We need to stop pornography, now

Denver Catholic Register ^ | March 21st, 2007 | Archbishop Charles Chaput

[ArrogantBustard]

I think you erred when you thought that simply accusing everyone who disgarees with you of being a "pornographer or pornography user" was actually an argument.

But I did not do that. Read what I wrote. I meant what I said, and said what I meant. You would be well advised NOT to assign any meaning to what I wrote which is not in that writing.

[tacticalogic]

But I did not do that. Read what I wrote. I meant what I said, and said what I meant. You would be well advised NOT to assign any meaning to what I wrote which is not in that writing.

I believe the comment "Thanks for proving my point" is plain enough in the context of the post it was in response to.

[ArrogantBustard]

That individual is welcome to explain himself if he wishes.

Meantime, I have seen almost no actual disagreement with the substance of article ... merely crude remarks and ad hominem "arguments". That certainly qualifies as having one's knickers in a twist.

[ArrogantBustard]

Thanks for the vote of confidence.

[tacticalogic]

Meantime, I have seen almost no actual disagreement with the substance of article ... merely crude remarks and ad hominem "arguments". That certainly qualifies as having one's knickers in a twist.

For it to prove your point "one" must be either a pornographer or a pornography user, correct?

[ArrogantBustard]

For it to prove your point "one" must be either a pornographer or a pornography user, correct?

And #34 appears to me to be an admission of just that. Case closed.

[tacticalogic]

And #34 appears to me to be an admission of just that. Case closed.

In that case what do we need to involve the government for? Your opinion is obviously the only one that counts. Let's just give 'em your phone number and they can go right to the source.

[trisham]

Asking a priest for relationship or sexual advice is like asking your dog for help with your differential equations homework

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Have you ever asked a priest for relationship or sexual advice? I haven't, but it's not the kind of thing I am likely to do, being the shy and retiring type.

[Clemenza]

I symphathize with the good Archbishop's plight and agree that we must do what we can to limit children's access to porn (VERY difficult in the internet age). That being said, as long as there are lonely men (and all men are lonely sometimes), there will be pornography, prostitution, etc.

[ArrogantBustard]

In that case what do we need to involve the government for?

When did I suggest government involvement? (Hint: I didn't. Ever.) I think social persuasion is much more likely to persuade folks not to wank over airbrushed pictures.

Your opinion is obviously the only one that counts.

Sadly, the gub'mint never listens to me ... Somehow, I will manage to get over the heartbreak.

[tacticalogic]

I symphathize with the good Archbishop's plight and agree that we must do what we can to limit children's access to porn (VERY difficult in the internet age).

He was good right up to the point where he wanted it regulated "like toxic waste". We need a federal porn bureaucracy like we need a hole in the head.

[tacticalogic]

When did I suggest government involvement? (Hint: I didn't. Ever.) I think social persuasion is much more likely to persuade folks not to wank over airbrushed pictures.

The good Archbishop does, and you seem quite in agreement with his views.

[ArrogantBustard]

Yeah, I'd say that he was good right up to the point where he wanted it regulated "like toxic waste".

Hmmm ... somebody else said that, too.

I wonder who that could be?

[tacticalogic]

I wonder who that could be?

I don't know, but apparently they have their knickers in a twist about it.

[livius]

You're talking about apples and oranges.

Prohibition was the prohibiting of a permitted substance and one which, furthermore, had a long and positive history in human culture. That said, if you know anything about the 19th/early 20th century, it had obviously become a problem in the unrooted US culture of the time, so I can't say that Prohibition was necessarily a bad idea at the time. But it was unworkable, simply because there is nothing wrong with a bit of moderate consumption of alcohol and this has been part of human culture since the dawn of time.

On the other hand, pornography was never acceptable in the US, and has never been completely acceptable anywhere else (which is why even early 20th century French dirty old men had "secret" collections in their dresser drawers when they died!). Beautiful images of beautiful people are one thing; pictures of people doing disgusting things with animals, being tied up and beaten, or torturing children are an entirely different matter.

If the Archbishop gets his wish, everybody in the US and the world is going to have to ask themselves (a) exactly what are they watching and why are they watching it? and (b) is that the kind of person they want to be? Questions that need to be asked, IMHO.

[ArrogantBustard]

In particular, this: "pornography poisons the human heart, imagination and soul just as those steel mills once poisoned our air and water, only worse" is right on target.

What's interesting is that Lake Erie was cleaned up by Zebra Mussels. Seriously. I'm sure there's a message in there somehow ...

[trisham]

What's interesting is that Lake Erie was cleaned up by Zebra Mussels. Seriously. I'm sure there's a message in there somehow ...

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Interesting. Yet aren't zebra mussels considered a serious pest?

[tacticalogic]

In particular, this: "pornography poisons the human heart, imagination and soul just as those steel mills once poisoned our air and water, only worse" is right on target. What's interesting is that Lake Erie was cleaned up by Zebra Mussels. Seriously. I'm sure there's a message in there somehow ...

If it was cleaned up by some mussels, it appears the message is that the problem was not nearly as apocalyptic as it was made out to be.

[ArrogantBustard]

Yet aren't zebra mussels considered a serious pest?

Yep ... the little buggers breed like nobody's business, and being nonnative, nothing here eats them. They clog water intakes, cover boat hulls, and in some areas they actually filter the water too much, leaving no nutrients for native species. There are workarounds for some of this, but they're a mixed blessing. Or a mixed curse. I suppose it's a matter of perspective.

[trisham]

Apparently they make the water too clean for native species. How bizarre.