Recruits Sought for Porn Squad

By Barton Gellman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 20, 2005; Page A21

The FBI is joining the Bush administration's War on Porn. And it's looking for a few good agents.

Early last month, the bureau's Washington Field Office began recruiting for a new anti-obscenity squad. Attached to the job posting was a July 29 Electronic Communication from FBI headquarters to all 56 field offices, describing the initiative as "one of the top priorities" of Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales and, by extension, of "the Director." That would be FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III.

Mischievous commentary began propagating around the water coolers at 601 Fourth St. NW and its satellites, where the FBI's second-largest field office concentrates on national security, high-technology crimes and public corruption.

The new squad will divert eight agents, a supervisor and assorted support staff to gather evidence against "manufacturers and purveyors" of pornography -- not the kind exploiting children, but the kind that depicts, and is marketed to, consenting adults.

"I guess this means we've won the war on terror," said one exasperated FBI agent, speaking on the condition of anonymity because poking fun at headquarters is not regarded as career-enhancing. "We must not need any more resources for espionage."

Among friends and trusted colleagues, an experienced national security analyst said, "it's a running joke for us."

A few of the printable samples:

"Things I Don't Want On My Resume, Volume Four."

"I already gave at home."

"Honestly, most of the guys would have to recuse themselves."

Federal obscenity prosecutions, which have been out of style since Attorney General Edwin Meese III in the Reagan administration made pornography a signature issue in the 1980s, do "encounter many legal issues, including First Amendment claims," the FBI headquarters memo noted.

Applicants for the porn squad should therefore have a stomach for the kind of material that tends to be most offensive to local juries. Community standards -- along with a prurient purpose and absence of artistic merit -- define criminal obscenity under current Supreme Court doctrine.

"Based on a review of past successful cases in a variety of jurisdictions," the memo said, the best odds of conviction come with pornography that "includes bestiality, urination, defecation, as well as sadistic and masochistic behavior." No word on the universe of other kinks that helps make porn a multibillion-dollar industry.

Popular acceptance of hard-core pornography has come a long way, with some of its stars becoming mainstream celebrities and their products -- once confined to seedy shops and theaters -- being "purveyed" by upscale hotels and most home cable and satellite television systems. Explicit sexual entertainment is a profit center for companies including General Motors Corp. and Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. (the two major owners of DirecTV), Time Warner Inc. and the Sheraton, Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt hotel chains.

But Gonzales endorses the rationale of predecessor Meese: that adult pornography is a threat to families and children. Christian conservatives, long skeptical of Gonzales, greeted the pornography initiative with what the Family Research Council called "a growing sense of confidence in our new attorney general."

Congress began funding the obscenity initiative in fiscal 2005 and specified that the FBI must devote 10 agents to adult pornography. The bureau decided to create a dedicated squad only in the Washington Field Office. "All other field offices may investigate obscenity cases pursuant to this initiative if resources are available," the directive from headquarters said. "Field offices should not, however, divert resources from higher priority matters, such as public corruption."

Public corruption, officially, is fourth on the FBI's priority list, after protecting the United States from terrorist attack, foreign espionage and cyber-based attacks. Just below those priorities are civil rights, organized crime, white-collar crime and "significant violent crime." The guidance from headquarters does not mention where pornography fits in.

"The Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's top priority remains fighting the war on terrorism," said Justice Department press secretary Brian Roehrkasse. "However, it is not our sole priority. In fact, Congress has directed the department to focus on other priorities, such as obscenity."

At the FBI's field office, spokeswoman Debra Weierman expressed disappointment that some of her colleagues find grist for humor in the new campaign. "The adult obscenity squad . . . stems from an attorney general mandate, funded by Congress," she said. "The personnel assigned to this initiative take the responsibility of this assignment very seriously and are dedicated to the success of this program."

I am writing up my resume. Let's see . . . . great familiarity with porn, eager to investigate more . . .

What next?  The BATFEP?  

Fucking scumbags.  That's one of their "top priorities".  I guess the border is less important than jacking off.

Gee...

Damn I feel safe now...

What's next? Lawn Darts?
F@#kStains...

Quoted: Federal obscenity prosecutions, which have been out of style since Attorney General Edwin Meese III in the Reagan administration made pornography a signature issue in the 1980s, do "encounter many legal issues, including First Amendment claims," the FBI headquarters memo noted. But Gonzales endorses the rationale of predecessor Meese: that adult pornography is a threat to families and children. Christian conservatives, long skeptical of Gonzales, greeted the pornography initiative with what the Family Research Council called "a growing sense of confidence in our new attorney general."

