I don't disagree with your suggestions Alex, they represent a more common sense/common courtesy approach. My argument is that the law, as it's written, is in fact unconstitutional and the last thing we need is more bad federal legislation. Since it really IS an issue of community standards, I agree with Vick in having it decided on a local level.
There are things that no one would bat an eye over here in Los Angeles that might send someone in Bumfuck, Arkansas into apoplexy -- federal legislation would mandate the most restrictive standards across the board; and that's unacceptable.
One other factor to consider is that pressure from a few people in one's own community is quite likely a MUCH more effective way to get people to behave in an acceptable manner in public than a federal law. If Joe Perv has the balls to be surfing porn in the library, in a place where children are likely to be exposed, there's not much that'll stop the librarians from pulling the plug on him or tossing his ass out. And there might not be much that'd keep Little Johnny's Daddy from putting Joe Perv's lights out for him to get the point across.
Again, I just don't see that there are a sufficent number of people surfing hardcore porn in public libraries to justify sweeping federal legislation. This is just more of the same bullshit from the Fed Gov trying to control the purse strings and legislate morality. It's bad law, period.
As for them damned kids, they're going to see porn -- and indeed will seek it out, usually at least a few years before they're even 18 -- one way or another no matter what kind of legislation's in place. It's human nature.
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