I was both delighted and appalled to read this article:
Children as young as five are simulating sex acts at school because they are exposed to pornography on satellite television and the internet, a senior MP has warned.
Barry Sheerman, chairman of the Children, Schools and Families Select Committee, said he had been told recently of the “disgusting” behaviour seen by teachers in primary schools.
The Labour MP for Huddersfield complained that Britain is “awash” with material promoting sexual activity too early in life.
Mr Sheerman called for tougher measures to protect youngsters’ from the “disturbing” amounts of pornography available on satellite television and the internet.
He also launched a withering attack on Rupert Murdoch’s media empire, which he said was the biggest carrier of pornography in the world.
Addressing a Commons debate on the Queen’s Speech, Mr Sheerman told MPs: “We are a country awash with focus on early sexual activity.
“I think it is very serious the access to pornography to children … you go to infant schools now and teachers say to me: ‘Children come here at five and six simulating sexual behaviour that they should know nothing about.’
“That is something pretty disgusting.”
Mr Sheerman said he was angered to read that Mr Murdoch and his son James Murdoch, chief executive of News Corporation in Europe and Asia, wanted to see BSkyB become more trusted than the BBC.
He added: “I had only read two days previously that not only is the Murdoch empire the biggest carrier of pornography in the world but have now bought a major supplier, maker of pornography in the US.
“I don’t know what trusted and loved is but a company that puts that sort of filth, makes it available to children, does not impress me.
“Our children should be protected from that sort of pornography whether it is on BSkyB or whether it is on the internet. I believe that childhood ought to be protected.”
“Great Heavens, Robbo!” you are no doubt saying to yourself, “Why would you be delighted by such an article?”
Well, the simple reason is that it’s one for the Home Team: In the year between my graduation from college and my entry into law school in the late 80’s, I worked for Sheerman as a research assistant. Yup, spent the year living in a house in Wandsworth (shared with an American crackpot and a French babe), commuting into Westminster and occassionally getting up to Yorkshire for some constituent work. (And I will tell you that there is nothing scarier than a hall full of socialist Brit union shop stewards. ”Keep your mouth shut and try not to look American,” was Barry’s advice as we went in.)
As for the appalling part? Well, I heartily agree that children should be protected, but what word is missing from this article? Begins with a “P”. Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? How about……..PARENTS!!!!
Nice going, Barry, but if you leave Rupert in loco parentis, don’t be so shocked and surprized at what you get.
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