The Times (U.K.) reports that Pete Townshend, who is being scrutinized by the authorities for viewing child pornography on the internet, is receiving moral support from several show-business friends, including David Bowie, Bob Geldof, and Bono. The Who guitarist claims that he viewed the site for research for a campaign against child abuse. “I am not a paedophile. I think paedophilia is appalling,” Townshend said in a written statement.
62 thoughts on “Stand By Your Man”
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when did townshend become a researcher/investigator? that makes no sense, they have orginations for that. i dont buy it and i wish bono would stay away from this. If this was the guy who lived next door he would be in jail by now, im sorry but townshend should be treated no different.
when did townshend become a researcher/investigator? that makes no sense, they have orginations for that. i dont buy it and i wish bono would stay away from this. If this was the guy who lived next door he would be in jail by now, im sorry but townshend should be treated no different.
Townshend and U2 are good freinds. Pete has been crusading AGAINST this on his own website for a long time. Bono should stand by Townshend. All evidence points to him beong wrongly accused
Townshend and U2 are good freinds. Pete has been crusading AGAINST this on his own website for a long time. Bono should stand by Townshend. All evidence points to him beong wrongly accused
Ever hear of an athlete/artist in a campaign against drunk driving and get arrested for it? I have. So far, the evidence does lead me to believe he is guilty. After spending years working with children who have been sexually abused, I have no pity for this man.
Ever hear of an athlete/artist in a campaign against drunk driving and get arrested for it? I have. So far, the evidence does lead me to believe he is guilty. After spending years working with children who have been sexually abused, I have no pity for this man.
That’s very interesting. Guilty before he’s been given a chance of defending himself. Let’s better see what ordinary justice has to say about it before we can state an opinion…
That’s very interesting. Guilty before he’s been given a chance of defending himself. Let’s better see what ordinary justice has to say about it before we can state an opinion…
Surfing child porn sites for “research” What the?? I’m all for equal justice but Townsend’s excuse of “research” seems rather bizarre at best. A bold faced lie at worst.
Surfing child porn sites for “research” What the?? I’m all for equal justice but Townsend’s excuse of “research” seems rather bizarre at best. A bold faced lie at worst.
As of right now, Mr Townshend has been relesed after an 80 minuite interview with NO CHARGE
As of right now, Mr Townshend has been relesed after an 80 minuite interview with NO CHARGE
please God, not another hero up in flames… i smell defamation.
please God, not another hero up in flames… i smell defamation.
Please Bono, stay away from Townsend.Do not give moral support to someone who might be guilty and a sick pervert.Okay someone is not guilty until proven…so flame me..I don’t think Bono should burn his hands not knowing the truth..Don’t judge him but don’t give support or defend the man either!
Please Bono, stay away from Townsend.Do not give moral support to someone who might be guilty and a sick pervert.Okay someone is not guilty until proven…so flame me..I don’t think Bono should burn his hands not knowing the truth..Don’t judge him but don’t give support or defend the man either!
“Do not give moral support to someone who might be guilty and a sick pervert.” First: I think Mr. Hewson, who is 42 and a lot more experienced and wise man than most of us can ever dream to be, is well able to decide what to say about anyone (especially blokes he appears to know relatively well) without taking advice from U2log users or anyone else for that matters;
Then what sense does it make stating it’s wrong to give moral support to someone that MIGHT be guilty??!!?? when should you give one support then, when one’s innocence is already proven? “I always knew Pete didn’t have anything to do with that stuff” This wouldn’t be much of a statement, would it?
And remember he’s been under screening for VIEWING child-porn sites, and NOT for an actual misbehaviour of any kind. Why is it so difficult to believe it being actually done for research? As Smitty wrote, it was an issue already goin’ on on pete’s website (which is a really good site, btw), so it is obvious one has to be well documented to denounce certain things. And if this sounds still hard to believe, I’ll give you an example: i’ve been recently researching on my own for fascist sites on the net (myself being a democrat, left wing-voting person) and actually found something I carefully read and surfed, much to my own personal information and documentation about the right-wing extremism phaenomenon. Then, days later, I thought about how it would be weird if someone screening my web-surfing found this and thought of one like me as a fascist! I simply laughed about it, of course, but when reading this news item about Pete immediately the link jumped to mind… and that’s why I came over to see the comments, only to discover that there’s always, everywhere someone ready to go and burn witches.