I hates Meeses to pieces...

And Hermano Gonzales wants to resurrect the AWB?

Is there something we, the gunz 'n' pRon lovin' folks we are should actually like about this guy?

And this is what we need a Federal Police force for?


If local governments want to ban porn thats fine.  But the Feds?  Gimme a break.  How are they even going to prosecute something that isn't illegal?

I didn't think before I posted this, so if any of the language in the article is objectionable, I will edit it out or encourage the moderators to do so.  I'm headed to bed in a minute.  Mods, please feel free to cut out any language that you object to.

Quoted: I didn't think before I posted this, so if any of the language in the article is objectionable, I will edit it out or encourage the moderators to do so.  I'm headed to bed in a minute.  Mods, please feel free to cut out any language that you object to.

You mean, besides the basic obscenity of the Feds even considering this?

Congress will fund a PORN witch hunt...

But has consistantly Defunded the restoration of (firearms) rights.

Someone needs to send Congress a Dildo with a can of CLP. ( and a note: get a clue )

Ahhh....and now it's the right wing swooping in to save us from ourselves.

Nothing makes me angrier than when I have to agree with DU about the federal government.

So... we're letting in 11 million illegal felons and... forming a federal task force for something that isn't even illegal?

Yeeeeaaaah...

I hate to bring up a touchy subject, but isn't Bush to blame for this one? After all, he appointed these guys and presumably approved this.

Doesn't the Federal Government own a strip club out in Nevada or something?

Quoted: Doesn't the Federal Government own a strip club out in Nevada or something?

I think they seized a whorehouse for taxes a few years back.

What the Hell.  Why can't the Feds just download their own porn for free off the internet.  Why do they have to go around jackbooting and taking it from the rest of us

I mentioined this before on another thread about why i hate Bush's guts and always have. He's basically the opposite of a libertarian! HE spends money like a drunken sailor liberal, but kow-tows to his religious police right wingers. And with Bush approval ratings at Post watergate Nixon levels, I'm glad I argued wiith fucktards on this board who called me a DU troll cause I would'nt lick Bush's ass! But i thank the baby Jesus everyday for the internet and euro-trash perverts who post pissing and shitting and rape videos! Yes I'm fucking Glad! well sort of Mad/glad!? I dont really care for fetish or extreme videos but I'm glad to see the day when we can tell those Talibaneverything fuckers to take a cross jab it into your puss or ass and yell "let Jesus fuck you!" Soory about the nasty exorcist reference but i hate those fuckers!

Quoted: I mentioined this before on another thread about why i hate Bush's guts and always have. He's basically the opposite of a libertarian! HE spends money like a drunken sailor liberal, but kow-tows to his religious police right wingers. And with Bush approval ratings at Post watergate Nixon levels, I'm glad I argued wiith fucktards on this board who called me a DU troll cause I would'nt lick Bush's ass! But i thank the baby Jesus everyday for the internet and euro-trash perverts who post pissing and shitting and rape videos! Yes I'm fucking Glad! well sort of Mad/glad!? I dont really care for fetish or extreme videos but I'm glad to see the day when we can tell those Talibaneverything fuckers to take a cross jab it into your puss or ass and yell "let Jesus fuck you!" Soory about the nasty exorcist reference but i hate those fuckers!

Yes, those who belive in God are the extremists....oooooook.

Man it must be great to work for the gooberment.  The expectations are so fucking low no one's really surprised if you're incompetent or wasteful.

waste of time.

the federal agents that bust guys for jacking to legal porn are the same guys that would gladly take your legal firearms.




just stiring the pot.

Quoted: I mentioined this before on another thread about why i hate Bush's guts and always have. He's basically the opposite of a libertarian! HE spends money like a drunken sailor liberal, but kow-tows to his religious police right wingers. And with Bush approval ratings at Post watergate Nixon levels, I'm glad I argued wiith fucktards on this board who called me a DU troll cause I would'nt lick Bush's ass! But i thank the baby Jesus everyday for the internet and euro-trash perverts who post pissing and shitting and rape videos! Yes I'm fucking Glad! well sort of Mad/glad!? I dont really care for fetish or extreme videos but I'm glad to see the day when we can tell those Talibaneverything fuckers to take a cross jab it into your puss or ass and yell "let Jesus fuck you!" Soory about the nasty exorcist reference but i hate those fuckers!

