Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site scirtp.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!mcnc!rti-sel!scirtp!todd
From: todd@scirtp.UUCP (Todd Jones)
Newsgroups: net.flame,net.politics,net.women
Subject: Possible Ban on Pornography
Message-ID: <369@scirtp.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 29-Aug-85 15:54:35 EDT
Article-I.D.: scirtp.369
Posted: Thu Aug 29 15:54:35 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 31-Aug-85 09:08:18 EDT
Distribution: net
Organization: SCI Systems, Research Triangle Park, NC
Lines: 53
Xref: watmath net.flame:11750 net.politics:10751 net.women:7216

All Discussion, Flaming, etc... encouraged!!

Subject: DON'T TRY TO BAN PORNOGRAPHY!! IT WON'T WORK!!

It seems there is a recent push by an unlikely coalition of
Fundamentalist Christian and liberal feminists to outlaw
the sale, production and posession of obscene materials.
The FCs (Fundamentalist Christians) want it banned because
it's flesh worship. The feminists want it banned because
it infringes on the civil rights of women.

While I find erotica (I define erotica to be literature or
or art concerning sexual arousal) non-offensive and healthy,
I agree with the FCs; pornography *is* flesh worship. I agree with
the feminists to the extent that pornography certainly can 
depict women in a way that generally degrades the image
of women in the eyes of the pornography consumer.

But I strongly disagree with any movement to ban pornography
(except for child pornography, so flame me on that if you
are so inclined) for several reasons.

1. The practicality of enforcement.
   Who decides what is obscene? A council of religious zealots?
   A panel of enraged feminists?  

2. The practicality of exemptions.
   Who decides what isn't obscene? the above groups? What if I
   want The Bible banned for its graphic depictions of lust,
   adultery, sodomy, etc...?

3. Orwellian approach to literature.
   Take both of the above reasons, add one part self-righteous
   feminist and two parts Liberty Bible College hit squad, stir
   over low flame and voila! You've got someone else telling you
   what to read and think.

NO THANKS!!!!

There is no solution to the "problem" of pornography
that will leave freedom of the press intact. Don't
give me mumbo jumbo about applying "community standards,"
this is as vague as anything else.

Face it, pornography is a pretty small price to pay
for something as important as freedom of the press.

   |||||||
   ||   ||
   [ O-O ]       Todd Jones
    \ ^ /        {decvax,akgua}!mcnc!rti-sel!scirtp!todd      
    | ~ |
    |___|        SCI Systems Inc. doesn't necessarily agree with Todd.