Why don’t they (you, the authorities etc) try to address the makers of those sites?
“Do not give moral support to someone who might be guilty and a sick pervert.” First: I think Mr. Hewson, who is 42 and a lot more experienced and wise man than most of us can ever dream to be, is well able to decide what to say about anyone (especially blokes he appears to know relatively well) without taking advice from U2log users or anyone else for that matters;
Then what sense does it make stating it’s wrong to give moral support to someone that MIGHT be guilty??!!?? when should you give one support then, when one’s innocence is already proven? “I always knew Pete didn’t have anything to do with that stuff” This wouldn’t be much of a statement, would it?
And remember he’s been under screening for VIEWING child-porn sites, and NOT for an actual misbehaviour of any kind. Why is it so difficult to believe it being actually done for research? As Smitty wrote, it was an issue already goin’ on on pete’s website (which is a really good site, btw), so it is obvious one has to be well documented to denounce certain things. And if this sounds still hard to believe, I’ll give you an example: i’ve been recently researching on my own for fascist sites on the net (myself being a democrat, left wing-voting person) and actually found something I carefully read and surfed, much to my own personal information and documentation about the right-wing extremism phaenomenon. Then, days later, I thought about how it would be weird if someone screening my web-surfing found this and thought of one like me as a fascist! I simply laughed about it, of course, but when reading this news item about Pete immediately the link jumped to mind… and that’s why I came over to see the comments, only to discover that there’s always, everywhere someone ready to go and burn witches.
Why don’t they (you, the authorities etc) try to address the makers of those sites?
I agree with pinball wizard on this one. Even, with so many pop-ups and porn ads on websites, anyone can be accused of anything–even smut being spammed to your email account.
I agree with pinball wizard on this one. Even, with so many pop-ups and porn ads on websites, anyone can be accused of anything–even smut being spammed to your email account.
Anyone who claims that Townshend was falsely accused hasn’t been paying attention to the story. He admitted to paying for child pornography. The fact that anyone would believe that this is excusable beause it is for “research purposes” leaves me flabbergasted. Pete says he finds pedophilia “appalling” but apparently not appalling enough to KEEP HIS MONEY OUT OF THE DISTRIBUTORS POCKETS! I understand wanting to believe in the innocence of someone we look up to, but the man admitted to paying for it. He financially supported it so his excuse doesn’t mean a thing. These images in my head… Magic Bus has been ruined!
Anyone who claims that Townshend was falsely accused hasn’t been paying attention to the story. He admitted to paying for child pornography. The fact that anyone would believe that this is excusable beause it is for “research purposes” leaves me flabbergasted. Pete says he finds pedophilia “appalling” but apparently not appalling enough to KEEP HIS MONEY OUT OF THE DISTRIBUTORS POCKETS! I understand wanting to believe in the innocence of someone we look up to, but the man admitted to paying for it. He financially supported it so his excuse doesn’t mean a thing. These images in my head… Magic Bus has been ruined!
I have to say I’m on board wit Plot’s point of view. It’s the fact that he was willing to give them some of his money (any amount) that disturbs me. I mean, I wouldn’t take my 10 yr old niece to see Maid in Manhattan simply because I didn’t want JLo to get her 25 cents out of my ticket money, just ’cause I think she’s skanky. I would think a moral person would feel even more strongly about giving their money to child pornographers than I do about giving Jennifer Lopez a quarter.
I have to say I’m on board wit Plot’s point of view. It’s the fact that he was willing to give them some of his money (any amount) that disturbs me. I mean, I wouldn’t take my 10 yr old niece to see Maid in Manhattan simply because I didn’t want JLo to get her 25 cents out of my ticket money, just ’cause I think she’s skanky. I would think a moral person would feel even more strongly about giving their money to child pornographers than I do about giving Jennifer Lopez a quarter.
