|
By Kent Larsen
Porn Czar is Educator, Not Prosecutor
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH -- Eight months into the job, Paula Houston says she
spends most of her time is spent explaining what is and what isn't
pornography to Utah's citizens, who have filed 1,500 complaints with her
office during that time. Houston, believed to be the first state official
whose role is solely to fight pornography, finds that most people need
education about what is and what isn't legal. No pornography cases have
resulted from her efforts yet.
Houston, who is an LDS Church member, explains that most of the complaints
she has received are about Internet spam and pornography from outside Utah
-- things she can't do anything about. Many of these, as well as many of the
rest, are material that some people find offensive, but that is legal under
current laws. She often advises filing protests with the material's producer
because that material is legal, if offensive.
But, even if she had a case, Houston says prosecution isn't her role, "I'm
not supposed to prosecute. I'm supposed to educate." Her boss, Utah Attorney
General Mark Shurtleff, also Mormon, says that the first 1,500 complaints
are proof that her role is necessary, "Those are the ones that decide if
taxpayers dollars are well spent. In this state the concern about
pornography is huge."
But, Utah ACLU attorney Andrew McCullough can't see any benefit, "She's
harmless enough, but it's a terrible waste of taxpayer's money," McCullough
said. "She is not doing anything important for society. She is making people
feel good."
Source:
Utah's 'porn czar' handles 1,500 complaints
Phoenix AZ Republic (AP) 15Oct01 T2
Associated Press
|
