Porn talk hits UW-O

 Adult film star Ron Jeremy and XXXchurch.com founder Craig Gross will engage in The Pornography Debate on Nov. 11. 

"Don't be scared by the title," Chairman of the UW-Oshkosh University Speaker Series David Rathsack said. "Pornography is a controversial issue. The announcement of this debate raised some eyebrows, but everybody has skirted around the issue long enough."

According to Rathsack, the purpose of this debate is to educate people, entertain them and generate student involvement. He also said that he talked to other campus representatives at various conferences that have held the pornography debate and received positive reviews. Just like previous campuses, Oshkosh plans to use the visit from Jeremy and Gross as an educational debate for students to learn. Jeremy argues that pornography is a profitable business, while Gross is a pastor who argues the moral issues of pornography.

"We have learned through surveys, campus buzz, the support from Campus Crusade and Converge that this has been a topic idea for awhile," Rathsack said.

Therefore, after a two to three week research process and a three-hour meeting with the committee, the idea of holding a pornography debate was settled. The Speaker Series used Wolfman Productions to book Jeremy and Gross.  Rathsack said Jeremy and Gross were chosen because "they are the biggest names in their line of work."

There are students who were not aware that a debate of this caliber was even being considered, let alone scheduled.

"There is nothing wrong with debating this issue on campus, but personally pornography is disgusting and weird," said a female student who asked she remain unnamed. 

For instance, student Jaquelynn Pettinato had little knowledge of the debate, but said that she would attend if her schedule allowed.

"It's appropriate, but a touchy subject," Pettinato said. "A debate like this is along the lines of abortion. I don't see a problem with pornography being debated or discussed on campus. It will be a good eye opener."

Student Jessie Taddler also said that pornography was something that "needs to be discussed."

Taddler was also not aware that this debate would be taking place on campus, but did plan to attend because she said it seemed educational.

"It will be attention grabbing, but fair and balanced," Rathsack said. "Its purpose is to open eyes and get new perspectives."