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!

Thursday, June 05, 2008

Congressman Broun Introduces Anti-Pornography Legislation

Source: http://broun.house.gov/apps/list/press/ga10_broun/AntiPornography.shtml

April 17, 2008
Washington D.C.- U.S. Congressman Paul C. Broun, M.D. announced today the introduction of legislation designed to stem the sale of pornography on military installations. Broun’s legislation, the “Military Honor and Decency Act,” closes a loophole in current law that is allowing the sale of sexually explicit material on American military installations located both within the United States and around the world. Although the “National Defense Authorization Act of 1997” expressly prevents the Secretary of Defense from permitting the sale or rental of sexually explicit material on property under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense (DoD), subsequent regulations adopted by the Department of Defense have continued to allow the sale of sexually explicit material to occur. Congressman Broun’s legislation closes these existing loopholes in DoD regulations to bring the Department into compliance with the intent of the 1997 law so that taxpayers will not be footing the costs of distributing pornography.

“As a Marine, I am deeply concerned for the welfare of our troops and their mission,” said Broun. “Allowing the sale of pornography on military bases has harmed military men and women by: escalating the number of violent, sexual crimes; feeding a base addiction; eroding the family as the primary building block of society; and denigrating the moral standing of our troops both here and abroad. Our troops should not see their honor sullied so that the moguls behind magazines like Playboy and Penthouse can profit. The ‘Military Honor and Decency Act’ will right a bureaucratic--and moral--wrong.”

Congressman Broun’s legislation makes the following specific changes to current law:
· Modifies the current definition of sexually explicit, to lower the threshold required to deem material sexually explicit.
· Adds a new definition of “principal theme” which makes it clear to the DoD that the threshold has been lowered.
· Adds a definition of “lascivious” that is broader than what is included in the DoD Instruction on the sale of sexually explicit material.
· Adds a definition of “nudity” that makes it much more difficult for the DoD’s Resale Activities Board of Review (RABR) to approve the sale of sexually explicit material.
· Requires that DoD annually review material that is not currently deemed sexually explicit (and therefore allowed) to determine if it should be prohibited. RABR failed to meet a single time between FY 2000 and 2005. Congressman Broun’s legislation is officially designated as H.R. 5821 and has already attracted 15 cosponsors.

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