SOMEbody has more issues than National Geographic.

My question is, does the FBI supply the tissues and hand lotion for their investigators? That could really run into money!!!  

Edit... I wonder if the FBI Porn Investigation Team has a home study course? I bet I'd pass that with flying colors!!!

I can just see a row of investigators, each in a darkened cubicule, searching the net for the sleeziest, nastiest sites out there. When they find a "good" site, they look around to see if anybody is looking, and do their business. On the floor next to them is their personal "Important Document Inceration Trashcan", plum full of ash.

If I wasn't at work, I might be doing a little "Home Study" myself.

How 'bout we just send the extra money, agents and time to the child porn task force and call it a day?  It's for the children.

This is one of the hazards of having conservatives in power; they sooner or later set themselves up to be the moral police for everyone else. It has to be nipped in the bud.

Did you ever get the feeling the Taliban is running our country.  This is a slap in the face to every soldier over seas trying to spread freedom.

Quoted: What next?  The BATFEP?

If you read the article they're particularly concerned about defecation, urination, etc in pornography.

Therefore, I think our favorite Treasury department should be called BATFECES.



Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms Explosives Cumshots Excrement & Sadomasochism.

Quoted: Did you ever get the feeling the Taliban is running our country.  This is a slap in the face to every soldier over seas trying to spread freedom.

Yes, sometimes I do think exactly that. it's damn shame too.

Fuck, they can't help that somepeople are actually enjoying themselves.

Quoted: Fuck, they can't help that somepeople are actually enjoying themselves.

Fun has been outlawed,

First they try to take our guns. Now they're tryin' to take our pron!

What an outrage!

Shitheads.  They are letting the Barbarians through the gates, but yet they have the manpower for this.  Thanx Jorge.  

Be interesting to see if any Federal Prosecutor will actually give a rats ass what they find.  Those guys are thoroughly political animals.  Saw a stat in lawschool a few years ago showing that nationwide, none of these guys want to bring an obscenity case unless it is kiddie porn.  

With all of the digital cameras and camcorders out there there is no way to limit porn.  Pretty soon a husband and a wife will be arested for making "unlicensed" porn.  The cops will say they did it to protect the couples kids.

Absolute idiocy.

As if there were nothing more dangerous out there for the FBI to be hunting down.

Shit like this is why we can't have Republicans in power for too long.  It takes a Dem in office to put the brakes on this crap.  

That's why we go back and forth all the time.  If Repubs are in office too long, they start invading the bedroom and the uterus, getting in the way of medical progress, and cracking down on victimless "sin" crimes.  If the Dems are in office too long, they start taking way too much of our money to fund feel-good social programs, hamstringing the economy with excessive environmental laws, putting a boot to the head of Evil Whitey, and trying to make criminals out of gun owners.

I don't really care for either.  I would vote Libertarian, except they stuck their heads in the sand when it comes to foreign policy, and I can't stand that drug legalization seems to be their #1 priority.  I like most of what they stand for, but I don't want people to be able to buy heroin at Walgreens.

I don't have a political party that represents me.  

Quoted: Shit like this is why we can't have Republicans in power for too long.  It takes a Dem in office to put the brakes on this crap.   That's why we go back and forth all the time.  If Repubs are in office too long, they start invading the bedroom and the uterus, getting in the way of medical progress, and cracking down on victimless "sin" crimes.  If the Dems are in office too long, they start taking way too much of our money to fund feel-good social programs, hamstringing the economy with excessive environmental laws, putting a boot to the head of Evil Whitey, and trying to make criminals out of gun owners. I don't really care for either.  I would vote Libertarian, except they stuck their heads in the sand when it comes to foreign policy, and I can't stand that drug legalization seems to be their #1 priority.  I like most of what they stand for, but I don't want people to be able to buy heroin at Walgreens. I don't have a political party that represents me.

The difference is it has taken the Republicans 6 years to try it.  It would only take a democrat a month to start taking away freedoms.

All hail our far-right-wing-christian overlords!

Quoted: The difference is it has taken the Republicans 6 years to try it.  It would only take a democrat a month to start taking away freedoms.

I'll definitely give you that one.  Repubs are slow, at least -- which is good when they are trying to do the stupid crap, but bad when they are dragging their heels on something we want.  

...............having solved all crime and eliminating terrorism, now the FBI has time for this.

I wish they would take a good shot at identity theft and bank fraud first!!!

