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I think one of the most powerful actions we can take is to generate conversations in our own communities about this. And the first thing we have to do is reframe the question.

The nihilists have trained us all to justify almost everything we do in terms of our children's welfare. Then the response is, well, it's up to you to see that your children don't see this: change the channel.

We're not talking about "the children." We're talking about our culture.

There has always been - and will always be - pornography, prostitution, violence and sleaze. The salient point is what level of regard they are accorded in society. In a civilized culture, you have to go to some effort to indulge in them. In a barbarian culture they are simply part of everyday life.

There was a time when, to see the sexual violence and perversion which is today common TV fare, you had to hoof on over to the red light district of town. Today this stuff is ubiquitous, and it is coarsening all of us. Today it is the decent, genteel person who has to make an extraordinary effort to find or create for himself a wholesome environment. That was the real message of the SuperBowl outrage. The barbarians have invaded our communities.

My husband and I have started conversations in our community - at the office, the gym, at church - and have been gratified by the kind of responses we've been getting. This stuff has been bothering a lot of people for a long time, but they have been intimidated into silence and acquiescence by the familiar charges of "censorship" or "prude" or "homophobic" or even simply "unsophisticated." Quite literally, I guess, we're living the story of the Emperor's New Clothes - as soon as one or two adults say Hey, this is unacceptable, others are willing - relieved, even - to voice agreement. And that's the first step toward taking action.

I think conversations like the ones we've been having here are happening all over the country. I think the barbarians finally awoke the sleeping giant. I think America is gathering its moral forces for a campaign against the cultural Al Qaeda. And, as usual, it will be us no-names out here in the trenches that will actually win this war.

My husband and I have started conversations in our community - at the office, the gym, at church - and have been gratified by the kind of responses we've been getting. This stuff has been bothering a lot of people for a long time, but they have been intimidated into silence and acquiescence by the familiar charges of "censorship" or "prude" or "homophobic" or even simply "unsophisticated." Quite literally, I guess, we're living the story of the Emperor's New Clothes - as soon as one or two adults say Hey, this is unacceptable, others are willing - relieved, even - to voice agreement. And that's the first step toward taking action. I think conversations like the ones we've been having here are happening all over the country. I think the barbarians finally awoke the sleeping giant. I think America is gathering its moral forces for a campaign against the cultural Al Qaeda. And, as usual, it will be us no-names out here in the trenches that will actually win this war.

That's a wonderful post. Thank you for those comments.