www.CVOHARLEY.com
CVO Social => In The News => Topic started by: FNGw/08SERK on May 07, 2008, 10:55:21 AM
-
Soldiers Say Porn Ban May Hurt Morale
Stars and Stripes | Seth Robson | May 05, 2008
GRAFENWOHR, Germany -- Legislation that would restrict the sale of certain men's magazines on U.S. military bases around the world would be bad for morale, according to soldiers at Grafenwöhr.
U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, R-Ga., has introduced legislation that would close a loophole in the current law that allows the sale of some sexually explicit material on military bases by lowering the threshold required to deem material "sexually explicit."
A Department of Defense committee that reviews materials sold on bases ruled last year that magazines such as Playboy and Penthouse are not pornographic. But Broun's Military Honor and Decency Act includes language that could make those magazines eligible for the ban.
The prospect of missing out on men's magazines was not welcomed by soldiers at Grafenwöhr.
"We all read 'em," said Pfc. Paul Rubio, 31, of Bakersfield, Calif. "There are times we just read 'em for the technological parts like the new gadgets that come out. They have good stories sometimes too."
Sgt. Simon Brown, 34, of Daytona Beach, Fla., said men's magazines build morale. "It's not all about the pictures, although 80 percent of it is," he said.
Pfc. Greg Smith, 21, of Northboro, Mass., a regular Playboy reader, said soldiers should be allowed to buy nudie magazines at the exchange.
"Playboy is good entertainment while you are on the can. They have jokes and good stories," he said.
Broun, a Marine veteran, told Newsweek recently that the magazines sold in military exchanges are partly responsible for a rise in sexual assaults in the military and other problems.
"Allowing the sale of pornography on military bases has harmed military men and women by: escalating the number of violent, sexual crimes; feeding a base addiction; eroding the family as the primary building block of society; and denigrating the moral standing of our troops both here and abroad," Broun says on his Web site.
The legislation would require the DOD to annually review material that is not currently deemed sexually explicit to determine if it should be prohibited, according to the Web site.
Some soldiers say magazines that could be banned are particularly important downrange.
Brown deployed to Afghanistan in 2002 and 2005 and is preparing to go to Iraq with the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade this summer. When he was in Afghanistan he was one of the first to pick up a new copy of Maxim or FHM when it came out, he said.
"It would suck if they ban it," he said. "It's bad enough we are down there to begin with. Taking that away would be like a knife in the chest. I'm not saying I'm depending on Maxim to keep me alive over there, but it helps."
Publications such as Maxim and FHM are not named by Broun, but lowering the threshold of the sexually explicit definition might mean such magazines would be targeted for a ban.
Some troops in the Pacific region said the proposed legislation would impinge upon their personal freedoms.
"They're making it a point of undermining soldiers to almost make them feel like we're back in elementary school," Pfc. Nickolas Sears said Friday at Camp Red Cloud, South Korea. "We're all adults here, and if it's something we want to do, we should feel free to choose as we please."
Other than on base, there's no place in South Korea to buy magazines like Playboy, he said.
"I believe it's a breach of freedom of speech," said Senior Airman Garrett Deese, 25, of Elk Grove, Calif., who just completed a tour with the 8th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea.
He said he wonders whether such a ban would lead to barring other types of magazines lawmakers chose to challenge. He also questioned whether Broun's link between magazines and sexual assaults within the military would stand close scrutiny.
At Yokota Air Base, Japan, military spouse Roberta Woolley said she understands the need for balance between rules and individual rights, but said the military has tougher standards than the rest of American society.
"It's a good idea," she said of the proposed ban. "I think there's better literature out there.... In the military, we sell cigarettes and alcohol legally. But it's also questionable whether they promote a healthy lifestyle.
"I've seen all these magazines, and they don't make men or women intelligent or beautiful. And even though they're hidden, there is still exposure to children as well. It's the parents' responsibility to give ideas about body awareness to their children. I don't think Mr. Hefner presents a positive image of men or women in his magazine."
A female soldier at Grafenwöhr -- Sgt. Pou McCall, 23, of Riverside, Calif. -- said men's magazines don't bother her a lot, but she'd support a ban.
"What if it was their (soldiers') sisters (in the magazines)? It doesn't take a magazine for sexual harassment to happen but it increases it," she said.