Quoted: ...............having solved all crime and eliminating terrorism, now the FBI has time for this. I wish they would take a good shot at identity theft and bank fraud first!!!

or go after rapists, child molestors, illegal aliens..........

Quoted: This is one of the hazards of having conservatives in power; they sooner or later set themselves up to be the moral police for everyone else. It has to be nipped in the bud.

My buddy likes guns but votes Dem most of the time because of stupid crap like this.  I am not kidding.  It is exactly this type of thing that send fence sitters over to the other side.  The FBI has nothing better to do than try to control what consenting adults do.  How about catching some more terrorsts?  Way to go Bush and Co.

They'll have to pry it out of my warm sticky hands!

Quoted: Shit like this is why we can't have Republicans in power for too long.  It takes a Dem in office to put the brakes on this crap.   That's why we go back and forth all the time.  If Repubs are in office too long, they start invading the bedroom and the uterus, getting in the way of medical progress, and cracking down on victimless "sin" crimes.  If the Dems are in office too long, they start taking way too much of our money to fund feel-good social programs, hamstringing the economy with excessive environmental laws, putting a boot to the head of Evil Whitey, and trying to make criminals out of gun owners. I don't really care for either.  I would vote Libertarian, except they stuck their heads in the sand when it comes to foreign policy, and I can't stand that drug legalization seems to be their #1 priority.  I like most of what they stand for, but I don't want people to be able to buy heroin at Walgreens. I don't have a political party that represents me.

I agree with most of what you say. It always surprises me that "conservative" Republicans who supposedly believe in "limited government" don't recognize the value in leaving people alone in their private lives. Isn't that what "limited government" means? Like this is really a priority in this day and age? Give me a break.

Not to try to hijack the thread to another subject, but read the first few chapters of this book www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/cu/cumenu.htm on the subject of heroin. At one time it was sold over the counter without any restrictions at all and it wasn't a major problem. It may make you rethink your stance on Libertarians.

Now, back to the porn.

Quoted: They'll have to pry it out of my warm sticky hands!

Ewwwwwww!!!!!

Quoted: Quoted: Shit like this is why we can't have Republicans in power for too long.  It takes a Dem in office to put the brakes on this crap.   That's why we go back and forth all the time.  If Repubs are in office too long, they start invading the bedroom and the uterus, getting in the way of medical progress, and cracking down on victimless "sin" crimes.  If the Dems are in office too long, they start taking way too much of our money to fund feel-good social programs, hamstringing the economy with excessive environmental laws, putting a boot to the head of Evil Whitey, and trying to make criminals out of gun owners. I don't really care for either.  I would vote Libertarian, except they stuck their heads in the sand when it comes to foreign policy, and I can't stand that drug legalization seems to be their #1 priority.  I like most of what they stand for, but I don't want people to be able to buy heroin at Walgreens. I don't have a political party that represents me.   I agree with most of what you say. It always surprises me that "conservative" Republicans who supposedly believe in "limited government" don't recognize the value in leaving people alone in their private lives. Isn't that what "limited government" means? Like this is really a priority in this day and age? Give me a break. Not to try to hijack the thread to another subject, but read the first few chapters of this book www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/cu/cumenu.htm on the subject of heroin. At one time it was sold over the counter without any restrictions at all and it wasn't a major problem. It may make you rethink your stance on Libertarians. Now, back to the porn.

100% agreement there.  Been saying that for a while now.

How much more will us law-abiding citizens allow?
I truely fear a revolt is near. They(U.S. Government) have brought it on themselves.
The fact that if they continue in the current path of dictatorship we will all be mindless zombies awaiting their next command should piss every freedom loving american off.

I'm out.
CDH

if there gonna spend money of this kinda stuff shouldn't they do something about the convicted child molesters, and sexual predators first?

seems like there's a plan to put one on every corner and in every town. release in back into society and so forth.

they're worried about adults looking at pictures of adults shitting on each other while some sociopath is slowly strangling a nine year old girl as he sodomizes her.

i dont understand this administration. no way i vote for a socialist but instead i get a pres that doesn't believe in borders, believes in lbj sized gov plans and wants to stop adults from looking at nasty porn while a lot of other really bad things go on.. i think the govt is controlled by space aliens who are running the coutnry as sort of an intergalactic version of beevus and butthead..

I don't have a problem with it, i lost all my porn in a boat accident.  

Quoted: I don't have a problem with it, i lost all my porn in a boat accident.

+1