Exploitation?

Should Tyler grand jury have indicted Netflix over controversial film?

Netflix has come under serious criticism for choosing to stream a controversial French film called “Cuties.” It’s the story of a Senegalese girl living in Paris who joins a dance group. The group’s suggestive dancing has drawn fire and ire.

Now a Tyler, Texas, grand jury has indicted Netflix on a state felony jail charge of promoting lewd visual material of a child.

The film does not contain any child nudity. But Texas law forbids “lewd exhibition of pubic area of a clothed or partially clothed child who was younger than 18 yrs of age which appeals to the prurient interest in sex.”

Filmmaker Maïmouna Doucouré and Netflix both say the movie was made to denounce the sexualization of children. Critics — including some politicians who admit they’ve not seen the film — say the film sexualizes children.

We want to know what you think. Have you seen the film? Was the state right to bring, and the grand jury issue, a criminal indictment over controversial material? Or is the charge unwarranted?

Send your response (50 words maximum) to opinion@texarkanagazette.com by Wednesday, October 14. You can also mail your response to the Texarkana Gazette Friday Poll, at P.O. Box 621, Texarkana, TX 75504 or drop it off at our office, 101 E. Broad St, Texarkana, Ark. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. We will print as many responses as we can in next Friday’s paper.

Last Week: Better Debates?

Last week’s question was about presidential candidate debates. How can future debates be made to make them useful for voters in deciding which candidate to vote for?

This last debate was a disaster, all because Trump was acting like a spoiled brat. If I can remember all parents teach their children not to interrupt when someone is speaking. What a lesson Trump taught “so rude.” The mikes should be turned off for the person not speaking. This would solve the Trump interruptions. However, I don’t believe we will ever have another Trump in office and thank God for that. — R.K., Texarkana, Texas

From www.facebook.com/texarkanagazette

■ Definitely have a truly unbiased moderator, if one even exists anymore. NO journalists, period. Same exact question for each candidate and no different wording.

■ First all mute the mike of the person who is not suppose to talk. Secondly I don’t want to hear any crap about it’s this sides fault or that’s side fault. I want to hear if elected what they plan to do in the next four years. Thirdly, that plan better not be I want to stop the other side from doing… whatever. Stop making people fear the other side. Stop making it about the past. What are you going to do if elected or re-elected. For me these debates determine my vote. Not canned statements from you press secretary or campaign. Or slick political ads.

■ Lock ‘ em in soundproof booths with the mic switch in the hands of a neutral moderator.

■ Let school teachers be the moderators. They definitely have the skill and will keep it running smooth.

■ Make them all town hall style where undecided voters ask the questions.

■ Have mature candidates is a start.

■ You make them better by not having Trump on the stage …

■ Would be great if all would wait their turn to speak and not talk over each other and to leave the personal out and focus on how to solve the issues at hand.

■ Have a tough mom moderating.