Army and Air Force Exchange service public relations manager Judd Anstey said AAFES sold $231,000 worth of Penthouse, Playboy and Playgirl magazines in Europe last year.
"Sales of these three titles account for 2.7 percent of total European magazine sales ($8.5 million) at AAFES facilities," he said.
The sales accounted for 0.5 percent of worldwide AAFES magazine sales of $46.4 million, he said.
Stars and Stripes' reporters Vince Little, Franklin Fisher and Erik Slavin contributed to this report.
How do you feel about this issue?
Let your public officials know how you feel.
Sound Off...What do you think? Join the discussion.
Copyright 2008 Stars and Stripes. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of Military.com.
-
I think that we need to start a (Porn for the Troops) campaign. I know personally from being in the $h!t that a good old Playboy goes a long way.
Mark
-
Hard to believe that representative has the nuts to call himself a Republican. Playboy and Penthouse are staples during deployment.
-
Seems to me a couple a naked b00bies should be the least of this politicians worries! And to think the taxpayers are footin' the bill, for him and anyone else who is inolved, to formalize this legislation. :soapbox:
-
Send his ass to the sandbox for awhile. He'll get it then! ;)
Hoist! 8)
-
Send his ass to the sandbox for awhile. He'll get it then! ;)
Hoist! 8)
10-4 on that!
And what the Hell are they worrying about bases in Germany and Europe for? Prostitution is legal over there and the some of the brothels are walking distance from the front gate of the base. And the magazines are a lot more explicit too. Not that I would know personally, I had a school teacher tell that to me in church one Sunday.
-
Send his ass to the sandbox for awhile. He'll get it then! ;)
Hoist! 8)
And not one of those 7 day VIP trips, 15 months living in a tent trip! Then see if he would like to read an adult publication?
Mark
-
Ban porn are they nuts!!! that is the only thing that kept you sane.
The law should be more like one magazine with every MRE.
-
And not one of those 7 day VIP trips, 15 months living in a tent trip! Then see if he would like to read an adult publication?
Mark
You had a tent, Mark? ??? :o
;D
-
They protect our freedom .. how about protecting a little of theirs?
Seems odd that the legislators roll around in thier limo's ( or oval office ) with questionable women , and they have the nerve to deny our men a little entertainment while they stand guard .. Amazing double standard
-
This proposed legislation is BS - as a Navy Vet this pizzes me off to no end, and it needs to be shot down.
According to Broun's website, legislation will only be passed based on his "Four Way Test", which includes, "1) Is it moral/right?, 2) Is it constitutional?, 3) Is it necessary?, and 4) Is it affordable?".
Regarding this law sir, I submit it is...
1. Wrong
2. Unconstitutional
3. Unnecessary
4. A waste of money and time.
So - whats the beef here - another right wing religious zealot pushing his Moralality down our throats!
This guy is a Vet - Again from his website
Paul served in the military as a jet engine mechanic in the U. S. Marine Corps Reserves and later received a commission as a medical officer in the U. S. Navy.
Dr. Broun has been married to his wife Niki since 1985 and has two grown daughters, a teen-aged son and two grandchildren. The Brouns are members of Prince Avenue Baptist Church in Athens, where Paul is a former AWANA children’s ministry leader. He is active in the Gideon ministry and in 2004 participated in a mission trip to Iraq.
Thanks for your service - butt your nose out of our soldiers magazines and get a copy of the U.S. Constitution you've sworn to uphold on a few occasions - pay particular attention to that pesky 1st ammendment - you know the one about religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press......
-
You had a tent, Mark? ??? :o
;D
Henry, he is, after all, in the Air Force, so not only did he have a tent, it was air-conditioned, had a wet bar and satellite TV service. ;) ::) :P :huepfenlol2:
:devil:
-
I'm showing my support for the troops , by suring you pron for the next 24 hours , Surfing for those who can't!!!! :2vrolijk_21: ;D ;D ;D
-
I'm showing my support for the troops , by suring you pron for the next 24 hours , Surfing for those who can't!!!! :2vrolijk_21: ;D ;D ;D
I'm touched...what a valiant display of patriotism. :2vrolijk_21: :confused5:
Thanks!
Sean