The Destruction of the Moral Fabric of America
by Steven Toushin
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Book Summary Information
Author: Steven ToushinEditor: puppy sharon
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Published)
Published: 2006-10-12
ISBN: 188476004X
Number of pages: 608
Publisher: Wells Street Publishing
Book Reviews of The Destruction of the Moral Fabric of America
Book Review: A Man With Moral Fabric
Summary: 5 Stars
Steven Toushin has written a very important book, a must-read
for anyone interested in Freedom of Speech issues, sexuality
and alternate sexualities, particularly BDSM, and the legal
issues surrounding obscenity and pornography. His first hand
account of his arrest and trial for the distribution of
pornography is a fascinating and educational view of the
excesses of government's attempts to control morality.
Toushin's book may in fact be unique, in that it is a defendant's
document of his obscenity trial, and includes transcripts of the
actual trial. It also includes transcripts of the development of
the legal defense, interviews with possible witnesses that run
the gamut from participants in the films seized, to mental
health experts and sociologists.
Prosecuted under an insidious plan developed by the Meese
Commission on Pornography, Toushin defended himself against
the full brunt of the Federal Government. Most of the other
businesses charged in this particular sweep of adult film
companies closed, paid fines, and kept a low profile. To his
lasting credit, Toushin fought to save his businesses, his
personal freedom, and First Amendment rights.
The government's plan was brilliant, although it's legality was
questioned by many, including the FBI. Smaller cities in
conservative states were chosen as a venue where it was felt
there would be a greater probability of conviction for obscenity.
Postmasters in the chosen cities ordered and bought catalogs
from adult businesses, then frequently purchased additional
"specialty" catalogs. They then ordered films depicting acts
that were determined most likely to offend a jury. It was
actually stated the outcome of the trial was not crucial to the
prosecution's plan. The real intent was to charge the
defendants in as many states as possible at the same time and
to make legal defense impossible financially. The adult
companies would be bankrupted or closed even if it was later
determined by the court the material they sold was legal and
protected.
`Moral Fabric' reads like a good thriller. The reader is lead
through the defense team's discovery process and then the
trial, not knowing in advance what the outcome will be.
As the defense lawyers educate themselves on the BDSM
lifestyle and it's wide variety of sexual practices, this reader was
also informed. There are brow raisers and chuckles.
The book's true value is as a social document late 20th Century
sexual practices, ideas on morality and individual rights, and
legal precedent. It is fascinating now and surely will also be
equally so in 50 years.
We live in a society where every art form, every kind of media,
every kind of entertainment and even our advertising is directly
influenced by pornography. Our ideas about sex and sexuality
are in constant transition. If the financial numbers for the
pornography business are correct, the creation, sales and
consumption are a huge business that rivals or surpasses
Hollywood. Someone is enjoying a lot of erotica. The success of
"moralists" to shame some into submission and denial leaves a
conflicted populace that want to continue consuming porn with
pleasure, but must also punish...someone. It is telling that
"someone" is not the creator, the participants, or the
consumer, but it is the distributor.
Steven Toushin is to be commended for his insistence on
personal sexual freedom, free speech, and his willingness to
share his own life experience.
There are many memorable ideas and quotations. To
paraphrase and quote a few favorites:
"The right to view legal adult material in one's own home is
meaningless if there is no way to purchase or otherwise obtain
it."
-Judge
"It is not popular speech that needs protection, but unpopular
speech."
"The Gothic idea that we were to look backwards instead of
forwards for the improvement of the human mind, and to recur
to the annals of our ancestors for what is most perfect in
government, in religion and in learning, is worthy of those
bigots in religion and government by whom it has been
recommended, and whose purpose it would answer. But it is
not an idea this country will endure."
-Thomas Jefferson 1800
Summary of The Destruction of the Moral Fabric of America
Destructions author Steven Toushin shares his first-hand experiences with obscenity-law; corruption and immorality within the federal government; and the conservative religious agenda that threatens our constitutional guarantees of religious freedom and freedom of speech. Destruction is for anyone who values liberty, who loves America, who doesn't want to be bullied by right-wing political and religious extremists. It is for people who are interested in individual sexual freedom, law, politics, morality, and a better America for all people.Destruction of the Moral Fabric of America revolves around the first S/M-obscenity trial following the 1985 Meese Commission on Pornography which ignited a decade of persecution of the adult industry. The trial includes a debate of the issues among recognized members of the BDSM community Tony DeBlase, Guy Baldwin, Goeff Mains, Gayle Rubin, John Roberry, Jim Ward, GMSMA, sociologists, anthropologists, mental health experts, and legal experts. Along with Steven's personal
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