From Child Abuse to Child Pornography: ‘Our Society Is Quick to Judge’

Posted on | January 28, 2014 | 138 Comments

The quoted phrase is from the mother of former Republican Senate aide Jesse Ryan Loskarn:

Ms. Loskarn complained about the “media frenzy” surrounding her son’s arrest in December.
“The last month of Jesse Ryan Loskarn’s life was surrounded by a media frenzy, with what appeared to be the goal of destroying his reputation beyond repair,” Mrs. Loskarn said. “Newspapers and other media outlets depicted him mostly in a negative light and stole away any good he had done during his short but full life.”
Mrs. Loskarn added: “During this tragic time he had no voice, but in his death he can be heard. Our society is quick to judge especially when the topic surrounding his death is so difficult. This letter written by Jesse Ryan Loskarn was found after he took his own life on January 23, 2014. If his words can help just one person who is suffering in silence, it will be his greatest accomplishment.”

Blaming media scapegoats? Portraying the criminal as victim? What were those who “depicted him mostly in a negative light” supposed to do after Loskarn was arrested with “hundreds of videos depicting underage boys … in sexually explicit conduct“?

Loskarn committed suicide — a decision for which he alone was responsible — and his mother obviously doesn’t want to accept that her son was responsible for his own choices. Jesse Ryan Loskarn’s final letter is an interesting document in its own right, but his mother’s preface to the letter is . . . well, it seems rather misguided.

It was not the media that destroyed Loskarn’s “reputation beyond repair,” it was Loskarn’s own criminal actions. But we are living amid an epidemic of Special Snowflake Syndrome, typified by several bad ideas: Nothing bad should ever happen to the Special Snowflake and, if misfortune should befall him, however great his own role in bringing about that misfortune, the Special Snowflake is not really to blame.

Bad things happened to Ryan Loskarn, some of which clearly were not his fault. He was only to blame for his own choices, but those were very bad choices and if, as Mrs. Loskarn says, “our society is quick to judge,” I’m not sure we are judging too quickly.

If you think the problem with “our society” is that we are too judgmental about perversion, you obviously aren’t paying attention.

Category: Crime, Sex

Comments

138 Responses to “From Child Abuse to Child Pornography: ‘Our Society Is Quick to Judge’”

ThomasD
January 28th, 2014 @ 1:49 pm

Loskarn had no one to blame but himself.

Not to say that his treatment would have been the same had he worked for the likes of Chuck Schumer.

His mother’s pain must be unfathomable, so I can at least understand how she might have wished to be on the better end of the tilted field.
Evi L. Bloggerlady
January 28th, 2014 @ 1:50 pm

I agree with all your points. He is obviously NOT a victim for his own adult actions. Child pornography is not a “victim less” crime. Assuming what he says is true about past abuse, I wish he had reached out for counseling and help. He should have faced his trial honestly and not killed himself. I am sorry that happened.

“I understand that some people — maybe most — will view this as a contrived story designed to find some defense for defenseless behavior. That it’s an excuse,” Loskarn said. “In some ways I feel disgusting sharing this truth with you because in my heart I still struggle to see my 5-year-old self as a victim. But I’m sharing this with you because it is the truth, not an excuse. And I believe it played a role in my story.”

Loskarn also apologized to his “family, friends and Capitol Hill colleagues,” as well as the children who were recorded in the pornographic videos he watched.

“To my family, friends and Capitol Hill colleagues: I’ve had individual conversations with each of you in my mind. I’ve pictured your face as I admitted to my failure and heard the shock and disappointment in your voice,” Loskarn wrote. “I lay awake at night reviewing these conversations over and over again. They are among the most excruciatingly painful aspects of this terrible, terrible nightmare.”

Loskarn added: “And last, to the children in the images: I should have known better. I perpetuated your abuse and that will be a burden on my soul for the rest of my life.”
robertstacymccain
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:09 pm

What I’m trying to say is that our natural sympathy should not blind us to the facts. Just the other day, I noticed how Alicia Gray’s sympathy-seeking apology for her own crime was typical of a manipulative, narcissistic personality. The fact that criminals — and their defenders, as in the case of Matthew LoMaglio — think they can gain sympathy by offering such rationalizations tells you something about how they think the world works.

Whatever happened to tactful silence? Where did we get the idea that everything was subject to debate, so that defending the indefensible has become habitual with so many people?
Rosalie
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:11 pm

Those children are the real victims. They have been robbed of their childhood and they will never be the same.
Nan
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:11 pm

She’s a grieving mother. It would be surprising if she didn’t want to protect her son and his memory to the best of her ability.

