We would like to highlight an exchange of comments we had on 9/20 with “AC”. The points raised are substantially similar to those that appear in a 9/23 Gazette letter to the editor submitted by Peter Brooks.AC wrote:Your point of view, Nopornnorthampton, may be right in many respects. But pornographic material does make a social statement that […]
Debate on the Issues
A Response to “marriage is an outdated practice”
We recently had an exchange with “NOHO Resident” that we would like to highlight. NOHO Resident asserts that marriage “is becoming an outdated practice more and more day by day.” We replied: I’m so glad you raised the issue of marriage being obsolete. This would certainly be news to many children of divorce. Barbara Whitehead […]
Letter to Gazette: “Protect families, children from porn shop on King St.”
Today’s Gazette publishes a letter to the editor from Lynn Shelley-Sireci of Florence, a parent of three young sons: “…Proponents of this shop are quick to argue that it is the responsibility of parents to monitor what their children see, and if you don’t like it, don’t go in. But what are parents supposed to […]
A Response to “Censoring Pornography Is Counterproductive” (explicit)
“paco” suggested we read “Censoring Pornography Is Counterproductive”, so we did. Before we begin our analysis, we repeat that NPN does not advocate censorship or banning of any kind of speech, but believes in education and self-restraint. This article is written by Joseph C. Sommer, an attorney and “humanist”, as defined here on his website. […]
A Response to Wendy McElroy’s “Banning Pornography Endangers Women”
As part of his defense of porn, “paco” suggested we look at Wendy McElroy’s essay, “Banning Pornography Endangers Women”. NPN’s Jendi Reiter did so and offers this analysis. Before we begin, we reiterate that NPN does not advocate censorship or banning of any kind of speech. We do mean to educate people about the nature […]
Sexual Paraphernalia
We would like to address the issue of sexual paraphernalia, which was raised by “paco” in this comment on 9/12/06: Heart plush spank-her. Gentle or hard..this soft faux fur and leather covers every mood you and your queen of heart could experience. Glide the soft delight or make his heart race with the leather side. […]
Is Debt Driving the Goldbergs to Lease to Capital Video?
Some people have wondered why Barry and Annette Goldberg would lease their building at 135 King Street to such an inappropriate tenant as Capital Video. The Goldbergs have made no response to numerous inquiries from us and the media. Even their leasing agent thinks it’s a bad idea. The answer may lie in the debt […]
Letter to Gazette: “Porn company’s products degrading to young women”
Today’s Gazette publishes a letter to the editor from Diana Jo Davies of Northampton:“Recently, I went to the Web site of Capital Video because a branch of this large enterprise is planning to locate close to downtown Northampton. Capital Video is a big pornography company. While looking over this site, my most prominent impression was […]
Gazette Publishes NPN Letter: “There’s plenty of evidence about the dangers of porn”
Today’s Gazette publishes a condensed version of our rebuttal (see our 9/12 post below) to an earlier letter by Aaron Archambeault of Easthampton. We rebut Mr. Archambeault’s assertions that convicted killer Gary Bishop was unlikely to be influenced by the porn he consumed, that no distinction can be made between Oh My and Capital Video, […]
USA Today: “‘Porn wars’ flaring in the heartland”
The September 5 edition of USA Today reports on resistance to porn shops in small towns: “The multibillion-dollar sex industry has branched into the heartland, often along interstates,” and that trend is spurring local governments and community activists to mount aggressive efforts to shut down adult stores that sell pornography, The Courier-Journal of Louisville, Ky., […]