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Cosby's Kansas City invasion kicked off in May at the Kansas City headquarters of the Salvation Army, where he showed off petitions. The petitions demanded that grand juries hear evidence against 32 businesses he accused of selling or renting materials depicting "actual ultimate sex acts, normal, perverted, violent or obscene, masturbation, anal sex, oral sex, excretory functions, sadomasochistic abuse, torture and lewd exhibition of the genitals."

Under Kansas law, a grand jury can be convened by any citizen who gathers signatures equal to slightly more than 2 percent of the total votes cast in a county's last gubernatorial election. Cosby claims that his petitions include 20,000 signatures.

Cosby claimed to have the support of 100 churches, including St. Patrick's Church in Kansas City, Kansas; Faith Covenant Church of Prayer in Blue Springs; and the Catholic Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

Sex is "God's idea," Cosby told The Leaven, the newspaper of the Kansas City Archdiocese. "It's a wonderful gift God has given us to be enjoyed within the covenant of marriage. When that gift is taken out of the context of marriage, it destroys families, children and society."

This year, Cosby collected thousands more signatures to convene grand juries in Johnson and Wyandotte counties. The results of Cosby's petition drives have been mixed.

Across the state line in Missouri, Cosby's followers have filed petitions in Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte counties. But in Missouri, signed petitions alone are not enough to call a grand jury. That decision is left to a judge's discretion, and, so far, no Missouri businesses have been charged with obscenity.

Jackson County has yet to publicly make a move. Jackson County Prosecutor Jim Kanatzar met with a group of ministers in May when they delivered a petition. The only result thus far has been a letter penned by Kanatzar and sent to 20 Kansas City-area businesses explaining Missouri's obscenity law.

A grand jury in Clay County failed to return an indictment.

In Platte County, World's Liquor voluntarily stopped selling mainstream magazines such as Playboy, Penthouse and Hustler after receiving a call from the county prosecutor.

In Cass County, the prosecutor is leaving obscenity decisions to the Belton chief of police, according to one of Cosby's National Coalition updates posted on the Web.

Meanwhile, grand juries in Wyandotte and Johnson counties in Kansas met for the first time on July 16.

In Wyandotte County, a grand jury handed down obscenity indictments on August 29 against two Kansas City, Kansas, businesses: M&M Inc., a convenience store on State Avenue; and Smoke Easy Cigarette Outlet, a smoke shop in a rundown strip mall at 6000 Leavenworth Road.

The Johnson County grand jury didn't return an obscenity indictment for 10 weeks. Then, on September 25, obscenity charges were announced against Hollywood at Home, Spirit Halloween and Priscilla's. Eight days later, a fourth indictment was unsealed, accusing a store called Gringo Loco of selling an obscene video.

Jurors never questioned representatives from Hollywood at Home, says Richard Bryant, an attorney for the video store.

"This grand jury never talked to the stores to find out what percentage of their stock or what the demand of it was," Bryant says. "This grand jury never talked to any therapist that talked about the therapeutic value of some of the mechanical items from Priscilla's. This grand jury heard what the prosecutor's office wanted them to hear."

What happens in a grand jury courtroom stays there. Grand juries have a 90-day window to investigate businesses, with an option of continuing for an additional 180 days. No defense is provided, though jurors can summon witnesses and evidence.

No police or prosecutors would discuss the details of the cases with The Pitch.

The recent action isn't the first time that a grand jury has met in Johnson County to consider what's obscene. In 1989, an anti-pornography coalition called for a grand jury to define obscenity. Representatives from Hollywood at Home testified before the grand jury, which also targeted other businesses, but no indictments were issued. In the end, the grand jury issued a four-page report that suggested banning sexually explicit videos featuring incest, rape, sex with minors, bondage, torture, flagellation or bestiality. The report also recommended outlawing "fetish" films and sex tapes "lacking significant story line or plot." The grand jury also set guidelines for stocking sexually explicit material and set a minimum age of 21 for renting or selling sexually explicit material. The report became an informal guide for prosecutors and businesses.

The latest Johnson County grand jury formed in mid-July and disbanded on October 2. Before they broke, the jurors issued a final set of recommendations. They called on law enforcement to enforce obscenity laws and on the media to educate the public about them. They asked business owners to reconsider selling potentially obscene material and urged them to stock "all questionable material" out of sight of minors. Finally, they encouraged lawmakers and district courts to retain the grand jury as a tool.

The statement lacked guidelines for business owners or prosecutors as to what exactly this grand jury considered obscene.

Instead, it signed off on criminal charges that will be decided by a Johnson County jury, which will have to review a stack of dirty magazines, DVDs and sex toys.

Dozens of piñatas hang from the ceiling of Gringo Loco. They hang so low that customers have to duck to navigate the aisles and avoid getting kicked in the head by a candy-filled Spider-Man.

The shelves of Gringo Loco, a tiny Latino convenience store in an Olathe strip mall, are stocked with ethnic foods, knickknacks and Spanish-language CDs.

