Who the hell gets to decide what is “patently offensive”?

The Supremes will surely be hearing about this law, if it isn’t struck down at a lower level, maybe even if it is.

(2) services, programs, products, or materials provided by a communications service provider (as defined in IC 8-1-32.6-3).

So you can get Porn through your IP or Playboy channel, but booksellers will have to register in order to sell a Mary Balogh book — or heck — (as someone pointed out on Smart Bitches) a Bible. I’d like to see that, all the Christian Supply stores registering because they sell the Bible.

His name is Terry Goodin and his email addy is
h66@in.gov.

And I do strongly suggest calm and rational, because the state representative is probably going to ignore anything that reads like a rant, so therefore ranting is just a waste of time. Even when somebody is in the wrong, or especially when, they are less likely to be open to discussion when somebody jumps down their throat.

Getting somebody on the defensive isn’t a way of getting them to see your POV.

:) I’ve already written both my local rep and Mr. Goodin.

They have no crime and the streets are so safe that now they can concentrate on other things that offend and hurt the population, like reading and re-acting (or not) to what is read. Yippee.

They have admitted to having the average person there…. Time has been ticking away and I thought I’d never live long enough to see the average person so I hope their government site is quick to post some pictures.

Idiots.

A person, firm, corporation, association, partnership, limited liability corporation, or other entity that intends to sell sexually explicit materials, products, or services shall register with the secretary of state the intent to sell sexually explicit materials, products, or services and provide a statement detailing the types of materials, products, or services that are intended to be sold.

This could apply to an author (person), publisher, sex shop. Hell, it sounds like it could apply to a prostitute. Services? What services?

Please don’t tell me I’m the only one that reads –person intends to sell sexually explicit services– as being prostitution. Doesn’t that mean prostitutes need to register with the state of Indiana? If they pay the $250, will they be legal?

Okay, sorry. I’ll stop.

(A) the stimulation of human genital organs;

Seems one could stand in court and argue that they don’t write stories just so strangers can get off. It might be a side effect, but that’s not why they write.

Or 2, ER writers write for:

(A) the dominant theme of the materials, products, or services, taken as a whole, appeals to the prurient interest in sex;

Don’t know about the rest of you, but I can’t say I write to appeal only for that reason. One could argue in court that one writes to gain mental and emotional reactions and sometimes people do get turned on or hard ons. Uhhhh….

I’d love to see this play out in court.

And… sigh…I live in Indiana.

I was certainly surprised to discover, via the Oklahoma Rep’s statements, that my lesbian daughter is responsible for the disappearance of our society. I’m gonna have to ground her for that.

– until I remembered ‘to follow the money’.

The ‘law’ can fine a retailer, but it cannot fine a rapist or a murderer.

I’m offended. What I do with my prurient interests is my own business.