Family & Porn Groups Team Up To Kill Bill

When the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) lacked the fortitude to withstand the flurry of protestations against the proposed condemned the .xxx creation, terming it a "virtual red light district." In the same camp were conservative groups Focus on the Family and Family Research Council who felt creating a designated area for pornography would legitimize the trade, not finding it a bit ironic they were blocking measures intended to protect the family. Let's play a game. Let's pretend that psychiatric care legitimizes mental illness and eradicate special treatment and societal confinement. If we pretend insanity doesn't (or shouldn't) exist, maybe it will go away. At least we wouldn't have to deal with it, right? Meanwhile, Democratic Senators Mark Pryor of Arkansas and Max Baucus of Montana bill that not only creates the new domain, but also requires pornographic websites to relocate to this domain. In doing so, they've united the most unlikely of enemies: the Christian conservative Right and the Free Speech Coalition (an organization that represents the interests of pornographers). If the sky were ever falling, it's now. The Free Speech Coalition has argued that moving domains would place undue burdens on the multi-billion dollar a year industry, costing it in merchandizing and lost visitation. Spokesman Tom Hymes has proposed instead a .kids domain to address the issue of protecting children from viewing pornography. Hymes also promised a challenge to the constitutionality of the bill, reminding the legislature that pornography is protected speech. Hymes, whose special interest should preclude his argument, fails to acknowledge that the creation of such a domain shifts the burden from pornography producers (who've created the issue to start with) to those desperately hoping to shield their children from it. He also ignores that pornography is actively and tenaciously sought, and moving it will not deter its loyal following. Pornography has taken over a quarter of the total Internet, a prevalence that should remind everyone of its Have an opinion on the matter? Discuss at here.") Drag this to your Bookmarks. Add to document.write("Del.icio.us") Yahoo My Web