From: grimlok@hubcap.clemson.edu (Mike Percy)
Subject: Re: Laws work against you (was Re: Hitler's 'Mein Kampf')
Organization: Clemson University
Date: Wed, 11 Nov 1992 15:10:52 GMT

grimlok@hubcap.clemson.edu (Mike Percy) writes:

I'm following up my own post with another example from this mornings
local paper.

>This thread started with questions about what effect banning books has.
>I'd like to bring something up about prohibitive and/or invasive laws
>and how they work against the very people who thought they were such a
>good idea in the first place.
 
Locally, we've had some "problems" with homosexuals using public parks
and highway rest areas as meeting places.  Hardly a problem if you ask
me, except for the claims that some were not only meeting there, but
having sex there.  Homosexual or not, sex on a public picnic table is
not exactly something I'd like anyone to do if I might use that table at
alater date to eat off of.  Sting operations were set
up.  They didn't arrest anyone for public indecency or anything
sensible.  They did however arrest dozens of men for "soliciting immoral
acts" a law which apparently is on the books in this state.

The sting operations were the result of "public outrage."  Of course,
most of this outraged public was the vocal groups of Fundamentalist
Christians fueled by their churches.  In an earlier sting, the president
of the Clemson Baptist Student Union was arrested.  Two days ago another
sting operation netted a Baptist pastor.

The irony is that the pastor was known for his efforts to cure
homosexuals by converting them to Christianity.  This guy was probably
behind the instigation of the sting operations in the first 
place [speculation].
 
"Pastor denies charges"
Anderson Independent-Mail (w/o permission)
  A Baptist pasotr accused of soliciting sex from a male police officer at
an Anderson park was trying to minister to homosexuals, the pastor's
lawyer said Tuesday.
  "He feels his callin as a minister of the gospel is to counsel and
correct homosexuals," Anderson attorney Harold Lowery said.
  The Rev. Ronald Dean Stansell, pastor of Unity Baptist Church in
Starr, was charged Monday with solicitation for immoral purposes.  He
appeared before City Judge Hugh Welborn and requested a jury trial.
  Dr. Stansell, 41, of 1103 Farmer Road, Starr, was arrested after Anderson
Police said a man approached an undercover officer at Darwin Wright
Municipal Park and asked if he would like to have sex acts performed on
him.
  Police declined to comment, saying the report speaks for itself.
  Mr. Stansell's lawyer tells a different story.
  "At the particular time he was out there, this police officer came by
grinning and waving and acting feminine," Mr. Lowery said.  "Dr.
Stansell thought he was a homosexual and approached him for the purpose
of ascertaining this so he could proceed with his ministry."
  Mr. Lowery said his client has done extensive research on
homosexuality and wrote his doctoral thesis on the church's role in
counseling gays.
  He said Dr. Stansell had been out to the park severeal times in search
of homosexuals in an effort to convert them to Christianity.
------------------

Sorry this doesn't exactly fall under censorship.  But, the point is
that no stupid law like this and the examples in my other post can be
used only as the original supporters intended.  Trying to pass
censorship laws for things like pornography or anti-religious works
_will_ be used against the very people who wanted the laws passed.

Mike Percy             | grimlok@hubcap.clemson.edu  | I don't know about
Sr. Systems Analyst    | mspercy@clemson.clemson.edu | your brain, but mine
Info. Sys. Development | mspercy@clemson.BITNET      | is really...bossy.
Clemson University     | (803) 656-3780              | (Laurie Anderson)
Newsgroups: alt.censorship