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Hey folks.
Here's some stuff I've been pondering the last few days. Wanted to share it here because I'd like to hear your thoughts on it. As a type of disclaimer, this stuff will mainly have to do with those of us living in the US. Oh yeah, and as another disclaimer, I've been in a 'people are no damn good' mood lately so that may have some influence on the way I'm thinking. But again, that is the reason I'm soliciting opinions here.
Soooooo ....
The other day I followed the link from AdultNewsLine to the ACLU site that focused on the Gov't passing funds through religious groups (of their choice) for whatever reason they manage to come up with. Then I watch how Bush has America breaking the international agreements having to do with global warming. I see how our 'leaders' are pushing to keep 'soft money' contributions (read: legal bribes) and I'm putting all this together. I'm not a political animal for reasons I've mentioned before, but still, some of the actions since Bush took (literally) office have me thinking that here's a man that don't give a rat's ass what the people think. He's got an agenda (most of which I suspect was bought and paid for by big business) and he feels that he can do what he damn well pleases. Not a good attitude for any leader, IMO.
Then I got in the latest issue of PlayboyTM and read 'The Playboy Forum' about how the republicans and the religious right gear up for a war on porn. Several things in that article bugged me.
The first thing that jumped out at me was Playboy, who's SUPPOSED to be sensitive about these things, mixed 'kiddie porn' and 'children's access to porn' in the same sentence as if they were the same thing. That's bad news. These two issues are both sensitive ones that folks get real emotional over but they are NOT the same thing nor are the solutions to one meant to address the other. I'd encourage us all to start stressing that whenever the occasion arises. You may not think so now but IMO, it's important.
Overall, the article is pretty good. It mentioned how the religious right helped win Bush key states and it didn't cost him anything to give them the pornography issue. Personally, I think he leans that way without much coaxing as the article also gave a quote from one of his fundraising letters where he states, "Pornography has no place in a decent society." Hmmm .. guess things like freedom of choice and freedom of speech don't weigh much with him and his fundie background.
The scary part is who gets to define decent? The way it stands, the religious right and the (paid for) politicians do and what they're defining, in my mind, has little to do with how the public really thinks. I recall that history had another time when the religious right wing got to set the standards and the leaders backed them up 100% and anyone who didn't like it was a criminal. They called it the Dark Ages.
Ok, so now I'm mulling all this over and thinking what I can do as an individual and a webmaster. The first thought was of reverting to the revolutionary ways of my youth. But see, I'm getting too old to fight crusades. But still, I feel if I do nothing, I have no right to complain. Then it came to me that as a webmaster, I have the (limited) attention of thousands of folks a day. We all do (some more than others) Now suppose, just suppose, I raised the ante on the politicians? Maybe if I don't do nothing else, I can help raise public awareness to what the politicians are doing? Would it help? Would it hurt? What if a lot of webmasters started doing it?
Now I don't know about you but the last thing I want is yet another self appointed 'industry leader' to set up some program, campaign or group to raise public awareness. I've watched a number of those make false starts and for whatever reason, they don't seem to work. I guess what I'm thinking is that rather than playing the game by the politicians rules where we are just one more special interest group lining their pockets that we, as INDIVIDUAL SITE OWNERS each do what we can, where we can, to raise public awareness (read surfer awareness) to what impact the BS in Washington will have on their ability to access smut. Something along the line of one page on one of your own sites that gives your personal take on the issues and maybe a few links to places (like ACLU) where they can learn more.
anyhoo ... this is what I've been pondering. Your comments or opinions are welcomed.
be well
- Khan
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