While he’s right, being a victim himself doesn’t excuse him, but it does make sense as many victims themselves become abusers. I give him credit for understanding that viewing child porn is abusing the children.
Evi L. Bloggerlady
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:15 pm

Absolutely. Just like Loskarn was destroyed by it (and I am assuming his claims of child hood sexual abuse were true). That does not excuse him contributing to other children being harmed.
Evi L. Bloggerlady
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:16 pm

Where was Mrs. Loskarn when five year old Jesse Loskarn was being abused (I assume that did in fact happen to him as he claimed)?
Evi L. Bloggerlady
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:16 pm

Where was Mrs. Loskarn when five year old Jesse Loskarn was being abused (I assume that did in fact happen to him as he claimed)?
DaveO
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:17 pm

He’s dead. The NEA is disappointed he wasn’t a teacher or a Feminist.
Evi L. Bloggerlady
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:18 pm

Crime and Punishment should be required reading for all students.
Evi L. Bloggerlady
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:18 pm

Crime and Punishment should be required reading for all students.
robertstacymccain
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:25 pm

In Gone With the Wind, Rhett tells Scarlett, “With enough courage, you can do without a reputation.”

What seems to bother Mrs. Loskarn, as it obviously bothered her son, is that Ryan’s crimes damaged their reputation — and that this damage is somehow unfair, that somehow Ryan and his family had a right to a good reputation.

If I seem heartlessly indifferent to such claims, it is because this is basically what Brett Kimberlin is arguing in his lawsuits — that despite his own notorious criminal past, he should never be the focus of negative public attention.

Having been the focus of negative public attention myself — for God’s sake, the Southern Poverty Law Center would have you believe I’m a dangerous hatemonger — I have learned the truth of Rhett Butler’s saying. It is possible to “live without a reputation,” but it requires the kind of courage that Special Snowflakes never seem to have been taught.
robertstacymccain
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:25 pm

In Gone With the Wind, Rhett tells Scarlett, “With enough courage, you can do without a reputation.”

What seems to bother Mrs. Loskarn, as it obviously bothered her son, is that Ryan’s crimes damaged their reputation — and that this damage is somehow unfair, that somehow Ryan and his family had a right to a good reputation.

If I seem heartlessly indifferent to such claims, it is because this is basically what Brett Kimberlin is arguing in his lawsuits — that despite his own notorious criminal past, he should never be the focus of negative public attention.

Having been the focus of negative public attention myself — for God’s sake, the Southern Poverty Law Center would have you believe I’m a dangerous hatemonger — I have learned the truth of Rhett Butler’s saying. It is possible to “live without a reputation,” but it requires the kind of courage that Special Snowflakes never seem to have been taught.
sarah wells
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:26 pm

Needing not to see what was going on, I presume. It might be a habit. But I am quick to judge.
sarah wells
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:26 pm

Needing not to see what was going on, I presume. It might be a habit. But I am quick to judge.
RS
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:30 pm

The desire to maintain one’s reputation is another way of saying the society should do away with the concept of “shame.” This tendency is very dangerous, because shame is what keeps these sorts of behaviors from being considered “normal.” And, one doesn’t need to be a social scientist to see where the absence of shame eventually leads.
RS
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:30 pm

The desire to maintain one’s reputation is another way of saying the society should do away with the concept of “shame.” This tendency is very dangerous, because shame is what keeps these sorts of behaviors from being considered “normal.” And, one doesn’t need to be a social scientist to see where the absence of shame eventually leads.
Nan
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:33 pm

To keep it in perspective, he’s dead. Reputation is all he has left. Am I right dead dick?

The reputation thing may be related to him being abused as a child; I just read what was printed in your combox so no idea if there’s other info out there regarding his history of being abused, whether a family member was an abuser or whether his mother was aware during or after the abuse, all of which might factor into the mother’s statements about reputation.

I’m sure there are others besides the SPLC who believe you’re a dangerous hatemonger. But they’re the same ones who get scared when I say I own a gun.
Nan
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:33 pm

To keep it in perspective, he’s dead. Reputation is all he has left. Am I right dead dick?

The reputation thing may be related to him being abused as a child; I just read what was printed in your combox so no idea if there’s other info out there regarding his history of being abused, whether a family member was an abuser or whether his mother was aware during or after the abuse, all of which might factor into the mother’s statements about reputation.

I’m sure there are others besides the SPLC who believe you’re a dangerous hatemonger. But they’re the same ones who get scared when I say I own a gun.
ThomasD
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:35 pm

Yep, and I’m in entire agreement with you, that’s why I led with the assignment of culpability.

And you are right, it would have been better had she chosen to stay quiet (especially so given that her speaking out only prolongs the exposure.)

What I was trying to say is she is a grieving mother and emotion indeed appears to have trumped reason.

Understandable if regrettable.
ThomasD
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:35 pm

Yep, and I’m in entire agreement with you, that’s why I led with the assignment of culpability.

