Controversy

A blogger was thrown in jail in California a few weeks ago. Jack McClellan, a self-described xx, blogs about how he xx young girls, ages 3-11. He also posts photos he shoots of such girls and tells his readers where to find the “cutest” ones. So, yes, this is rather odious, but he has committed no crime. He has never been convicted of xx, he only writes of desire. It is also perfectly legal to take photos in public and post them online. A Californian judge put a restraining order on him to stay away from children, but he broke it and got arrested. Released after 10 days, he says he’ll leave “Orwellian” California voluntarily.
This story brings up so many juicy topics. If he stated his writings are fiction and a publicity stunt (very successful, if so--he’s a minor celebrity here now), would he still have gone to jail? The notion that we own our images and those of our children and property is ancient and deep. If I paint a picture of the house you built, and then sell it for thousands, you might think you deserve a piece. And is desire punishable? It’s such a Christian notion, to be punished for bad thoughts.