ACLU sues library for not allowing access to online porn

[koalabear]

The American Civil Liberties Union is suing a Washington state library district for not offering access to online porn, Seattle's King 5 TV reports.

When a user logs on to a computer at the Wenatchee public library, for example, and types "porn" into the search engine, the list of results will appear as if porn doesn't exist, according to King 5.

The search censorship by the North Central Regional Library also means some websites -- such as Google Images and YouTube -- are blocked too. The board decided the filter serves its mission to promote reading and lifelong learning.
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"We believe having pornography in public places hurts our ability to accomplish our mission," Dan Howard, director of public services, told King 5.

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2...ibrary-for-not-allowing-access-to-online-porn

 

[TexasWife25]

"The ACLU is representing three library users and a nonprofit organization, and argues that federally funded libraries should disable their filters upon the request of an adult.

“This case is about an overly broad filtering policy that has restricted an adult student from using the Internet for a class assignment and a professional photographer from accessing art galleries online,”

 

[Sean]

The ACLU, as usual, is championing the constitutional rights of citizens against big brother government. Of course our righties will be cheering them on every step of the way, won't they?

 

[Angellica1612]

While I can understand that a student might want to research porn sites for an assignment, doing so in a public setting that is heavily frequented by children is NOT a good idea. Libraries cannot afford to have separate rooms for 'adults only' computers. If someone truly needs to visit porn sites for research, they should do so on their college campus (if it's assigned by the college, then they should grant access) or at a friend's house if they don't have access at home.

 

[firenzi]

While I can understand that a student might want to research porn sites for an assignment, doing so in a public setting that is heavily frequented by children is NOT a good idea. Libraries cannot afford to have separate rooms for 'adults only' computers. If someone truly needs to visit porn sites for research, they should do so on their college campus (if it's assigned by the college, then they should grant access) or at a friend's house if they don't have access at home.

Maybe read the article? Or Texaswife's post?

 

[Angellica1612]

The ACLU, as usual, is championing the constitutional rights of citizens against big brother government. Of course our righties will be cheering them on every step of the way, won't they?

Don't parents have the constitutional right to not have their children exposed to porn in public?

 

[cjh]

While I can understand that a student might want to research porn sites for an assignment, doing so in a public setting that is heavily frequented by children is NOT a good idea. Libraries cannot afford to have separate rooms for 'adults only' computers. If someone truly needs to visit porn sites for research, they should do so on their college campus (if it's assigned by the college, then they should grant access) or at a friend's house if they don't have access at home.

explain this "can not afford" to me, please.

 

[cjh]

Maybe read the article? Or Texaswife's post?

and while i am demanding explanations, will you explain your avatar to me? please.

i really like it.

 

[Liar]

Don't parents have the constitutional right to not have their children exposed to porn in public?

I'm no constitutional scholar, but I can't say I've ever heard of that amendment.

 

[cjh]

Don't parents have the constitutional right to not have their children exposed to porn in public?

there's no way to satisfy a parent's reasonable expectations and the other constituent's access to information?

 

[Sean]

Don't parents have the constitutional right to not have their children exposed to porn in public?

No, they don't. Next dumb question?

 

[Angellica1612]

Maybe read the article? Or Texaswife's post?

"The ACLU is representing three library users and a nonprofit organization, and argues that federally funded libraries should disable their filters upon the request of an adult.

“This case is about an overly broad filtering policy that has restricted an adult student from using the Internet for a class assignment and a professional photographer from accessing art galleries online,”

I did read her post. She was clarifying that this wasn't about someone wanting to view porn for personal reasons, but an adult student doing research. My point is that library computers are visible to anyone walking by, including children, and libraries cannot afford to build separate 'adults only' rooms to accommodate the relatively few people doing actual research. Did you read my post?

 

[Angellica1612]

No, they don't. Next dumb question?

You want your children to see porn when they go to the library?

 

[cjh]

I did read her post. She was clarifying that this wasn't about someone wanting to view porn for personal reasons, but an adult student doing research. My point is that library computers are visible to anyone walking by, including children, and libraries cannot afford to build separate 'adults only' rooms to accommodate the relatively few people doing actual research. Did you read my post?

i am in a public coffee shop posting.

do you really believe there is no way to create a "no minor's section" in public libraries?

