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Megyn Kelly And John Stossel Debate Pornography From The ‘Big, Fat Federal Government’

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» 14 comments

On his usual appearances alongside Megyn Kelly, John Stossel limits his libertarian leanings to debating feudalism, showing off his mustache, and taking rides on his government-funded go-cart. For better or worse, today’s conversation took a turn for the awkward, with Stossel as a passionate defender of bad Showtime pseudo-porn against big government overreach.

A slightly queasy Megyn Kelly began the segment by taking the term “public square” as literally as possible, telling Stossel: “You think the more sex the better- let’s show it in the public, let’s have it on the internet, let’s go for it.” Luckily for everyone, “sex in the public square makes [Stossel] as uncomfortable as anyone,” but that’s where the line ends for him, taking the “more freedom” stance and defending sex on cable TV and the internet.

Kelly seemed particularly irritated on the matter of internet porn, reading from a court ruling that claimed “internet porn is the new crack leading to addiction, misogyny, pedophilia, boob jobs, and erectile dysfunction.” Predictably, Stossel blamed this on big government: “That sounds like a psychologist looking for a government grant,” and later argued that he say little damage could come to children who were exposed to breasts.

The latter came about as a result of Kelly’s outrage at “boobgate,” the time about a decade ago when millions of unsuspecting children were exposed to the horror of Janet Jackson‘s bejeweled nipple during the Superbowl. In light of that, Kelly saw no problem with the federal government banning all “boobs” from television. Stossel, dismayed, argued that “some people want to watch boobs!” and that cable TV and “Showtime” and the like should not be subject to the federal government’s prudish whims. Needless to say, both Kelly and Stossel used the word “boobs” way more than necessary to make their points.

For those of you that need to watch even more of John Stossel defending porn, he’s got an hour’s worth of it coming up on his eponymous Fox Business show.

Below is the discussion, in which, besides the strange nature of the conversation, you’ll find one of the strangest and most random montages in the history of Fox News, including clips of Stossel filming unsuspecting Times Square porn shop customers walking out with their purchases, boot camp footage, Lady Gaga, Bill Clinton (Bill Clinton!) warning about the threat talking about sex represents to children, and plenty of PG-rated internet porn previews:

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  • paulmdoro

    Kelly was actually offended by Janet Jackson’s pasty exposure at the Super Bowl and wants all boobs banned from cable? Holy uptight prude. No wonder so many in this country are sexually repressed.

  • Thomas J – Libertarian

    I’ve got an idea. If you don’t like it….turn off the freakin TV. I agree with Stossel on this one.

  • valkyrie101

    Thomas J – Libertarian said:
    I’ve got an idea. If you don’t like it….turn off the freakin TV. I agree with Stossel on this one.

    Wow, you really are a libertarian. Who would have thought it? I thought that handle was just satire.

  • paulmdoro

    Thomas J – Libertarian said:
    I’ve got an idea. If you don’t like it….turn off the freakin TV. I agree with Stossel on this one.

    Indeed. Why do so many conservatives, who hate the government, believe it can’t do anything right, and want it smaller, want the government deciding what people can and can’t watch?

  • Thomas J – Libertarian

    valkyrie101 said:
    Wow, you really are a libertarian. Who would have thought it? I thought that handle was just satire.

    My other monikers have been removed. I’ve been banned twice…why I don’t know. My former names are “Liberty – Not Redistribution” and “Liberty Banned.” I’ve never written anything comparable to the various partisans on this site. However, one day I pissed Colby off. He has since allowed me to post again.

    Personally, I think it’s because I can’t be pigeon hold like the rest of the posters her.

  • Thomas J – Libertarian

    paulmdoro said:
    Indeed. Why do so many conservatives, who hate the government, believe it can’t do anything right, and want it smaller, want the government deciding what people can and can’t watch?

    I don’t know. I’m not big on the ‘social conservative stuff. I could careless about gay marriage/ polygamy; don’t think the government should deny such systems, just as an example.

  • valkyrie101

    Thomas J – Libertarian said:
    My other monikers have been removed. I’ve been banned twice…why I don’t know. My former names are “Liberty – Not Redistribution” and “Liberty Banned.” I’ve never written anything comparable to the various partisans on this site. However, one day I pissed Colby off. He has since allowed me to post again. Personally, I think it’s because I can’t be pigeon hold like the rest of the posters her.

    Well in any event, for a change you and I are on the same page. :-) There is a natural antagonism between evangelical Christians and true libertarians, like Stossel. Not just on the porn issue.

  • 4Liberty4Justice4All

    valkyrie101 said:
    There is a natural antagonism between evangelical Christians and true libertarians

    Actually, I don’t believe there is any antagonism at all! I am a Christian and I fully agree with Stossel. Individual liberty is paramount in Christianity (man made laws are condoned to protect liberty and in so doing to find our own path). I am sure there are many Christians who don’t agree with me (as there are muslims, jews, etc) but I tend to think they forget that we should not judge someone’s weaknesses (if so perceived)… We all sin which is the entire point of Christ.

    Let me caveat, I would never promote porn and never say it is a good thing (my opinion). But every individual must decide for themselves and I would hope that a strong family influence would help youth in such matters… NEVER the gov’t!

  • Iris

    Kelley linking sex to big government , hmmmm, sounds like she was doing more than a little winking at Britefart. Maybe she wil start the BRITEFART LEGAL DEFENSE FUND, somebody has to so you RW geezers have somewhere to send your bait and switch gold coins from goldline to support the ongoing hatemongering from britefart and poor old rupert

  • notsofast

    he latter came about as a result of Kelly’s outrage at “boobgate,” the time about a decade ago when millions of unsuspecting children were exposed to the horror of Janet Jackson’s bejeweled nipple ”

    Those were some ugly ass tits!

  • valkyrie101

    4Liberty4Justice4All said:
    Actually, I don’t believe there is any antagonism at all! I am a Christian and I fully agree with Stossel. Individual liberty is paramount in Christianity (man made laws are condoned to protect liberty and in so doing to find our own path). I am sure there are many Christians who don’t agree with me (as there are muslims, jews, etc) but I tend to think they forget that we should not judge someone’s weaknesses (if so perceived)… We all sin which is the entire point of Christ. Let me caveat, I would never promote porn and never say it is a good thing (my opinion). But every individual must decide for themselves and I would hope that a strong family influence would help youth in such matters… NEVER the gov’t!

    Well, for example, having an abortion is considered a woman’s right by libertarians. Would you like the government to rule that abortion is not a right? Many evangelicals do. Prohibiting porn? In fact, as you said, many evangelicals would like to see the government do that. Use of recreational drugs? Sodomy?

    I also consider myself a Christian, and I agree with what you said.

  • Averreauxii

    notsofast said:
    he latter came about as a result of Kelly’s outrage at “boobgate,” the time about a decade ago when millions of unsuspecting children were exposed to the horror of Janet Jackson’s bejeweled nipple ”

    Those were some ugly ass tits!

    You are right! They looked just like your moms udders!

  • notsofast

    Averreauxii said:
    You are right! They looked just like your moms udders!

    No- more like your father’s.

    You are obviously the by product of a bestiality experiment gone horrible wrong.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Aladine-Vargas/644022687 Aladine Vargas

    notsofast said:
    No- more like your father’s.

    You are obviously the by product of a bestiality experiment gone horrible wrong.

    You both are wrong — they look like mine!

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