Will Ms Harman Now Apologise?

[anotheoldgit]

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/danhodges/100261646/nccl-paedophilia-scandal-patricia-hewitts-apology-blows-harriet-harmans-last-defence-out-of-the-water/

[jno]

sorry, but it was a different time whether you like it or not. Were you personally protesting against their existence then?

[emmie]

that the excuse has come up time and again, that it was a different time, different mores, different views, sexual revolution, more openness about sex, that some will use that as an excuse for behaviour that was bad then, as it is today.

[Gromit]

Emmie

The PIE organisation was legal at the time. It wouldn't be now. Which shows that attitudes were different.

[emmie]

if then as now, you saw the word paedophile in a heading, as a group, wouldn't you distance yourself from it, it's obvious some did, condemned them outright, but from my understanding, this organisation existed for years, before being disbanded.

[LazyGun]

@ Emmie Why were they not outlawed, why was the organisation not made illegal? It is exactly the same question, really. Successive Home Secretaries failed to criminalise PIE - should they be apologising?

[emmie]

well Chakrabati did and she wasn't even there, involved in anyway

[andy-hughes]

AOG - "Thank you for that Andy, and I do hope that you and I can get back to some form sensible debate in the very near future."

You are welcome AOG - neither of us approve of personal attacks on the AB.

Which brings me neatly to my next point - I was somewhat ungracious in respect of your recent apology to me for unintentional offence, and I hope you will excuse me, and that we can get back to our usual vigorous debates in the normal manner.

Best,

A-H.

[ludwig]

// The PIE organisation was legal at the time. It wouldn't be now. Which shows that attitudes were different. //

It's one of those things that seems incredible when you look back on it, like being allowed to smoke in the office. It's like having a legal organisation called the Rapists Information Exchange.

This is not to say Paedophilia was acceptable back then. Going back to the 50s, there was famously a good deal of outrage when Jerry Lee Lewis brought his 13 yr old wife over here for a UK tour.

[andy-hughes]

Ludwig - indeed Jerry Lee had to beat a hasty retreat - but what may tipped the balance was that Myra was not only thirteen -she was Jerry's cousin as well!

[emmie]

that was true, however i still can't believe anyone would not see that a group calling itself The Paedophile Information Exchange would get off the ground, let alone last for so long, any of those Home Secretaries could have shut them down, why didn't they.

[andy-hughes]

Nicely done steve5!

One of the problems with writing our answers is, we can get a big giddy, and post in haste (post haste??) - as I know all too well!!

The venerable AOG and I have crossed swords many times, and we have both on occasions let our passions - and our tempers - get the better of us.

That said, we are both gentlemen at heart, and we do enjoy crossing swords on a regular basis, and when one of us gets a bit carried away, an apology is not far behind, and we carry on.

That's the spirit of the AB - glad you are joining in with us!!

[anotheoldgit]

Steve.5

Thank you for that Steve, and may I also apologise to you regarding my criticism of your intelligence in the thread regarding Nazi sympathisers, it was completely uncalled for.

[naomi24]

Ahhh, a group hug in feisty 'News'. Now all we need is for Ms Harman to join in. ;o)

[anotheoldgit]

naomi24

/// Ahhh, a group hug in feisty 'News'. Now all we need is for Ms Harman to join in. ;o) ///

No, she would never apologise. :0)

[naomi24]

AOG, see the wink? As for Ms Harman, to whom is she expected to apologise?

[anotheoldgit]

naomi24

/// AOG, see the wink? As for Ms Harman, to whom is she expected to apologise? ///

Yes I saw the wink naomi, my answer was jokingly referring to your comment "Now all we need is for Ms Harman to join in"

Did you notice my smiley?