Obscenity in Ann Arbor

I recently discovered a very interesting commentary by Dr. Fornbush at Bring It On!. In this writing he describes the purpose of "Bring It On!" by discussing how the movie "Deep Throat" led to a strong backlash from government censors. While the crackdown on graphic sex led directly to our current movie rating system, violence has become ever more pervasive and accepted in movies, with scant political criticism. It is as if violence has become the officially sanctioned substitute for sex. [more]

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of taking my family to the annual Ann Arbor Street Art Fair. It was a beautiful evening and we had a wonderful time.

However, one "gentleman" delivered a moment of darkness on an otherwise enjoyable evening. A so-called "right to life" fanatic was marching up and down the fair holding aloft a massive banner full of extremely disturbing images of aborted fetuses and dismembered baby body parts.

I have two young children, and I take my parental responsibilities seriously. Therefore, my first reaction was to confront this fanatic and inform him that there are several young children in the crowd. How dare he inflict trauma on these young people by forcing them to view such obscene images. I quickly decided against this course of action. Had I done so, there is little doubt my children would have seen the banner.

Fortunately, I saw him coming ahead of time and was able to alert my wife and distract my children by turning into the nearest artist's booth. The reaction of the crowd was interesting. A silence descended and an almost palpable chill followed this abomination.

I have also witnessed panel trucks displaying these obscene images driving around outside Michigan Stadium before U of M football games. On one of these festive occassions my five year old daughter was with me. Once again, she was able to avoid seeing this due to the crowd and her short stature. I am glad I was not carrying her on my shoulders at the time.

So, just what is considered obscenity in America today? Why do our political "leaders" go ballistic when Janet Jackson exposes her breast for a split second during a Super Bowl halftime show, while they allow grotesque and obscenely violent images to be displayed in front of children in the name of religious freedom and freedom of expression?

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