Eugene Weekly : Letters : 08.05.04
PORN’S CROSSOVER
In response to Megan Shmidt’s “Ask Yourselves” viewpoint (7/15): If we are to answer the question, “Why is EW willing to subjugate women?” we must first ask this question in the appropriate manner: “Does EW intend to subjugate women?” To answer this, we must first establish intent. Is it the intent of EW to force readers into porn or prostitution? Are the ads portrayed in a lewd and lascivious manner? Is EW forcing advertisers to run their ads to promote these services for profit directly fromthese services?
While there are a few studies showing that a small percentage of people who commit acts of violence and rape also consume pornography, the vast preponderance of people who consume pornography never commit any crimes at all.
The reality is that there are significant scientific hurdles to overcome in demonstrating that the consumption of pornography/prostitution actually causes violence, no matter whether the research takes place in a laboratory study, a field study, a longitudinal study, or a combination of those approaches.
Those who cite these carefully qualified studies suggesting a connection between adult entertainment and “aggressive behavior” — responses that are often modeled or sanctioned by the studies or researchers themselves — ignore the reality that there is absolutely no way of predicting with certainty whether exposure/indulgence in adult entertainment will produce a positive, negative or neutral result in a given individual.
We must then ask the question, based on Ms. Schmidt’s assumption, if women are enslaved or subjugated by adult entertainment, in any form, surely they do not indulge in it themselves?
In fact, the female demographic is probably the biggest catalyst for porn’s cultural crossover. Adella O’Neal, publicist for the interactive adult-DVD company Digital Playground, says that in 2000 roughly 9 percent of the company’s consumers were women; four years later, that figure has bloomed to 53 percent.
Ladies: Your mind, body and conscience belong to one person — you. That conviction is very empowering, whether you are in the adult industry or not. It puts you in the driver’s seat in your own life. Men cannot victimize you unless you allow them to by not being your own person, not knowing who you are and not respecting yourself.
Victoria Austin & Sherylin York, Eugene
EDITOR’S NOTE: Victoria Austin is a student majoring in psychology with an emphasis on human sexuality and Sherylin York has been an adult performer for the past 10 years.
GET OUT IN FRONT
Thank you for a fine publication with reporting on local news and issues. Megan Schmidt in her viewpoint (7/15) presents a powerful analysis connecting sex industry ads and the exploitation of women. I expect that in time this view will be widely accepted as correct.
Can EW get "in front" on this issue and find a way to be a profitable publication without sex industry ads? There must be a way to do this, and I encourage you to open a dialogue with your readers, advertisers, and supporters to find that path.
Jon Tressler, Eugene
WE ARE ALL EXPLOITED
Contrary to Megan Schmidt's suggestion (7/15), no causal link has ever been found between sexually explicit material or behavior and (sexual) violence. Indeed, countries with more availability of porn and prostitution such as the Netherlands, where I conduct my own research, typically report lower rates of (sexual) violence than more puritanical societies like the U.S. Thus, researchers Diamond and Uchiyama write, "In the U.S., it was shown that … no such relationship of pornography leading to rape or sexual assault could be demonstrated as applicable to adults or juveniles."
Referring to their own recent research in Japan they continue, "Despite the wide increase in the availability of pornography to children, not only was there a decrease in sex crimes with juveniles as victims but the number of juvenile offenders also decreased significantly." These results have been replicated throughout Western Europe.
Rather than indict EW for its ads, Schmidt's desire for justice would be better served by turning her (and our) critical gaze toward the machinery of capitalism that causes all of us to be exploited through the sale of our labor, sexual or otherwise, whether on our knees pleasuring the boss or cleaning his toilet.
It is our economic system, along with our superstitious taboos about the inherent "evils" of sex and porn, which Schmidt perpetuates, that furnish the preconditions for exploitation Schmidt decries. EW's sex ads are a consequence of this all, not a cause, and are ultimately as irrelevant as the tired invective against those ads.
