Idle hands are the devil's workshop, and some people in D.C. have way too much time on their hands. Columnist Linda Winer:
What's the matter, America? Worried about Iraq, Afghanistan, the Middle East, North Korea, terrorists at home and abroad, power blackouts, the sanctity of Alaskan wilderness, oil money, air quality at Ground Zero and the world, historic national deficits, unemployment, medicine for the elderly, AIDS in Africa and down the block, nukes, education, world trade, more hanging chads and the vagaries of the odd hurricane?
Hey, relax. Despite the distraction of such pesky irritations, you may rest assured that the government has not lost sight of the real threat to our country and our way of life.
I am speaking, of course, about the scourge of pornography.
No kidding. Although TV gets racier by the week and skin flicks can be rented in the best hotels, the Bush administration is launching a massive crackdown on porn. Late last month, John Ashcroft's Justice Department brought the nation's first case against pornographers under federal obscenity laws in a decade. Two movie producers from the porn capital, California's San Fernando Valley, were arrested Aug. 27 on 10 counts of producing and distributing obscene movies. Each man faces 50 years in prison and a $2.5-million fine.
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Oh, and leaders of 100 anti-porn groups have asked President George W. Bush to make a presidential proclamation, setting aside Oct. 26-Nov. 1 as Pornography Awareness Week. Bush did that sort of stuff when he was governor of Texas.
Which prompts Arthur Silber to write, 'I would have thought that "awareness" of pornography is exactly what these folks didn't want.'
Posted by Walter at September 23, 2003 08:15 AMI think "Pornography Awareness Week" is a great idea! It should be promoted throughout the media.
Great way to stimulate the economy. Bush could make an appearance at an adult film movie set and talk about the jobs that could be created in the adult business if more people were aware of pornography.
We could have special days for people to learn about different aspects of the industry -- strip clubs, adult videos, magazines, internet porn, etc.
Seriously, this whole Ashcroft justice department is out of control. He's been getting a free ride for too long.
Posted by: Pete Guither at September 23, 2003 07:12 PM