This won’t go well with everyone, but I think Milo got a bad deal. Milo Yiannopoulos is highly intelligent, possesses an ascerbic wit, is flamboyant and outspoken, to the point at times that he seems to utter words whose impact he has not considered.
The rightwing commentator’s latest trouble stems from his appearance on an internet livestream last year, during which he said that relationships between adult men and teenage boys can be beneficial.
In the clip, Yiannopoulos said the age of consent was “not this black-and-white thing” and that relationships “between younger boys and older men … can be hugely positive experiences”.
He went on to suggest that sex between “younger boys” and older men could be a “coming-of-age relationship … in which those older men help those younger boys discover who they are”.
He later apologized for being unclear:
I am a gay man, and a child abuse victim.
I would like to restate my utter disgust at adults who sexually abuse minors. I am horrified by pedophilia and I have devoted large portions of my career as a journalist to exposing child abusers. I’ve outed three of them, in fact — three more than most of my critics. And I’ve repeatedly expressed disgust at pedophilia in my feature and opinion writing. My professional record is very clear.
But I do understand that these videos, even though some of them are edited deceptively, paint a different picture.
I’m partly to blame. My own experiences as a victim led me to believe I could say anything I wanted to on this subject, no matter how outrageous. But I understand that my usual blend of British sarcasm, provocation and gallows humor might have come across as flippancy, a lack of care for other victims or, worse, “advocacy.” I deeply regret that. People deal with things from their past in different ways.
He went on:
I do not advocate for illegal behavior. I explicitly say on the tapes that I think the current age of consent is “about right.”
I do not believe sex with 13-year-olds is okay. When I mentioned the number 13, I was talking about the age I lost my own virginity.
I shouldn’t have used the word “boy” — which gay men often do to describe young men of consenting age — instead of “young man.” That was an error.
I am certainly guilty of imprecise language, which I regret.
Anyone who suggests I turn a blind eye to illegal activity or to the abuse of minors is unequivocally wrong. I am implacably opposed to the normalization of pedophilia and I will continue to report and speak accordingly.
It was too late. Blood was in the water. Conservatives had a tough choice- stand by Milo and sustain withering attacks from the suddenly pious left or cut him loose and limit the losses. They chose the latter.
In another life, Milo might have been given the opportunity to redeem himself. In that other life Milo would have to be part of the left wing. Pedophilia is acceptable if one is protected by the arbitrary rules committee penumbra of the left wing star chamber.
Bill Maher appeared to support pedophilia twice. Once in 1998
https://twitter.com/wyatt_privilege/status/834399728519426048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
And again in 2005:
Lena Dunham found great pleasure in sexually abusing her toddler sister:
“…anything a sexual predator might do to woo a small suburban girl I was trying.”
Then there’s Ensign Sulu:
https://youtu.be/6hDSOyuuSi4
Some of us remember Gerry Studds, the democrat who took advantage of young men while he was a Congressman and became a democrat folk hero for it.
So which of these perps was figuratively assassinated -as was Milo- for their actions?
None, because they’re all left wingers.
Keep in mind that Milo is not accused of initiating inappropriate contact. He says that he was victimized, but there are no tears for him, nor there is forgiveness.
He’s a conservative. Now for the irony portion of the program. Bill Maher wants credit for Milo’s downfall.
Endorsing pedophilia is not a bad thing provided your political views are appropriate.
Bonus
Want to see some real tap dancing? Just mention that Muhammad married a nine year old.
Update: Salon used to be cool with pedophilia too
DrJohn has been a health care professional for more than 30 years. In addition to clinical practice he has done extensive research and has published widely with over 70 original articles and abstracts in the peer-reviewed literature. DrJohn is well known in his field and has lectured on every continent except for Antarctica. He has been married to the same wonderful lady for over 30 years and has three kids- two sons, both of whom are attorneys and one daughter on her way into the field of education.
DrJohn was brought up with the concept that one can do well if one is prepared to work hard but nothing in life is guaranteed.
Except for liberals being foolish.