I didn't know that...

Apparently, I'm a right-winged, Evangelical Christian. Did you know that? I had no idea - apparently it snuck up on me when I wasn't looking. I hate it when that happens. Always makes me feel kind of wonky when my religious faith is suddenly changed with no warning. *chortle*

Seriously, folks... According to the Pedophile who spawned Absolute Zero's boycott of Amazon.com, those of us who feel that pedophelia is wrong rank right up there with Jimmy Swaggert and the OCA.

We slander, create libelous statements, and put together witch-hunts against these people, and oppress them every chance we get - and why? Because we believe that the law was written by, and voted into being by, a few hundred-thousand people who felt that children cannot always make the right decisions about sex and relationships, and therefore should not engage in relationships with those who may possibly use a child's mis-understanding of "sex vs relationships" against them - and inso doing, cause major psychological damage... Not to mention the physical harm that can occur.

Per Wikipedia.org, Slander and Libel have to do with "the communication of a statement that makes a false claim, expressly stated or implied to be factual, that may harm the reputation of an individual, business, product, group, government or nation... If the offending material is published in some fleeting form, as by spoken words or sounds, sign language, gestures and the like, then this is slander. If it is published in more durable form, for example in written words, film, compact disc and the like, then it is considered libel."

Interestingly, "§230(c) states that “that no provider or user of an interactive computer shall be treated as a publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider,” thereby providing forums immunity for statements provided by third parties."

Additionally, "Truth is an absolute defense in the United States as well as Canada. In some other countries it is also necessary to show a benefit to the public good in having the information brought to light... Opinion is a defense recognized in nearly every jurisdiction. If the allegedly defamatory assertion is an expression of opinion rather than a statement of fact, defamation claims usually cannot be brought because opinions are inherently not falsifiable. However, some jurisdictions decline to recognize any legal distinction between fact and opinion. The United States Supreme Court, in particular, has ruled that the First Amendment does not require recognition of an opinion privilege."

It's all very interesting, and legal-based, and if you're interested in looking at whether or not what's printed on my site is libel or slander, please feel free. However - I don't believe that I am guilty of either based on the law.

You see, I'm repeating a lot of what this guy has already admitted to. The fact that he's admitted to being a pedophile. The fact that he's admitted to looking for relationships with boys between the ages of 14 and 18. The fact that he's not pleased with Canada raising it's legal age of consent to 16, and wants to continue relationships with boys below that age after that law goes into effect. The fact that the book that he has published was turned down by no less than 5 other publishers because of its content and that at least 3 of them turned it down stating that it was ILLEGAL TO PRINT because of the content. These are things that he has already admitted to and stated himself It's the fact that I don't agree with it, and don't like it, and want to do something about his behavior that makes me "bad".

Of course, this could just be my own point of view. Certainly, there are those who consider me a horrible person because I'm an ecclectic Wiccan/Pagan (whatever you want to label it) who has worked in the porn industry - and still DOES work in the porn industry on occasion - and who actually *gasps* openly admits to being bi and liking men as well as women. There are those who think I should burn in hell for having gay and lesbian friends, and for supporting the same-sex marriage ideas... There are those who consider me awful because I got a divorce, have admitted to having been raped and molested when I was younger and talk about it, and who is currently allowing my step-son to learn about all different religions rather than a single one.

This, of course, is your opinion. But this is me. It's who I am - and my choices, beliefs, and actions are mine to own up to. I try my best not to hurt those who do not have a voice, but instead give a voice to them so that they can be heard. Even if you *could* convince me, somehow (most likely with a LOT of drugs and brainwashing) that pedophelia was ok and that there are those who would treat children well, there are still more people out there who would NOT - and that's what the laws are there for.

Laws are there to protect the majority of those in its confines - and while it is not perfect, it is there, nonetheless. We can either abide by them, understanding that those laws were made for a purpose, or live in anarchy and struggle to survive each day without representation or rights.

~M