The grand jury accused the store of selling Babysitter #18, a 2004 film about sitters watching a 30-year-old baby, seducing a police officer and getting the attention of a "cop — and his night stick."

Cosby likes to lump stores such as Gringo Loco and Hollywood at Home with chain adult book­stores and strip clubs on his list of SOBs.

And Cosby's cause has caught on in Overland Park. A parent filed a complaint against Spirit Halloween, a costume shop affiliated with Spencer's Gifts.

Write Your Comment show comments (12)

  1. The last time I wrote to The Pitch, it was in the hope that someone would listen to the need for a felony level provision in the animal cruelty state statute in Kansas. Thanks to media coverage, Power For Paws was launched, and Kansas now has legislation. The point is that without the freedom of speech, animals abusers would still go unpunished.

    In a broad prospective, I do not see the issue of pornography any differently. It is freedom of speech. However, I must agree that films or magazines involving anything other than consensual and legal sex is not appropriate (for example - rape, sex with minors/animals). Otherwise, let people have their sex toys, watch their porno movies, and mind your own business! To Mr. Cosby, I would say, "Save your bible beating dialogue for someone that wants to hear it!"

    Lee Brand

    Comment by Lee Brand — October 24, 2007 @ 08:24PM

  2. The problem here is a minister who sees that he is failing in teaching people good Biblical morals, so instead of teaching people, he is switching to forcing them not to sin.

    No one disagrees that certain things are a sin in God’s eyes, but God did create humans to make that choice. He didn’t put the tree of knowledge somewhere that Adam and Eve could not reach. It was within easy reach and they knew the penalties for eating from it. It should be noted that the only knowledge they gained was the experience of committing sin.

    The minister is doing what so many failed ministers have done over the decades. Christ didn’t say to remove sin, he said t:
    Preach God’s Word;
    Teach God’s Word to others; and
    Teach them how to preach and teach.

    I would be willing to wager that he has nearly completely failed in this, limiting the knowledge of preaching to only the elite, with most of his flock not knowing much more than Bible Stories told small children. And even than, they will be significantly mixed with mythology.

    He should stick with what Christ instructed him to do. Going beyond that presumes that he is equal to or better than Christ and can decide for himself what is best for the world at large.

    Comment by George — October 25, 2007 @ 04:45PM

  3. Personally as a Christian and the parent of a young child I am glad to see this being brought to the attention of the general public. I am tired of turning off the TV, avoiding magazine isles, avoiding certain stores, etc. because the amount of sexually suggestive material that is out in the general public. It's not just specific stores that sell this type of material, it is everywhere you go today. I don't want the public teaching my child about sex, or what they consider sexually appropriate-THAT IS MY JOB AS HER PARENT!

    Too many in todays society believe this is a freedom of speech issue. Personally I don't think so, it is infringing on my rights to parent and educate my child on matters of sexual moraity. Children and younger and younger ages are beig exposed to perverse sexual ideas, and being so trusting and immature they believe what they are being exposed to is acceptable. As a result I believe we will be seeing more profound sexual perversions as this next generation grows up due to the typee and amount of exposure they are currently experiencing.

    Allowing such filth to be "out there" is a banner cause of the liberals. They use the beliefs of the founding fathers of this nation to justify this cause. The pilgrims came to America so that they could worship without persecution from the English church. It was this principle that the Constitution of the United States was founded. I doubt that they ever envisioned it being used to promote sexual promiscuity.

    Jesus may not have said that it is our mission to remove sin from this earth, but he did say that we had an obligation to point out the sin and guide the sinner away from this behavior. As Chrisitians we all have an obligation to point out the sins within ourselves, and society as a whole. The midwest is rapidly going from the bible belt to one of sexual depravity. We may not be as sexually depraved as other cities, but that is not an award that I would personally want for anyone to acquire.

    If you choose to stand on the premise that these people have a right to sell this smut, then ask yourself this question-How would you feel if your child or grandchild came home and told you that they were doing the same thing that you condoned? Probably with sadness, anger, dismay, and shock. But you should not be, as you have either verbally or non-verbally told them that it is acceptable to you and your family. children learn by example, what type of example are you showing future generations of your family?

    Comment by Nancy — October 26, 2007 @ 09:20AM

  4. The fact that the good pastor is so afraid of masturbation is probably the source of his frustration. My opinion.

    Comment by Lonnie — October 26, 2007 @ 01:53PM

  5. To be brief, I find it shocking that religious beliefs can be projected onto others to a degree of delegating what product a person may or may not purchase based on those views. I dont feel that is morally right. I would not want to try to impose my beliefs and thoughts onto someone else to a degree of control. However simply, I think if things like these were not a big deal they would not be so bad. In short, people are wierd... really wierd, they have urges and theres nothing wrong with that.

    On a lighter note, I was wondering who that gorgeous girl was who graced the cover and inside story for this issue. Without making a complete ass out of myself I will simply say she was looking really cute in that cop outfit. I looked for a name throughout the issue, (only have so much time to read the pitch on my work break!) but did not find any. Maybe i missed it, but wanted to make sure she got her recognition. So I will leave it at that, wondering who she is, and paying a compliment.