Pinball Wizard;
About your first comment: yes I do think Bono is as you say “a lot more experienced and wise man than most of us can ever dream to be” and “well able to decide what to say about anyone (especially blokes he appears to know relatively well) without taking advice from U2log users or anyone else for that matters”
But this is a site for readers’ comments, so I’ll give my comment.I do not expect Bono to read this site (but you never know hey) or to follow my humble advise.
“Then what sense does it make stating it’s wrong to give moral support to someone that MIGHT be guilty??!!?? when should you give one support then, when one’s innocence is already proven?”
I just say that I wouldn’t take the risk burning my hands for this matter.And Bono shouldn’t either.I would feel pretty bad if the guy is guilty anyway.
“And remember he’s been under screening for VIEWING child-porn sites, and NOT for an actual misbehaviour of any kind. Why is it so difficult to believe it being actually done for research?”
You can at least say Pete Townshend if not guilty is pretty dumb and ignorant.Downloading child pornography on your computer and paying for it with your creditcard…He took a big risk for the so-called ‘research’.
Is ‘VIEWING child-porn sites’ not illegal?!? I thought it was.
“Why don’t they (you, the authorities etc) try to address the makers of those sites?”
The authoroties will most likely try to catch the filthy basterds but as long as people pay to watch the stuff those sites wil exist.
Even if Mr. Townshend is not guilty, it is the most stupid thing he could ever do.
Actually, Gary Glitter brought his pc with a full harddisk to a repair-shop so he is even more ignorant.
As I wrote in my first mail: Bono is a public figur so: don’t judge Townshend but don’t give support or defend the man either.
You’re welcome Bono;O))
Pinball Wizard;
About your first comment: yes I do think Bono is as you say “a lot more experienced and wise man than most of us can ever dream to be” and “well able to decide what to say about anyone (especially blokes he appears to know relatively well) without taking advice from U2log users or anyone else for that matters”
But this is a site for readers’ comments, so I’ll give my comment.I do not expect Bono to read this site (but you never know hey) or to follow my humble advise.
“Then what sense does it make stating it’s wrong to give moral support to someone that MIGHT be guilty??!!?? when should you give one support then, when one’s innocence is already proven?”
I just say that I wouldn’t take the risk burning my hands for this matter.And Bono shouldn’t either.I would feel pretty bad if the guy is guilty anyway.
“And remember he’s been under screening for VIEWING child-porn sites, and NOT for an actual misbehaviour of any kind. Why is it so difficult to believe it being actually done for research?”
You can at least say Pete Townshend if not guilty is pretty dumb and ignorant.Downloading child pornography on your computer and paying for it with your creditcard…He took a big risk for the so-called ‘research’.
Is ‘VIEWING child-porn sites’ not illegal?!? I thought it was.
“Why don’t they (you, the authorities etc) try to address the makers of those sites?”
The authoroties will most likely try to catch the filthy basterds but as long as people pay to watch the stuff those sites wil exist.
Even if Mr. Townshend is not guilty, it is the most stupid thing he could ever do.
Actually, Gary Glitter brought his pc with a full harddisk to a repair-shop so he is even more ignorant.
As I wrote in my first mail: Bono is a public figur so: don’t judge Townshend but don’t give support or defend the man either.
You’re welcome Bono;O))
Hmmm…I’ll never be able to listen to “Pictures of Lily” the same way again.
Hmmm…I’ll never be able to listen to “Pictures of Lily” the same way again.
