Obama is joined by Hamas in ground zero mosque endorsement

[Top Gun]

Real classy there, Chippy.

[Will Robinson]

...

So you want to allow sex shops, knowing they draw sex deviants and child predators, ...
Bee

Is this true? I don't know and it sounds logical but maybe not. It could be they draw a cross section of the population just like a McDonalds or Burger King does so unless there is hard data to prove they draw a higher percentage of predators than fast food places or churches it isn't a good idea to make law based on logical sounding ideas that aren't proven.
Like a girl dresses like a whore means she wants it...sounds like there is some logic to it but....

[CUDA]

well. until they start a McDonald's or Burger King offenders registry. I'll tend to believe that Porn shops will attract a larger % of sexual predators.

As part of my experience working with incarcerated sex offenders, I listened to countless disclosures of inmates describing their heinous sexual assaults on victims. During these therapy sessions, it is not uncommon to hear an inmate indicate that part of the reason for their sexual deviance was due to consumption of pornography which influenced the way they behaved.

As we consider the contribution that pornography makes in the high number of sex crimes in our society today, let us not overlook the less obvious sex crimes that are committed by individuals whose views about sexual intimacy are distorted by pornography and who, in turn, seek to have their loved ones indulge in those same unhealthy views of sex.

Bergen, Raquel Kennedy, Violence and Victims. 2000 Vol 15 (3): 227-234)

Kilpatrick, James as quoted in Donnerstein, Edward; Linz, Daniel: Penrod, Steven; 1987: The Question of Pornography: Research Findings and Policy Implications. New York: Free Press.

Malamuth, Neil M; Addison, Tamara; Koss, Mary; Pornography and sexual aggression: Are there reliable effects and can we understand them? Annual Review of Sex Research, 2000: Vol. 11: 26-91

http://www.contentwatch.com/learn_center/article/107

[Lothar]

As we consider the contribution that pornography makes in the high number of sex crimes in our society today, let us not overlook the less obvious sex crimes that are committed by individuals whose views about sexual intimacy are distorted by pornography and who, in turn, seek to have their loved ones indulge in those same unhealthy views of sex.

Bergen, Raquel Kennedy, Violence and Victims. 2000 Vol 15 (3): 227-234)

Despite the widespread and increasing availability of sexually explicit materials, according to national FBI Department of Justice statistics, the incidence of rape declined markedly from 1975 to 1995. This was particularly seen in the age categories 20–24 and 25–34, the people most likely to use the Internet.

http://www.the-scientist.com/article/display/57169/ (subscription required)

The rest of the statistics are much the same. Sex crimes are going down, especially in areas where porn is readily available. I'll be the first to argue that porn is bad for you, but its availability seems to reduce rather than increase sex crimes.

[Ferno]

Why do you like sexual predators and hate kids so much...

Bee

hahahaha. stupidest comment ever.

[Will Robinson]

Why do you like sexual predators and hate kids so much...

Bee

hahahaha. stupidest comment ever.

Yea! Everyone knows Ferno loves both

[Will Robinson]

..I'll be the first to argue that porn is bad for you,....

I've never thought about it before but I bet I could come up with some good reasons to back up your assertion yet I think a bit of erotica can be quite healthy for a couple. The problem lies right there with free speech, where do you draw the line? So we allow it in spite of the potential down side. and usually communities enjoy being able to use zoning to keep things tastefully apart without stomping on freedoms too much.

We shouldn't frown on a community asking for some of the good taste whether it is porn shops next to schools or mosques at ground zero because ultimately it is the same thing. The right is there but the sensativity of the community deserves to be honored.
That's my take anyway.

[Lothar]

..I'll be the first to argue that porn is bad for you,....

I've never thought about it before but I bet I could come up with some good reasons to back up your assertion yet I think a bit of erotica can be quite healthy for a couple.

There's a reason a whole book of the Bible is devoted to it. It's important to develop health attitudes toward sex, but also to keep your sexual energy focused on your partner.

The problem lies right there with free speech, where do you draw the line? So we allow it [but] use zoning to keep things tastefully apart [because] the sensativity of the community deserves to be honored.

To some degree, I agree with you. But there's a difference between "the sensitivity of the community" and "the sensitivity of a bunch of political activists from elsewhere". There's also a big difference between zoning an area a particular way beforehand, and changing zoning requirements after preparations are already underway.

The building of the community center / mosque is not a matter of a zoning loophole and a local community that's strongly opposed to it. It's a matter of something clearly 100% on the right side of the law, and a bunch of outsiders instigating against it.

As far as I know, most elementary schools are in areas zoned as residential, and typically in areas where porn shops would not get the combination of visibility and privacy they generally want.

[woodchip]

The building of the community center / mosque is not a matter of a zoning loophole and a local community that's strongly opposed to it. It's a matter of something clearly 100% on the right side of the law, and a bunch of outsiders instigating against it.

So now Americans who feel strongly about 9/11, who consider the 9/11 attack to be against all of America and not just a local community, who's sons and daughters joined up to fight and died to defend America against further atrocities...are labeled by you as a bunch of "outsiders". Such arrogance.

[Will Robinson]

I should have made clear, I'm not in favor of zoning the mosque out, not after the fact or even a zoning law that would have been put in place to thwart the possibility of a mosque going in there. In my mind the only good resolution to that scenario is voluntary changing of the location to honor the concerns..of those with legitimate concerns...even if it also pleases bigots, politico's etc.
I wanted to point out what I see is the same underlying concerns in both examples, a community expressing their dislike for a legal operation based on it's location not on the operation as a whole. It is the same desire at the root of the discontent. Expressing discontent against porn merchants is just more widely acceptable than going against a symbol of a religion that was at the root, however twisted, of the attack that makes their choice of location so alarming.

As to outsiders being involved in the protest. I don't see why their participation should excuse the widespread dismissal of the core protest. Certainly some political and hate groups have tried to wrap themselves in the cause but I see all Americans as being insiders to a large degree when it comes to ground zero because that attack was definitely aimed at a symbolic target which the enemy considers to be the heart of America. Just as on 9/12/2001, when much of the modern world claimed \"Today we are all Americans\", everyday all Americans 'are all New Yorkers' when it comes to owning a bit of that scar. A vast majority of Americans think the center/mosque is a bad idea and a vast majority of that vast majority don't deserve the title of political hack or bigot. The same way they just know porno when they see it they just know a bad idea when they hear it...

[Stroodles]

At the sex-shop school thing

[Gooberman]

yet I think a bit of erotica can be quite healthy for a couple.

Things you'd never expect to hear Will say.....

[null0010]

Things you'd never expect to hear Will say.....

No, no, clip it shorter!

erotica can be quite healthy

[Ferno]

Yea! Everyone knows Ferno loves both

awww..

nice attempt though.

------------

healthy attitudes towards sex do not include making people feel guilty for watching some porn. If you make people feel guilty for simply watching porn, it leads to repressed feelings.

but please. tell us one reason why porn is bad for you.

[null0010]

it leads to the belief that one should change positions every 2 minutes like it's the mad hatter's tea party

[AlphaDoG]

Matthew 5:19
"Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 5:27-28
"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

The Greek word Porneia (πορνεία) literally means fornication with a prostitute (πόρνη), but was used to indicate unchaste conduct generally.

So as far as I can tell Jesus has a warning for married men. You single fellas can take your chances.

[Ferno]

it leads to the belief that one should change positions every 2 minutes like it's the mad hatter's tea party

nah, that's just fun.