Anyone who stumbles upon that title out of context will probably say “Oh look, the commies support pedophiles. What a shock.” and they’re free to think that, as wrong as it is. So let me break it down.
In the last few years, To Catch A Predator has had a huge resurrgence in popularity because pedophiles are awful. The one group in America that everyone can agree are bad, now that we’re okay with actual Nazis apparently. When you watch a lot of TCAP, a thought thoughts to burrow it’s way into your mind “If I were there, this sicko would get what’s coming”, so naturally a bunch of amatuers decided to start making their own little predator stings. These usually don’t work because YouTubers are more concerned about making content than protecting kids. The police aren’t involved, a lot of the videos are actually cases of entrapment that aren’t actionable in court, and my personal favorite, many of these YouTubers just beat the shit out the suspected predator for a while. On camera.
First off, I think a lot of those are fake because the liklihood that you can attack already mentally unwell people and not be shot or stabbed is pretty low. But secondly, these videos are a degenerative disease. No one is getting helped, no one’s being stopped because these cases are thrown out, and things are beginning to escalate. I mentioned that a lot of catchers are physically attacking their marks. One instance where this happened a man was shot and killed because he pretended to be a teenage girl and then punched a 16 year old in the face, who shot him in self defense. Things are also getting out of hand in other ways. Recently a group of college kids abducted a guy because he wanted to date an 18 year old, which is both not illegal and not grounds to kidnap someone for clout.
The most dangerous thing about these people is the feedback loop they’ve created on social media. Child Molesters are bad, this is an established fact that everyone agrees on. Police aren’t doing enough (this is partially true but it’s a poor justification). So if you take issue with the idea of guys getting their asses kicked by vigilantes on camera, or that they “accidentally” get the wrong guy, then you’re a pedo sympathiser and someone should go kick your teeth in too. A group of people with no accountability or oversight can just decide your guilt and act on it. Why are we creating a world where someone can call you this or that and then send violent thugs after you?
This isn’t just about pedophiles either, what I’m getting at is that the definition of the “acceptable target” will only expand until more and more people are caught in the crossfire. That kidnapping I mentioned? That’s just the beginning, because that is the logical conclusion of this behavior.
JAQing off means “just asking questions”. Just asking questions of course isn’t inherently bad, but it’s the rhetorical device that alot of people use, to seemingly find a “gotcha” rather than discussion.
I am slightly touched by your comment more than I expected.
I’m still shocked that lots of comrades here want this stuff to be “handled by the police” especially given how evil and corrupt capitalist police are, and how even police who publicly condemn predator catchers, still praise them in private or take the evidence to court to arrest the chomo.
I hate this idea that just because people liking ICE videos would also like predator hunting videos, somehow means that hunting preds shouldn’t be celebrated or publicized. But I understand the cause for concern and the how the links between these things can ferment fascism.
But after taking a moment your comment and your concerns, I think you have very valid points.
I won’t die on this hill, I still wager that most people who enjoy watching predator catching videos aren’t as racist as Rosen’s bootlickers or wouldn’t support hunting down migrants.
I want to thank you for enlightening me somewhat, even if it tastes bitter.