Petition to:
The President of the United States,
the Attorney General of the United States,
and each Member of Congress

RE: Vigorous Enforcement of Federal Obscenity Laws

Opinion polls indicate that a large majority of the American people believes the breakdown of morality is one of the most important issues facing the country.

A driving force behind this breakdown is the flood of illegal hardcore pornography pouring into our communities, homes and children's minds. This flood has happened in large measure because Federal obscenity laws have not been vigorously enforced.

Americans want federal obscenity laws vigorously enforced. In a national poll conducted in 2002 by Wirthlin Worldwide, 81% of adults supported vigorous enforcement of federal laws against Internet obscenity. In a 1997 national poll conducted by Wirthlin, 80% of adults supported vigorous enforcement of all federal obscenity laws.

The U.S. Supreme Court has held repeatedly that obscene material is unprotected by the First Amendment. The Court has also said, "There is a 'right of the Nation ... to maintain a decent society.'" (Paris Adult Theatre I v. Slaton, 1973)

The President and Attorney General must speak out publicly about the ever-expanding obscenity problem and the need to enforce federal obscenity laws.

The Attorney General must also develop an effective obscenity law enforcement strategy, and work with the 94 United States Attorneys, the FBI, the Customs Service, and the Postal Inspection Service to implement that strategy.

The Congress must allocate adequate resources to the effort. Members of Congress must also speak out in their communities about the need to enforce obscenity laws.

Obscenity crimes are not “victimless.” Those harmed by the proliferation of hardcore pornography include the “performers” (many in their teens), hardcore pornography addicts (young and old), spouses of hardcore pornography addicts, women raped by hardcore pornography addicts, and children sexually abused by adults who use hardcore pornography to sexually arouse themselves and to desensitize their child victims. The U.S. is also the “porn capital of the world,” which undermines our image abroad.

Vigorous enforcement of our nation’s constitutional obscenity laws will reduce the number of such tragedies and the need for programs that deal with them at great cost to taxpayers. Enforcement will also send a message that the United States understands the difference between cherished liberty -- and ruinous license.