Whether Michael Jackson is guilty or not, the child involved in the case must be suffering.

On a much lower level of child suffering is poor Ariel Lederman, whose father had him play guitar for the dying George Harrison.

The guitar, which George devoted one of his last moments to autographing, "will be disposed of privately," the NYT reports, according to the terms of the settlement. George's estate showed kindness and decency toward the boy. The settlement agreement reads:

"The Harrison estate will provide Dr. Lederman's son, Ariel, with a replacement guitar... The Harrison estate never contended that Ariel did anything wrong and appreciates that Ariel is an admirer of George Harrison."

Parents will forever seek advantages for their own children and fear missing any opportunity that they might have snagged for them. Children will forever risk humiliation from their parents' efforts on their behalf.

"With every mistake, we must surely be learning..."

While my replacement guitar gently cringes.