Shell Shocked: Some U.S. Gas Stations Lift Ban On Porn

Some of America’s Shell gas stations are pumping out a new product—pornography. Despite Shell’s long-standing ban on its retailers selling porn, a group of stores now owned by Circle K has been exempted from the rule. When the Florida Family Association contacted Shell about the change, they got an email from Otto Myers, a company executive, who said that Playboy and Penthouse are no longer considered pornography—but “adult sophisticates.” Well, you can change the term, but you can’t change the policy, (at least Shell hasn’t changed the policy) and it says that their retailers can’t “sell or display materials with sex [or] nudity.” All the oil company’s done is fuel the controversy in 240 stores across Baton Rouge, Denver, Memphis and Florida where the magazines are sold. Myers’ wrote that the “general public” doesn’t consider Playboy pornographic. But the truth is, Myers would have a hard time finding people in these communities who don’t consider dirty magazines vulgar and explicit. While Shell’s retailers are stepping on the gas to promote pornography, their competitors have refused to lift their bans. Obviously, this is one company that needs a refinery not only for crude oil, but for crude content!

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