May 05, 2005

Special obscenity unit: Prosecutions for obscenity are on the rise.

To me this seems like pandering to a very small minority. Some of the videos are disturbing, but the argument being made that, "Enforcement is absolutely necessary if we are going to protect citizens from unwanted exposure to obscene materials." seems disingenuous at best. I guess I'm curious as to how many people here have been wantonly exposed to obscene materials.

posted by Pez 19 years ago
  • It's just censorship.
  • For a second I thought that read "obesity."
  • I'm not wantonly exposed to obscene materials as often as I'd like. However, I try to wantonly expose my obscene materials as often as I can, just to balance things out. But seriously, is sort of thing gets trucked out in American politics all the time. Wasn't all that long ago that Lieberman was on his anti-Hollywood kick, and not long before that there was that whole 2 Live Crew kerfuffle. It's politics that plays well, and allows for sleight-of-hand on a mass scale. Point out a few bad guys, play to the neo-puritan crowd, and avoid having to confront the serious ills of society that you haven't done anything about. If there's a rise in these prosecutions, it may indicate an increase in the problem. It may just as easily point to an increase in the need for distraction.
  • This is an American problem (I did click the link, but I didn't have to to know the article deals only with the US), and recent history shows that the majority of Americans would rather censor "obsenity" than the major cause of gun-related deaths and injuries. I conclude that the majority Americans have their heads up their arses.
  • .
  • This is stupid. I agree with Skrik; we've got way more important problems in America. Let the Offended Ones turn off their fuckin TVs & computers for a fuckin change. Assholes.
  • I think that instead of chasing dirty old men, these morons would better serve the public if they focused their energy on child pornographers.
  • While deplorable for the mentioned reasons, it's far from surprising. Gonzalez telegraphed this move from the period around his confirmation hearing, saying that he would continue Ashcroft's war on porno and indecency. Sorry I don't have a cite, though.
  • meanwhile, in BENTON HARBOR, Mich. - A pop culture controversy that has simmered for decades came to a head when a middle school marching band was told not to perform "Louie Louie." Benton Harbor Superintendent Paula Dawning cited the song's allegedly raunchy lyrics in ordering the McCord Middle School band not to perform it in Saturday's Grand Floral Parade, held as part of the Blossomtime Festival. In a letter sent home with McCord students, Dawning said "Louie Louie" was not appropriate for Benton Harbor students to play while representing the district — even though the marching band wasn't going to sing it.
  • yes, the above is indeed a real, current story
  • Please identify the first link as NSFW. I don't know about the second because I won't click it until I get home. Can't wait until IT asks why I'm browsing AVN at work...
  • mfffmff mfdfdfdf ffhjdffdhj! (sorry but it's hard to talk with my head up my ass like the majority of my countrymen. Also, our president is worse than Hitler.)
  • Shhh. No one tell him how to get his head out his arse; it suits him.
  • for those of you not familiar with that OBSCENE song Louie Louie, here are the lyrics: Louie Louie, me gotta go. Louie Louie, me gotta go. A fine little girl, she wait for me. Me catch the ship across the sea. I sailed the ship all alone. I never think I'll make it home. Louie Louie, me gotta go . Three nights and days we sailed the sea. Me think of girl constantly. On the ship, I dream she there. I smell the rose in her hair. Louie Louie, me gotta go. Me see Jamaican moon above. It won't be long me see me love. Me take her in my arms and then I tell her I never leave again. Louie Louie, me gotta go. (By Richard Berry. Copyright 1957-1963 by Limax Music Inc.)
  • I also read it as obesity also I really can't stand even the idea of something obscene being illegal. My definition of obscene is very different from others.
  • They can have my copy of Weapons of Ass Destruction 3 when they pry it from my cold, dead, sticky fingers.
  • eeeeewwwwwwwwww! cold fingers!! *shivers*
  • What a bunch of idiotic bullshit -- *chhk* I'm choking on my own rage here. Also, what Skrik said.
  • But "Louie Louie" is feelthy!
  • I conclude that the majority Americans have their heads up their arses That's why everything they see is obscene. eeeeewwwwwwwwww! sticky fingers!!
  • I don't know from obscene, but that cum swapping gif (the advertisement) sure was pretty gross.
  • In related news, Legislators in the US state of Texas have voted to ban "sexually suggestive" cheerleading in schools: The bill - which requires approval by the state Senate - would allow authorities to police routines deemed vulgar and force schools to stop them.
  • Any song that is amiguous is obscene. That's how Iv'e gotten off, haven't you?