President Obama has failed to enforce federal obscenity laws prohibiting distribution of hardcore pornography, according to Morality in Media. But three of the leading GOP 2012 presidential candidates are committing to enforce the laws if elected.
“Vigorous prosecution of those who violate our nation’s obscenity laws is critical now,” says Patrick Trueman, Morality in Media president and former chief of the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section at the U.S. Department of Justice during the Reagan and Bush. “Our nation is suffering a pandemic of harm from pornography that is readily available—even to children on the Internet and in other venues.”
Morality In Media launched efforts in October to contact the 2012 presidential candidates, including President Obama, to get their views on enforcing obscenity laws. Thousands of people sent emails, made calls and even spoke to the candidates in person urging them to respond to the survey. Only former Senator Rick Santorum, Governor Mitt Romney and former Speaker Newt Gingrich answered the call.
“Federal obscenity laws should be vigorously enforced,” Santorum says. “If elected president, I will appoint an attorney general who will do so.”
As Romney sees it, it’s imperative that we cultivate the promotion of fundamental family values. This can be accomplished, he said in a written statement, with increased parental involvement and enhanced supervision of our children.
“It includes strict enforcement of our nation’s obscenity laws, as well as the promotion of parental software controls that guard our children from Internet pornography,” Romney says.
When Morality in Media’s executive director, Dawn Hawkins, asked Gingrich in a face-to-face meeting if he will enforce existing laws that make distribution of hard-core adult pornography illegal, he responded: “Yes, I will appoint an attorney general who will enforce these laws.”
Morality in Media is asking the public to continue to contact all candidates, even those who have responded, as a means of keeping up pressure for this critical issue
“Addiction among adults and even children is now widespread. Pornography is a common cause of the destruction of marriage,” Trueman says. “It leads to misogyny and violence against women and is a contributing factor in sexual trafficking.”
The public may contact all candidates with one click of the mouse at www.waronillegalpornography.com/candidates or call them toll-free at 1-877-354-2951.