 

[Sean]

You want your children to see porn when they go to the library?

That wasn't what you asked.

 

[TexasWife25]

I did read her post. She was clarifying that this wasn't about someone wanting to view porn for personal reasons, but an adult student doing research. My point is that library computers are visible to anyone walking by, including children, and libraries cannot afford to build separate 'adults only' rooms to accommodate the relatively few people doing actual research. Did you read my post?

Actually, what I took from it was that its not about porn at all
but that the filters block things like, nude art, medical sites
with graphic pictures, or pretty much anything that may fall
into those lines.

while I think the blocks are reasonable
I would also think, when an adult asks you
to please disable them on this specific computer
so I can research breast cancer for a project
the library should do as asked.

 

[firenzi]

and while i am demanding explanations, will you explain your avatar to me? please.

i really like it.

Thanks! It's from an old Vogue fabric patterns shoot, I've got a handful of them saved- I love them! They remind me of Klimt. I'm not sure who the models or photographer are. Here's the full shot of what I have in my AV.

http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly8o74xwIY1ro0onuo1_500.jpg

 

[Angellica1612]

Seriously, people. Libraries do not have unlimited budgets. I suggest if you feel so strongly about this, then you go donate enough money for them to build an adults only computer room. Hope you're all very rich, because there are a lot of libraries out there.

Which is more important? That a few people have access to porn at the library (when there are plenty of other avenues for them to do their research), or that children are protected from seeing it?

 

[cjh]

Thanks! It's from an old Vogue fabric patterns shoot, I've got a handful of them saved- I love them! They remind me of Klimt. I'm not sure who the models or photographer are. Here's the full shot of what I have in my AV.

http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly8o74xwIY1ro0onuo1_500.jpg

that's so cool.

i bet whoever planned that spread had a blast.

 

[cjh]

Seriously, people. Libraries do not have unlimited budgets. I suggest if you feel so strongly about this, then you go donate enough money for them to build an adults only computer room. Hope you're all very rich, because there are a lot of libraries out there.

Which is more important? That a few people have access to porn at the library (when there are plenty of other avenues for them to do their research), or that children are protected from seeing it?

there is a reason that the first amendment was included in the constitution.

and one computer in a corner is not an expensive room.

 

[firenzi]

Seriously, people. Libraries do not have unlimited budgets. I suggest if you feel so strongly about this, then you go donate enough money for them to build an adults only computer room. Hope you're all very rich, because there are a lot of libraries out there.

Which is more important? That a few people have access to porn at the library (when there are plenty of other avenues for them to do their research), or that children are protected from seeing it?

Do you equate nudes with porn? Maybe children should be barred from entering art museums.

 

[Angellica1612]

That wasn't what you asked.

Okay, so maybe it isn't a constitutional right, but there are laws protecting children from porn, as there should be. Do you disagree with that?

 

[TexasWife25]

Seriously, people. Libraries do not have unlimited budgets. I suggest if you feel so strongly about this, then you go donate enough money for them to build an adults only computer room. Hope you're all very rich, because there are a lot of libraries out there.

Which is more important? That a few people have access to porn at the library (when there are plenty of other avenues for them to do their research), or that children are protected from seeing it?

Why are you so against someone researching breast cancer in a public library?
and who are you to say these people have other places they can go to do their work?

I know this may shock you, but there are still people, out there, who cant afford
to buy a computer of their own.

 

[firenzi]

that's so cool.

i bet whoever planned that spread had a blast.

Aren't they neat? I had this one as my AV a little bit ago (thread hijack!)

http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly8o6gMRXU1ro0onuo1_500.jpg

 

[cjh]

Why are you so against someone researching breast cancer in a public library?
and who are you to say these people have other places they can go to do their work?

I know this may shock you, but there are still people, out there, who cant afford
to buy a computer of their own.

and there are people who can afford a computer but who live in the boonies, like me, and cannot get dependable wide band access.