Aug. 9th, 2007

jmatonak: (Default)
Let's examine some facts about obscenity prosecutions.

From time to time, the federal (United States) government employs a tactic of multiple prosecutions in obscenity cases. This is similar to a kind of denial of service attack; the government prosecutes a "pornographer" in so many jurisdictions that the cost of defense, even when the likelihood of a conviction in each venue is very small, becomes prohibitive.

Another prosecutorial tactic is "forum shopping." The government cherry-picks one or more jurisdictions where it believes the local definition of "obscenity" will result in a conviction, and orders material to be sent to these jurisdictions. This tactic is often employed in cases where local authorities decline to prosecute. It has been employed historically in several cases where an initial prosecution in the defendant's community found that the material in question did not violate local community standards.

(The factual claims I make here are supported in Reefer Madness by Eric Schlosser.)

I await with interest the roll-out of LJ's one-click abuse reporting, and examples of content that LJ considers unacceptable regardless of its legality.
jmatonak: (Default)
What with me being bummed so much of the time, and posting about it, I figure this journal could stand to be a lot more cheerful. I therefore resolved, some time ago, to post about good news the next time I got some.

I can't really discuss the details yet, but it looks as though I will be able to get a much shinier wheelchair than I was expecting, and also probably a new laptop- or access to one, anyway, which means I will be able to do computer stuff outside, which I have been longing to do.

That Michelle Ryan (from the new version of Bionic Woman) is so cute it almost hurts to look at her. I probably mentioned that before, but it bears repeating.

In conclusion: Six Apart, you still suck. Michelle Ryan, you're still cool. :)

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