Grisham's Gaffe

John Grisham is a best-selling author of legal thrillers, mostly. But, before that, he was a lawyer, and still is. Apparently, his legal training got the better of him a couple of days ago, when, in an interview, he said that some people who watch child pornography are being punished too severely, compared to other criminals. He suggested that there are people who fall into watching child pornography somewhat casually or as a result of being "under the influence." He has subsequently apologized for his remarks.

Grisham was obviously thinking as a defense attorney, pleading for a client. His argument would be fine in a courtroom, but not in the "court of public opinion", in which such reasoning is unacceptable. Although the watcher may not be doing direct harm to the children involved in this sexual activity, as a consumer, he or she creates a profitable market for the sexual exploitation of which they are victims.

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