I’m with you all the way on this. Your views are pretty far from the mainstream of US public opinion, though.
selling their own old pictures when the child becomes adult could become legal
That view in particular would make you a pariah in many social circles.
if it is proven that the pictures do not increase the crime.
All I want is the absence of proof that it increases the crime. Since Diamond has evidence that it decreases the crime, that’s pretty clear.
Given how easy it is to make copies in this day and age, I don’t think that’s a necessary link—but you’re probably right. My assumption in any case is that a given child porn image is consumed thousands of times, so the effect on the consumer end would dwarf the effect on the producer end.
The production should be illegal. From descriptions I’ve read, I think that much of it is disgusting and I would urge people not to possess it or look at it. But there are many things that I don’t like that I don’t think should have criminal penalties attached, and child porn possession is one of those things.
You are right. I was mistaken about this. I guess rationality doesn’t generally call for eliminating any source of information, though it may suggest downgrading some.
Of course, if I want to have my comments taken seriously on other topics, it helps not to be linked to a low-status identity. Would you be any more comfortable thinking that I as a person participate more broadly under another identity? I’m not saying whether I do or not, but I’m asking.
To clarify, I am opposed to its production, which I think should remain illegal. I am opposed to criminal sanctions for the possession of child pornography. I suspect I would find much of it (both real and virtual) disgusting and revolting. It is advocacy for the consumers to the extent of not wanting them to face years in prison. It is definitely not approval for disgusting material.