Think he’s guilty? Research reason fake? Read this article Pete wrote last year for an English paper: http://www.hecktow.com/pete.html
Think he’s guilty? Research reason fake? Read this article Pete wrote last year for an English paper: http://www.hecktow.com/pete.html
scott, sorry i couldnt get past the first couple of sentences. did you read/hear that he used HIS CREDIT CARD TO ENTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SITES? its illegal! its like someone saying they are doing research on drunk driving so they decided to get tanked and go drive, get pulled over… but explain that it was just for research.
scott, sorry i couldnt get past the first couple of sentences. did you read/hear that he used HIS CREDIT CARD TO ENTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SITES? its illegal! its like someone saying they are doing research on drunk driving so they decided to get tanked and go drive, get pulled over… but explain that it was just for research.
Pinball Wizard and “e” and I are right on this one.He has crusaded against this. His innocence is looking to be proven more with every news brief. I’ve met Pete ans his brother Simon and they come off as very genuine decent people. thats enough for me. Innocent until guilty? right
Pinball Wizard and “e” and I are right on this one.He has crusaded against this. His innocence is looking to be proven more with every news brief. I’ve met Pete ans his brother Simon and they come off as very genuine decent people. thats enough for me. Innocent until guilty? right
Dave, read the ENTIRE article. He addresses the exact point you made, and quite well I might say.
Dave, read the ENTIRE article. He addresses the exact point you made, and quite well I might say.
The question I took away from that article was my wonder at why he had money to send to a Russian orphanage charity he had to seek out in order to find existed, but the funds were all dried up for the friend who was right there in his life.
The question I took away from that article was my wonder at why he had money to send to a Russian orphanage charity he had to seek out in order to find existed, but the funds were all dried up for the friend who was right there in his life.
“I’ve met Pete ans his brother Simon and they come off as very genuine decent people. thats enough for me.”
I guess you didn’t spend time surfing the web with him;O)
Seriously,you never know what some men do in their spare time..I live in Amsterdam near the redlight district and I see men going to hookers all the time and they all seem very decent, nice people to me (briefcases, nice suits) but maybe they just like a bit of spanking now and then..Nothing wrong with that;O)
Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.
My opinion: I did some research:O) and from what I’ve read and heard I think and hope he is innocent.’He was dumb, but I give him the benefit of the doubt.
“I’ve met Pete ans his brother Simon and they come off as very genuine decent people. thats enough for me.”
I guess you didn’t spend time surfing the web with him;O)
Seriously,you never know what some men do in their spare time..I live in Amsterdam near the redlight district and I see men going to hookers all the time and they all seem very decent, nice people to me (briefcases, nice suits) but maybe they just like a bit of spanking now and then..Nothing wrong with that;O)
Don’t judge a book by it’s cover.
My opinion: I did some research:O) and from what I’ve read and heard I think and hope he is innocent.’He was dumb, but I give him the benefit of the doubt.
i dont understand you guys. this man gave HIS money to a website that contains child pornography!!! i dont care how he seems in public. YOU DONT KNOW HIM BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, thats the point of this.
i dont understand you guys. this man gave HIS money to a website that contains child pornography!!! i dont care how he seems in public. YOU DONT KNOW HIM BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, thats the point of this.
to go into my point further… he gave his money to some sick people who run a site for other sick people to view. THIS SITE CONTAINS IMAGES OF CHILDREN WHO WERE VIOLATED. violated more than any of us can imagine. 1 out of 3 kids are sexually abused. im willing to bet some u2log.com members were abused. well townshend gave his money for twisted people who find pleasure in this subject. shame on you for defending him.
to go into my point further… he gave his money to some sick people who run a site for other sick people to view. THIS SITE CONTAINS IMAGES OF CHILDREN WHO WERE VIOLATED. violated more than any of us can imagine. 1 out of 3 kids are sexually abused. im willing to bet some u2log.com members were abused. well townshend gave his money for twisted people who find pleasure in this subject. shame on you for defending him.
It’s so easy to believe the worst of someone because it’s more fun and more interesting that way. Innocence may not be much fun, but it can be the truth. I’ll give him a chance. I’d want the same and we all deserve it.
It’s so easy to believe the worst of someone because it’s more fun and more interesting that way. Innocence may not be much fun, but it can be the truth. I’ll give him a chance. I’d want the same and we all deserve it.
