[Jeff Gordon]

The fact that "CHILDREN" are used as pawns in so many arguments calls into suspicion every such use. If the cause is legitimate it should be easy to argue the cause without making CHILDREN the pawns.

[TChris]

If the cause is legitimate it should be easy to argue the cause without making CHILDREN the pawns.

How about making a case against kiddie porn without making "CHILDREN the pawns"? ...or the issue of leaving children locked in a closed-up car in the heat of summer.

The fact is, there really are some issues in which CHILDREN really are of central, unique importance.

Is the use of this rallying cry suspect? Of course it is. But that still doesn't mean it's a red herring in every case.

I think there are very good, objective reasons behind the objection to children viewing hardcore pornography. This is entirely aside from the moral side of the issue.

Children simply cannot react with the same level of judgment as an adult. It's the emotional equivalent of expecting an 8-year-old to lift a 200 lb. weight. They just aren't prepared to handle it yet.

I think keeping children away from pornography, and vice-versa, is just like keeping them away from driving a car. Until they're more prepared for the experience, it's irresponsible to expect them to just handle it.

And on the other side of the issue, I fail to see any significant erosion of liberty from blocking porn on computers at the public library. It's not like the PC at the library represents the sole source of information for anyone. Adults can get their porn from plenty of other sources. In the rare cases of non-pornographic content being inadvertently blocked, it can be obtained in other ways.

[plan2succeed.org]

You said, "The fact that 'CHILDREN' are used as pawns in so many arguments calls into suspicion every such use. If the cause is legitimate it should be easy to argue the cause without making CHILDREN the pawns."

Let's deal with the facts. Fact. The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) was designed to protect children. Fact. President Clinton signed the legislation into law. Fact. The ACLU and the ALA joined forces (well that goes without saying) to stop the implementation of CIPA. Fact. The ALA lost in the US Supreme Court in a case called US v. ALA. Fact. CIPA is constitutional. Fact. The ALA advises libraries on CIPA avoidance techniques. Fact. The C in CIPA stands for children.

Fact. Your original statement I quoted above shows you are the king of being oblivious to almost all previous facts as I just stated. I strongly encourage you to spend a knight reading US v. ALA so you don't forever say children are pawns. Lots of these "pawns" are suffering. En passant, why don't you donate to one to atone for your insensitivity before more children get rooked or sacrificed? Checkmate.