After considering Dutch feminist MEP Katrika Liotard’s resolution to ban all forms of pornography to prevent demeaning women, an overwhelming majority of Members of the European Parliament have tabled a counter-resolution to instead ban Ms Liotard.
Swedish MEP Rick Falkvinge said he was actually quite impressed with Ms Liotard’s argument that free speech is not a universal right, and that it is subject to limitations.
“If free speech is being used in a way that could jeopardise the right to view pornography, as Ms Liotard is doing in this case, then it is a straight choice between protecting the right to look at naked women, and protecting Ms Liotard’s right to lecture us about banning looking at naked women.”
“We decided to ban Ms Liotard – it first it seemed a difficult decision, but after viewing some pornographic material my position firmed, and I came to a conclusion quite easily.”
British MEP Gerard Batten agreed that assessing the pros and cons of the porn ban required much research and many a late night.
“People think that being an MEP is a token position and some sort of junket. But I think I can speak for my fellow members that such was our dedication in researching this issue, there were many nights in our Brussels hotel rooms that we hardly got any sleep at all.”
“I don’t want to overly criticise Ms Liotard, but her argument would have been more compelling if she had presented it better – at the very least she should have worn a tight, black miniskirt with thigh high boots, if not been completely naked with a riding crop in her mouth.”
