Earlier today, HB 1472 passed unanimously out of a House Judiciary committee.
Introduced by piano tuner turned fun-hating, freedom-loving State Rep. Travis Dunlap, it would require digital service providers to block the transmission of "obscene material" (a.k.a. porn) by request. Additionally, service providers will have to notify consumers a in a "conspicuous manner" that they can request to have obscene material blocked.
Here are some more details via a press release issued by Dunlap:
Bill to Shield Public from Pornography Passes Committee
A bill that would shield digital pornography from the general public passed the House Judiciary – Criminal Justice & Corrections Committee today with a unanimous vote.
House Bill 1472 by state Rep. Travis Dunlap would require digital service providers to filter content to prevent the transmission of obscene material to consumers.
“This bill begins to address the public health and safety crisis caused by the ease of access to obscene material online, specifically pornography,” said Dunlap, R-Bartlesville. “A blatant double standard has developed in our marketplace: While state obscenity laws require blinder racks for obscene material in our brick and mortar establishments, there is no state law requiring digital blinder racks, or filters, to protect the public from obscene material in our online marketplace.
On the topic of double-standards, doesn't this just add another unnecessary layer of nanny state regulation to service providers? Isn't there a variety of readily available third-party softwares out there that parents and controlling-spouses can use to block "obscene material?" The answer to those questions is "Yes," but leaving the current system in place doesn't pander to the moralistic, religious, judgemental base that put you in office. You need to introduce new laws that waste taxpayer time and money to accomplish that!
Here's more:
"Pornography is recognized as a public health crisis by legislative resolution in Utah, South Dakota, and Virginia. The National Platform for the GOP also declares pornography a public health crisis."
Dunlap thanked members of the House Judiciary – Criminal Justice & Corrections Committee for supporting the passage of the bill, which passed 11-0.
Really? Porn is public health crisis? That makes sense. Who hasn't gone to the doctor and been told they need to lose weight, quit smoking and stop watching so much pornography?
"Well, it looks like you have high blood pressure. Have you considered eating less fatty food or cutting back on internet pornography? I'd suggest going to a diet of softcore and lesbian only."
Anyway, this would probably be a convenient time to mention that Dunlap is the same guy who introduced HB 1277. Named the "Fairness in Fault Act," it would make it more difficult for individuals to seek a divorce on grounds of “incompatibility.” Think about that for a second? Dunlap's introduced laws that could block his ability to watch Internet porn and make it more difficult for his wife to leave him. Yikes. Is he trying to tell us something here? Maybe it's time for the Dunlap's to seek some couples counseling.
