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Original poster

The Who (band)

40 replies

FuckOffGroundhog · 30/01/2015 09:18

Does anyone know why The Who are still playing concerts? I thought after Saville we were collectively becoming less accepting of sexual abuse against children? Have we just conveniently forgotten about Pete Townshend paying for child sex abuse images thing because they play a good tune? Or do people believe it was really "research"

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VikingVolva · 30/01/2015 18:17

I was referring to the comparison to Savile, which I don't think is right in this case. And I would have expected the police to have found abuse images if he had downloaded any (for it's pretty difficult to get rid of all signs of them short of destroying the computer) and then it would have been a prosecution, not a caution wouldn't it?

I have no idea what a victim of abuse may or may not do on their personal journey. Some of the lyrics in Tommy are pretty dark, and of course that was years before his caution.

Fullpleatherjacket · 30/01/2015 18:11

It's massively disappointing the rest of the band are prepared to share a stage with him but it doesn't surprise me given the number of partners and family members who are prepared to overlook a conviction for child sex offences and indeed seem keen to sweep all that messy stuff under the carpet.

SardineQueen · 30/01/2015 18:10

Yes it is vile isn't it.

Original poster
FuckOffGroundhog · 30/01/2015 18:07

If you're referring to my post 10:11:01. I am saying he has referred to himself as having a history of being abused. And I don't think someone who has that history would think it acceptable to pay for images of sex abuse.

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VikingVolva · 30/01/2015 17:59

I thought there had never been any further allegations about Pete Townshend.

He was also cleared of possessing images of child abuse, as none were ever found on any device of his. The only thing found against him was one £7 transaction to the ORE website, which he admits and for which he was cautioned (?) and had 5 years on SRO.

Original poster
FuckOffGroundhog · 30/01/2015 17:53

I did not know about Mandy Smith, that's vile.

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ArcheryAnnie · 30/01/2015 17:45

SardineQueen you are right. I went to Sticky Fingers once, and then read about Mandy Smith, and dear god, I will never go again.

SardineQueen · 30/01/2015 16:52

I think people have forgotten haven't they?

I guess it was before the recent set of scandals
He was "only" looking at images rather than hands-on abuse himself
The press didn't go to town on it so people forgot?

Or maybe like Polanski people admire him and want him to continue and so are willing to overlook

Probably a combination of stuff.

What about Bill Wyman and Mandy Smith?

HouseWhereNobodyLives · 30/01/2015 10:18

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Original poster
FuckOffGroundhog · 30/01/2015 10:14

I mean even Saville did loads of charity and public service announcements to teach children about "stranger danger" etc. I don't think those things really make up for it

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Original poster
FuckOffGroundhog · 30/01/2015 10:11

I disagree he has been utterly contrite. I don't believe anyone (especially with a history of sex abuse) looks up rape images of children for research. He has said he has apologized for "researching" in that way.

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HouseWhereNobodyLives · 30/01/2015 10:06

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VikingVolva · 30/01/2015 09:50

I think what might be considered to make him different is his utter contrition (and no reoffending, total compliance with conditions when in the SRO) his own history of suffering sexual abuse, and his subsequent work with the charity Double O and general public profile speaking out.

Original poster
FuckOffGroundhog · 30/01/2015 09:49

People seem to accept it when it's artistic or athletes they actually like. Have you noticed that? I mean no one is petitions for a Gary Gltter come back are they? They just literally ignore it when someone has a bit of talent.

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HouseWhereNobodyLives · 30/01/2015 09:36

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