Va. Beach Police drop obscenity charges in Abercrombie & Fitch ads case

WVEC ^ | 2/5/2008 | By 13News

[driftdiver]

“I have seen far worse pics, then the one I took from the article, used by A & F.”

I agree, which is why my kids don’t buy clothes at this business.

[Michael.SF.]

I would support your response to the disapproval of the ads far more then arresting someone for "obscenity".

Let the market decide.

[driftdiver]

“I would support your response to the disapproval of the ads far more then arresting someone for “obscenity”.”

You have a good point but in essence the laws are meant to enforce the morals of the society. When it comes to sex the market rarely decides in a way thats good.

They are using kids to market sex to kids in a blatant fashion. I don’t think you can underestimate the impact this has on kids. It seems you agree this is what they are doing; how is this different then child porn? Soft core perhaps but still child porn.

[Michael.SF.]

In looking at the article, including the sample picture they showed, I felt that the picture indicated did not cross any lines. I drew an analogy to the Norman Rockwell painting of half naked boys participating in good natured hi jinx.

I would have to see better examples to really decide as to if they crossed the line, legally.

Morals are always difficult to legislate against, as we all have different moral levels and levels of tolerance for those who do not live up to certain moral standards.

I would rather the locals,who object to the ads, let their displeasure be heard through market methods, rather then legislating morals to a finite degree.

[aruanan]

Police confiscated the ads Saturday, saying they violated the city's obscenity law because some of the models were partially nude.

If any part of your body shows, you're "partially" nude.

[aruanan]

Sec. 22-31. Display of obscene materials at business establishments open to juveniles. It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly display for commercial purposes in a manner whereby juveniles may examine or peruse:

Here's how the public libraries are able to provide free access to online pornography to juveniles: they aren't doing it for "commercial" purposes.

[mountainbunny]

Thanks for the update. I went online and looked at the pictures. I found them tasteless, but not obscene.

People who think that those pictures are obscene should avoid the mall and forbid their children from shopping there.

It really is that simple. As the mother of teenagers, we do not shop there because I do not like their policies. The world as they know it has not ended for my kids.

Parents need to grow a backbone instead of expecting the police to do their work for them. And the police need to avoid the inclination to do the work of parents.