Kids, Porn and Politics [and Public Libraries and Voters]

The Oregonian ^ | September 10, 2006 | David Reinhard, Assoc. Ed.

[Jeff Gordon]

Notice that this cartoon does not have any kids in it. This clearly indicates that the campaign is eally about protecting dirty old men from porn.

[dsc]

"Floods, after all, are generally more harmful than porno. "

Not really. A flood can harm you in this life, but porn can send you down the sewer for eternity.

[muawiyah]

Serious flooding is less readily available. The exposure to porn certainly outweighs the risk of flooding.

[Jeff Gordon]

porn can send you down the sewer for eternity.

If you really believe that your time on earth is probably hell for you.

[Jeff Gordon]

The exposure to porn certainly outweighs the risk of flooding.

Better dead than sexually aroused?

[Question_Assumptions]

Public spaces should be reasonably child-safe. How difficult of a concept is that for people to grasp? We're not talking about people's bedrooms. We're not talking about people's private homes. We're not talking about adult spaces like bars, casinos, and adult theaters. Public spaces. And if you aren't going to stop people from viewing pornography on screens clearly visible in public spaces, why stop people from doing anything in public? I mean, if you can look at pictures of people engaged in sex in front of children, why not just let people have sex in public in front of children?

[plan2succeed.org]

Here's one with a kid, to satisfy your concern:

[dsc]

"But how does one protect oneself from one's own desires?"

Peccandique occasiones proximas fugiturum...flee from the near occasion of sin.

"For this you need parents and wise teachers, not a computer program."

Children need parents and wise teachers to protect them from the glamor of evil until they are mature and wise enough to see it for what it is. If a computer program aids in that, that's a good thing.

[Jeff Gordon]

That does not look like a library.

[dsc]

"If you really believe that your time on earth is probably hell for you."

One more thing you have backwards. It was hell until I realized that.

[SteveMcKing]

the campaign is really about protecting dirty old men from porn.

It's as much about jealousy in the asexual or unattractive. Strange and annoying motives, but the protection of kids is certainly not one of them.

[Lurker]

I suppose just throwing the bums off the library board and voting in people who will install the internet filters is right out of the question.

But I guess it makes far more sense to go running to the Feds for 'library funds' (funny, my copy of the Constitution doesn't mention libraries at all) than it is to work on the local level, get a few folks with common sense elected to the library board, and change the policy.

"Help me Daddy Fed! Help me Daddy Fed! I can't keep porn out of my local library without you!"

What a bunch of spineless grandstanding weenies....

L

[Jeff Gordon]

Public spaces should be reasonably child-safe

Don't worry. The liberals are working on it. Air polution, car seats, toys, guns, school vending machines, and on and on and on. I am sure they appreciate your joining their ranks.

[Jeff Gordon]

It's as much about jealousy in the asexual or unattractive.

Interesting point. My experience says that you are right.

[Esther Ruth]

We are always in libraries. Only my husband and I have cards and the kids never go to libraries alone. All books checked out are on only one card, the parent's card who is present. They always make a point to ask if all the books, mine, the kids piles etc., are going on just the one card, as if there is something wrong with this .... and always go on to ask if we want separate cards for the kids ... and we always say no thanks .... we are so strange.... controlling everything are kids watch and read....so radical.

Our kids think it is freaky that some stranger, someone they don't know is questioning their parents authority, attempting to find a way for them to be able to do something that would be hidden from their parents.

Just another lesson for them, wolves, vultures, circling around them with candy, enticement, like the devil to Eve - "Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?"

[Question_Assumptions]

So you support hard core pornography being viewed in the presence of children? While you're at it, how many children do you have?

[Hong Kong Expat]

On a technical side, the problem with internet filters is it is only 50% effective. It can get the obvious stuff quite easy, playboy, penthouse, etc, but it won't be able to filter out the smaller blogs, websites and emails, which can be much, much worse than playboy, penthouse.

The other drawback is depending on your software, there will be a lot of false positives. For example, given the number of posts on homosexuality on Free Republic, this could cause a trigger to block it out as a gay porn site. Other sites dealing seriously with subjects such as date rape, drugs, breast cancer, teen violence, etc will also be blocked.

This bill does nothing to deter real threats against children and even worse it gives parents a false sense of security.

[Jeff Gordon]

So you support hard core pornography being viewed in the presence of children?

I suggest that you question your assumptions.

[weegee]

As much as the ALA has tried to push the Sex Positive agenda that there is no such thing as "age appropriate" (or inappropriate) materials, I did find this acknowledgement that the ALA is aware that libraries MAY still be found in violation of state laws by providing some materials to minors (as any newsstand would be):

ALA Intellectual Freedom Policies and the First Amendment

(Libraries in each state however, should check with their state statutes to see whether or what kind of obscenity or harmful to minors laws exist, and they should ask their attorneys whether such laws apply to the library).

Why should libraries be exempted from laws that apply to businesses and perverts in the park providing minors with Playboy?

Intellectual Freedom and Censorship Q & A

Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual (Note: Including Children) to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. It provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause or movement may be explored.

What About Protecting Children From Pornography, Whether Or Not It Is Legally Obscene?

The primary responsibility for rearing children rests with parents. If parents want to keep certain ideas or forms of expression away from their children, they must assume the responsibility for shielding those children. Governmental institutions cannot be expected to usurp or interfere with parental obligations and responsibilities when it comes to deciding what a child may read or view.

53.1 Library Bill of Rights

Denying minors access to certain library materials and services available to adults is a violation of the Library Bill of Rights. Librarians and governing bodies should maintain that parents--and only parents--have the right and the responsibility to restrict the access of their children--to library resources. Adopted 1972, amended 1981, 1992.
(See "Current Reference File": Free Access to Libraries for Minors: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights.)

[plan2succeed.org]

Sadly, Jeff, the ALA has a similar influence in public school libraries as well.