Source: rollingstone.com 1/7/25
[ACSOL is showing how his sex crime is highlighted first]
Peter Yarrow, a major figure of the Sixties folk revival with Peter, Paul and Mary who was convicted of molesting a 14-year-old girl and later received a presidential pardon, died today, The New York Times reports. He was 86.
Should I be appalled at their highlighting his offense or the fact that he got pardoned for something that goes far beyond what anyone commenting on this site has ever done. Yet there are those that have suffered for over 30 yrs for much less.
Disappointing that so much of the article is dedicated to his conviction, and other accusations, all from decades ago. I have no idea what this man did or did not do in his hotel rooms back in the ’60’s, but can we not set that aside for one day, and just mourn the loss of a wonderful and much beloved musician. He may have brought great sorrow to some, and my heart does go out to them, but this man definitely brought joy to millions, and I am one of them.
It’s 1977, I’m in Kindergarten, and we’re all gathered around our teacher as she plays her guitar, singing Puff the magic dragon. There are huge sections, whole years, of my childhood I can’t recall, but that I will never forget. I still smile every time I think of that moment, I just wish it could have been brought to mind under different circumstances.
We are all known forever even after we die mostly for one bad decision.
Sadly, in today’s world if they didn’t mention it they’d risk being cancelled. I’m not defending their editorial choices here, but rather pointing out that the problem is much bigger than what the editors of Rolling Stone decide to include in a story and its headline.
This former great music rag didn’t need to stoop this low and bring this to the forefront again as this passing is noted. There is absolutely no reason for this and the author of the article should be ashamed as well as the magazine as well as the owner of this magazine. Heck, I didn’t even know about it nor do I care.
This trio was a lot to a lot of people the time of its popularity and getting the country through some turbulent times. May he rest in peace and his family have fun positive memories of him. I love their music regardless of what this magazine thinks needs to be published.
His passing was also reported on Brietbart with not a single mention of his sexual misgivings. I believe those that follow the RAINN standards are the ones pushing this agenda.
This is just the media’s predictable way of getting it’s “parting shot” in for clicks, views and outrage bait. It’s disgusting how society wants to make sure your contributions and achievements are overshadowed and forever tainted at your epitaph if you’ve engaged into any sexual improprieties .
Rolling Stone even implies or suggests that the readers should be outraged that he received a pardon.
Just goes to show, even with a pardon and death, there is no escape from the court of public opinion.
I call it “final shaming.”
Peter Yarrow contributed far more to the fabric of America than any muckraking opportunistic reporter, such as the author of this story. For those of us who grew up during the VNam War, and the corrupt Nixon, Yarrow and his cohorts were an inspiration. He deserves so much better than this.
To quote another music icon, David Bowie:
“..And the shame was on the other side. Oh we can beat them, forever and ever”
(from ‘Heroes’)
“It happened when I was just an innocent child,” Winter told The Washington Post in 2021. “I didn’t know anything. I was just a little girl that liked to play with her friends.”
I don’t mean to minimize your offense, but you were 14. You’re pretty much not an innocent child anymore. Teens get tried as adults at 14. If they’re adult enough to commit a murder, they’re adult enough to take some responsibility for a masturbation performance in front of a grown man
“Yarrow remained politically and socially engaged, too: He co-founded a nonprofit focused on anti-bullying and childhood education in 1999, played at inaugural events for Bill Clinton in the Nineties and at Occupy Wall Street in the 2010s, and continued to campaign with Democratic politicians — though this occasionally caused problems as Republicans seized on Yarrow’s child sex abuse conviction.”
The fact that someone would “seize on” something that happened in the 60s, is pretty mind boggling. It’s been over 50 years since Mr. Yarrow beat his Johnson in front of a teenage girl. Is that supposed to overshadow his lifetime of accomplishments & charity work?