>From: "jeffrey miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2002 13:21:11 -0700 > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Jon Gabriel > > Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2002 1:16 PM > > > > > > > > Interesting. Thanks for the info. > > > > > > > > Regarding your last statement, shouldn't we add the word > > 'knowingly' > > > > in there somewhere? Traci Lords is an example of someone who > > > > admits she made > > > > porn films in the US when she was under 18. I'm not terribly > > > > well versed on > > > > this topic, but I would assume there must be others. > > > > > >Only if you want to cloud the issue. > > > > > > > Actually, I would consider it 'more accurate'. > >I think its a needless qualification that creates more doubt in the >veracity of the statement than it offers in clarification, and betrays a >subtle bias against the industry. We could also say things like: > >G.W. Bush doesn't knowingly insult foreign leaders. >The Pope doesn't knowingly worship Satan. >NASA isn't knowingly bringing deadly space microbes to Earth. > >Ridiculous statements, but adding the "knowingly" bit implies more than >clarifies. > >-j- >
I disagree. All the words in the sentences you cite following the word "knowingly" are either verbs or adjectives with some sort of additional implied bias behind them. "Insult", "Worship" and "Deadly" are descriptive terms that carry more meaning behind them than, say, the word "produce". The original sentence: The adult entertainment industry in the US does not > > produce child pornography. Add the word "knowingly" as follows: The adult entertainment industry in the US does not knowingly produce child pornography. This changes the meaning of the sentence without disparaging the porn industry, but at the same adds a bit of ambiguity to whether the industry has, in fact, ever produced child porn. It has, as I pointed out. To explain further: the statement was made that the US porn industry does not make child porn. However, that statement is inaccurate as stated. The US porn industry has made child porn, although they were unaware they were doing so. By adding the word "knowingly" we are therefore clarifying things. The word is not meant to imply anything other than what is being blatantly stated. If you prefer, we can rephrase the sentence as follows: "The US porn industry does not, to its knowledge, make child porn, but has unknowingly done so in the past." And that's more accurate, not less. :-) Jon [EMAIL PROTECTED] _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.
