#todd weiler

While many associate the state of Utah with the Mormon faith, and also associate the Mormon faith with high morality, this is one case where A + B does not equal C. Utah actually leads the 50 states in sales of porn flicks.

Holding that title doesn’t sit well with one particular legislator in that state, though. And state Sen. Todd Weiler (R-Cross) wants to do something about it, goshdarnit. And not just for moral reasons, but for the good of public health.

On January 29, Weiler introduced SJR 9, a resolution calling for pornography to be labelled a “public health hazard” in Utah. This “hazard” is made worse by the strong addictiveness of sexual images, he told the New York Daily News.

“I have read books and I have experts tell me pornography is more difficult to overcome than cocaine.”

Here’s the Daily News’ (non-pornographic) video on it:

Many of the claims noted in Weiler’s bill have a moral foundation, but are still somewhat of a stretch, such as:

“Pornography increases the demand for sex trafficking, prostitution, (and) child sexual abuse”

And:

“Pornography use is linked to lessening desire in young men to marry”

Other claims, though, are medical. And they’re not just a stretch, but are quite bizarre, too. Take these, for example:

“Potential detrimental effects on pornography’s users can impact brain development and functioning, (and) contribute to emotional and medical illnesses”

“Pornography is potentially biologically addictive”

That’s right, boys and girls. Those oohs and aahs aren’t just images before your eyes. They’re also some devilish kind of bacteria that can enter your body, eat your brain tissue, make you sick, and leave you panting in need for more and more and more!

He defends these bizarre biological claims, too, telling media:

“These are scientific facts, just like global warming.”

But you devilish, global-warming sex fiends shouldn’t get too alarmed. (And please note we are not making this up; he actually said this.) Weiler actually told media that other means of – oh, let’s say “self-satisfaction” – are still okay.

“My resolution does not deal with masturbation. I think that’s beyond the scope of what I’m doing. We’re not going to outlaw masturbation in Utah.”

Whew! Thanks, Weiler! Don’t you feel better about this bill now?

This isn’t the only odd legislation recently proposed by Weiler. Take his other January 27 bill (SB 0043), offered in response to the tragic and ongoing epidemic of school shootings. Instead of improvement to security on campuses or safer gun-purchase laws, Weiler proposes a new class beginning at the eighth grade level that would teach students how to hide if their public school gets attacked by an armed maniac.