Porn Filter Software Violates Free Speech...

[TropixxxStudios]

Ok, so maybe I am going to take the unpopular stand here...but as a taxpayer I am a little pissed.

The other day I was at the Public Library (of which I am a property tax paying supporter.) and I wanted to see if they had filters on their computers. Which they did.

I asked if they could turn the filters off so I could do some research, and they told me no.

My argument is this:

1. Tax Paying adults should have the right to view material they choose.

2. The library should be the LAST place on earth where they make decisions about what someone can read. (Aren't they the ones that are up in arms over banned books?)

3. If you are going to put blocking software on the internet, you should put locking covers on all adult magazines that can only be opened by adults. Aftering being told I could not remove the software from the computer, the clerk was able to get me this months playboy from the magazine section. Go figure.

Your thoughts?

[XXXWriterDude]

Ok, so maybe I am going to take the unpopular stand here...but as a taxpayer I am a little pissed.

The other day I was at the Public Library (of which I am a property tax paying supporter.) and I wanted to see if they had filters on their computers. Which they did.

I asked if they could turn the filters off so I could do some research, and they told me no.

My argument is this:

1. Tax Paying adults should have the right to view material they choose.

2. The library should be the LAST place on earth where they make decisions about what someone can read. (Aren't they the ones that are up in arms over banned books?)

3. If you are going to put blocking software on the internet, you should put locking covers on all adult magazines that can only be opened by adults. Aftering being told I could not remove the software from the computer, the clerk was able to get me this months playboy from the magazine section. Go figure.

Your thoughts?

They should have adults-only computers without the filtering software installed so that adults can use them, but I definitely think it's in the best in interests of the children--not to mention the library--to have filtering software installed on any computers that children might have access to.

[TropixxxStudios]

They should have adults-only computers without the filtering software installed so that adults can use them, but I definitely think it's in the best in interests of the children--not to mention the library--to have filtering software installed on any computers that children might have access to.

I suppose you could argue that. But maybe the parents should just do their job.

[Lee]

Wasnt there some big lawsuit going on about this last year?

I seem to recall reading somewhere that there were several legal challenges going on.

Regards,

Lee

[Xstr8guy]

Aftering being told I could not remove the software from the computer, the clerk was able to get me this months playboy from the magazine section. Go figure.

Public libraries have pornography?! Why didn't I know about this sooner?! Lol. Do they have Honcho and Inches too?

[TropixxxStudios]

Public libraries have pornography?! Why didn't I know about this sooner?! Lol. Do they have Honcho and Inches too?

LOL...I think they only carry Playboy for the articles.

[Xstr8guy]

LOL...I think they only carry Playboy for the articles.

Is there any other reasons to look at Playboy except for the articles?

[Matt 26z]

I suppose you could argue that. But maybe the parents should just do their job.

I've always thought putting the sole blame on parents was a bullshit argument. It's a two way street, and 95% of this industry doesn't want to play along.

[TropixxxStudios]

I've always thought putting the sole blame on parents was a bullshit argument. It's a two way street, and 95% of this industry doesn't want to play along.

The internet is a PUBLIC place. If I left my kids alone in any public place to explore and talk to strangers without supervision then Child Protection Services would come and take them away. Why is the internet any different?

I am not putting sole blame on the parents, but maybe it is time for parents to be parents...and if they can't handle it...then stop having kids.

[basschick]

i disagree. parents have the power to be 100% effective in keeping their kids away from porn, which no one else does. keep the little ones in kid-safe areas like yahooligans and voila! done deal. till kids are 11 or 12, there's a lot of inapprorpriate stuff out there that ISN'T porn that no one is trying hard to protect kids from - and those things also aren't inside kids-only areas.

I've always thought putting the sole blame on parents was a bullshit argument. It's a two way street, and 95% of this industry doesn't want to play along.

[sXeRyan]

Ok, so maybe I am going to take the unpopular stand here...but as a taxpayer I am a little pissed.

The other day I was at the Public Library (of which I am a property tax paying supporter.) and I wanted to see if they had filters on their computers. Which they did.

I asked if they could turn the filters off so I could do some research, and they told me no.

My argument is this:

1. Tax Paying adults should have the right to view material they choose.

2. The library should be the LAST place on earth where they make decisions about what someone can read. (Aren't they the ones that are up in arms over banned books?)

3. If you are going to put blocking software on the internet, you should put locking covers on all adult magazines that can only be opened by adults. Aftering being told I could not remove the software from the computer, the clerk was able to get me this months playboy from the magazine section. Go figure.

Your thoughts?

I disagree - filters don't violate freedom of speech until they become mandatory. Just because we may have the right to say it doesn't mean that everybody else has the obligation to listen to it (A filter is no different than putting in ear plugs during a Fox News Update in that regard.)

Although, I can see your argument for them not being on in a library.