It’s so easy to believe the worst of someone because it’s more fun and more interesting that way. Innocence may not be much fun, but it can be the truth. I have been the victim of a few rumors in my time and have given people an unfair negative opinon of me, so I’ll give him a chance. I’d want the same and we all deserve it.
It’s so easy to believe the worst of someone because it’s more fun and more interesting that way. Innocence may not be much fun, but it can be the truth. I have been the victim of a few rumors in my time and have given people an unfair negative opinon of me, so I’ll give him a chance. I’d want the same and we all deserve it.
Pinball, I think everyone is wrong in this situation. Authorities shouldn’t be delving into people’s personal lives and knit-picking every little thing they do (tell me the authorities in this case never looked at porn in general). Crusaders shouldn’t be doing research in their own name (credit cards) if they don’t want to be associated with certain types of behaviour (paying to see naked kids).
Pinball, I think everyone is wrong in this situation. Authorities shouldn’t be delving into people’s personal lives and knit-picking every little thing they do (tell me the authorities in this case never looked at porn in general). Crusaders shouldn’t be doing research in their own name (credit cards) if they don’t want to be associated with certain types of behaviour (paying to see naked kids).
Pinball, I think everyone is wrong in this situation. Authorities shouldn’t be delving into people’s personal lives and knit-picking every little thing they do (tell me the authorities in this case never looked at porn in general). Crusaders shouldn’t be doing research in their own name (credit cards) if they don’t want to be associated with certain types of behaviour (paying to see naked kids).
Pinball, I think everyone is wrong in this situation. Authorities shouldn’t be delving into people’s personal lives and knit-picking every little thing they do (tell me the authorities in this case never looked at porn in general). Crusaders shouldn’t be doing research in their own name (credit cards) if they don’t want to be associated with certain types of behaviour (paying to see naked kids).
it’s Bono’s (and others) business to support him. I don’t know why they would even if they might not be quilty.
using your cc for child porn is stupid.
NO MATTER WHAT THE REASON.
This is worse than Winona Ryder saying she shoplifted because she was researching a part.
PLEASE.
it’s Bono’s (and others) business to support him. I don’t know why they would even if they might not be quilty.
using your cc for child porn is stupid.
NO MATTER WHAT THE REASON.
This is worse than Winona Ryder saying she shoplifted because she was researching a part.
PLEASE.
The dumbest thing was using his own name to research and buy the stuff. Even a regular guy can get busted that way and it’s much worse for someone with such a famous and recognizable name. Couldn’t he at least have used an alias? (not that it’s okay to do what he allegedly did though)My cousin’s husband got busted by the FBI for similar things and he was a nobody with no job. They came to his house and took stuff out, just like they did Pete. He committed suicide soon after. What a sad situation all the way around.
The dumbest thing was using his own name to research and buy the stuff. Even a regular guy can get busted that way and it’s much worse for someone with such a famous and recognizable name. Couldn’t he at least have used an alias? (not that it’s okay to do what he allegedly did though)My cousin’s husband got busted by the FBI for similar things and he was a nobody with no job. They came to his house and took stuff out, just like they did Pete. He committed suicide soon after. What a sad situation all the way around.
couldn’t he have notified authorities beforehand if he was doing research – just to let them know that he was?
couldn’t he have notified authorities beforehand if he was doing research – just to let them know that he was?
“YOU DONT KNOW HIM BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, thats the point of this.” Neither do you. It works both ways. It disgusts me how someone is automatically guilty just because they’re famous….
“YOU DONT KNOW HIM BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, thats the point of this.” Neither do you. It works both ways. It disgusts me how someone is automatically guilty just because they’re famous….
Those familiar with Pete Townsend’s musical and personal trajectory will find the accusations hard to believe, but everything is possible.
I would also like to refer you all to an article just published in the Economist (January the 18th) headed “Just Looking?”
Those familiar with Pete Townsend’s musical and personal trajectory will find the accusations hard to believe, but everything is possible.
I would also like to refer you all to an article just published in the Economist (January the 18th) headed “Just Looking?”