Dutch wrote:
> "Rat & Swan" > wrote in message

<snip>
>>And what you can't seem to grasp is that that prohibition does not have
>>to be enforced by State force, and does not have to be defined on the
>>basis of age _per se_. It can be defined on a case-by-case basis on the
>>basis of demonstrable HARM.

> And what you can't seem to grasp is that by that time it's too late. After a
> person kills an innocent pedestrian it's too late to prohibit them from
> driving while drunk.

And did the law prevent them from driving drunk? No.

The law doesn't prevent anyone from killing pedestrians while drunk --
or while sober. The people who violate the law are the same people who
would violate responsible behavior if there were no law. The law won't
bring the dead person back. Nor did Prohibition end drunk driving.
Prohibition merely punished responsible drinkers and made money for
bootleggers. Drunk driving laws merely punish after the harm is done.

Age of consent laws do the same.

<snip>

>>>>Freedom is always capable of abuse, but freedom is the central value
>>>>on which all others are based, and without it, nothing else is
>>>>of real value.

>>>Freedom is the easy part. Democratic rights are all about accepting
>>>limitations on one's own freedom on behalf of a greater good.

>>Accepting limitations, and having stupid, ill-conceived, and unjust
>>limitations on one's freedom thrust upon one by the State are two
>>different things.

> Thrust by "the State" eh? Who do you suggest do the thrusting?

I don't suggest anyone do "the thrusting." I suggest people be
educated, and those who demonstrate no ability to live responsibly
in society be shunned.

> And why must
> we wait until we discover damaged children?

Education begins at birth. We do not wait for any damage. The
point is that the law does not kick in UNTIL after the victim is
damaged. It is pointless as a means to to avoid damaging anyone.
It is only institutionalized revenge.

> The freedom you are asking for is to risk aggregious harm to children before
> action is taken, and for what, to satisfy the lusts of a few perverts.

No, to allow _responsible_ freedom for all.

<snip>

Rat