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Does Logan have a porn problem? By
Brett O. Parson
Some would think that pornography should not be an issue of concern in a community like Logan. Opinions on this subject vary, some think it is a problem, while others do not. Paula Houston, Obscenity and Pornography Complaints Ombudsman for the Utah Attorney General's Office, told a Logan audience last month that there is a problem and one should be aware of it. "Part of my job is educating the public, helping citizens to understand what pornography is, and things they can do to take action about material that is offensive to them. . .They have to make decisions on what is right for their communities," said Houston. However, in the opinion of Stephen C. Clark, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union, pornography is no different than any other form of free speech, and the government may not restrict speech even if some are offended by the content. "Civil rights are not up for a majority vote, they are protected without condition," Clark told the audience in attendance at the panel discussion of the problem of porn. One might conclude from Clark's remarks that what might be good for the communities in Utah may not be appropriate as a national standard. So, is there a problem with pornography in Logan? According to Logan Mayor Douglas Thompson, there is. "I think it's a problem anywhere, as well in Logan," said Thompson. "From what I gather, almost all cases of sexual abuse, particularly with younger kids, involve pornography." Thompson went on to say that he has seen problems with friends, and that it is something that cannot be taken lightly. "It's as addictive as drugs and the addiction is just as hard to get rid of," said Thompson. Dennis O'Dell, LDS bishop of the USU Logan 20th Ward, said that pornography can be detrimental to marriage. "I believe that pornography hurts the marital relationship because if you're taking the time to look at someone other than your wife, you aren't as likely to be dedicated to her alone," said O'Dell. "It's something that you can't get out of your head. It's as addictive as anything -- gambling, cocaine, and heroine," said O'Dell. "I think it's an issue that everyone has to face whether they want to or not." Tim Mitchell, a counselor at the Bear River Mental Health Institution, has beliefs similar to O'Dell's. "Rare is the person who hasn't come in contact with pornography," he said. Mitchell expressed what he has found to be reoccurring symptoms, with his clients who view pornography. "The biggest problem is that leads to lower self-esteem and self-isolating behavior in youth," said Mitchell. "Instead of playing basketball or playing with friends, they are isolating themselves to pornography." Although many people in Logan believe that there is a problem with pornography, there are those who disagree. Amy Christensen, a case worker for CAPSA, help center for those suffering from domestic violence, shared her view on the issue. "We see a lot of marital, sexual abuse," she said. "This month, I would say that 75 percent of these perpetrators said that they were involved with pornography, but I wouldn't say that they were connected." USU student Karen Coleman said that the Communication Decency Act threatens to take away the use of the Internet. "The government should no more tell me what I can view on the Internet than my mother should tell me how to dress," Coleman said. "I am inquisitive, I like to research. How dare they try to limit my scope." So, can the government take away rights from citizens, and how far can advertisers go without offense? Online advertisers for Abercrombie & Fitch now refuse to distribute their catalog in Utah because of its laws. Marta Murvosh, writing in the Salt Lake Tribune on April 22, said the catalog was "too sexy for Utah." "We try to make it as beautiful and fun and energetic as we can," said Hampton Carney, spokesman for Abercrombie & Fitch. "We've always said this is adult stuff." Have magazine advertisements always been "adult stuff," or are they becoming more bold? In an April 19, 2001 article in The Columbus Dispatch, Joe Blundo, Dispatch columnist, noticed some change in the advertisement of this magazine. "The last time I looked at an Abercrombie & Fitch catalog was two years ago, when it was full of bored-looking white college kids in imminent danger of losing their pants," wrote Blundoe. "In the Spring Break 2001 edition, some of the kids actually have lost their pants." "I don't want to reinvent the wheel," Houston told the Los Angeles Times in March. She views her mandate as assisting communities in setting decency standards and legally defending them. "One of the first things I tell people is that what the government can do is very limited," she said recently. "But the power of the people is very strong. They can have a huge impact on the community."
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