Anger Over Mohammed Cartoon

[tw]

Originally Posted by Pie

Actually, that's a very good question. Arguably, you cannot create kiddie porn without harming the kiddies -- that's the legal basis for banning the porn. There's been a whole new can o' worms opened with the concept of "virtual" kiddies -- no real person is being hurt. I still haven't made up my mind on this one.
Yes, pedophiles harm children. Yes, they usually can't be rehabilitated.

Recidivism among pedophiles is reported to be one of the lowest among criminals - about 15%. Crimes such as vehicle theft are typically 60+%. Above being a secondary point.

Primary point: one can appreciate Austria's fear or need (which one is part of a larger question) to make such holocaust laws that would otherwise be a violation of free speech. There is a line somewhere - subjectively. And that is the point.

However Irving all but flaunted that law. As long as he stayed out of Austria, then there would be no extradition. But Irving was either so obviously bold or so simply stupid as to go to Austria to give a speech to right wing extremist students. He all but begged Austria to enforce their laws. Austria did just that. IOW the purpose and enforcement of that law becomes secondary. The real penalty to Irving is because 1) he outrightly lied to the court about his change of opinion, and 2) he outrightly challenged Austria to enforce their laws.

Need we also cite an unfortunate American example - Dr Kevorkian?