We Seriously Don't Need This

Okay so I'm reading the Post as I usually do in the morning and I found out that now the FBI, instead of looking for terrorists, stopping violent crime, stopping white collar crime, and thwarting espionage, is now going to be punishing those who engage in obscene acts. Basically they're going after pornography. Not that I'm an avid fan of this type of entertainment, but Real Sex on HBO is fun for the simple fact that you realize you're not a screwed up as you thought and that all people are different and that's okay. Also with this new FBI order handed down by Gonzalez anyone looking for a quick hook-up or "casual encounter" on craigslist is now subject to obscenity, and most likely sex offender charges in certain states (TX comes to mind).

What I found really entertaining were the specific things that the "Porn Squad" of the FBI is supposed to be looking for according to the Washington Post: "Based on a review of past successful cases in a variety of jurisdictions," the memo said, the best odds of conviction come with pornography that "includes bestiality, urination, defecation, as well as sadistic and masochistic behavior."
Okay so basically what this sounds like to me, is unless you're in the missionary position technically you could be engaging in obscene behavior. Granted S&M is regarded as invovling leather, latex, and toys by most people in my generation, but think about the 60 year old that will most likely be assigned to the porn squad. Their view of S&M or obscene behavior could include three-somes, or homosexual sex. Granted the Supreme Court has said anti-sodomy laws are Unconstitutional, but how long until that statute is stripped away?

This new Porn Squad isn't some crazy idea from the White House, although I wish I could say it was. This idea actually came from the Congress, the assholes we put into office, who apparently are also forgetting this cute little thing called freedom of speech and the press. I believe the Supreme Court has allowed Freedom of Speech to go into unspoken actions, as long as you're not hurting anyone else, or as long as you have someone's consent to do something that doesn't put their life in danger. Anyway here's the Congress idiocy regarding this:
"Congress began funding the obscenity initiative in fiscal 2005 and specified that the FBI must devote 10 agents to adult pornography. The bureau decided to create a dedicated squad only in the Washington Field Office. "All other field offices may investigate obscenity cases pursuant to this initiative if resources are available," the directive from headquarters said. "Field offices should not, however, divert resources from higher priority matters, such as public corruption.""The Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's top priority remains fighting the war on terrorism," said Justice Department press secretary Brian Roehrkasse. "However, it is not our sole priority. In fact, Congress has directed the department to focus on other priorities, such as obscenity."
At the FBI's field office, spokeswoman Debra Weierman expressed disappointment that some of her colleagues find grist for humor in the new campaign. "The adult obscenity squad . . . stems from an attorney general mandate, funded by Congress," she said. "The personnel assigned to this initiative take the responsibility of this assignment very seriously and are dedicated to the success of this program."

So basically Congress doesn't want non-normal sex on television, the internet, or in stores. Hmm, looks like there are going to be a LOT of Unhappy Staffers and well as certain Members I'm sure.

What I can't seem to grasp regarding this whole situation is why people see pornography in general as a bad thing. Yes, it can give some people ideas, but so can violent movies and I don't really see anyone creating an FBI unit to combat those. Furthermore, what goes one between two consenting adults is not the business of the federal government. Now there are exceptions, terrorism, espionage, you know the things the FBI should be focusing on. In addition to this fact, I can't think of one straight man I know that wouldn't like seeing Jenna Jameson in leather and stilettos carrying a whip. However, according to this new Congressional directive and FBI memo, Jenna is guilty of obscenity for wearing such an outfit and having sex in front of a camera. Several college and high school boys lives will never be the same if this law is strictly enforced.

Basically this division of the FBI is stupid. I could see it making sense if it was combating child pornography, but it's going after consenting adults and an industry that provides millions of dollars in tax revenue primarily to CA and NV. Primarily this law is an invasion of privacy at the most extreme level. Yes, these people may put themselves on camera for the world to see, but it is not the job of the government to legislate anyone's sex lives. When we begin to govern this, and make rules about how to populate the planet and gain enjoyment from our significant others, spouses, lovers, etc, our country is no better than the Inquisition nor governments of Islamic extremists. This is merely one more step down a slippery slope that leads to the complete destruction of the Bill of Rights.