This discussion started in another thread, just thought I would break it out since it seemed like an interesting discussion.
The facts:
NAMBLA,
http://www.nambla1.de/ , is the North American Man/Boy Love Association. Their position is laid out here
http://www.nambla1.de/welcome.htm - here's a summary:
Quote:
NAMBLA's goal is to end the extreme oppression of men and boys in mutually consensual relationships by:
# building understanding and support for such relationships;
# educating the general public on the benevolent nature of man/boy love;
# cooperating with lesbian, gay, feminist, and other liberation movements;
# supporting the liberation of persons of all ages from sexual prejudice and oppression.
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The contrary view to NAMBLA is that they are just a front group for a bunch of pedophiles, who hide their illegal desires in a wrapping of constitutional freedom and legal mumbo-jumbo.
My opinion:
I think NAMBLA needs to be defended, even though I think they are disgusting people and that they are really just a bunch of old crusty pedophiles looking for a good time.
A typical government tactic is to take the extreme cases and use those to place restrictions on everyone. For example, the PATRIOT act purported to help in the fight against terrorist, but there have been abuses and extensions of power that apply to non-terrorism uses as well:
http://abqjournal.com/opinion/guest_...st09-17-03.htm
In the same way, there have been attempts to use the RICO anti-racketeering law to cover anti-abortion groups
http://www.religioustolerance.org/abo_rico.htm
Although I don't support the actions of the anti-abortion groups, the extension of a law meant to prosecute organized crime to anti-abortion groups is a perfect example of how well-meaning laws get out-of-control.
So, the issue I see is that NAMBLA *is* a legal group, as far as I know. They are careful to toe the line and not actually advocate illegal activity. If laws were passed to regulate them, those same laws could be used to prosecute marijuana groups, for example, such as High Times magazine. After that, it becomes a slippery slope where anyone advocating anything that could be construed in any way as illegal could be shut down. I don't think it is conspiracy theory to see something like this as a possibility, look at Patriot and then Patriot II.
So, while I detest NAMBLA and everything they stand for, I believe they have a right to exist as long as they stay within the law. I think the real test of your belief in freedom of speech is how you feel about the people you dislike speaking out freely.