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!

Saturday, September 22, 2007

DoD Response to Alliance Defense Fund

This is the response from the DoD in regards to the Alliance Defense Fund letter in the previous post. Here is the link: ConstitutionallyCorrect.com. Here is the text:

Mr. Alan E. Sears
President, CEO & General Counsel
Alliance Defense Fund
15333 N. Pima Road, Suite 165
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260

Dear Mr. Sears:

Thank you for your letter dated May 4 to the Secretary of Defense concerning the periodicals and videos sold in military exchange stores. Since Departments of Defense (DoD) policy on this issue falls within my purview, I am responding.

The Military Honor and Decency Act of 1996 (the Act), 10 U.S.C. 2489a, prohibits the sale or rental of sexually explicit material on property under DoD jurisdiction and requires the established Resale Activities Board of Review (the "Board"), which reviews material offered for sale or rental on property under DoD jurisdiction to ensure that it is not sexually explicit as defined by the Act.

Pursuant to the Department of Defense Instruction 4105.70, "Sale or Rental of Sexually Explicit Material on DoD Property," the Board reviewed Celebrity Skin, Penthouse, and Playmates In Bed and determined that, based solely on the totality of each magazine's contect, they were not sexually explicit. Therefore, the sale of these magazines on DoD property is permissible. The Board recently determined that all "Peach Video DVD's" shall be considered sexually explicit which include, "Blonde and Beyond," "Girls Night In," "Import Skin," "Sex Symbols," and "Wet." Therefore, the sale of these videos on DoD property is not permissible.

We have notified the Board and have asked that it expeditiously review Curves, FHM, Hot Shots 2007 by Playboy, Playboy's Vixen, and XXX. The Board will review these items to determine if they are sexually explicit, and will advise the exchanges to cease selling these items until the Board has made its determination.

I trust this information proves helpful.

Sincerely,

Leslye A. Arsht
Deputy Under Secretary of Defense
(Military Community and Family Policy)

Posted at 4:11 PM

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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Interesting to know.

11/12/2008 12:44 AM

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