Thread: DPP to consider charging Henson

Originally Posted by JDNSW

I was not going to say anything more on this thread, but I have problems allowing this to pass. Obviously you are implying that because I have argued against your views I am a "sick and twisted", and I have to take exception to this.

You use emotive words such as "exploitation", "degradation", "crap", when it has been agreed by the official censor that there is nothing wrong with the images. Unless you accept that nudity is in itself offensive (and you say you don't), then there is no basis for saying there is any exploitation or degradation.

I am not trying to come up with a "valid and just reason for this sort of degradation" because quite simply, there is no degradation taking place. Any exploitation is no more than is the case with ANY artist portraying ANY subject, and then making a profit from the image - and without this how can any professional artist make a living?

The fact that a magazine was crucified over similar photos is totally irrelevant except to the extent that it shows a few very vocal critics have similar views.

Since there is no exploitation or degradation taking place, conventions and treaties on protection of children are irrelevant.

Nobody is going to argue with your freedom to forbid your child(ren) from being photographed in this way, but in my view this freedom should not extend to forbidding other parents, who may have different views. After all, you hardly want them to interfer in your parenting unless they can show harm is coming to the children.

I won't even comment on whether it is art or not - again, this is irrelevant.

John

Sorry,
John but that is why there is legislation in place for this type of thing to protect minors and why the police are looking into it.
You have mentioned harm, what about psychological harm? and as per a previous excerpt published, what about psychological effects down the track?
Now I may be sailing close to the wind on this issue, but it is something I will go to the wall on. It is fairly clear on some peoples thoughts on this issue on the forum and where it is headed for those of us that do not share the same view, which is sad.
How you bring your kids up and what you do in your home is your business, but when it is made public in the guise of art or whatever else it becomes open the the wider publics opinion, morals and legislation.
How can a minor contemplate what effect this will have on them in the future? So far there has not been one compelling reasonable argument to support these types of pictures, but plenty against. I am sorry but "its my choice" is just not an answer when it concerns the welfare of minors.
I just hope this poor young girl is going to be able to cope with this. If she can great, but if she can not it could be devastating.
Do not get me wrong there is nothing wrong with nudity and tastefull pictures, but the subject must be emotionally mature enough to make a well informed decision. and at 13 that is just not likely.
Also you need to read some of the conventions and legislation in place to protect childre. I read quite a bit of these when doing research for my cert IV and this is pretty much a breach of most of these. While conventions are not law they are general agreements by countries involved.
How anyone could stand up and say this girl has not been exploited defies logic. There is too much self interest here. The protection of the childs physical and emotional state must always come first. If an artist intends on doing this type of thing the anonymity of the subject should be paramount.
The sad thing is this moron who calls himself an artist has got his publicity and notariety from us and will probablly make more money from it.

Qualify : John this is not a personal attack on your way of life in the least, you are entitled to live the way you see fit as long as it stays within the law of the day. I hope there is no real offence on your part.
Well that is my final say on this subject as I think most of us know where we stand on the issue. The courts will eventually decide, I supose.

I've been reading the same things from the same people for the last 8 or so pages now... we are going in circles.

The OLFC says 'case closed'... can we get a thread closed? Nothing is being acheived anymore that hasn't already been, 160 posts or so ago.