*sigh* I'm getting really tired of reading about rapists and deviants. You think I *like* having to comment on these types of stories? I don't, truly. But what else am I supposed to do when I read about things like this?
In case you didn't know, or didn't read the link, the French Culture Minister, Frederic Mitterrand, has written a pseudo-autobiographical novel in which he describes, in detail, hiring young (child) male prostitutes while in Thailand. While he DOES admit to hiring prostitutes, even YOUNG prostitutes, he claims that the boys were "his
age, or maybe five years younger." Even though he refers to them
as "garcon" -- which is a commonly associated with young males -- he's claiming that the implication that they were children is the "fictional" part (or a misunderstanding of his intent). I'm not buying that, at all. When called on to resign, since this is not the image that most French citizens want presented to the world, he has claimed that he is being persecuted as part of a political conspiracy. Couldn't possibly be out of disgust for his actions.
Mitterrand has shed tainted light onto his position as a representative of his country. In addition, as an openly gay man, he has also given fodder to the ignorant, who will now use this as fuel to continue to claim that homosexuality is somehow linked to pedophilia. He has set back gay rights by his actions, and for that alone he should not receive acclaim.
Who, you might ask, would GIVE this man acclaim? Why, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, of course! He has said that Mitterrand is "courageous and talented." Really? Writing "My boy didn't say a word, he stood before me, immobile, his eyes still
straight ahead and a half-smile on his lips. I wanted him so badly I
was trembling" is courageous? How about disgusting? Reprehensible? Sickening? Nauseating? I can keep coming up with adjectives if you want. Either way, it says a lot about a man who can read that and then admire the author. Then again... it's not like Sarkozy is a model of good behavior, taste and tact. His marriage history would rival many a dysfunctional hollywood relationship.
And finally, of course, the nail in the reprehensible coffin of the charming man that Mitterrand clearly is (note: sarcasm), he has publicly stated, in regards to Roman Polanski: "To see him thrown to the lions for an old story that really has no
meaning, and to see him alone, imprisoned, when he was going to attend
a ceremony where he was to be honored, that is to say, he was trapped,
it's absolutely horrifying." Yes, I suppose to a man who rapes young boys, this IS horrifying, as it could just as easily be him one day.
While there should absolutely be freedom of speech, there must also be accountability for what you write -- but most especially for what you DO. And these men have already gotten away with too much. Rather than lauding them, Sarkozy would do better to distance himself from both of them and show us that he's not someone who sympathizes or empathizes with child rapists.
The guy of the first photo, what a creepy smile! Looks like Mr. Burns.
Disgusting men indeed. Why don't they get plastic dolls and leave children alone? Geesh.
Posted by: Gissel | 10/11/2009 at 12:19 AM
To be completely truthful, I did pick one of the worst pictures of him.
Plastic dolls don't plead with them to stop. :(
Posted by: The Queen of the Blog | 10/11/2009 at 10:23 AM
That could be fixed. The Japanese have made some amazing robots lately.
Posted by: Gissel | 10/13/2009 at 01:10 PM
They still would have to pretend to resist. Nah, these people wouldn't be satisfied without the flesh-and-blood unwilling.
Posted by: The Queen of the Blog | 10/13/2009 at 03:14 PM