and if the thugs could get crack at the local stop and rob, there would be less crime too!

STUPID THEORY, DUMB ARTICLE!

Bob, U have a very good and legitimate point. You'll never get these " so called Professionals " to buy into your theory. If they did, they would be out of a job. The numbers speak volumes for your theory. U win, and they lose......

Now if prostitution were legalized everywhere the divorce rate would probably drop. Informative article...domer, you are a twit.

more porn or less porn may not begin to solve anything. protecting kids from men who enjoy showing them porn to get them ready for sex might. since it would take surveillance every time a sexually mature male is alone with a child, and a major change in our society to not accept sexualization of children, they will continue to be abused and grow up with aberrations of their own.

I SUPPOSE IF THEY TELEVISED DEATH ROW EXECUTIONS -VIOLENT CRIME WOULD DROP. TELL ME MR. DYER - WHAT IS IT YOU DO FOR A LIVING ??

Maybe today's younger generation has been so weaned onto computer interaction and video games that they have somewhat substituted online interaction for interpersonal interaction. Wait, how are teen pregnancy rates doing?

Bob, I'd give the nod to vigilence. To give any credence to internet porn is more or less supporting it. That's morbid really.

I see this as very likely... i'm sure that a certain percentage (30%) of rapes are not about power.

It's about a guy who can't get laid and the sexual tension is too much. Takes em down an unsavory path.

The kooks who are into even weirder stuff have found it easier to hook up with like minded people too... those into weird stuff like bondage.

and i do think leagal drugs would reduce crime and prostitution would also reduce rapes and improve relationships!

You took a chance on this one, Bob. I'll give you that.

Ask Ted Bundy about how porn affected him. Check out the interview with Dr. James Dobson and get his perspective

Bob This is Your Greatest literary achievement ever..

I love how the BJ chose to include a BIG full color photo of Dyer along with THIS story.

Bob, I don't think the powers that be like this one.

LOL!

masterBETA is strangely silent on this one. I wonder why?

Wow, this article makes me sick to my stomach. My ex-husband is a sex addict. And when we were going to marriage counseling he said that the hours he spent trolling the internet looking at porn made his sex addiction problems worse, and spiral out of control. And I don't know Bob, the study at Clemson was done by an economist, and all those folks who disagreed with you were psychologists who actually deal with these people.

Internet porn fuels the predators who go after children and rape them. That alone is reason enough to CENSOR sexual content.

Don't like the idea of CENSORSHIP? Too bad. It's done all the time when the filthy magazines are kept behind the counter in stores and when movie theaters enforce R or worse ratings and ask for ID.

As a person who works in the criminal justice systenm I have to say that this was a ballsy article. I have to agree that bob's picture indicate the powers that be are out to get him. funny though.

Everyone is calling this a dumb article. Believe it or not Japan has one of the lowest sex crime rates in the World. Psycologist contributes this to the X-rated comic books that any child can walk into a store and purchase. As a christian man I don't support porn in any shape, form or fashion. It just amazing to think when give a young man something to look at and some privacy with little willy, how everything will balance itself out. What about Jesus? Step-up parents.

nuts! It is because sex, too, is happening everywhere you turn! Girls are saying yes to hooking up easily and freely - no more saying no and getting raped.

hey watching, you said ballsy! :)

There is NOTHING positive about internet porn.

"and if the thugs could get crack at the local stop and rob, there would be less crime too!"

Uh, actually Domer, this is true. What's not to understand?

Well-written article commenting upon a 15 year scientific study!

Nowhere in the article does Bob state that he favors rape or violence. He's thankful, as we all must be, that the incidence of rape has been reduced.

Now let's hear more as far as some other extrapolations from the increase in internet porn, and the internet in general.

Do we have more participants in "swingers" parties now than we did back in 1989? More cases of HIV and other STDs?

Do "dating" websites lead to more pre-marital and extra-marital sexual activity with multiple partners?

How far has the rate of Herpes declined since the inception of the world wide web? Oh, it hasn't declined?

My stepson asked a fews months ago... "how can anyone expect young people to not have sex before marriage?"

Well junior, it's called possessing self control. Class. Dignity. Respect. Understanding negative ramifications such as out of wedlock children, abortions, incurable diseases, psychological damage, and the list goes on and on. Now, go turn on your computer and stop badgering the girls for sex.

Quit knocking Dyer's theory. It's based on a very common sense approach to those stats, and most likely is true.

There is certainly a correlation - no denying it. A true cause and effect would be tough to prove, but maybe not impossible.

