|
Author: Don One Article source: http://freezinesite.com/. Used with author's permission.
Again, good porn regulation vs. bad porn regulation...
Senator Blanche Lincoln, a democrat from Arkansas, plans to propose legislation that would - among other things - tax all sales stemming from adult sites at an additional 25% (at http://www.ynot.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=news_article&sid=9597). As much as I'd like to say that the proposed bill is totally unconstitutional (showing preferential treatment against one form of Free Speech versus another) and would never go through, the way court decisions are going against the adult industry lately, it wouldn't surprise me if it did.
The first part of the bill would call for more stringent age-verification requirements before accessing adult website material. The additional 25% taxation constitutes Title II (the second part) of the bill. Evidently, the tax-generated revenue would be used for funding such activities as (not surprisingly) keeping kids away from porn in the future; which is in keeping with the spirit of Title I of the bill.
If this bill were to become law, it would be like all car insurance companies across the country raising your premiums and that of everyone solely in your demographic (whether you define yourself according to your race, gender, creed, sexual orientation, religion, or color) so that they could build safer cars in the future; vehicles that were less likely to wind up in car accidents. All of this because several people whom you can identify with on some level, have caused accidents in the past. Call it cutting "high-risk" profiles off at the knees.
Senator Lincoln is purported to have drawn the bill in the name of being a good parent, and not as a politician. But her political career cannot be totally taken out of the equation insofar as her motives are concerned, and here's why. Parents of both sexes are busier now than it seems at anytime in history. I think it would be safe to say that Congressional members don't have a lot of leisure time on their hands. On top of that (and I will throw her a bone here), the internet is an incredibly difficult realm to police. On some level it would make sense to invest money where time is at a premium.
In other words, while the busy parent should always find time to monitor his or her child's activities (whether in real time or in cyberspace), a much more cost-effective program (in terms of time and money) that would help the parent do that is always welcome. But not a program that does so wrongfully on the law abider's dime.
As much as the need exists to keep minors away from porn, we don't need to rob Peter (and Andrew too, mind you) to pay Paul. In effect, the bill punishes both the legitimate adult businessman AND the porn consumer, who is only exercising his First Amendment rights, in its efforts to do the right thing. Four, five, or six percent seems like a surcharge meant to combat illicit activities. Twenty-five percent, on the other hand, sounds like disciplinary action to me; against folks who have not broken the law. And in the end, the bill just has the earmarks of the crusade to slowly grind down the adult industry at all costs.
If you really want to see law, punishment, and pornography shielding done right, examine Senator Hillary Clinton's proposed bill (http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/3267154). Fining unethical video game retailers who attempt to sell underage children adult-rated and mature-rated games actually makes sense. It rightfully places blame and due burden on guilty parties.
Now, if a kid is bound and determined to play a banned game (and isn't prohibiton just the way to generate juvenile interest?), he'll somehow get his hands on the game. However, he doesn't have to be handed inappropriate material on a silver platter; along with a receipt, a "Come Again" card, and a gaming pamphlet all in one nylon shortbag.
Incidentally, as of the time that this article was being written, the Federal Trade Commission has taken 7 adult companies to court for unlawful marketing practices: not labeling sexually-laden content e-mail (speaking of Title I of the afore-mentioned legislative proposal) prior to dispersal. That is how you keep porn from minors.
I'm not saying by any stretch of the imagination that we, as a society, shouldn't do as much as we can to protect the underage. But you can only do so much in the name of prevention. Anything much more than that is at the cost of a pound of First Amendment flesh, and is not equal to the pound of cure it was originally intended to be. The author is affiliated with http://www.sex-toys-videos.com, and writes regular porn and sex toy articles for his blog page.
Dont be a Dork – Protect Yourself
A Professional Virtual Assistant discusses ways to protect your identity.
Press Release, An Alternative For Paid Advertisement. Step 1
What's a press release? This is generally a one page story about your business, your product/service or an event happening related to your business that is abou...
Ten Tips to Ward Off Stress at the Office
According to a recent article in Newsweek magazine, 60-90 percent of all doctor visits are for stress-related illnesses. Stress affects us all and it is especia...
Envisioning Your Ideal Self
Envisioning Your Ideal Self In my work as a professional coach, I've had the opportunity to interact with hundreds of individuals. I've found that people who a...
Media Training: Why Nobodys Listening to You
Many spokespeople approach media interviews the same way they would a major speech. They think at length about what they want to say, jot down a few notes, and ...
Affiliate Marketing Basics: The Associate Program at Work
In this technology driven society, it appears that everyone is connected to the World Wide Web. In addition, a greater number of individuals are creating web si...
Hiring Tip -- Picking The Best Candidates
I often hear leaders from all types of organizations ask questions about hiring the right person. Their questions usually sound like these:
Loose 10 Pounds by Drinking Water?
Drink plenty of water. Our body needs a lot of water so give in to water. Water is not just way to flush out toxin but if you have more water in your body you w...
What if We Send Microbes to Terra to Form Another Planet?
How would you go about terra forming another planet? Well you could send microbes to start organic life. Of course it will take 4 billion years to do it judging...
Myths About Starting Your Own Small Business
Many people decide to start their own business because they think it is a great alternative to having to work for someone else. Some even think it is the next s...
Planning Your Second Wedding
So you have decided to tie the knot for a second time. Take a deep breath and let the wedding plans begin! Planning a second wedding can oftentimes be more diff...
Exercise The Right Way - The Leg Press
It is crucial that beginning bodybuilders are shown how to perform the core exercises correctly. This article provides step by step instructions for the Leg Pre...
Breakfast and Weight Loss
Some people think that skipping breakfast will help them lose weight. It won't. Studies show a direct link between breakfast and successful weight loss, and tha...
Ten Top Ways for Managers to Motivate Their People
Motivating people is a sure way to get the best from them - yet it is not something for a to-do list. Motivation comes from consistent cultural shifts from wit...
Revolutionary Lancet Device for Diabetic Glucose Testing
Finally, Accu-check developed a new lancing device where you just load a six-lancet drum into the lancing device.
How to Listen to Your Teenager Without Appearing to Have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
In one of the Family Circus cartoon strips, the little girl looks up at her father, who is reading the newspaper, and says, "Daddy, you have to listen with your...
Home Based Business on the Internet
There is such a sense of satisfaction that comes with being self employed and working from the comfort of my own home in Home Based Business. Many say they work...
Walking for Fat Loss?
With obesity and disease increasing dramatically, many fitness experts are recommending walking for weight loss and fitness. Some are even going so far as sayin...
An Introduction to Hydro Energy.
An introduction to hydro energy.
Decorate for Thanksgiving
I am thinking about sticking with the umbers I see outside this time of year (November). I already bought my border for the kitchen at a B&B we went to a couple...
A Simple Guide to Analyzing All Those Web Traffic Ideas - Part 2
Here are a few little hints that might let you know, in advance, that the "special report" or "secret information" you are being offered to "build" your website...
Parrot Jewelry: Colorful, Exotic, Fun!
Parrot jewelry is the mark of a bird-lover, someone who likes freedom and the sight of creatures exercising that freedom across the open skies. It is also the m...
The $20 Billion Question
You may not have noticed this trend over the last few years, but printing your images at the local Wal-Mart, CostCo, or other major retail chain store, is becom...
Mastering Challenging Service Situations
Superior customer service is one of the most difficult deliverables facing the business world today. Why? Because employees do not take service personally and...
|
Print this page