[kopfjaeger]

.xxx seems like a great idea. With top level domain names like .com .net and .org being snapped up, it makes sense that a non-deceptive and descriptive domain be used for people who would like to control their own viewing. Think of it as truth in advertising, and freedom from being forced to see smut you find repulsive or damaging to your kids. By the same token, why not establish a domain name ".kid" for kids, with strict penaltiies for sending adult content to those sites or to anyone with that kind of e-mail address? E.g. relegate virtual smut to the virtual bookstore, and protect kids as you would protect a Day Care center or elementary school.

The First Amendment protects the Freedom of speech. Commercial speech, however, has a lower threshhold of protection (noone has the right to enter your home and shout 'buy Armor Hotdogs!'), obscenity can and is regulated, commercially false advertising, slander, libel can be punished and even political speech can be limited to reasonable time and place.

So while there is a proper time and place for smut and advertising, the First Amendment is not a blanket protection for those who seek to inundate the rest of the world with their SPAM and smut. Europe is in the process of adopting 'opt in' advertisng rules, and there is no constitutional reason why we cannot do the same.

As some of you have commented, getting around those who insist on pumping this junk out, particularly from overseas, makes something like this a goal, albeit not easily achieved.