Moral dilemma (shamelessly nicked from the BBC)

[NJOK]

A victim of a paedophile teacher has asked for his music textbooks for children to be banned.

Brian Davey wrote books on the recorder that many tutors regard as among the best textbooks for children. But he was also jailed last year for sexually abusing girls as young as four.

Does the work, or the art, of someone who has committed such a crime have to be condemned?

Other examples:

Eric Gill was one of the most respected artists of the 20th Century. His statue Prospero and Ariel adorns the BBC's Broadcasting House. But he regularly had sex with two of his daughters, his sisters and even the family dog. These encounters he recorded in his diary.

Caravaggio the painter was also a killer. Gesualdo the composer was a double killer.

More recently, there's the comedian Chris Langham. Should his work be banned?

What about the others?

[China Doll]

What about the argument that they couldn't have produced the art if they weren't a certain way inclined?

Genius, madness and think line... that sort of thing...

[China Doll]

Or possibly 'thin' line.

[dot.hawkes]

wasn't chris langham cleared?

[vehelpfulguy]

> wasn't chris langham cleared?

Chris Langham is in prison awaiting sentence on September 14th

http://www.people.co.uk/news/tm_headline=game- is-up-for-langham&method=full&objectid=1972222 9&siteid=93463-name_page.html

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2007/0 8/18/langham-to-face-a-soft-jail-89520-1965518 4/

[sp1814]

Chris Langham was up on two separate charges. One was that he had sex with a minor, of which he was acquitted. The other that he downloaded child porn - he was convicted of that.

In answer to the question - I don't think that art, writings or teachings of...shall we say...miscreants, should be banned. Its down to the individual or as to whether they feel comfortable putting money in the pockets of someone they may despise on a personal level.

However, all books on the recorder, no matter how well written, should be banned.

I was in a school recorder orchestra and even though we were quite good, I can remember the winces on our parents faces as they struggled to reconcile the angelic efforts of their offspring with a sound not unlike forty cats sliding down forty blackboards.

[WaldoMcFroog]

It's difficult, isn't it?

Imagine if you were part of the Glitter Band and then Gary gets arrested and your future livelihood from royalties is instantly screwed.

Do we ban the works of Wagner because he was the most apalling anti-Semite? Perhaps it is easier to overlook Wagner's views because he was dead and it was a long time ago.

Mr Davey's crimes are still affecting his victims. Maybe the publicity will be enough to kill his sales, or maybe the publisher will pull the book.

I've just discovered I have the Gill Sans font on my computer. Eric Gill designed it. Should I delete it..?

[bundleone]

I was annoyed to hear on the news tonight that Leslie Grantham is to get more fame and fortune, appearing in Dads Army on the stage.How can producers or whoever employ somebody who has cold-bloodiedly killed another person, not in anger or by accident but deliberate, I have never been able to watch or enjoy any programme with him in it.

[Ethel]

Grantham served his time in prison. I would much rather he work and pay taxes now than be kept on the dole by myself and other taxpayers.

[bundleone]

Yes I agree he should work and pay tax, but he shouldn't be getting such public adoration, it dosen't set much of an example,

[weeal]

It is a dilemma but if their ART is not banned it should at least produce no profit for the artist - considering the means by which they , I hate to say' learned or improved their particular art.

Does that make sense?

[jno]

I don't think a hapless paedophile should be banned just because your playing is rubbish, sp1814, you just need to practise some more. And don't start me on what to do about sax offenders.

[brachiopod]

NJOK, you are AB Asks in disguise, and I claim my �5.

(Good question by the way - I saw the article on The Magazine but didn't have time to read it earlier.)

[Pippa68]

sp ~ I have you know I could play 'Go And tell Aunt Nancy' and 'London's Burning' incredibly well. I even took grades and was pushed up to play the treble...without the winces ;o)

As for the Q. No, I don't think any of it should be banned. As sp has quite rightly pointed out it is up to individual members of the public to decide what they purchase or read. I have always despised book/music burning ceremonies for this reason.

I don't know if Leslie Grantham has ever received 'public adoration'.

[sp1814]

Pippa68

Ah yes, 'Go And Tell Aunt Nancy' and 'London's Burning'. Recorder orchestra classics.

I also had very unfond memories of being taught the theme to Van Der Valk (70's cop show set in...ermm..Amsterdam - as awful as it sounds).

The theme to Van Der Valk on the recorder is very easy to play as long as you had big hands with a long reach.

[sense4all]

Do we know what areas of the country this guy taught in as we had a music teacher called Davey, and one of the other teachers was arrested for child offences a couple of years back ... OMG.

[Pippa68]

Oh yes ' 'Van Der Valk' or as we knew it 'Eye Level'. My mother bought me the single (Simon Park Orchestra) so I could practice along with it.

Ahhhh..those were the days.