The Franklin Conspiracy Theory Sensationalizes Abuse

by Amanda Kloer · 2009-03-21 08:30:00 UTC
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The Franklin Conspiracy is a theory held by some people that throughout the 1980s, orphans from Nebraska were flown to the White House to have sex with top officials in the Reagan and Bush administrations.  Supposedly, this child sex trafficking ring was successfully covered-up, with the exception of one lone website which "speaks the truth".

The theory is based on a series of Washington Times articles, which tie Republican lobbyist Craig Spence to the exploitation of young men in prostitution.   Supposedly, Spence arranged late-night tours of the White House for the young "call-boys", with permission from top officials.  Spence was an admittedly troubled man who struggled with drug addiction and eventually committed suicide.  However, the Washington Times is the only news outlet which reported any of these activities as they connected to any White House officials. A grand jury in Omaha reported the whole situation to be "a hoax", but never identified those behind the hoax.  And thus, the Franklin Conspiracy haunts the same dark corners of the Internet as Roswell, Area 51, and Obama Family Koran.

The Franklin theory serves as an important illustration of what often happens when people talk about sexual exploitation and human trafficking: sensationalism.  This theory has all the makings of a sensational news story: conservative Republicans + not prostitution, not child prostitution, but gay child prostitution = limitless hypocrisy.  The only problem is that it's not true.

Young boys and girls are sexually abused and exploited every day in ways that are not sensational or newsworthy: by their parents, by their significant others, by the man who purchases them.  Their pain is real even if their story doesn't make headlines

Amanda Kloer is a Change.org Editor and has been a full-time abolitionist in several capacities for seven years. Follow her on Twitter @endhumantraffic
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