Strongly opposed to XXX Domain

[Jennifer LeBow <jenn_lebow@xxxxxxxxx>]

Dear ______,
   
  As you consider the .xxx domain plan, please take the following opinion into 
account.  To give you statistical information about myself, I am a 37-year-old 
American woman.  I am married, never divorced, and we have 3 children, from 16 
to 2.  I am from Texas, but have lived in Boston, Washington, D.C, and overseas 
in Central America and in Europe.  I earned a B.A. degree at a private 
university.
   
  I am strongly opposed to the .xxx domain idea.  Pornography is already highly 
accessible on the Internet as well as in many other formats.  There is no need 
to increase its availability; it is already almost universally accessible.
   
  Too, in granting a new domain suffix, one industry is elevated above all 
others save education and government.  Would we even be willing to entertain 
the idea of a .car suffix for the automobile companies, a .gun suffix for 
firearms, etc.?  I doubt it.  Let's not elevate pornography in a misguided and 
easily circumvented attempt to quarantine it.
   
  In addition, granting a new domain suffix to an industry that is designed to 
bring out the worst in us is a horrible mistake.  Pornography encourages us to 
treat people as objects for our short-term pleasure.  It portrays sexual 
gratification as the pinnacle of the human experience.  It diminishes respect 
for others.  As an industry, it preys on children and teens, knowing that they 
are likely to be curious and eager to view not only nudity, but sexual acts.
   
  None of these characteristics are representative of what is best about 
America.  We, as a nation, have a history of being respectful of each citizen's 
rights.  We have made great progress in recognizing human rights, regardless of 
race or gender.  American ingenuity, hard work, and creativity brought us many 
of the inventions we now deem "necessary" to the world. 
   
  I know that free speech is one of our greatest guaranteed rights as Americans 
as well, but free speech is not threatened by denying a domain name to an 
industry whose intention is to debase and make money, not to provide a useful 
or constructive idea, product or service.  
   
  Why is pornography so hotly debated?  Because we all know, deep down, that 
it's not in our best interests, but some people are unwilling to break away 
from their porn habit or from the money they make by producing it. 
   
  Your commission has the opportunity to refuse to grant what amounts to 
unlimited space on the Internet to people who are not interested in American 
values, but in greed.  While greed is not illegal, I know no one who encourages 
greed in their children.  Why ought we, then, encourage it in the pornography 
industry?  Please do what is best for decency and for America.
   
  Thank you for your consideration.
   
  Sincerely,
  Jennifer LeBow
  PSC 61 Box 30
  APO, AE 09642
   
  (Americans serving overseas)
   
   

 
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