We kinda thought we’d be past this sort of thing someday, but today is not that day.
And by “this sort of thing,” we mean media attempts to normalize pedophilia, or at least to make us somewhat sympathetic to the plight of pedophiles.
Giving Salon a run for their money, here’s USA Today:
We think we know what a pedophile is. There's a lot we're misunderstanding. https://t.co/96xxrSTDwT
— USA TODAY Life (@usatodaylife) January 11, 2022
In recent decades, the science on pedophilia has improved. One of the most significant findings is that pedophilia is likely determined in the womb, though environmental factors may influence whether someone acts on an urge to abuse.
— USA TODAY Life (@usatodaylife) January 11, 2022
"The evidence suggests it is inborn. It's neurological," said @JamesCantorPhD, a sex researcher and expert on pedophilia.
— USA TODAY Life (@usatodaylife) January 11, 2022
Maybe they’re born with it (maybe it’s pedophilia!). Catchy jingle!
Remember when it was perfectly OK to say “pedophilia is wrong, full stop”? Those were good times.
When most of the public thinks of pedophilia, they assume it's synonymous with child sexual abuse. A pedophile is an adult who is sexually attracted to children, but not all pedophiles abuse kids, and some people who sexually abuse kids are not pedophiles.
— USA TODAY Life (@usatodaylife) January 11, 2022
OK, but pedophilia is wrong.
"When most of the public thinks of pedophilia, they assume it's synonymous with child sexual abuse,…Researchers who study pedophilia say the term describes an attraction, not an action, and using it interchangeably with "abuse" fuels misperceptions." https://t.co/k28Dq9zZii
— Chad Felix Greene 🇮🇱 (@chadfelixg) January 11, 2022
Why does anyone feel a need to pedo-splain?
Anna Salter, a psychologist, author, and internationally recognized expert who has done over 500 evaluations of high-risk sex offenders, said there is overlap between pedophiles and child molesters, but they aren't the same.
— USA TODAY Life (@usatodaylife) January 11, 2022
Experts say pedophiles can be taught self-control and compensatory strategies. @JamesCantorPhD said pedophiles need better access to therapy, which can be difficult since those afflicted may be ashamed to seek help or worried about being reported to the authorities if they do.
— USA TODAY Life (@usatodaylife) January 11, 2022
Salter said treatment for pedophiles should be encouraged, but without minimizing the impact abuse has on victims' lives.
— USA TODAY Life (@usatodaylife) January 11, 2022
Gee, that’s generous of Dr. Salter.
"Pedophiles may not have control over the fact that they are attracted to kids, but they are responsible for whether they do or don't act on it," Salter said.https://t.co/96xxrSTDwT
— USA TODAY Life (@usatodaylife) January 11, 2022
Yes. Pedophiles are responsible for their actions. USA Today could’ve saved themselves a lot of time and maybe a shred of respect by just making that the body of their article. Along with “pedophilia is wrong,” of course.
But that’s not what they did. And so they’re reaping the whirlwind.
✍🏼uh✍🏼oh✍🏼 pic.twitter.com/4b6vs2aUOW
— The List (@ListComesForAll) January 11, 2022
✍🏼uh✍🏼oh✍🏼 pic.twitter.com/PCF6QJah3B
— Siraj Hashmi (@SirajAHashmi) January 11, 2022
This is definitely a List-able offense.
Hi who is responsible for this take and when can we expect their firing https://t.co/GOxtxTK9UL
— Sunny McSunnyface (@sunnyright) January 11, 2022
It would appear that one Alia E. Dastagir wrote the piece:
Perhaps USA Today should fire everyone, at least until we can figure out what the hell is going on.
USA Today… pic.twitter.com/Zd2ra0xqfP
— Lighten up, Everyone. (@Money_Moose) January 11, 2022
Ok, Groomer
— jake teater (@jaketeater) January 11, 2022
Did the Lincoln Project write this?
— Jason D (@iamjasond) January 11, 2022
One could be forgiven for asking.
— 🍹Princess Consuela Banana-Hammock (@kimmie_c_) January 11, 2022
— Joe V🇺🇸🇵🇷 (@CoachV23) January 11, 2022
— Curtis Smith (@medicsmith5) January 11, 2022
Salt the earth with the ashes of USA Today.
— Angry Sumo (@seantlittle1) January 11, 2022
— Kayla Chandice Jones-Williams 👩🏾⚖️ (@KaylaChandice) January 11, 2022
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 11, 2022
— Joreen Belocura (@AgeofIrony) January 11, 2022
Dead and buried.
— misalew (@misalew) January 11, 2022
Better slam the door shut and lock it just to be safe.
needs repeating:https://t.co/NgtgS5Q6ze
— Ꮗιʅʅ (@OliWilly) January 11, 2022
Pedophiles are responsible for their own actions. That goes for USA Today, too.
Hopefully next time USA Today gets the idea to wade into the Destigmatize Pedophilia swamp, they’ll choose not to act on it.
Americans have stood around watching you lot normalise “pronouns”, “intersectionality”, “cultural appropriation”, and the rest of that nausea-inducing alternate world you live in. We will not let you normalise pædophilia by “understanding” it.
You make us sick.
— vbspurs (@vbspurs) January 11, 2022
***
Update:
Annnd it’s gone:
Deleted. pic.twitter.com/T6dp9z3J5T
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) January 11, 2022
But not forgotten.
Here’s hoping the groomers just reported on a honeypot.
— Stacey – Gen X – The Sleeper Generation (@ScotsFyre) January 11, 2022
***
Update:
USA Today Life has offered up the following explanation for trying to memory-hole the pro-pedo thread:
Lol. https://t.co/olfYbZ0OnH pic.twitter.com/wEBAf5edt8
— Prison Mitch (@MidnightMitch) January 11, 2022
It was missing information! It was behind a paywall!
The doctor quoted within the article: pic.twitter.com/CrzrsveM2S
— 0255AM (YesThatDigs) (@0255_AM) January 11, 2022
No wonder USA Today tried to make that thread disappear.
If we were USA Today, we’d take tomorrow off. And all the tomorrows after that.