J. Maas-DeSpain, Eugene
THE DIRT ON MARTHA
I know that Martha Stewart may not be of much interest to EW readers other than for retribution, but there is something ironic worth mentioning. Some years ago Washington State did research on the amounts of toxic chemicals and sludge that fertilizer manufacturers put into their mixes — evidently a more common practice than we like to think about. After reading the comparison graphics, I noticed that the Martha Stewart brand was one of the cleanest, better even that some "environmentally friendly" ones. Did they bust her because she didn't put enough toxic sludge in the food chain to suit agribusiness? Tsk, tsk.
Michael Anderson, Oakridge
PICKING UP THE TAB
I was thrilled to see Hugh Massengill's letter "excluding the poor" (7/15), because it was a perfect and blatant example of how the American mind has been twisted into believing that we are all victims of something, and it is the governments responsibility to correct our problems. In his letter Massengill accuses the city of Eugene of delightfully excluding the poor from Art and the Vineyard by allowing an admission fee to be charged.
I am truly sorry that Mr. Massengill's financial status did not allow him to spend $5 to enjoy such a wonderful event as Art and the Vineyard. Heaven forbid that he should have to pay for it. If I've learned anything in my life, it is, "Nothing is free." Medical care is not free, food is not free and fireworks are not free. Somebody has to pay for them, the question is who. I assume the fireworks were paid for with tax dollars, so go ahead and watch them on my dime (I assume that he does not pay taxes if he is that poor). Other events on public land such as football games, concerts, and Art and the Vineyard also cost money. If someone does not want to pay his fee, then somebody else will have to pick up the tab, presumably the taxpayer. I personally do not want to be the one stuck with Mr. Massengill's bill for a "luxury item." If he dedicated as much effort to earning income as he did in writing his letter, he could have earned the $5 admission fee. What's next, free HBO? Write back when you have something substantial to complain about, like flatulence. That is a government program I'd be willing to pay for.
Todd Anderson aka Evil Rich Guy, Eugene
NOT WORTH IT
Saturday evening, my wife and I returned from a pleasant outdoor party to find her cat of 13 years lying dead at the foot of our driveway. Apparently someone saved 30 seconds en route to whatever vitally important function they were speeding to. You really had to go out of the way to hit Sissy Lee — she was smart and avoided the street. So here we are, only days from the birth of our first child, and my wife is heartbroken. It's not the first time. The day after our wedding, our other cat, Henry, was killed by a speeder. So, the two biggest events of our lives have been marred by unthinking, inconsiderate people.
At this point, we're hell-bent to get a stop sign or speed bump on our stretch of street, or we'll move. But I'd like to go on record with the thoughtless speeders out there — whether or not you "like" dogs or cats is not the issue. These animals don't exist in a void. Behind each of them is a heartbroken elderly widow who's lost her best remaining friend, or a shy, lonely child, whose loving pet gives them desperately needed reassurance; or people like my wife and me, looking forward to the biggest moment of our lives. To you I say — I hope the 30 seconds was worth it.
Robert Hermann , Eugene
DUMP BUSH
So now the CIA is to blame for the misinformation that justified our invasion and conquering of Iraq. But Bush is still sticking to his guns saying Iraq and the world are better off without a brutal dictatorship there.
My heart and soul can not disagree with the latter, but the big question still remains, "Is the U.S. the world's police and Bush its chief?" Again my heart and soul say "No!"
The United Nations must take that role, making and enforcing resolutions that prevent mass genocide and brutal atrocities by madmen in power in any country.
We must first vote Mr. Bush out of power, as he seems to be taking his role as global chief of police way too seriously. If he follows through on the "Bush Doctrine" against harboring terrorists (and brutal dictators), there are several other countries he must invade and "civilize" with puppet governments of the U.S.
Again this is obviously the job of a revitalized, resolute and powerful U.N., not a Bush Imperial World Government.