IMHO, this country is so fouled up in its bi-polar attitude toward sex and nudity it's wonder there is any 'normal' territory. It seems like the prevailing attitudes are either overly prudish or overly perverted. There seems to be little middle ground.

Bob and the Clemson prof might just be changing that though.....

"and if the thugs could get crack at the local stop and rob, there would be less crime too!"

Uh, actually Domer, this is true. What's not to understand?

Well-written article commenting upon a 15 year scientific study!

Nowhere in the article does Bob state that he favors rape or violence. He's thankful, as we all must be, that the incidence of rape has been reduced.

Now let's hear more as far as some other extrapolations from the increase in internet porn, and the internet in general.

Do we have more participants in "swingers" parties now than we did back in 1989? More cases of HIV and other STDs?

Do "dating" websites lead to more pre-marital and extra-marital sexual activity with multiple partners?

How far has the rate of Herpes declined since the inception of the world wide web? Oh, it hasn't declined?

My stepson asked a fews months ago... "how can anyone expect young people to not have sex before marriage?"

Well junior, it's called possessing self control. Class. Dignity. Respect. Understanding negative ramifications such as out of wedlock children, abortions, incurable diseases, psychological damage, and the list goes on and on. Now, go turn on your computer and stop badgering the girls for sex.

"and if the thugs could get crack at the local stop and rob, there would be less crime too!"

Uh, actually Domer, this is true. What's not to understand?

Well-written article commenting upon a 15 year scientific study!

Nowhere in the article does Bob state that he favors rape or violence. He's thankful, as we all must be, that the incidence of rape has been reduced.

Now let's hear more as far as some other extrapolations from the increase in internet porn, and the internet in general.

Do we have more participants in "swingers" parties now than we did back in 1989? More cases of HIV and other STDs?

Do "dating" websites lead to more pre-marital and extra-marital sexual activity with multiple partners?

How far has the rate of Herpes declined since the inception of the world wide web? Oh, it hasn't declined?

Are you on heavy drugs, Mr. Dyer? Your article is totally based on ignorance. You should have kept this opinion to yourself. Neanderthal!

Now let's hear more regarding effects of the internet in general.

Do we have more participants in "swingers" parties now than we did back in 1989? More cases of HIV and other STDs?

Do "dating" websites lead to more pre-marital and extra-marital sexual activity with multiple partners?

How far has the rate of Herpes declined since the inception of the world wide web? Oh, it hasn't declined?

I'd have to say Dyer is very right on this one. And, to the earlier poster, crime would be down a LOT if marijuana was available at the local Speedway store.

@ Anne

Neanderthal, really? Dyer is THAT stupid in citing that porn could be a potential cause for the decline in rapes? Come on, even you, who can type obviously, has to see that this isn't that far fetched a theory.

Yes, I agree, if pot were legal, a good portion of crime, syndicates and all, would feel a heavy hit.

While a lot of you are dismissive of this column, I find it to be rather refreshing, one that issue is being discussed and two, that a well known local columnist would dare wade into the water on this issue let alone give such a strong and definitive opinion on the same.

Right or wrong, kudos to Dyer and The Beacon Journal both. I would honestly like to see both Hoffman and Douglas tackle the subject matter on the editorial page. I truly would be interested in their opinions.

I have know Karen Cimini professionally and personally since 1992. Whatever her opinion, I would certainly give it weight, but I find Dyer's arguments and reasoning equally compelling.

In this instance, it appears that The Voices Of Reason are in disagreement, yet both are credible. I'm motivated to spend some time looking into this subject further. That, my friends, is one of my definitions of good journalism.

TVOR

@Anne, so now articles written about SCIENTIFIC studies are based in ignorance?

Carbuckle:

1. The SCIENTIFIC artticles state and statistics show, that the majority of reported rapes are crimes of power and/or control, not sex or porn. So, Mr Dyer's column is both statistically and scientifically flawed.

2. Did I ever say Mr. Dyer favored rape or violence? Of course not, and I do not believe he does.

3. The internet mainly lets porn users and abusers get their hands on it easier. It also opens up the porn world to children who would not otherwise have access (thank God for parental controls) as well as making children easier victims of internet perverts.

The ABJ obviously has no real news to cover, so we get this dribble!

Good on Dyer.

Please don't legalize marijuana. Keep it underground. Just imagine if corporate America got ahold of it: like everything else, they'd ruin it! With dumb flavors and weaker strengths, it would be a travesty if every Joe on every corner has access to the chronic!

How about something just being morally wrong? Or are statistics more important than morality to you?

May God have mercy on your soul!

truth hurts, eh? Just like the fact the smoking ban has reduced bar customers, there are therefore less drunks on the road. But to some, 2 2 will never equal 4!