And you are right, it would have been better had she chosen to stay quiet (especially so given that her speaking out only prolongs the exposure.)

What I was trying to say is she is a grieving mother and emotion indeed appears to have trumped reason.

Understandable if regrettable.
‘Ladies and Gentlemen, the Beatles!’ | Regular Right Guy
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:38 pm

[…] From Child Abuse to Child Pornography: ‘Our Society Is Quick to Judge’ […]
sarah wells
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:40 pm

I suppose they stopped teaching “The Scarlett Letter” a long time ago.
sarah wells
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:40 pm

I suppose they stopped teaching “The Scarlett Letter” a long time ago.
RS
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:40 pm

The similarity in all these cases is the speed with which the perpetrator and/or his/her enablers work do deflect attention from the actual victims of the crimes to the perpetrator himself/herself. Narcissism/Special Snowflake Syndrome is not the whole story. The attempts at rehabilitation, as we saw with the #Free Kate mob have one purpose only: To remove whatever societal taboos are left. Whether it’s a YouTube confession, a mother’s letter or a Grammy performance, it’s all part of the same thing.
RS
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:40 pm

The similarity in all these cases is the speed with which the perpetrator and/or his/her enablers work do deflect attention from the actual victims of the crimes to the perpetrator himself/herself. Narcissism/Special Snowflake Syndrome is not the whole story. The attempts at rehabilitation, as we saw with the #Free Kate mob have one purpose only: To remove whatever societal taboos are left. Whether it’s a YouTube confession, a mother’s letter or a Grammy performance, it’s all part of the same thing.
Matt_SE
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:43 pm

No doubt Mrs. Loskarn will be co-opted by the left, a la Cindy Sheehan, as proof that Republicans are big meanies.

Unspoken will be the implication that they’re hypocritical perverts, too. Never mind that kiddie porn is tacitly supported by the leftist degenerates.
Matt_SE
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:43 pm

No doubt Mrs. Loskarn will be co-opted by the left, a la Cindy Sheehan, as proof that Republicans are big meanies.

Unspoken will be the implication that they’re hypocritical perverts, too. Never mind that kiddie porn is tacitly supported by the leftist degenerates.
sarah wells
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:44 pm

The modern question is why can’t we teach self restraint anymore? The loss of false shame seems to have been accompanied by loss of any shame at all, even that which ought to apply.
sarah wells
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:44 pm

The modern question is why can’t we teach self restraint anymore? The loss of false shame seems to have been accompanied by loss of any shame at all, even that which ought to apply.
ThomasD
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:44 pm

In today’s therapeutic culture I’m not sure what she is doing is anything other than what she believes to be appropriate.

In that sense I am empathetic to her suffering, even if I do not accept her words at face value.

If she were to rend her garments, and smear her head with the ashes of her ancestors I would find the act equally irrelevant but slightly more intelligible, at least from a historic perspective.
ThomasD
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:44 pm

In today’s therapeutic culture I’m not sure what she is doing is anything other than what she believes to be appropriate.

In that sense I am empathetic to her suffering, even if I do not accept her words at face value.

If she were to rend her garments, and smear her head with the ashes of her ancestors I would find the act equally irrelevant but slightly more intelligible, at least from a historic perspective.
Dana
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:44 pm

No, because he was an aide to a Republican official, so it won’t be used at all.
Dana
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:44 pm

No, because he was an aide to a Republican official, so it won’t be used at all.
Mm
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:46 pm

Yes, something for all those morally corrupt teachers who defend pedophiles in their ranks would do well to remember.
Mm
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:46 pm

Yes, something for all those morally corrupt teachers who defend pedophiles in their ranks would do well to remember.
Matt_SE
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:51 pm

I’m not following you (or maybe you’re not following me):

Mrs. Loskarn’s grief will be exploited by unscrupulous leftists (but I repeat myself) to turn her.

Perhaps Sheehan wasn’t the best example since she was already inclined that way, but one might assume she had a modicum of decorum regarding her son’s actions until he was killed.
Matt_SE
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:51 pm

I’m not following you (or maybe you’re not following me):

Mrs. Loskarn’s grief will be exploited by unscrupulous leftists (but I repeat myself) to turn her.

Perhaps Sheehan wasn’t the best example since she was already inclined that way, but one might assume she had a modicum of decorum regarding her son’s actions until he was killed.
Dana
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:56 pm

Was he abused as a child? He said so, and we have no particular reason to question that . . .

. . .but he was caught with tape of a six-year old girl being raped. If he was molested as a child, the odds are that he was molested by another male, so his “explanation” that he “pictured (him)self as a child in the image or video” seems a bit puzzling to me.

