Continued: The fight against pxxxx? What fight?

By: American Decency Staff

"… Just how serious is it? Earlier this month, in the little town of Herndon, Virginia–population 23,000–police seized over 1,000 computers that contained files of child pornography. And that's just a tiny fraction of the known violators in one state! Unfortunately, far too many Americans–including our own leaders–fail to understand the dangers of child pornography or the prevalence of it. …" Continued: The fight against pxxxx? What fight?Yesterday I offered commentary on an article that was reported by abcnews.com entitled: FBI Director] Mueller: 'We're Losing' the Child Porn War http://abcnews.go.com/TheLaw/FedCrimes/Story?id=4712725&page=1 ========== In part, I stated: "… Though pro-family groups have tried again and again and again over these years to invite/urge the Clinton Administration, and, more recently, the George W. Bush Administration, pornography has largely been given a free pass. The significance of the Justice Department handling pornography as if it is victimless has been that sex entrepreneurs have great boldness to line their pockets at the cost of all – including children. …" ================== Family Research Council shared insightful and powerful comments yesterday in their daily alert: Congress has shown its willingness to fritter away taxpayer dollars on everything from lobster biscuits to fruit fly research, but when it comes to protecting children, Capitol Hill's big spenders are nowhere to be found. According to FBI Director Robert Mueller, that stinginess is about to cost us. At a House Judiciary hearing yesterday, the nation's top investigator said the agency can't keep up with the amount of child pornography that's mushrooming across cyberspace. "We're losing," he said. "It's growing," Mueller told the committee. "The Internet has provided the vehicle for expansion that otherwise would not be there… We have almost 270 agents working nationwide, but I'm not going to tell you that it is sufficient to address this." The task forces around the country "need to be funded," he said. "It's not just one agency, it's a number of federal agencies, state and local law enforcement, all to be integrated in addressing what is [a serious] problem." Just how serious is it? Earlier this month, in the little town of Herndon, Virginia–population 23,000–police seized over 1,000 computers that contained files of child pornography. And that's just a tiny fraction of the known violators in one state! Unfortunately, far too many Americans–including our own leaders–fail to understand the dangers of child pornography or the prevalence of it. Not too long ago, psychologists at the Federal Bureau of Prisons studied 155 prisoners who had been convicted of possessing or distributing child pornography. At sentencing, only 26% were known to have been active child molesters, but in confidential surveys, a shocking 85% admitted to abusing at least one child. Child pornography is not a victimless crime. As former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has said, "Most images…of child pornography depict actual sexual abuse of real children. Each image literally documents a crime scene." Technology is giving these pedophiles a place to hide and a community where they can prey on unsuspecting children. Until Congress and the states provide the funding that law enforcement needs to wage this war, children will continue to be on the losing side. Last year, the bipartisan coalition of Reps. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) and Nicholas Lampson (D-Texas) and Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) introduced bills that would have combated this online lawlessness and forced electronic service providers to report child pornography. To date, the liberal leadership has done nothing to advance this Securing Adolescents from Exploitation (SAFE) Act. The Internet is on the verge of a moral meltdown, and Capitol Hill can't find its voice. http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=WU08D19&f=PG07J01 Yesterday I mentioned that I would be sharing further information. Here it is: Join with us in Washington, D.C. On Monday, May 19 YOU can participate in one or more events • A Prayer Breakfast from 7:00 am to 8:30 am • A Conference from 8:30 to 11 am PLACE: National Press Club (Murrow Room on 13th floor) 529 14th St., NW, Washington, DC • An Orderly Demonstration from 11:30 – 1:30 pm PLACE: U.S. Justice Department (& FBI) headquarters 950 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Wash., D.C. Conference agenda: What happens when obscenity laws are not vigorously enforced. Why it’s important for the next President to enforce federal obscenity laws vigorously. Conference speakers: Experts on obscenity law and the effects of pornography; Organizational leaders; Presidential candidates invited. TO ATTEND THE PRAYER BREAKFAST OR CONFERENCE YOU MUST CALL (703) 771-9723 or (212) 870-3210. Call same numbers for more information. Participating organizations include: American Decency Association, American Family Association, Athletes & Business For Kids, CatholicVote.org, Concerned Women for America, Girls Against Pornography, Marriage Savers, Maryland Coalition Against Pornography, Morality in Media, more to come… American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 ph: 231-924-4050 www.americandecency.org

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