Senator demands info on search engine subpoena

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Now we're getting somewhere

""Now, I don't know what problem they had with the survey data they collected originally, but obviously it wasn't strong enough the first time, or they wouldn't have to be doing this appeal. (I suspect one problem they had was that the surveys were self-reported. Self-reporting would lead to a higher percentage saying that the porn viewing was inadvertent. Children and teens don't necessarily want to admit that they went where they did intentionally.)""

Agreed.

""Theoretically, they could do the same thing I did, but it would be ridiculously inefficient, compared to what they're doing, and it wouldn't be a random sample. To do it the way I did it, they'd have to hire people to sit at computers and type in inocuous search terms all day, and it still wouldn't be data as valid as what they've got with the subpoena.""

I agree that the data wouldn't be valid if they hired people to do inocuous searches all day. My argument is that it isn't valid the way they are doing the subpoena either. Although my bet is that they will try to make it appear valid. If you've ever had a statistics class you know that you make them show whatever you want them to show.

The whole point of the Governments appeal is to try to prove that filters are ineffective and to prove that the only effective method of insulating children from porn is to make everyone purchase an adult I.D. or use a credit card to view adult material. If they prevail that creates a database/databases of adults who access porn. That database is subject to abuse. Guess what happens the first time there is a sexually oriented crime committed, the Government then subpoenas that database for that area and starts going to peoples homes to question them even though there is no other indicatiion that they have or will commit such a crime, but they are in the database. Guess what happens when the police or the FBI start pulling up to peoples doors, others see what happens when you purchase an adult ID and they decide not to, the database dries up and voila the porn industry is dead without having to go through that useless drill of passing a law that won't pass muster because it violates the 1st amendment.

Just another back door attempt to go around the Constitution to accomplish a goal that the groups that want to regulate everyones morality know that they can't accomplish by trying to amend the Constitution because they can't get enough popular support to do it.

The tyranny of the minority. The John Ashcrofts of the world that go around requiring nude statues at federal buildings be covered.

""Again, who did the search isn't the point. (It can't be the point, since the information isn't provided.)""

Which has been my point all along that the information isn't provided. But the whole point of the appeal is to try to prove that very point, that it is children who are the ones inadvertantly accessing porn through no fault of their own.

That is why I still say that my solution of a .xxx domain is the best solution if the intent is to insulate children from being inadvertently exposed to porn. A search for bambi won't turn up "BAMBI. XXX" if the hardware or software filter has been installed. The search will only turn up bambi the baby deer. It will also halt the hijacking of high traffic domains to expose people to porn that don't wish to be because a search for White House won't turn up White House.xxx with the filter installed. And if the filter is configured correctly typing in White House.xxx in an attempt to reach White House.gov will not turn up anything.

Will all of the bad actors and those that would attempt to expose people to porn ever be eliminated. No, not as long as there is a buck to be made from it but the single domain solution comes closest to accomplishing the goal without trampling on the rights of consenting adults.

Posted by: Looneytoon   Posted on: 01/28/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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