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Pete Townshend Responds to Child Abuse Advocates

Pete TownshendIn advance of the Who's Super Bowl halftime performance this Sunday in Miami, Pete Townshend has answered a local group of advocates that handed out flyers and postcards that suggested the legendary rock guitarist was a threat to area children. Townshend, who was cleared after being arrested in the during a 2003 child pornography sting, spoke about the matter Thursday in an NFL news conference before his band performed three of its classic songs for the media.

"I've been really saddened by it, and concerned about it. It's an issue that's very difficult to deal with in sound bites," Townshend told the Associated Press. "I kind of feel like we're all on the same side, I guess that's all I can really say."

Townshend has long maintained that he accessed a website with child pornography but said it was for research for his own campaign against child porn. Despite being cleared, Townshend -- who alluded to his own abuse as a child and says he has been a children's advocate for many years -- was required to register as a sex offender.

"For a family that has suffered the issue of childhood abuse or anything of that sort, vigilance, common sense vigilance is the most important thing, not vigilantism," Townshend explained. "Anybody that has any doubts about whether I should be here or not should investigate a little bit further."

Despite the serious tone of the press conference, the mood turned celebratory when bandmate Roger Daltrey announced he was rooting for the New Orleans Saints. Townshend responded with "Then I guess I'll go for the Colts." Then, as a warm-up to Sunday's set, the Who played 'Behind Blue Eyes,' 'Pinball Wizard' and 'Won't Get Fooled Again.'

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Jrocks

Pete is guilty of bad judgement but not of being a child abuser. There was nothing downloaded on his fourteen computers and they checked everything. Also he contacted the IWF on several occasions and complained about the site. This is all true although he should never had used his credit card on that one occasion. Still he's not a child molester and the Who rock!

March 08 2011 at 7:47 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Clint

All these self-righteous turds who throw stones at Townshend with on ehand and spank the monkey while watching Miley Montana witht he other. I'm just sick of seeing old English rockers at the Superbowl. Can't we have someone like Santana play? Or Melissa Etheridge or OZZY!

February 07 2010 at 4:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
schlauger1

If I'm not mistaken, I seem to recall that he had to register as an SO because of a stipulation in the law, one of those Catch 22 things. If you've had anything to do with child porn, opened up a site for example, even if you're proven innocent of malicious intent as Townsend was, you have to register. Correct me if this isn't why he's listed. And I'll say it again: An ultra smart person like him wouldn't blatantly use his credit card and name if he was up to ill deeds. Also, is it true that he landed there by mistake?

February 07 2010 at 4:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
joe

Pete is no Kiddie Raper, now You want Kiddie raper?? Look to Cardinal Mahoney in L.A. Talk about dodging the law.

February 07 2010 at 2:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
execk2

In America you are GUILTY until proven innocent now! It's a mess isn't it?

February 07 2010 at 2:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Louis Cypher

Michael Jackson, however, was a saint.

February 07 2010 at 1:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Roger Wilco

ahole dj...like the man said, read up on the issue...he was cleared...as you will not be when your perv a$$ is caught...

February 07 2010 at 1:55 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Addie

In this country you are guilty BEFORE proven innocent!
Why don't these people try and listen instead of pointing thei fingers at Pete Townshend? Try looking at the facts! I'm sure that all the people who think that he's "a threat to area children", are holier than thou and NEVER do anything wrong!!!! Remember, your mind is like a parachute, it only works when it's fully opened!!!

February 07 2010 at 1:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
J

Dj - you're out to lunch. Many people are falsely accused - Pete Townshend was and was exonerated. That means he did nothing wrong.

Maybe you have some skeletons in your closet?

February 07 2010 at 1:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jorge

Odd - searches the net and found NOTHING about this guy being a child advocate.

February 07 2010 at 1:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply