I have resisted the urge to comment on this topic until now, not because I had no opinion; but because I felt the media attention, as usual, was over the top and I didn't want to contribute to it. But in my humble opinion, most commentors (both within the media circus and without) have missed the point. While Miley's topless or implied topless photos may not have been technically illegal, that is they may not have violated the letter of child pornography laws meant to protect underage children from such attention - her photos in Vanity Fair were certainly morally inappropriate. Let me clarify: In my opinion, they were meant to evoke an erotic image or an erotic reaction, even if not overtly explicit. No matter who you are, rich and famous, or poor and unknown; this is an inappropriate use of an underage minor child, period. Why have we all forgotten that for all her "glam", the young Ms. Cyrus is an underage child, and not by a small margin, either. Her 18th birthday is not next week, or next month, or even next year.... She is still a child and should be protected as a child. Regardless of what fans and readers think, there is a reason why underage children are usually protected from such activity. Also, there is a reason why they are not ALLOWED to make certain decisions for themselves until they reach the age of consent. Shame on her adult handlers who thought this was a good idea. The photographer has a reputation for the racy side and her motives are pretty clear, as are the magazine's; but shame on those who are supposed to be making decisions IN MILEY'S BEST INTEREST. The most popular or most profitable expedient does not always equal what is best for a child star.

I would like to leave you with this thought, if you think my opinion is a little radical - what would the public reaction have been if the photographer was a high school photography teacher and the model was a 15 year old student? I think that public outrage would be an understatement. Why should our reaction be any different because the 15 year old happens to be a "pop star".