Porn industry seeks $5 billion federal bailout
By KEVIN MODESTI
LA DAILY NEWS
Thursday, January 08, 2009
LOS ANGELES — In an announcement that launched a thousand unprintable puns, adult-entertainment moguls Larry Flynt and Joe Francis said Wednesday that they are asking Washington for a $5 billion federal bailout, claiming that the porn business is suffering from the soft economy.
Francis insisted in a phone interview that this is no joke or publicity stunt, though his tone suggested otherwise.
“The government’s handing out money to the auto industry,” Francis, producer of the “Girls Gone Wild” video series, said on the phone from his Santa Monica office. “Why shouldn’t it hand some to an industry the nation could not live without?”
The request, Francis said, was being made in a letter to Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass, and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. The $5 billion figure, he said, reflects the decline in U.S. adult-entertainment- industry revenue from $18 billion three years ago.
If porn producers are feeling the effects of what one wire service called “the sagging economy,” the pain might be felt most acutely in the San Fernando Valley. In 2007, revenue from more than 200 Valley-based adult-content companies was estimated at $1 billion.
One adult-film star from the Los Angeles area said she is feeling the pinch.
The actress who performs as Jenna Presley said her Web site has seen a 20 percent decline in customers, about 1,000 of whom pay $19.99 a month to watch the 22-year-old perform online.
Presley said the downturn has forced her to cut overhead.
“I said, ‘I’ve got to stop paying guys and girls to perform with, and I’ve got to find (other Web site proprietors) to do a content exchange with,’ ” Presley said matter-of-factly.
Instead of paying co-stars, she is posting their videos on her site and they’re posting her content on theirs.
“I haven’t had any complaints,” Presley said.
Other performers, Presley said, have faced pay cuts as video companies take the uncharacteristic step of tightening their belts.
“I know companies are reducing their rates,” Presley said. “Instead of paying a girl $2,000 for a boy-girl (scene), now they’re trying to pay $1,200.”
Presley said she has refused to work for less and so far has not lost business.
“I stand up for myself,” she said. “A lot of girls, the business is so slow, they’re happy just to find work (at any price).”
Despite all that, Presley said she considers the bailout bid by Francis and Hustler chief Flynt “a little crazy” and thinks companies need to cut unnecessary expenses. She said the porn industry, like the auto industry, is to blame for failing to change with the times.
“I’m not taking this bailout request seriously,” Presley said. “I love Larry. He’s a great guy. But he doesn’t need $5 billion.”
Her reaction echoed those of a San Fernando Valley congressman and the head of a Valley business group.
“I regret that two porn-industry executives have used the current economic crisis to launch an obvious publicity stunt,” said Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Sherman Oaks. “As Americans face tough economic times, we need a serious discussion of the issues.”
Bruce Ackerman, president and CEO of the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley, said: “I don’t think it’s a reasonable request — and I would say that of any of the industry groups (seeking bailouts).
“I don’t think you can laugh any of these requests off. I sympathize with any industry that needs help,” Ackerman said, noting that the adult-entertainment industry employs thousands of people in the Valley. “But is it something the taxpayer should be burdened with?”
Flynt’s and Francis’ announcement coincides with the start today of the four-day Adult Entertainment Expo in Las Vegas. They hope to find support for the bailout bid from other industry leaders.
“People are too depressed to be sexually active,” Flynt said in a news release. “This is very unhealthy as a nation. Americans can do without cars and such, but they cannot do without sex.”
Adult DVD sales and rentals have decreased by 22 percent in the past year, the news release claimed, as viewers seek free porn online.
Flynt and Francis will have some convincing to do even in Las Vegas, judging by the reaction of Steven Hirsch, founder and co-chairman of L.A.-based Vivid Entertainment Group, the 25-year-old company that bills itself as the world’s leading adult-film producer.
“To think we’re going to go to Washington and get a bailout is a little unrealistic,” said Hirsch, who said he heard about the Flynt-Francis ploy in the media. “This is not the time to make sweeping statements. This is the time to buckle down and take the steps we need to save our industry.
“This industry is not immune from (the bad economy). People are spending less money, period.”
Hirsch said he thinks Flynt and Francis are “just poking fun at all the industries getting bailouts.”
Hirsch said Vivid isn’t suffering as badly as smaller rivals because its prominent brand name gives the company “a leg up.”
He declined to get specific about Vivid’s revenue.
http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2009/01/08/flynt_porn_bailout.html#
Posts by RR
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11Now I've heard it all
by RR inporn industry seeks $5 billion federal bailout.
by kevin modesti.
la daily news.
