Posted on 04/14/2004 6:30:36 AM PDT by WKB
High court recently upheld ban; merchants decry restrictions
Pointing to an empty wall where sex toys were once displayed, the Adult Video and Bookstore clerk's voice rose.
"They about put us out of business," she said, declining to give her name. "How are they going to tell a man what to do in the privacy of his own home?"
Jackson police have ordered Adult Video and Bookstore, Terry Road Book Store and Heritage Video Inc. to remove their sex toys. The city is cracking down after the state Supreme Court last month upheld a state law that bans the sale of sex toys.
The law defines as illegal any device used primarily for stimulation of human genitalia. The fine is $500.
A Terry Road Book Store employee didn't want to discuss the crackdown.
"They said to take them down. I took them down," she said, declining to give her name.
Adult Video and Bookstore employees said they were outraged at restrictions on what they can and cannot sell. "I don't think it's right," one clerk said. "Sex is in every home in the world."
A co-worker agreed. "We don't push it on anybody."
Adam and Eve and ZJ Gifts LLC, the Memphis-based owner of Christal's chain of adult stores, sued the state of Mississippi in 2001, contending the state law thwarted the rights of customers to purchase adult toys.
Last month, the state Supreme Court ruled there is no fundamental right of access to buy sexual devices. Advertising of the sexual devices also is not protected by the right to free speech, the court ruled.
Doctors and psychologists, however, may prescribe sexual devices for their patients, the court said.
Jackson police hadn't enforced the law in a few years because it was on appeal, Jackson police Sgt. William Gladney said.
The ordinance divides Mississippians.
"I think it's a good law," said Paula Nevels, 50, of Vicksburg. "I think (sex toy use) leads to pornography and that leads to our children being exploited. I think a lot of it is perverted, anyway."
Calvin Miner, 27, of Jackson said he doesn't see what is the big deal.
"It really doesn't matter to me, but I don't think they should ban it," Miner said. "Everybody has their own preferences. It's your own choice."
People who own sex toys shouldn't worry, Gladney said. "We're not going into people's houses," he said.
But it is illegal to have sex toy parties where devices are sold from home, Gladney said.
The anti-smoking agenda was going nowhere until they came up with the second-hand smoke big lie. Secondly, smoking was never made illegal.
"You completely missed the PETA and Greenpeace points."
I did misread it. Nevertheless, those groups are attempting to sway public opinion and pass laws that favor their cause. Now, how is that different from what the pro-marijuana groups do, for example?
Which people believed, just like people believe without conclusive evidence that various things degrade society and cause indirect harm.
Secondly, smoking was never made illegal.
Just wait. It's already illegal in almost all public places in various states and towns. Next it'll be illegal for any parents to smoke because of the kids. Then they'll say it drives up the insurance cost for all of us (an argument used for drug and seatbelt laws) and declare smoking generally illegal. I think we'd all join in the betting pool that this is in the anti-smoking agenda.
Now, how is that different from what the pro-marijuana groups do, for example?
You have it backwards. Marijuana was perfectly legal until a certain holy roller named Anslinger went on a crusade against it, lying to Congress to get his law passed. He had the help of another holy man named William Randolph Hearst (slimeball owner of the media empire) who fabricated news stories to drum up unfounded public support. Pro-marijuana groups simply want to undo the previous unwarranted government intrusion based on lies, racism and personal desires to stamp out what is not liked.
Somewhat pregnant. Legal with restrictions is not illegal.
"certain holy roller named Anslinger went on a crusade against it, lying to Congress"
Oh geez, not this $hit again. When was that, in the 30's for crying out loud? Get over it. You're as bad as the democRATS and their "Al Gore is really the President".
In the year 1970, Congress passed the Controlled Substances Act with findings. With some minor modifications, THAT is the law under which we're operating.
Screw Anslinger and the horse he rode in on. He is a non-issue.
Wait, your ox will soon be gored too.
When was that, in the 30's for crying out loud? Get over it.
No, I won't. I'm sure "When was that, 1917?" wasn't too comforting to a peasant in the USSR with dreams of freedom.
In the year 1970, Congress passed the Controlled Substances Act with findings.
Which was yet another encroachment on our rights by big government nanny state, passed on the groundwork laid by Anslinger.
Either you support the big government nanny state, or you don't. Don't play moral relativism of being for certain aspects of the nanny state and against others.
....said Paula, dusting off her never-used private region.
The fact you know about this scares me.
The fact you put a winky-smiley-face behind it terrifies me utterly.
No more cucumbers?
The Medicinal Anal Intruders would be a good name for a band.
Which leads to human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together ... mass hysteria!
Wotta maroon.
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