Whether or not Kerry rises to the challenge of statesmanship beyond his political pandering, we must dump Bush.
Michael Mooney, Eugene
THE PLATFORM
I enjoy being part of the grassroots movement MoveOn and supported their airing of a new commercial about the upcoming debates between Bush and Kerry, using stand-ins to show who each candidate is working for.
Corporate executives assumed they were entitled to the preferential treatment they are receiving from Bush — after all, they paid him to do that for them.
Working class people made short statements about important policies Kerry proposes that will restore jobs and provide health insurance to everyday Americans. Apparently the commercial was very effective in moving people's opinions.
Kerry's platform is encouraging‚ though we don't hear much about it in the mainstream media. In fact people have complained about how they never hear about his plans. Are we surprised that somehow the media is preoccupied with other things?
Kerry has plenty of sound and sensible ideas essentially putting the well-being of the people first. Check them out online at www.johnkerry.com/index.html Anna Sontag, Eugene
LOSS OF APPETITE
An open letter to Carl's Jr. restaurants: Please take down your signs referencing your hopes that customers will leave in "shock and awe." This is a reference to a war. It conjures up images of spattered blood and broken body parts. These are not pleasant images to go with my hamburger. I will not patronize your restaurants while these signs are up and neither will anyone else of conscience.
Steve Kyte, Corvallis
WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED?
Ralph Nader decided July 19 to accept thousands of petition signatures collected by Michigan Republicans. If that's the only way he can qualify for the state's presidential ballot, if that's not proof that a vote for Ralph is a vote for George W., what else do you need to know?
Shawn Bird, Springfield
A DEAD EXAMPLE
When the Dead played up in Portland a couple weeks back, I was excited to bring my whole family up to experience the spirited, ecstatic magic of the music. The playfully colorful scene was truly a breath of fresh air. There were multiple generations of loving people singing, dancing and having fun. The children there ran, chased balloons and laughed. Many grinning dads bounced and swayed to the festive rhythms with toddlers bouncing merrily on their shoulders.
I am grateful to have this type of bonding communication that transcends age. I am also grateful to Columbia Meadows for being family friendly. Here in Eugene we have the Cuthbert Amphitheatre that has the potential to be one of the best venues in Oregon. Sadly they choose not to be family friendly. They charge full admission for any child who is age one or older. I have two children under the age of three. I would love to sway with my toddler on my back to the festive rhythms of the national acts the Cuthbert brings to Eugene. Unfortunately, I couldn't afford full-price tickets for my whole family. Children younger then 10 need to be free. The families that could then afford to come to the events would more then cover any lost profits.
It's my opinion that children dancing and singing with their families to the spirit of the music enhances the concert experience. I found this strongly evident when dancing to the Dead.
Steve Brown, Eugene
IDEAL LEADERS
With the onset of national elections this fall, the key to a successful outcome will be participation in the election. Voting not only advertises an educated mind, but also shows how much citizens care about the quality of leadership of those who represent them. It will be up to us to ensure this positive leadership in the future. So let's vote for leaders who are well read, with diplomacy skills, compassion, intelligence and ability. Let's elect leaders who will listen to the average citizen; leaders with the drive and energy to make things happen; leaders who strongly believe in equal rights and opportunity for all; leaders who will take on every issue without pause; leaders who believe in unity through diversity and also as the capability in quality of all citizens of Oregon; leaders who will not shy away from difficult challenges, but embrace them all with a radiant optimistic outlook.
Above all, we need leaders who truly emphasize dedication and true servant leadership. Having had the unique privilege and opportunity to have briefly worked in the local offices of U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, I strongly believe we have been blessed with the kind of leadership both he and U.S. Congressman Peter DeFazio have offered us. I would encourage everyone of voting age to reelect these champions of democracy. After all, the future of our state hangs in the balance. The decision is ours, let's make a wise one.
Tom Bush , Eugene
