As a rule, I try to stay out of politics, however something very serious is going on in the United States and we need as many people to stand up against this as possible.

Web sites that display BDSM and other controversial content are under attack by conservative forces under the "obscenity" law. This is a very poorly written piece of legislation that allows the local community in which something occurs to set its own standards as to what is obscene and what is not. AND BECAUSE THE INTERNET IS ACCESSIBLE TO THE WHOLE COUNTRY, THEY ARGUE THAT THE WEBSITE MUST PASS THE OBSCENITY LAWS IN EVERY LOCALE IN THE COUNTRY. So basically, prosecuting attorneys anywhere in the country can attack any website they personally find offensive, can stack the jury with ultra conservatives from that locale, get them good and enflamed and get a conviction. I personally think that on the internet, your "community" should be defined as those who visit your site, but the law is not written that way.

I strongly urge those of you who live in the US to investigate more about this at this.
http://www.ncsfreedom.org/news/2005/102005ObscenityWave.htm

Support the cause of freedom of expression and speech. ncsfreedom.org/donations.htm

Civil liberties are very fragile and they have been under intense attack every since the current US leadership came to power.

Until this is challenged successfully, I am going to shutdown the gallery portion of my site.
I regret that the sorry state of things in the "home of the free" has lead to this decision.