The Realization
AAFES (The Army Air Force Exchange Service) is not a store for everyone, although by design it is supposed to be. It is only a store for adults who do not mind being bombarded with sexually explicit slogans and images throughout the store. Additionally, AAFES has no policy that prevents children from purchasing CDs with explicit lyrics, movies that are rated R (Restricted), and or video games that are rated M (Mature). Because of this, we are asking AAFES to incorporate policies that are very similar to what Wal-Mart has already put in place. We call this standard "the Wal-Mart Standard". In time, we hope that AAFES rises to the challenge and adopts this standard as the norm so that children and principled adults can shop for supplies in a family-friendly environment.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help AAFES make sensible changes to its current policies that result in every AAFES establishment becoming family-friendly.
A Call to AAFES
1. Incorporate a pro-family stance into the AAFES Mission Statement reflecting the values of the people AAFES serves - military families.
2. Develop, publish, and implement a family-friendly policy. The following must be included in this policy:
2a. Stop selling all pornography (e.g. Playboy) and publications that appeal to prurient interest (e.g. Maxim, FHM, Stuff, Cosmopolitan, Heavy Metal).
2b. Do not position any publications that might be interpreted as offensive in areas where the customer is a captive audience (e.g. checkout aisle, store entrance, restroom hallway).
2c. Stop selling all music labeled "Explicit Lyrics".
2d. Post a sign clearly visible at each register and enforce a policy that states no rated "M for Mature" games and "R for Restricted" movies will be sold to anyone less than 18 years of age.
Contact AAFES
Anyone can call (1-800-527-6790) or email them at commander@aafes.com. You can also fill out an online comment form if you are in the military. They always send a response, so let them know what you think about this important issue!
Taken from SFGate.com (Article Date: September 13th, 2002):
A U.S. appeals court in San Francisco today upheld the federal Military Honor and Decency Act, which prohibits the sale or rental of sexually explicit magazines and videos on military bases.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the 1996 law does not violate the First Amendment right of free speech.
A three-judge panel said the law is reasonable because it seeks to
restrict the sale of materials "at odds with the military's image of honor,
professionalism and proper decorum.''
The court made its ruling in a lawsuit filed in federal court in San Jose in 1996 by three magazine distributors and three individuals.
The panel affirmed a 1999 ruling in which U.S. District Judge Jeremy Fogel of San Jose turned down the magazine distributors' bid for a preliminary injunction.
The law primarily affects post exchanges -- the military stores that are open only to present and former armed services families.
A Department of Defense agency called the Resale Activities Board of Review periodically evaluates materials sold and rented at the exchanges and decides which books, magazines, films and tapes should be banned because they are sexually explicit.
The appeals court said free-speech rights are somewhat restricted at a military exchange because an exchange is not a traditional public forum where free speech is exercised.
The panel said an exchange is not a public forum because the military controls the items stocked and limits public access to the stores.
The 9th Circuit court agreed with a similar ruling by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York in 1997. Lawyers for the magazine distributors were not immediately available for comment today.
No comments:
Post a Comment