GoFuckYourself.com - Adult Webmaster Forum - View Single Post - time to strike back at the religious right

Redrob · 12-09-2005, 08:26 PM

As you know, we of the Free Speech Coalition (FSC) are on the frontline of a culture war that will define the individual freedoms Americans enjoy for the next century: erotica vs censorship, evolution vs biblical truth, reproductive rights vs abstinence, gay rights vs immorality, universalism vs fundamentalism, etc. By working together, we can make a difference.

I, personally, don't believe that the FSC has maintained a low profile as a matter of choice. The FSC has been the vanguard of the adult industry for facing legal challenges and governmental regulations for many years. The boardmembers of the FSC come from a mix of adult-related businesses and associations. We are a dedicated, hard-core, group of free speech advocates who are willing to put our money and time "where our mouths are."

The reason that we are perceived by the adult internet segment as low-profile are threefold:

1. The lack of resources. We are limited by our ability to raise funds. We operate on our membership dues and whatever benevolent patrons are willing to donate. We are not like the NRA with millions of members (but, we are working on it.) As our membership grows, so does our ability to be an effective trade association thru legal challenges, lobbying, and dissemination of information. We encourage, appreciate and solicit participation of the adult internet industry segment. By coming together in our common cause, we can accomplish great things.

2. The lack of interest. Most adult webmasters had never heard of the FSC or sought out a trade association to represent their interest prior to last June's issue of new 2257 regulations. The overwhelming attitude until then was that the problems of the "old videostores, video manufactures, and magazine publishers" had nothing to do with the internet and were irrevelant. When it became apparent the DOJ didn't care what your medium is, if your content falls under their regulations, you must submit to their arcane and unconstitutional regulations. Only then, most webmasters realized the cultural battle being fought is directly concerned with "the content" and they are sitting on "ground zero" in the cultural war.

3. The lack of an extended organizational structure. Like the NRA, we need to reach out to our customer base and get them involved in protecting their right to view erotica in the privacy of their homes. We need to organize local and regional chapters to address local concerns and counteract pro-censorship groups that are organizing through local church groups. Local politicians tend to address the concerns of the most vocal proponents of a particular issue and the procensorship groups are very vocal. If YOU expect to have a right of privacy, you have to realize that it begins with YOUR home in YOUR hometown. If you want to start an FSC Chapter in your area, feel free to contact us as we are currently working on organizing local chapters and would appreciate your participation.

I wouldn't expect everybody to agree with me. We, the adult industry, are notoriously independent and free thinkers. Our independence is both our blessing and our curse. We are blessed in that we know the difference between independent thinking and "governmental-orchestrated, religious-based" censorship. We are cursed in that our independent natures make us not want to be involved in organized activities that require we spend time, energy, and money on a common goal. A blessing and a curse.....

However, survival in the USA as a viable industry requires we get involved. To that end, I'd suggest you take time to write a letter to a Congressman, call into a local radio show, attend a FSC meeting or visit the booth at a tradeshow, post free speech messages in other forums, put a FSC logo and link on your websites, etc. Collectively, individual efforts will make a huge difference in which side wins this cultural war.

Will it be us? or them?

12-09-2005, 08:26 PM
Redrob Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: In a refrigerator box by the tracks. Posts: 4,791	FSC as Vanguard in Cultural War. As you know, we of the Free Speech Coalition (FSC) are on the frontline of a culture war that will define the individual freedoms Americans enjoy for the next century: erotica vs censorship, evolution vs biblical truth, reproductive rights vs abstinence, gay rights vs immorality, universalism vs fundamentalism, etc. By working together, we can make a difference. I, personally, don't believe that the FSC has maintained a low profile as a matter of choice. The FSC has been the vanguard of the adult industry for facing legal challenges and governmental regulations for many years. The boardmembers of the FSC come from a mix of adult-related businesses and associations. We are a dedicated, hard-core, group of free speech advocates who are willing to put our money and time "where our mouths are." The reason that we are perceived by the adult internet segment as low-profile are threefold: 1. The lack of resources. We are limited by our ability to raise funds. We operate on our membership dues and whatever benevolent patrons are willing to donate. We are not like the NRA with millions of members (but, we are working on it.) As our membership grows, so does our ability to be an effective trade association thru legal challenges, lobbying, and dissemination of information. We encourage, appreciate and solicit participation of the adult internet industry segment. By coming together in our common cause, we can accomplish great things. 2. The lack of interest. Most adult webmasters had never heard of the FSC or sought out a trade association to represent their interest prior to last June's issue of new 2257 regulations. The overwhelming attitude until then was that the problems of the "old videostores, video manufactures, and magazine publishers" had nothing to do with the internet and were irrevelant. When it became apparent the DOJ didn't care what your medium is, if your content falls under their regulations, you must submit to their arcane and unconstitutional regulations. Only then, most webmasters realized the cultural battle being fought is directly concerned with "the content" and they are sitting on "ground zero" in the cultural war. 3. The lack of an extended organizational structure. Like the NRA, we need to reach out to our customer base and get them involved in protecting their right to view erotica in the privacy of their homes. We need to organize local and regional chapters to address local concerns and counteract pro-censorship groups that are organizing through local church groups. Local politicians tend to address the concerns of the most vocal proponents of a particular issue and the procensorship groups are very vocal. If YOU expect to have a right of privacy, you have to realize that it begins with YOUR home in YOUR hometown. If you want to start an FSC Chapter in your area, feel free to contact us as we are currently working on organizing local chapters and would appreciate your participation. I wouldn't expect everybody to agree with me. We, the adult industry, are notoriously independent and free thinkers. Our independence is both our blessing and our curse. We are blessed in that we know the difference between independent thinking and "governmental-orchestrated, religious-based" censorship. We are cursed in that our independent natures make us not want to be involved in organized activities that require we spend time, energy, and money on a common goal. A blessing and a curse..... However, survival in the USA as a viable industry requires we get involved. To that end, I'd suggest you take time to write a letter to a Congressman, call into a local radio show, attend a FSC meeting or visit the booth at a tradeshow, post free speech messages in other forums, put a FSC logo and link on your websites, etc. Collectively, individual efforts will make a huge difference in which side wins this cultural war. Will it be us? or them?