November 2004

Less than a month after The Election and I'll admit I'm feeling more than a little disappointed with the outcome. Needless to say, I was hoping for a non-Bush win and swing back towards the center for our national ideology. We who produce sites like mine (and those that are much more sexual/graphic in nature) are right on the forefront of the national debate over free speech and obscenity. By virtue of it's very nature, the current Administration is not my friend. It's not your friend, either, if you -- as a consenting adult -- enjoy visiting Websites such as mine.

Granted, I don't think I'm on any government "hit list". After all, I don't have any full-frontal nudity, simulated or real sexual acts, or any of the other "red flags" that will get other sites in trouble. Oh. Wait. This is a site about bondage. So maybe I will raise an eyebrow or two with the powers that be. Despite the fact that this site is my personal, spiritual, emotional exploration via the physical catalyst of rope bondage, under the current tenants of the CDA (Communications Decency Act) if someone in Mississippi or Utah wandered past my disclaimer and warning and found these pages offensive to their "community standards" of decency, I could be prosecuted -- even though I'm based in New York, where the community standards are different. Scary.

Fortunately, the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) and Barbara Nitke are fighting for my right to have this Website untouched by censorship. They are currently waiting for a panel of judges to decide their case against the CDA. If they win, then the case goes to the Supreme Court and we have a chance of getting the second pillar of the CDA struck down. That possible ray light notwithstanding, I have a feeling it's going to be a long four years for those of us who desire true freedom of speech and civil rights I encourage you to visit the NCSF site and if you agree with what they're trying to do, send them a donation, no matter how small. It's an important case and they need our help.

I know this doesn't talk about my internal processes regarding bondage but since this site is the external expression of that process, I just had to address the topic. I will explore bondage whether or not I have this site but my desire to share with other interested people, to connect with them, teach them, and learn from them makes this site important for me to have. I want to continue creating here and not have to live under the shadow of fear that's descended over us.

Namaste,

Top