Last night's vote on the porn laws: what to do now (71)

~“Nothing is ever the same as they said it was. It's what I've never seen before that I recognise.” Diane Arbus~
~"it's what you see other times that's interesting"~ foxxx~
Extreme Porn Bill Petition : www.londonalternativemarket.com

Preserve your right to own BDSM images without risking 3 years jail and the sex offenders register BEFORE 30th April - simple blog about what you need to do: http://www.informedconsent.co.uk/weblogs/Degener... . . . Video from BACKLASH about what we need to do: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Tn8_9vmEIKs .

I have avoided mentioning the BDSM community in this case - trying to speak from a point which gives all of us what we want.. so this is another letter for those who don't want to out themselves to take inspiration from.

PS my hand hurts.

Preserve your right to own BDSM images without risking 3 years jail and the sex offenders register BEFORE 30th April - simple blog about what you need to do: http://www.informedconsent.co.uk/weblogs/Degener... . . . Video from BACKLASH about what we need to do: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Tn8_9vmEIKs .

Edited 27 Apr 08, 12:39 PM by Degenerate

i hope my letter finds you well. I was pleased to notice you participated in voting on the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill - Part 5 - Section 63, concerning extreme pornographic images.

I am a 35 year old mother of three young children - old enough to view adult material and responsible enough to believe in some censorship, in particular where crimes are taking place, such as sex offenses, murder or abuse against animals. I am worried, however, that the wording of section 63 does not make it clear enough which images it will be illegal to possess.

I think it is common sense to recognise that which images are "extreme", or "disgusting", is a matter of personal opinion - whereas what is already deemed criminal in terms of obscenity is already clearly defined in the Extreme Publication Act.

For it to effectively serve its purpose, section 63 needs to be absolutely clear about which images it will be an offense to possess, either by its own wording, or by reference to an existing tried-and-tested measure (such as the Obscene Publications Act). We also need to bear in mind that much pornography is fictional and employs actors.

If Section 63 is neither explicit, nor accessible, then how can ordinary people, like myself, who wish to stay within the law know whether images we possess are illegal, or not? Will this wording lead to people being imprisoned who would have committed no crime, had they only understood the legislation? Is it going to lead to the criminalisation of images not agreed to be obscene in previous law? If yes it needs to be explicit so that UK citizens KNOW. Will misunderstanding of this poorly written legislation even lead to criminals walking free in the judicial system? I am certain it will waste time and resources in the police and legal systems which we need to spend on apprehending dangerous criminals.

I urge you to attend the next debate on 30th April and ask for clarification in these matters. Please consider voting for the sensible and clarifying amendments suggested by Baroness Miller, Lord Wallace and Lord Mcintosh.

Thank you for taking the time to consider these important issues.

Yours sincerely

me

Preserve your right to own BDSM images without risking 3 years jail and the sex offenders register BEFORE 30th April - simple blog about what you need to do: http://www.informedconsent.co.uk/weblogs/Degener... . . . Video from BACKLASH about what we need to do: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Tn8_9vmEIKs .

Edited 27 Apr 08, 12:40 PM by Degenerate

Food for thought: I've found over time that simply making people aware of it (friends, family, associates, business etc etc etc) you'd be surprised how many are friends with someone who could help or someone they work with has ties with so and so who will also be incensed by the ludicrousness of this possible new law and are likely to take their own actions. This isn't just a BDSM thing and people are beginning to see that, and not liking the wider implications of the Bill for their own reasons. They in turn talk to their own circles and pass it on to people who might be able to help make a difference and have further arguments as to why it should not go through as it stands.

I've said it many a time and I'll say it again, every last little thing you do, helps. You simply don't know who you're going to influence into doing that one vital thing that might just make all the difference. There's only one thing that is absolutely guaranteed, and that is that doing nothing at all, won't do a thing.

Back to De, you look after yourself, too. I'm looking forward to meeting you one day, and hopefully, with a little luck thrown in, we'll be celebrating something Feck it, I'll be celebrating anyway; that the paper cut I've gained would have healed by then, that's a good enough reason for me, I can tell ya! I'm surprised I've got away with just one so far, but one's enough!

tracie..x

Wuss in Disguise 2008

~“Nothing is ever the same as they said it was. It's what I've never seen before that I recognise.” Diane Arbus~
~"it's what you see other times that's interesting"~ foxxx~
Extreme Porn Bill Petition : www.londonalternativemarket.com

Quoted in full purposefully, fantastic letter!

~“Nothing is ever the same as they said it was. It's what I've never seen before that I recognise.” Diane Arbus~
~"it's what you see other times that's interesting"~ foxxx~
Extreme Porn Bill Petition : www.londonalternativemarket.com

I'm about to send as well some handwritten ones similar to the one I have posted that prettyname just reposted to

Lors Hastings of Scarisbrick.

earl Ferrers.

Lord Balledmond.

Lord Armstrong of Ilminster

Lord Anderson of Swansea.

Lord Dixon.

Lord jordan.

Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall.

Lord Pendry.

The Bishop of Newcastle.

Lord Mooney.

Preserve your right to own BDSM images without risking 3 years jail and the sex offenders register BEFORE 30th April - simple blog about what you need to do: http://www.informedconsent.co.uk/weblogs/Degener... . . . Video from BACKLASH about what we need to do: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Tn8_9vmEIKs .

I really liked that non-outing letter from you De, there are many people on here who are reluctant to be too candid. I will mail it to some friends of mine, it can easily be personalised and mixed up a bit, but the structure of the argument is hard to resist.

Other people who are glancing idly at this thread

- yes YOU -

have you written something yet?

Even if you don't have time to write it by hand, top and tail it and get it off quick!

to join the laughter, sharing simple shreds of feeling

yeah I think it's helpful to have a non BDSM community line as well asthose of us who are sending community related messages. mix of everything will win more round. fingers crossed for wednesday.

De

Preserve your right to own BDSM images without risking 3 years jail and the sex offenders register BEFORE 30th April - simple blog about what you need to do: http://www.informedconsent.co.uk/weblogs/Degener... . . . Video from BACKLASH about what we need to do: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Tn8_9vmEIKs .

Hmmm it's catching, this dom business.

to join the laughter, sharing simple shreds of feeling