Former Tory strategist Tom Flanagan apologizes for child porn remarks

One-time Conservative campaign strategist Tom Flanagan has apologized for suggesting that looking at child pornography is "a question of personal liberty" and shouldn't be a crime. "I absolutely condemn the sexual abuse of children, including the use of children to produce pornography. These are crimes and should be punished under the law," Flanagan said in a statement. He said his words were "badly chosen" and apologized "unreservedly to all who were offended by my statement, and most especially to victims of sexual abuse and their families." [...]

[Flanagan] made the remarks while speaking to students at the University of Lethbridge Wednesday evening. One of the students asked Flanagan to explain a remark he made in 2009 is which he suggested that looking at child pornography was acceptable. He responded: "A lot of people on my side of the spectrum, the conservative side of the spectrum, have been on kind of a jihad against pornography and child pornography in particular. And I certainly have no sympathy for child molesters. But I do have some grave doubts about putting people in jail because of their taste in pictures." [...] "It is a real issue of personal liberty. To what extent do we put people in jail for doing something for which they do not harm another person?" [...] In a bizarre side note, he added that he had been on the mailing list of the national Man Boy Love Association for several years, saying it was a "long story."

source: Article 'Former Tory strategist Tom Flanagan apologizes for child porn remarks'; www.ctvnews.ca/politics/former-tory-strategist-tom-flanagan-apologizes-for-child-porn-remarks-1.1175925; CTV News; 28 February 2013