    Keep it up, I will read as always

    cheers.

    Comment by Sam — October 28, 2007 @ 10:40PM

  6. Methinks Cosby doth protest too much. He sure seems to enjoy buying up sex toys and videos for his "evidence" collection. What do we think the chances are that Cosby's got a little Ted Haggard in him? Pun fully intended, thank you.

    Comment by Corey — October 31, 2007 @ 09:26AM

  7. You know what I find obscene? The fact that taxpayer money and time is being wasted on some religious nut's personal crusade. Fortunately the first amendment protects us from people like this, who are little better than fascists in that they want to impose their will on everyone else.

    All of you who are for this, get a clue. Not everyone shares your beliefs, get over it. Church and state are separated in this great nation of ours, so don't mix the two by bringing frivolous crap like this to court, be it civil or criminal. These stores also aren't going to see any of this "obscene" material to your kids, so stop trying to use children as a shield for your own insecurities. If they get it from anywhere, they'll probably get it from your own stash, or there's always the internet. You know what would be best for the kids? If you actually show some responsibility as a parent, take them aside, and talk to them - explain sex and morality to them. The very worst thing you can do is to treat adults like children. In fact, this picketing, writing down license plates, calling businesses and homes, and assembling grand juries to try cases that will fail is the height of infantile behavior. Mind your own business and keep your nose out of mine or anyone else's for that matter.

    Why not expend your time and energy on something more worth while? Like say stopping the violence in schools, which is a much larger threat to your children? Why not get that church group together to do some charity work? Put a food pantry together and organize donations for the poor? Organize soup lines and volunteer down at the homeless shelters? Pick up litter down at the local park? Organize after-school activities for children? Sponsor a local scout troop? You know, something that would actually involve spending some time with those children and keeping them occupied where you can keep an eye on them?

    Comment by LT — November 6, 2007 @ 12:49AM

  8. It's always time for "Tittie Time".

    Comment by Jimmy John — November 6, 2007 @ 01:44PM

  9. As a child I was raised in a pentecostal church, and I will tell you that force feeding a child religion will backfire upon you in the long run, but the fact that I am open enough to share my views on sexuality and the perversions that everyone has different opinions on, my children are more educated because they NEED TO BE! And if you do not start with this education at an early age they will find it somewhere else without your knowledge. So if you consider that I sell Passion PArties as a great sin, I want to ask a question that I think you really need to think about! Would you rather watch the divorce rate continue to climb, OR would you encourage people to enjoy themselves in their OWN homes with some of the aids or "smut" that you call it, and build a stronger relationship by opening a line of communication between them? I personally have set a goal to bring that divorce statistic down by opening the minds of the people who I am blessed enough to be invited into their homes to show them the products I sell. Should a 14 yr old know about all things, NO, but that is the job of the parent to make them aware of what is going on in the world! Masturbation by no means is a sin, but something that we as humans need to do to find what makes us happy and that we can communicate when we do find the partner for life so we will stay happy together longer! I personally dont see how this CRUSADE is helping our communities because again it is just taking away another RIGHT as an American to enrich our lives the way we want to. Again governments form of THINKING for us!!!! I ramble sorry this a definite subject of interest to me!!

    Comment by Dusty King — November 7, 2007 @ 06:35PM

  10. #2, you seem wise, and should be holding lectures for all those in the religious right trying to control our country! Amen to your true moral wisdom.

    Comment by carla — November 9, 2007 @ 12:00PM

  11. #3
    Let she who is without sin cast the first stone...
    Judge not, lest ye be judged
    Listen to #2... it is NO MAN's place to try to control what "sin" is accessible, or allowed, or not. You can say you think it's a sin. But you have no right, no one does, to STOP others from choosing to "sin" if they want to. Including your children.
    Teach them your beliefs...but they are individuals in the eyes of God too, with their own choices to make. It is you job just to love them.

    I was lucky enough to have a mother who, when I was confused by the world around me as a child, and asked her it would be OK when I grew up if I loved a black man, or another woman, she simply said:
    "If you're happy, I would love and support you no matter what. But I would feel bad for you to have to face the world, because other people can be cruel and make your choices difficult for you."

    I ended up being pretty straight, but I know if she'd been heavily opinionated and oppressive, I would have rebelled against it.

    Comment by carla — November 9, 2007 @ 12:09PM

  12. The fact that somebody thinks they can force there opinion on other people is an insault.I happen to love porn,but you don't see me out picketing churches becuse ,they don't have a naked choir.If you are 18 years old and you want to put a dildo in your butt so be it. It's not your butt its not my butt nor is it your or my money. This is a store you I and everybody knows sells sexual products if you don't want yourself or your kids to see these things drive on by I'll wave at you. (YOU ARE NOT REALLY AN AMERICAN) when you call a truck drives wife because he's buying a mag, or calling his work. You can picket all you want.that's your right. Voice your opinion,don't try to voice mine.

    DC Jan 8,2008

    Comment by dan — January 8, 2008 @ 08:44PM

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