Civil rights heroes

No, I'm not talking about Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King. I'm actually talking about these brave souls, who are taking a stand against The Man's oppression.

Two inmates have filed a lawsuit against the Indiana Department of Correction to overturn a policy that bars magazines such as Playboy and Hustler.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis seeks class-action status on behalf of more than 20,000 state prisoners and challenges a policy that went into effect July 1 barring adult magazines and other printed material that depict nudity or sexual content.

The policy could prohibit sexually explicit letters and publications such as National Geographic magazine and daily newspapers, according to the complaint, which said the new rule violates the plaintiffs' civil rights.

"The policy is written so broadly that it includes within its prohibitions such things as personal letters between prisoners and loved ones and much of the world's great literature and art," said the complaint, which was prepared by the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana.

Ah, yes. Because I'm sure these guys are looking to better themselves by reading great works of literature. Oh, and art, too. Mustn't forget the great works of art. And by "literature" and "art," I'm sure they're not just talking about things like Penthouse Letters and Swank. Of course not.

Good luck, you brave scholars and art lovers!