Posted on 01/30/2007 9:01:41 AM PST by plan2succeed.org
Sacramento Officials Refuse to Ban Online Porn in Libraries
At a public hearing late Thursday, parents and students pled with the Sacramento Public Library Authority Board (SPLA Board) to protect kids from the dangers of allowing pedophiles and other sex addicts to view online porn in libraries. One student related a personal experience of trying to conduct research while sitting next to someone viewing online porn. A number of library systems in California and throughout the nation prohibit the viewing of online porn in their facilities. However, Sacramento libraries allow adults to request that filtering software be turned off for any reason, including the viewing of porn. As a result, librarians note that libraries free internet access is being increasingly used to access pornography, even with children nearby.
Pacific Justice Institute urged the SPLA Board to heed the parents and students pleas. PJI Staff Attorney Matthew McReynolds wrote to the Board and spoke at the public hearing, explaining that recent Supreme Court precedent clearly allows public libraries to ban porn. Attorney McReynolds also cited recent investigative reports in Chicago, which have revealed a high incidence of sex crimes taking place in libraries which refuse to ban online porn. On the flip side, the Board also heard from a local constitutional law professor and a lawyer claiming affiliation with the ACLU, both of whom argued generally that the First Amendment protects porn but did not explain why it must be taxpayer subsidized.
In the end, a majority of the SPLA Board voted to continue allowing library patrons to view online porn. The SPLA Board is comprised of the five Sacramento County Supervisors and four members of the Sacramento City Council, some of whom designate alternates to attend the meetings. Only three Board members--Supervisor Don Nottoli; Ted Wolter, alternate for Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan; and Lisa Schmidt, alternate for Supervisor Susan Peters, sided with the families at the public hearing by supporting a ban on porn.
Poll Question: Please visit our website, www.pacificjustice.org, to give us your opinion: Should taxpayer-funded public libraries provide access to online pornography?
__________________________________________________________________________________________
The Pacific Justice Institute is a non-profit 501(c)(3) legal defense organization specializing in the defense of religious freedom, parental rights, and other civil liberties.
P.O. Box 276600
Sacramento, CA 95827-6600
Phone: (916) 857-6900
Fax (916) 857-6902
Internet: www.pacificjustice.org
I sure all parents want their children and teenage daughters to be at public libraries where pedophiles and sex addicts are getting "charged up" viewing online porn.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
To the library, Dad.
Okay, good boy. Study real hard, now........
Besides, it gives the officials a place to go to view porn so that it doesn't show up on their Government computers.
Just did, though it looks like defenders of the first amendment are losing. Giving the targeted nature of the site and the classic double speak in their about us page though it does not surprise me.
Figures.
This town is such a... gah. Hate it.
This is the difference between Georgia and California. Georgia runs the filters in our library and very little porn gets through. We have banned people for porn in our libraries.
Yes, I understand all libraries in Georgia are fully filtered and CIPA compliant. Further, a state CIPA was recently passed with zero dissenting votes, then signed into law. Despite what the ALA says, this is working just fine. Am I right?
..Sacto, The Bay Area, and Lost Angeles County control California politically...
My reply to people who feel they have a constitutional right to view porn in a public library is the same as my reply to those who play porn DVDs in public view in their cars -- keep it at home.
Everyone knows why people view porn -- it's to do research on sexuality, right? It's to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the human boday, right? It has nothing at all to do with getting revved up, right? Of course not. (/sarc) If people want to get revved up, they don't have to ask my permission. But they'd better damn well not do it in the public library in the presence of my kids. Or in my presence, for that matter.
It's interesting how what, not too many years ago, was relegated to use by the "raincoat crowd" in shadowy areas of cities, is now gussied up and has its place right there in the library alongside Shakespeare and the Bible and "Highlights for Children" and "Curious George."
Maybe it's just me -- but this is not exactly evidence of societal progress.
Meanwhile the IDIOTS in the Ca state gov want to outlaw spanking.
Maybe they will filter out the spanking web sites!
"My reply to people who feel they have a constitutional right to view porn in a public library is the same as my reply to those who play porn DVDs in public view in their cars -- keep it at home."
Doggone. That's the same way I feel about people who think they have a constitutional right to have their religious beliefs taught in public school science classes or their religion be a part of the government we all live under. Please, please keep it at church or at home. Thank you.
It's for the children, doncha know!!
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