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4 - The Comstock Playbook

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 October 2021

Robert Corn-Revere
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Summary

Chapter 4 sets forth the “Comstock Playbook,” the techniques used by the anti-vice crusader to attack his adversaries, which have been emulated by censors ever since. His strategies include exhibiting moral certainty, equating opposition to your cause with the love of vice, denouncing and discrediting adversaries, promoting xenophobia, poisoning the debate with invective, touting pseudo science, seeking publicity, exaggeratingthe threat to be overcome, hyping all accomplishments, and playing the martyr.

Keywords

Anthony ComstockcensorshipVictoriananti-vice crusaderreformerRobert IngersollGeorge Bernard ShawH. L. MenckenMargaret Sangerprudery
Type
Chapter
Information
The Mind of the Censor and the Eye of the Beholder
The First Amendment and the Censor's Dilemma
 , pp. 81 - 92
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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