[eno_]

I wouldn't be "defending" simulated kiddie porn if there were not effects on areas outside of the sort of slimy people who like that stuff. The problem with laws against making pictures is that opressors use such laws to get at people they don't like: If you make a violent movie, you might get arrested and imprisoned for inciting violence; if you make a movie about how the Drug War causes police corruption, you might get arrested for inspiring people to vote for decriminalization. Actions against victims should be punished. Thoughts and expressions about those crimes, especially about things that are controversial, should be outside the reach of the law. Here is a very concrete example: It's insane that we criminalize beer consumption by 18 year-olds. They can fight and die in our military. They can go whoring in third world hell holes while on leave. But they can't buy a beer when they come home? But let's say there is a law against advocating criminality and immorality among the underage. Should I be arrested for "advocating underage drinking?"

[Frapster]

But let's say there is a law against advocating criminality and immorality among the underage. Should I be arrested for "advocating underage drinking?"

There have been times in world history when such laws existed. They were meant to shape thought as well as behavior. Even today we have laws on the books that are meant to shape thought as well as behavior. If I were a racist I cannot voice my prejudices because of hate crime laws and the litigious society in which we live. Is that a bad thing? No - is it hard to enforce. Absolutely. Don't get me wrong - I'm not for token laws (although we have plenty). But I am for our government taking as stand on what is RIGHT as opposed to what is WRONG and working to shape our lives in such a direction.

When I married my wife she thought I was a pretty good catch. Then she got to know me and my bad habits and she had a pretty rough time of it for a while there. She tried to change me and succeeded in some areas but failed miserably in others. At one point it was pretty rough but things got better. We learned to roll with the punches and take the good with the bad.

We have the same issue with government as far as I'm concerned. You take the good with the bad - do your best to fix what you can and do your best to not let what you can't get you down. The biggest thing we learned is that if we stood unwaivering on what is right as individuals the other would eventually come around if our position was truly just and defensible. I think we can do the same for and with our government as long as they are pursuing what is truly right and good.

It may be naieve but I think we can and should expect each other to be moral people even to the point of passing laws that legislate morality. Otherwise anything goes and we just continue to swirl down the drain. And I think the reality is that people are clearly interested in passing laws against thought. It's gonna happen and I think it's naieve to believe we can rise above such stuff. There's no neutral ground when it comes to right and wrong in this world. Those who think there is will end up getting trampled. Is that cynicle?