Child Sex Abuse in Cartoons

(Boise, Idaho) A report out of Idaho indicates that the federal government is going after people who download cartoons, anime, that depict child pornography.

The federal crime is "possession of visual representations of child sex abuse" and it's punishable by 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000.

I suspect that some folks may inadvertently download anime cartoons without giving much thought to the illegality of possessing "visual representations of child sex abuse." Rethinking would be appropriate.

Note that child porn is harshly treated by the feds and sentences of 20, 30, or more years in no-parole prison are not uncommon.

In any event, it would seem that making cartoons illegal, despite their contemptible nature, must raise constitutional questions. Maybe an expert legal mind could advise.