Oprah today?

#1

Oprah today?

Posted: 2/15/06 at 8:56pm

Can someone please explain to me how that New York Times investigator guy found out that Justin was involved with underage webcam pornography and why he initially arranged to meet with Justin unaccompanied? Was he a former pedophile or something??? He was creepy...

Kurt managed to track Justin down via the Internet. After several online conversations, Kurt gained his trust and Justin agreed to meet him at a Los Angeles airport.

Isn't that what the pedophiles where doing?

http://www2.oprah.com/tows/slide/200602/20060215/slide_20060215_284_101.jhtml

Updated On: 2/15/06 at 08:56 PM

#2

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/15/06 at 10:10pm

I don't buy this kid's innocent act for a second.

#3

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/15/06 at 10:30pm

cause he was a fricken reporter! he decided to try and help him and to have a story.

---

<--- the set of A Midsummer Night's Dream that I was assistant stage manager for during the 2007 season at the STNJ outdoor stage.

-Dre- You must remember all the same that at the crux of every game is knowing when it's time to leave the table... And it's important to be artful in your exit. No turning back, you must accept the con is done... It was a ball, it was a blast. And it's a shame it couldn't last. But every chapter has to end, you must agree.
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~
There's a special kind of people known as show people. We live in a world full of dreams. Sometimes we're not too certain what's false and what's real. But we're seldom in doubt about what we feel.
~Curtains~
It is a far, far better thing I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest I go to, than I have ever known.
~A Tale of Two Cities ~

#4

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/15/06 at 10:43pm

me thinks O got a little duped, again!

Updated On: 2/15/06 at 10:43 PM

#5

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/16/06 at 1:16am

I watched this today - at the end of it, my conclusion was that this guy was not a victim - he was more of a prostitute who, time after time - confused or not, continued to make himself available to men for sex. It was hard for me to feel sorry for him.......

---

"High time we made a stand and shook up the views of the common man" - Tears for Fears

#6

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/16/06 at 7:49am

"I watched this today - at the end of it, my conclusion was that this guy was not a victim - he was more of a prostitute who, time after time - confused or not, continued to make himself available to men for sex. It was hard for me to feel sorry for him....... "

Of course he's a victim...he was 13! Pedophiles are notoriously able to draw vulnerable kids into their world. That's what makes them pedophiles. Just because he wasn't kept locked in a room and forced to have sex doesn't mean he was any less of a victim.

Updated On: 2/16/06 at 07:49 AM

#7

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/16/06 at 10:36am

I can't put my finger on it, but there was something that didn't wash with me about the entire interview. Yes, I think it's a great idea to warn parents, etc. but this kid didn't seem the least bit affected by all that happened to him. Body language says a lot-after every single sentence he uttered, he chewed his bottom lip and made some strange grimacing look. that could have been because he was nervous, but I didn't get that he was nervous. I got that he was pretty smooth. then Oprah said he had received death threats but still came on the air. And that he wasn't taking a cent from the sale of his book. Those two points are very noble and I applaud them but why didn't I believe it? I don't know how old he is now, but to me he looked like he wanted to appear as youthful and cute as possible with his hair cut that way. I know I'm being very cynical, I hope I'm very wrong.

---

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#8

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/16/06 at 10:56am

Well you have to remember he was repeatedly abused and he's a recovering drug addict. People have a wide variety of reactions to abuse so his "body language" could very easily be explained by this.

#9

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/16/06 at 11:19am

I guess-I'm open to any explanation. The evil side of me keeps saying that not all teenagers are innocent victims, and that this kid may have actually enjoyed his profession. There are lots of young hustlers on the street who go into it knowingly for the money. But the good side of me is telling me to stop thinking this way!

---

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#10

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/16/06 at 11:26am

I can guarantee you that VERY few, if any, teenagers go into prostitution because they enjoy it.

#11

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/16/06 at 11:33am

They may not enjoy it, but many are not molested or forced by anyone.

---

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#12

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/16/06 at 11:34am

But forced by circumstances perhaps.

#13

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/16/06 at 11:56am

Jane - we're on the same wavelength here, I think - there was just something wrong with this story....

---

"High time we made a stand and shook up the views of the common man" - Tears for Fears

#14

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:00pm

thanks, MJR. We may never find out, but yes, something wasn't right.

---

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#15

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:01pm

Like what exactly? I suppose he could be doing it to get his face on the Oprah show. But what person of his age do you know that would want to be famous for that? I suspect the easier option would have been for him to take the book deal if he was looking to make money.
Let's remember...this case is being federally prosecuted so it's not like this is a "Million Little Pieces" scenario.
Is it possible that the boy is jaded and even a little manipulative? Of course...who wouldn't be if they went through what he did at his age? This seems to be a case of blaming the victim.

#16

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:04pm

I watched part of it yesterday morning, and I didn't buy the part where he had to go into hiding in Mexico. I thought that was a little strange.

I missed the beginning, did they ever say how old he is now?

#17

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:06pm

He didn't exactly go into hiding...he went to live with his Father.


*Edit*

Actually...I should clarify what I'm talking about here. I really wouldn't be surprised if some of his tale was exaggerated or changed somewhat to make himself look better. And that would be a completely normal reaction from a child who suffered that kind of abuse.
My posts are in response to MJR's comment that he's not a victim...that he somehow wanted it or deserved it. I find that kind of thinking disturbing. Remember...he was 13. So BY LAW he was a victim.
He was obviously a troubled youth but the people who should be getting the scrutiny here are the ones who paid to see him take his clothes off...not him. I bet the pedophiles who paid him to undress would say the same thing to justify their actions "well I didn't FORCE him to do anything...he wanted it."

Updated On: 2/16/06 at 12:06 PM

#18

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:11pm

At the end of the day, he was a child and what happened to him was wrong - no question. But I think what we're talking about here is that there seemed to be a lack of contrition in his demeanor that you wouldn't expect from your typical Oprah guest recounting their horrible experience...Obviously there was alot of wrongdoing on the part of the pedophyles, but there was plenty of wrongdoing on his part as well.

---

"High time we made a stand and shook up the views of the common man" - Tears for Fears

#19

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:12pm

Let me also say, his mama should be slapped for her stupidity.

---

"High time we made a stand and shook up the views of the common man" - Tears for Fears

#20

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:14pm

Erik, like I said, I don't know what exactly. But something didn't sit right with me, call it a chemical reaction, I don't know.

Also, his father jumped right on the bandwagon and immediately went into business with the son as partners. The father suggested to the son that they try and make it as lucrative as possible, and the son went along.

---

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#21

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:14pm

Contrition for being raped? Contrition for what???

He was strung out on drugs and his father sold him out? How was HE wrong in that? Are you really blaming him for that?

Updated On: 2/16/06 at 12:14 PM

#22

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:15pm

.....forget it.....

---

"High time we made a stand and shook up the views of the common man" - Tears for Fears

#23

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:17pm

I'll try.

#24

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:17pm

Ditto

---

<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES

#25

re: Oprah today?

Posted: 2/16/06 at 12:19pm

There's legal rape, and then there's actual rape. I think if he wanted it (and the pictures prove he did) then I don't think it's rape.

Half of me sees him as a victim, and then the other half just sees him as a kid who got himself into the wrong situations, by his own stupidity. If an older man offers you anything in return for sex, or porn, then you can either deny him or give it to him.