In the essay "Would You View This With Your Mother?," by Emilio Bombay, a question is presented to him concerning the legality of viewing sexually explicit material on the Internet. To answer this question, Bombay mentions the Supreme Court's ruling of last June, which described the "Constitution's guarantee of freedom of speech [and how this freedom] extends to the Internet" (210). Bombay goes on to explain how computer hard drives store downloaded pictures and site "hits" that computers make. In making this point, he warns of the consequences that could apply, depending on other laws in any particular area. Bombay suggests that we empty our hard drives to prevent possible consequences from accidental discovery of pornographic material.

The sarcasm in this essay is somewhat humorous; however, I feel that the downloading of pornographic material is a serious subject that should be addressed as such. The references to "barnyard animals in compromising positions" create images I personally don't want in my mind (210). My Christian background and moral upbringing help to shape my views on this issue. I fully agree that we should have freedom to express ourselves, but as a people we must not forget that our free country is based on Christian morals. This is a driving force that guided our forefathers to design the country this way. We must not let the world, or the Internet, take away our abilities to distinguish right from wrong. I agree with Bombay's statement, "You're not fooling anybody when you close that door"; none of us are (210). This statement speaks to a nation. People tend to live double lives; they sometimes do things behind closed doors that would embarrass them in the event of discovery. I truly believe that the thoughts of a man become his words and his actions. Eventually others will see what we have tried so desperately to hide.

Bombay, Emilio.  "Would You View This With Your Mother?"  CyberReader. 2nd ed. Ed. Victor J. Vitanza. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon, 1999. 210-211.