NE2: Pornography Liberalization Act (Law)

[cinyc]

Pornography Liberalization Act

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Sponsor: Representative Deus naturae

Debate on this bill shall remain open for 72 hours, or until around 10:45PM on March 20, unless modified or extended.  The sponsor, Rep. Deus, is encouraged to speak on behalf of the bill within the next 36 hours.  If he does not, the bill will be tabled, as there is other legislation pending in the proposed legislation thread.

The floor is open for debate.

[Deus Naturae]

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The current version of the Pornography and Age of Consent Act of 2010 prohibits <14-year olds from purchasing pornography. That's just silly. Let's amend the law to allow <14-year olds to buy porn.

[Napoleon]

I'm a little nauseous at the prospect of an eight year old walking into a porno shop...

[sentinel]

"Pokemon cards. No sir, I want to see those titties in this weeks Playboy"

[Napoleon]

That said, restrictions on viewing or posessing pron are pretty pointless.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

I'm a little nauseous at the prospect of an eight year old walking into a porno shop...

I think he'd either be confused or bored.

I accidentally happened upon a magazine back when I was about four (was looking for an X-Men comic), and I don't think it had any effects on me. I just didn't know what to make of it at the time.

[Napoleon]

I'm a little nauseous at the prospect of an eight year old walking into a porno shop...

I think he'd either be confused or bored.

I accidentally happened upon a magazine back when I was about four (was looking for an X-Men comic), and I don't think it had any effects on me. I just didn't know what to make of it at the time.

Are you sure it didn't cause you to enjoy a drink and support destroying traditional family values?!?! 0_o

[cinyc]

I oppose this bill.  I'm sure the parents of those 8- and 12-year-olds buying pornography would prefer that they couldn't.  I see nothing good in hypersexualizing prepubescent children.

[Napoleon]

I oppose this bill.  I'm sure the parents of those 8- and 12-year-olds buying pornography would prefer that they couldn't.  I see nothing good in hypersexualizing prepubescent children.

What about viewing and posessing? Obviously the kids these days have the interwebz- the current law is probably not enforced anyway.

[Deus Naturae]

The law is also pretty useless because it has no penalty for violators. Any attempt to implement a penalty would be unenforceable and highly disproportionate to the "offense."

Cinyc, I understand your concerns about sexualizing children, but I honestly feel like there are some kids who have begun the process of puberty by age 13 (I actually knew some kids who had definitely started that process by age 12) and for whom pornography in moderation may not necessarily be a bad thing. On the other hand, there are definitely some kids whose sexual development is not best served by viewing pornography. However, criminalizing their behavior is far from an ideal solution.

Also, I am introducing an amendment to change the title of this bill to the "Pornography Liberalization Act." The original title was supposed to be funny, but I see how it could unnerve or upset Northeastern parents.

[cinyc]

The law is also pretty useless because it has no penalty for violators. Any attempt to implement a penalty would be unenforceable and highly disproportionate to the "offense."

Cinyc, I understand your concerns about sexualizing children, but I honestly feel like there are some kids who have begun the process of puberty by age 13 (I actually knew some kids who had definitely started that process by age 12) and for whom pornography in moderation may not necessarily be a bad thing. On the other hand, there are definitely some kids whose sexual development is not best served by viewing pornography. However, criminalizing their behavior is far from an ideal solution.

Also, I am introducing an amendment to change the title of this bill to the "Pornography Liberalization Act." The original title was supposed to be funny, but I see how it could unnerve or upset Northeastern parents.

I changed the title.

1) The Bow Chick a Bow Wow Act is a federal law.  I'm not sure that we could legally deviate from it if we wanted to.

2) Who says the 13-year-old will go to jail if they violate the law?  The law is silent on that. 

3) I really don't see why it shouldn't be illegal to sell pornography to 13-year-olds or younger.  Again, most parents don't want their 8- or 12-year-old children to buy or view porn.   It's no different than not letting 16-year-olds into R-rated movies without a parent or adult guardian for similar reasons.  In the unlikely event that a parent wants their kid to view pornography, they can always buy it for them and let them see it in their own house.

[Deus Naturae]

The Bow Chicka Bow Wow Act states that, "all individuals 14 years of age or older shall have the right to buy, possess, and view pornography depicting only persons of 18 years of age or older." It says nothing about individuals younger than 14.

What's the point of a law with no penalty?

[sentinel]

The Bow Chicka Bow Wow Act states that, "all individuals 14 years of age or older shall have the right to buy, possess, and view pornography depicting only persons of 18 years of age or older." It says nothing about individuals younger than 14.

What's the point of a law with no penalty?
I

The point of a law with no penalty is to ensure people that something is in fact legal or illegal and not leave it open to the courts.

[Napoleon]

The Bow Chicka Bow Wow Act states that, "all individuals 14 years of age or older shall have the right to buy, possess, and view pornography depicting only persons of 18 years of age or older." It says nothing about individuals younger than 14.

What's the point of a law with no penalty?
I

The point of a law with no penalty is to ensure people that something is in fact legal or illegal and not leave it open to the courts.

What good is being illegal with no penalty?

[sentinel]

The Bow Chicka Bow Wow Act states that, "all individuals 14 years of age or older shall have the right to buy, possess, and view pornography depicting only persons of 18 years of age or older." It says nothing about individuals younger than 14.

What's the point of a law with no penalty?
I

I was referring to legalization really.

The point of a law with no penalty is to ensure people that something is in fact legal or illegal and not leave it open to the courts.

What good is being illegal with no penalty?

[SWE]

I'm going to support this bill. Porn bans are unenforceable and serve no real purpose. Besides, it's the responsibility of the parents, not the government, to make sure their kids aren't looking at anything they shouldn't.

[cinyc]

Sorry.  I forgot about closing debate at 10:45.   Debate is closed now.  Seeing no amendments, we will vote on the bill as drafted:

Pornography Liberalization Act

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This vote will remain open for the earlier of 48 hours or when all Representatives have voted.

[cinyc]

Nay

[Deus Naturae]

Aye

[SWE]

Aye

[sentinel]

NAY.


A pornography liberalization bill should not deal with violent crimes.

[Napoleon]

NAY.


A pornography liberalization bill should not deal with violent crimes.

That's already in the current law.

[Napoleon]

Aye

[cinyc]

By a 3-2 vote, the bill passes and goes to the governor's desk for his signature or veto.

[cinyc]

The governor has signed the bill into law.