Weed should be legalized so that the criminal element can be essentially taken out of it. As long as weed is illegal, I will fight tooth and nail for a government response as to why cigarettes and alcohol are legal. If all three were illegal, I'd be cool with that and would understand why.

BUT, the government is hypocritical, spending billions to stop weed, while Phillip Morris is allowed to each year add more nicotine to cigarettes to keep people addicted. In the case of the war on weed, I believe you have to either be all in (make cigs and alcohol illegal), or all out (keep cigs, alcohol and then weed legal).

Science has shown how damaging crack, cocaine, heroin, meth etc. is to our brains and body, whereas with weed, it's been found to be no worse on the body than anyone who enjoys cigars as a hobby, and cigars are celebrated to the point where they have their own magazine with celebrities on it every month.

In fact, when eaten, I read that the THC in weed is even more safe for consumption than anything alcoholic or something containing nicotine.

Anyways, back on track, this is a great article by Dyer. :)

Janet, who are you to say what is morally wrong? Morality is based on personal opinion, and opinions differ. Some say drinking is morally wrong, yet in some countries it's part of their culture. You have no right to point your finger at someone and tell them what they can or can't do in their own house, regardless of how you feel about it.

It is almost like saying that: Men who could not control their 'urges' in the ""pre-Internet Porn Days"" would resort to rape to release their sexual frustrations. -- I do not buy this argument. It is all about self-control and self-respect, and respect for others. --

Maybe Dyer is trying to get fired.

Mr. Dyer, Shame on you for writing the article in defense of internet porn. Your liberal opinion is morally wrong and irresponsible, factless journalism. As online porn continues to grow, the chance of children being exposed to unwanted porn, also increases. Disturbingly, illicit images not only include adults, but innocent children as well. According to Family Safe Media, 20% of internet porn involves childhood images, pornography is a tool used by predators to lure and coax children and every week, 20,000 images of children are posted on the internet. How about an article in defense of our children and the negative effects internet porn brings upon them!

This piece is incredibly moronic one has to laugh.
I'm glad I don't pay any money to read the ABJ.

Hmm. One would almost imagine Dyer censoring Beta from posted comments on this article.

No, they'd never do that. It's the Beacon.

and don't forget. The sex slave trade has risen here in the US. Care to comment on the reasons to smuggle woman into the US and force them into the sex trade ??

Mr. Dyer gets paid to help sell newspapers and advertising, dull stories don't do that. Good job, but the fundies are gonna eat his lunch if he's not careful.

How come Pastor Rick has a violent picture of some guy hanging from some wood?

I would like to encourage the writer to take a course in Techniques of Research. To generalize the findings of one study to the general population is inappropriate. What other studies did you investigate? To write such a definitive article on the basis of one study lacks credibility.

Domer,

If crack (and other drugs) were available free at your local drugstore just for showing an ID and signing a card that says I am a crack addict and want a daily supply of crack or whatever drug is needed crime would be cut nearly in half.

The little teens (gang members) on the corner selling crack for five bucks to anyone that has five bucks would instantly be out of business.

The organized crime organizations would be instantly out of a job.

Countries that fund terrorism through the sale of illegal drugs would soon find their cash crop was nearly worthless.

Burglars that break into our homes and cars would soon be too doped up to break into anything or they might opt for a rehab program when they get tired of sleeping in their own urine.

Yea there would still be some problems, but consider the millions we currently spend on arrest, prosecution, and incarceration of persons with drug problems. More than half of all crime is drug related.

I say give them the drugs and hope the go to a rehab program or at least fail to reproduce.

Just to play devil's advocate; if anyone is going to advocate censorship, you should include the Bible on that list. People like the Rev. Jim Jones and Peter Sutcliffe took inspiration from it. Google them to find out what they did.

I don't necessarily thing the article hits any nail on the head, but I do find it amusing how knee-jerk peoples' reactions are to anything that hints at the fact that other value systems aren't inherently wrong.

I JUST KNOW IT'S LIKE IT USE TO BE , IF TEEN AND PEOPLE WOULD NOT LIE ABOUT THERE AGE THERE WOULD BE NO PROBLEMS

AND IF THERE WAS REAL AUDLTS THERE WOULD BE NO CRIME OF THIS KIND

BEFORE THEY WORRY ABOUT ANY DRUGS WE NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THE DRUGS THAT ARE ON THE STREETS NOW
AND HOW EASY IT IS FOR KIDS AND TEENS TO GET IT

AND PEOPLE ARE JUST CRAZY TO BRING MORE KIDS IN THIS MESS UP WORLD