Opinion: The debate over porn

[unhappycamper]

The debate over porn

Isn’t anyone else offended by Rep. Paul Broun’s implication that soldiers will become rapists upon seeing an exposed breast (Bill would boot Penthouse, Playboy out of exchanges,” Newslines, May 5)?

I admit, it’s better that someone who was, however minutely, affiliated with the military is introducing a bill of this kind, but aren’t there are more important concerns than whether or not soldiers can purchase Playboy?

I would be interested to see what statistics Rep. Broun, R-Ga., is using as the basis of his claims.

That said, isn’t this a case of curing a symptom instead of the disease? For example, “You can’t purchase Playboy, so now you’ll be a normal, well-adjusted individual.” Really?

I find Rep. Broun’s assertion — that since taxpayers pay our salary, taxpayer money is buying these items — laughable. It’s circular logic at its finest. It’s an overused cliché: “You owe me, because I pay your salary.”


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/community/opinion/army_opinion_porn_060208/

[DrDan]

1. it is truly amazing the hypocricy of today's repubs

they can argue the need for smaller government at the same time they introduce legislation to support their own view of morality.

And they can do both with a clear conscience.

If that is not enough - they introduce the logic that taxpayer dollars are providing a profit to Playboy and Penthouse through their sales to servicemen who are paid by the taxpayers.

Republicans are truly amazing.

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

2. Hypocrite Patrol!

I wonder what sort of *visual stimulus* Rep. Broun keeps between his mattress and box-spring . . .

Maybe salacious pictures of Ann Coulter or Barbara Bush . . .

[HawkerHurricane]

3. Someone call the ACLU...

Military Exchanges are stores run by the Federal Government for the troops. Part of the benefit is lower prices on goods. One of the arguements against selling porn (Playboy is porn?) is that it means the government is subsidizing porn.

The exchange also sells Bibles. The government is subsidizing religion, which is banned...

(not counting the fact that military chaplains have a budget specifically for the giving away of Bibles. Let's just talk about the ones they sell.)

[PetrusMonsFormicarum]

4. Gov't is in Porn Biz already!

More than ten years back, a local porn vidshop was among the Fed-confiscated property of a Portland/Seattle sleazebag busted on drug and tax fraud charges.

The store is still there, operating, in downtown Portland. It has never been sold by the Feds.