Letter to the Editor
- Submitted by: bodaciou69
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- Category: English
- Date Submitted: 04/30/2011 12:45 PM
- Pages: 2
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April 27, 2011
Kennebec Journal
274 Western Avenue
Augusta, ME 04330
Dear Editor,
I am writing a letter in response to a guest editorial done by Roger Ekins, on January 11, 1986. Mr. Ekins stated that he is part of a group that is bringing a bill before the state legislature entitled, “An Act to Prohibit the Promotion of Pornographic material in the State of Maine”. He also stated in the same letter that he doesn’t like the idea of censorship, for me, the two statements are the opposite of each other.
By applying his contemporary community standards, he wants to pass a bill that will save everyone from being subjected to sexism, depravity and violent, anti-social behavior. But, unfortunately, not everyone wants saving from these types of things. Being able to choose pornography and obscene devices is exactly that, a choice. In the United States we are free to say and do what makes us happy. If we allow the government to take more freedoms from us, where will it end? Will they end up banning Playboy then Victoria’s Secret Magazine then the Sports Illustrated Swim Suit Issue because they constitute obscenity and encourage rape? The answer would be yes, if Mr. Ekins had his way.
Mr. Ekins said he does not want to offend our First Amendment sensibilities. Freedom of speech is one of the great things about America, whereas, everyone has the right to make up their own minds. The state of Maine currently allows adults to make their own choices, with dissemination of obscene material illegal to minors only. To answer Mr. Ekins questions, Yes it would really be suppressing valid free speech rights by imposing this new restrictive legislation by the passing of the proposed Maine bill. Our first Amendment freedoms are most in danger when the government seeks to control our speech and our thoughts, to justify its laws. Being able to choose is the beginning of freedom, and speech must be protected from the government because speech is...
Kennebec Journal
274 Western Avenue
Augusta, ME 04330
Dear Editor,
I am writing a letter in response to a guest editorial done by Roger Ekins, on January 11, 1986. Mr. Ekins stated that he is part of a group that is bringing a bill before the state legislature entitled, “An Act to Prohibit the Promotion of Pornographic material in the State of Maine”. He also stated in the same letter that he doesn’t like the idea of censorship, for me, the two statements are the opposite of each other.
By applying his contemporary community standards, he wants to pass a bill that will save everyone from being subjected to sexism, depravity and violent, anti-social behavior. But, unfortunately, not everyone wants saving from these types of things. Being able to choose pornography and obscene devices is exactly that, a choice. In the United States we are free to say and do what makes us happy. If we allow the government to take more freedoms from us, where will it end? Will they end up banning Playboy then Victoria’s Secret Magazine then the Sports Illustrated Swim Suit Issue because they constitute obscenity and encourage rape? The answer would be yes, if Mr. Ekins had his way.
Mr. Ekins said he does not want to offend our First Amendment sensibilities. Freedom of speech is one of the great things about America, whereas, everyone has the right to make up their own minds. The state of Maine currently allows adults to make their own choices, with dissemination of obscene material illegal to minors only. To answer Mr. Ekins questions, Yes it would really be suppressing valid free speech rights by imposing this new restrictive legislation by the passing of the proposed Maine bill. Our first Amendment freedoms are most in danger when the government seeks to control our speech and our thoughts, to justify its laws. Being able to choose is the beginning of freedom, and speech must be protected from the government because speech is...