Thursday, January 23, 2014

Summary and Response to "A First Amendment Junkie" by Susan Jacoby

In "A First Amendment Junkie" by New York Times author Susan Jacoby, she argues that censoring pornography goes against the First Amendment.  She believes that the First Amendment should be absolutely interpreted.  She states that people will never be able to agree on what should be censored.  Jacoby points out that censoring pornography will lead to censorship of other topics that need to be discussed and brought to attention in American society.  She believes that pornography cannot even be defined as to what is obscene or what is art, therefore it cannot be censored.

I believe that Jacoby is right.  Pornography should be available for those who wish to make it or view it.  While it is offensive to many people, they have the choice not to view it.  Pornography is not just posted publicly so that people can just see it anywhere even if they do not wish to.  You have to go looking for pornography, or either you are warned with a cover on a magazine or the rating of a movie.  That is censorship enough.

I agree with Jacoby that we should interpret the First Amendment as is.  If we change it, it will only leave more grey areas that people will dispute over.  People will always disagree and find something to argue about, no matter how much our government bends to fit their needs.  

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