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RR
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RR
Minimus ... I just love red people
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16
Where Are All of the JWs From Years Ago Now?
by minimus inwhen i look back, since i was born in the 50s, i see most oldtimers that i grew up are still connected to the organization.
that is, those who were in the 50s and 60s.. those that came in the 70s seemed to leave, pretty much.
the ones that came in the 80s and 90s seemed to be mostly mentally unbalanced and some still go to the meetings but many suffer from depression and are not as active as they "should" be.. are most of the witnesses that you knew still practicing or are they gone?.
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RR
Most of them are here!
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Patrick Swayze
by Gregor inalways liked him, very talented fellow.
now he is looking at 2 to 5 yrs left before the cancer takes him.
very tough deal of the cards.. .
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RR
He looks horrible, but even in his condition he looks better than his brothers ....
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13
An explanation of the evil slave class as explained by the JWS
by Homerovah the Almighty inone thing that either i've missed or didn't catch a discussion on is about " the evil slave class ".
thats a labeling they placed on people that voice disagreement in public or privately against jws doctrines and their organization.
does this refresh a few memories.
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RR
The Evil Slave was originally those who separated from the Society after the death of Russell, then it was applied to all who left. Most recently they reverted back to the old view with some modification. The new view is that the "evil slave" can ONLY be applied to anointed christians.
RR
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Scan of February 2009
by RR inhere a scan of the february 2009 kingdom ministry.
enjoy.
http://www.sendspace.com/file/mqzn9l.
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my website
by Trevor Scott inversion 2.0 of my website is now live at http://www.geocities.com/thewatchtowerstudy/.
please check it out.. i started this site a few years ago to publicize the wts - un relationship and it grew from there.
i hadn't touched it for quite a while and it was really in need of a face lift.
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RR
Impressive!
RR
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3
Jehovah's Witnesses to Deliver Mail
by RR inin a move that proponents say will save the federal government millions of dollars, the united states postal service announced today that the watchtower bible and tract society will begin having it's members deliver the mail.. .
known as jehovah's witnesses, they are notable for their door-to-door proselytizing and have an impressive record of visiting even the most remote of locations on a regular basis.
"they cover an incredible amount of territory" says usps spokesman larry toppy.
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RR
In a move that proponents say will save the federal government millions of dollars, the United States Postal Service announced today that the Watchtower Bible And Tract Society will begin having it's members deliver the mail.
Known as Jehovah's Witnesses, they are notable for their door-to-door proselytizing and have an impressive record of visiting even the most remote of locations on a regular basis. "They cover an incredible amount of territory" says USPS spokesman Larry Toppy. "Even a bush league Witness can put the most seasoned postal employee to shame."
Although Jehovah's Witnesses avoid association with what they call "wordly governments", Watchtower officials gave the thumbs-up to the idea after the USPS gave assurances that the Witnesses would not have to don the uniform.
"Wearing a postal workers uniform would definitely associate us with government, and we can't have that," says Brad Steiner, a Watchtower Society spokesman. "However, simply carrying the mail, and delivering it to the various households on our routes does not violate any Biblical principles that we are aware of."
Witnesses like Norma Klepchick agree. "Sure, I don't have a problem with it," she says. "Maybe if people thought we might be delivering something like their tax refund checks they wouldn't be so quick to slam the damned door in our faces...oh shit, did I just say 'damn'?"
Watchtower's Mr. Steiner goes on to say "There is actually Biblical precedent for having Christians perform this work. Take a look at the New Testament books like letters to the Ephesians, letters to the Corinthians, etc. How do you suppose those letters got to their destinations? It sure wasn't the fucking Romans schlepping them over there...oh shit, did I just say 'fuck'?"________________________
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I'm p*ssed and have no one to choke!!
by QuestioningEverything inno-just kidding.
i'm not the violent type of person.
but i am so angry at the wtbs for all of the bullsh** that i was taught over my lifetime-it's making me sick to my stomach.
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RR
I'm p*ssed and have no one to choke!!
ah, go choke a chicken!
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WITNESSING TO JWS
by Trying2understand inof course that didnt happen either.
could you please read deut 18:20 aloud once, more?.
could you read deut 18:20 aloud again for me?.
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RR
You also need to consider (as strange as this may sound) whether they are better off "in" or better off "out" of the org. Some people I knew, needed to stay in, for their own health.
RR