future and that we will start hearing people expressing concerns about the Harris case and how he has been viewed compared to what he actually did. And hopefully common sense and balance will come to prevail…. eventually.

Oh yes, one more thing…once again repeated, for I think the third time….

People I have spoken to and discussed this issue in some detail are ALL (about 20 people) of the same accord as me, except for one, who is not interested in looking at the detail. This sits in stark contrast with those left on this thread. But NOT in stark contrast to those who commented at the start of the thread.

So I would suggest that it is the likes of Pericles and Poirot that are the ones who are out of touch here, not Ludwig.

Ludwig, if public opinion was running in favor, and to the extent you present, that is, 20 to 1 questioning the outcome and therefore some strong community outrage. Would it not be reasonable to expect evidence that the media would have picked up on this outrage and be running stories questioning like you are, the media is clearly not doing that. This indicates that the community in general is satisfied with the Harris trial and its findings and penalties. End of story.

Paul1405, "if public opinion was running in favor, and to the extent you present, that is, 20 to 1 questioning the outcome and therefore some strong community outrage. Would it not be reasonable to expect evidence that the media would have picked up on this outrage and be running stories"

I reckon he was due his sentence. Regrettably though there are many more serious offenders in Rotherham and elsewhere who are magically escaping investigation, and the public denunciations - plentiful here for Harris, but strangely not so evident where the Rotherham abusers are concerned.

However your faith in the media responding to public opinion or acting in the 'public interest' is rather quaint and misplaced. So often it is the editors themselves who are making the news and the only agonising is over how to play a story long and to take advantage of all angles. Corby is an easy example.

Seemingly, editors don't mind sensationalist stuff that can increase their audiences of headline readers, and activists rely on that. But otherwise, forget it.

This is the 700th post on this thread! Incredible!

[Not counting the posts of our resident village idiot, which keep appearing and getting deleted at a regular rate, as they have all through this long thread!]

Paul, my little personal sample size of people’s views, which has worked out to be about 20 to 1, obviously cannot be projected into the wider world.

Who knows what the real spread of views is. But my feeling is that it is much more evenly distributed than what this thread would indicate, with perhaps more than 50% sharing my sort of views??

I think that the views of the Pericles and Poirots of the world do NOT represent those of the majority, and really are right up towards one end of the spectrum of opinions on this subject.

But again; who knows!

OTB, you make a vitally important point:

There are BOUND to be MANY more offenders out there of a much more serious nature, who will escape investigation.

We need to realise that pedophilia at the light end of the spectrum is everywhere. And much more serious stuff is also very common.

It is hard to imagine that ANYONE who has done anything of the sort of magnitude of Harris would ever be brought to account for it, unless they are a high-faluting big name. (Are we about to see the same with Sir Cliff Richard?)

While Harris deserves to be penalised, I would question whether the case should have even been brought against him in the first place, given that there are many much more serious cases out there. An enormous amount of resources must have gone into the whole Harris episode, which should have been put into pursuing much more serious cases….. surely!

I think it really is a case of the authorities going after the WRONG person with the Harris case, while things hundreds of times worse were happening.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotherham_child_sexual_exploitation_scandal

With Rolf Harris as the benchmark, what investigations, charges and penalties are properly due for all involved in Rotherham and other towns?

What accountability of decision makers AND the politicians involved?

Comparisons must be made.

What prevents Australian children from being similarly groomed, plied with drugs and traded? What credible assurances can Australia's leaders give that it is not already happening here?