The default position ought to be that anyone who uses child pornography is fornicated up in the head, and Mr Loskarn certainly seems to fit that description. At his age, none of the biographies I could find of him mentioned having a girlfriend at all.
Dana
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:56 pm

Was he abused as a child? He said so, and we have no particular reason to question that . . .

. . .but he was caught with tape of a six-year old girl being raped. If he was molested as a child, the odds are that he was molested by another male, so his “explanation” that he “pictured (him)self as a child in the image or video” seems a bit puzzling to me.

The default position ought to be that anyone who uses child pornography is fornicated up in the head, and Mr Loskarn certainly seems to fit that description. At his age, none of the biographies I could find of him mentioned having a girlfriend at all.
Dana
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:58 pm

I don’t see the left trying to do anything with this: Mr Loskarn worked for a Republican, which puts him beyond sympathy. More, it’s not very tactically wise to try to drum up sympathy for a user of child pornography, except maybe in sections of San Francisco.
Dana
January 28th, 2014 @ 2:58 pm

I don’t see the left trying to do anything with this: Mr Loskarn worked for a Republican, which puts him beyond sympathy. More, it’s not very tactically wise to try to drum up sympathy for a user of child pornography, except maybe in sections of San Francisco.
Matt_SE
January 28th, 2014 @ 3:02 pm

Probably correct, but it depends on how you frame it.

Instead of sympathy for the son, the angle is how the right has no sympathy for a grieving mother.

Still…you’re probably right.
Matt_SE
January 28th, 2014 @ 3:02 pm

Probably correct, but it depends on how you frame it.

Instead of sympathy for the son, the angle is how the right has no sympathy for a grieving mother.

Still…you’re probably right.
Dana
January 28th, 2014 @ 3:04 pm

Mrs Bloggerlady wrote:

He should have faced his trial honestly and not killed himself.

Actually, I think that he did exactly the right thing, in the end. I have no problem at all in not paying for his incarceration, and his subsequent treatment, and his continued maintenance on the sex offender registry, and his chronic life on welfare. It’s a bigger problem that other people caught doing such stuff don’t kill themselves.

The concept of a “suicide watch” in jail seems counterproductive to me; if an accused criminal wants to end it all, I say, “Let him!” All of our holding cells ought to have a dangling noose, an easily kicked over chair, and some pull ties so that such malefactors can end it all.
Dana
January 28th, 2014 @ 3:04 pm

Mrs Bloggerlady wrote:

He should have faced his trial honestly and not killed himself.

Actually, I think that he did exactly the right thing, in the end. I have no problem at all in not paying for his incarceration, and his subsequent treatment, and his continued maintenance on the sex offender registry, and his chronic life on welfare. It’s a bigger problem that other people caught doing such stuff don’t kill themselves.

The concept of a “suicide watch” in jail seems counterproductive to me; if an accused criminal wants to end it all, I say, “Let him!” All of our holding cells ought to have a dangling noose, an easily kicked over chair, and some pull ties so that such malefactors can end it all.
Dana
January 28th, 2014 @ 3:11 pm

I have some sympathy for his grieving mother, but, as our host said, there are times when, despite your grief, you should simply say nothing.

Nothing can restore her son’s reputation. All the good that he may have done in his life is outweighed by that for which he will be (briefly) remembered. Some of his personal friends may remember him for better things, but, if so, they already do. Those who didn’t know him will never remember him for anything else.

Personally, I had forgotten about him completely. Now, his grieving mother has reminded me of him, and the only thing I know about him is that he used child pornography. I don’t think that she managed to help his reputation.
Dana
January 28th, 2014 @ 3:11 pm

I have some sympathy for his grieving mother, but, as our host said, there are times when, despite your grief, you should simply say nothing.

Nothing can restore her son’s reputation. All the good that he may have done in his life is outweighed by that for which he will be (briefly) remembered. Some of his personal friends may remember him for better things, but, if so, they already do. Those who didn’t know him will never remember him for anything else.

Personally, I had forgotten about him completely. Now, his grieving mother has reminded me of him, and the only thing I know about him is that he used child pornography. I don’t think that she managed to help his reputation.
Durasim
January 28th, 2014 @ 3:12 pm

Loskarn added: “And last, to the children in the images: I should have known better. I perpetuated your abuse and that will be a burden on my soul for the rest of my life.”
For the rest of his life? About how much of his life did have left after he finished the suicide letter? 30 minutes? An hour?
Unless he’s referring to his next life in hell or something?
Durasim
January 28th, 2014 @ 3:12 pm

Loskarn added: “And last, to the children in the images: I should have known better. I perpetuated your abuse and that will be a burden on my soul for the rest of my life.”
For the rest of his life? About how much of his life did have left after he finished the suicide letter? 30 minutes? An hour?
Unless he’s referring to his next life in hell or something?