Douchebag of the Day: Senator Threatens to Cut University’s Funds Due to Porn Screening

Adult entertainment has always been a touchy subject. I guess people don’t want to admit that there are those of us out there that crave more than just missionary-style sex to get us off. But the truth is that there’s always something to be learned from watching porn.

Whether it serve as a sexual guide or be used for masturbatory practices, one cannot argue against the fact that adult films reflect the sexual appetite of the times, stripped of political correctness and focusing instead on our animalistic appetite and what gets us off. Alas, not everyone sees it this way. To them it’s just two people fornicating in front of a camera.

Exhibit A: Maryland Republican Senator Andrew Harris.

The University of Maryland canceled their scheduled screening of XXX blockbuster “Pirates II: Stagnetti’s Revenge” at the student union theatre on Saturday after Senator Harris threatened to cancel university funding for showing the adult film.

Meanwhile, the university’s vice president of student affairs, Linda Clement, denies the lawmaker’s threats were the reason for the cancellation, stating, “No, we cancelled the (showing) because the educational context of the movie has been lost in the titillation that’s been associated with the movie itself.” She added, “I think people were concerned about portrayal of women, concerned about violence, concerned about our students and decision-making processes.”

Earlier last week, Harris introduced before the Senate an amendment to the budget bill that would cut funds to public higher education institutions who screened XXX-rated adult films. 

The amendment read:

Further provided that no general funds will be provided to any public higher education institution that, on or after April 2, 2009, sponsors, sanctions, promotes, endorses, or allows a public screening of any film that is marketed as a XXX-rated adult film, except for a screening as part of an official academic course offering open only to students enrolled in that course.

In a statement after the university reversed it’s decision, Senator Harris said [he was] ”extremely concerned that the policy of our public colleges and universities would allow ‘hard core’ pornography” to be shown. I am pleased to know that the university did the right thing and cancelled this movie. However, I remain concerned that they do not have a policy prohibiting this.”

What Senator Harris fails to mention is that the film was to be paired along with a pre-screening presentation on safe sex lead by Planned Parenthood.

Samantha Lewis, Digital Playground’s CEO says, “The whole idea for the university screenings came from our desire to provide a forum for students to openly discuss the topic of modern sexuality, gender roles, and adult entertainment. The screenings also allows for those unfamiliar but curious about adult entertainment to see a movie that is story and effect driven and appeals to numerous people. In fact, removing all the sex left us with our MPAA R-rated version which is doing extremely well in stores like Blockbuster and Best Buy.”

Amen, sister!!!

It’s a shame that Senator Harris doesn’t see the bigger picture. Better to have college students watching “Pirates II: Stagnetti’s Revenge” in a controlled environment where they can, like Samantha Lewis said, “openly discuss the topic of modern sexuality, gender roles, and adult entertainment.” Now it’s just going to be men and women playing with themselves in the privacy of their own home, their hands sticky with salt, before passing out into a state of deep sleep.

How do you see the situation? Do you think it’s fair for schools to lose funding over the screening of XXX films?

Gallery of “Pirates II” star, and winner of Best Female Performer of the Year at last year’s AVN Awards, Sasha Grey below! Gallery of “Pirates II” co-star Jesse Jane here and here.

Sources: Baltimore Sun, TheFire.Org