Military policies on sex and porn have forced soldiers to suffer in silence. The press, which normally identifies governmental activity to be changed, has not done its job. Unpopular subject matter has caused media to shy away, leaving our troops with no
A silent battle has been waged for years, decades even. Soldiers have sought a humane military policy toward sex, while top brass and politicians have tightened the screws, so to speak. For the past year, this issue has tried to push to the surface, and the media has been brutal in its silence.
Two stories in November signified the tension building regarding sex and the military.
USA Today reported that Army and Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES, which runs Post Exchange and Base Exchange stores on military installations) announced that it would start to carry
Playboy and
Penthouse on U.S. soil. Only one major newspaper cared enough to cover the story. At the same time, I wrote an article for adult industry trade publication
AVN Online disclosing the chilling details of a search on Camp Anaconda in which porn and adult novelty items were seized in an invasive and improperly conducted search. Approximately 20 civilian contractors lost their jobs. Aside from a handful of "sex-positive" bloggers, the media remained mute.
In May, U.S. Representative Paul Broun a Republican from Georgia, has begun to push the Military Decency Act in an effort to get the likes of Playboy and Penthouse off military retailer shelves. Meanwhile, the May issue of
Penthouse has an article about the prohibition of porn in Iraq (again, written by me). Penthouse has been the lone advocate this month, but few media outlets outside the military have covered Broun's crusade.
The latest development, covered by
Military.com, is from Major General Jeffrey Schloesser, who has decided to permit unmarried soldiers to have sex in Afghanistan. It looks like progress, but the events of the past year show that every inch gained by one side is ultimately recaptured by the other.
So, where does this leave our troops? I have been following this issue since July 2007, when I learned of a contraband search on Camp Anaconda that yielded adult entertainment materials. I have tried to bring this issue to the attention of the major media outlets, but to no avail. While I applaud the adult entertainment community—including Adult Video News, Fleshbot and Penthouse—I am still baffled by the fact that those with the job of safeguarding our civil liberties, i.e. the mainstream press, has refused to document this aspect of the plight of our service members.
While a "right to porn" may not seem important, put yourself in the shoes of those serving. You leave your loved ones for a year, maybe longer. Hell, you might be on your second or third tour of duty. In a private moment, you decide to satisfy one of the natural urges the body experiences. What harm is there in permitting a magazine or a DVD? This isn't for public display.
In the face of military leadership, soldiers do not have a voice. Their role is to follow legal orders and accomplish the mission. Some orders, though legal, are patently absurd. When these situations arise, it is the job of the press to speak on their behalf. The porn industry press has done what it can. Now, it is time for the mainstream media to take up the cause. The press has long benefited from the protections of the First Amendment in the face of unpopular stories. It should take this opportunity to show its gratitude and speak out in defense of our troops.
