Alabama sex toy ban unconstitutional

ABA Journal ^ | 10/25/02 | Hudson, David L.

[Viva Le Dissention]

I didn't see this anywhere else, and I'm sure it will ruffle a feather or two, which I always love to do.

PS - B.J. Bailey? You can't make this stuff up...

[unclesam1]

I think it is appalling that the courts place a higher value on the rights of perverts than the unborn!

[RikaStrom]

I thought I remembered seeing this before.

Posted on 10/11/02.

Alabama ban on sex toys is struck down as unconstitutional

There are quite a few.... interesting ..... posts.

[billybudd]

"The courts" don't give us rights. People have an inherent right to privacy. Why is it any of your business how people conduct their private sexual life?

[Diddle E. Squat]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/776737/posts?page=1,50

[Viva Le Dissention]

Nice catch, you two. I'll do my homework more carefully next time.

I'll let the powers that be remain the powers that be and they can decide what to do with this.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Oops, I don't think you actually clicked on my link. A bit tangential.

[reg45]

Actually, this story was already posted weeks ago.

[lavaroise]

I think it is appalling that the courts place a higher value on the rights of perverts than the unborn!

THere is indeed a limit to freedoms of expressions and consumptions. THat is why one cannot manufacture fake currency nor consume drugs. THis Supreme court is also medling with states rights big time there. THere is no coercion involved in the Alabama law as there was for slavery. Where is this country heading? Is the sex business that important? Gees.

[JackOfVA]

Let's see now ... It's unconstitutional for Alabama to ban sex toys, on a privacy argument, although privacy is not explicitly spelled out anywhere in the Constitution and had to be found by the Supreme Court in "penumbras and eminations" from the Constitution. But, it's perfectly constitutional for California and other states to ban certain types of firearms, despite clear and explicit provisions of the Second Amendment to the contrary.

What am I missing here?

Jack

[unclesam1]

You are right here. The government seems to only care about sickos and not normal people.

[unclesam1]

Looking at our society and the weak morals that are present. That is connected to the fact that "sex toys" and other demented activities are so prevelant.

[fourdeuce82d]

"sex toys" and other demented activities

Ah hurd that them folks uses they mouffs fer sekshul activities...

[unclesam1]

What are you saying?

[Viva Le Dissention]

Heh. You know, I had a debate the other day with a friend of mine:

Who do you think would sell the most issues of Playboy? Anna or Britney?

[billybudd]

Ok, I'm not sure how that impacts the fact that people have a right to their own property and it's not up to the government to tell people what they can and can't own. Beyond that though, weak morals are not caused by sex toys. These are merely physical objects which are the expression of weak morals. Weak morals are the cause, not the effect. This is assuming, of course, that there is something immoral about sex toys, which I'm not sure everyone would agree about. I don't think it's mentioned in the Bible, but I could be wrong.

[Bernard]

Based on the title, I was expecting a picture or description of what an "Alabama Sex Toy" looks like. Is that a good name for a rock band?

[billybudd]

privacy is not explicitly spelled out anywhere in the Constitution

Amendment 4:
"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated..."

I'd say that's pretty explicit. The practical application of this principle is that the government can't come into your house and take your "sex toys" away because they find them offensive. But if you don't believe privacy should be protected, would you be ok with the government deciding to take away some other "offensive" material from your home? Like guns, or maybe offensive conservative publications that preach "hate"? Hmmm...?

[unclesam1]

It is sexual gratification outside of marriage. It is fornication!