Larry Flynt, the publisher of Hustler magazine, and Joe Francis, the CEO of Girls Gone Wild, are asking Congress for a bailout of the adult entertainment industry.
According to them, during bad economic times "Americans turn to entertainment for relief." Since "Congress seems willing to help shore up our nation's most important businesses, we feel we deserve the same consideration."
I kid you not.
The following is their press release posted at PR Newswire:
As the 2009 AVN Adult Expo opens in Las Vegas this week, Girls Gone Wild CEO Joe Francis and HUSTLER magazine publisher Larry Flynt are petitioning the newly convened 111th Congress to provide a financial bailout for the adult entertainment industry along the lines of what is being sought by the Big Three automakers, a spokesperson for Francis announced today.
Adult industry leaders Flynt and Francis sent a joint request to Congress asking for $5 billion in federal assistance, "Just to see us through hard times," Francis said. "Congress seems willing to help shore up our nation's most important businesses, we feel we deserve the same consideration. In difficult economic times, Americans turn to entertainment for relief. More and more, the kind of entertainment they turn to is adult entertainment."
But according to Flynt the recession has acted like a national cold shower. "People are too depressed to be sexually active," Flynt says, "This is very unhealthy as a nation. Americans can do without cars and such but they cannot do without sex."
While not to the degree felt by banks and automakers, the Adult Entertainment industry has been hit by the effects of the economic downturn. DVD sales and rentals have decreased by 22 percent in the past year as viewers turn to the internet for adult entertainment. [...]
"With all this economic misery and people losing all that money, sex is the farthest thing from their mind," Flynt says, "It's time for congress to rejuvenate the sexual appetite of America. The only way they can do this is by supporting the adult industry and doing it quickly."
"The popularity of adult entertainment in America has grown steadily for the past half century," Francis says. "Its emergence into the mainstream of popular culture suggests that the US government should actively support the adult industry's survival and growth, just as it feels the need to support any other industry cherished by the American people."
With Democrats now in control of the executive AND legislative branches of government, do you think Flynt and Francis will get their wish?
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Everyone wants a bailout!
January 7, 2009 - 15:27 ET by Saint ZeroNo, they don't deserve one. Let's save the socialism for actual industries that might help the nation, not exploitative nonsense.
What do you mean?
January 8, 2009 - 16:01 ET by BlueCat57"actual" industry, "might" help, exploitative "nonsense"? Porn is an actual industry that helps the economy and it is not nonsense. Every economic activity is an actual industry that helps the economy and in these troubled time it is serious business. If you want to say something at least be accurate.
You are a prude who doesn't want their hard earned tax dollars given to someone who enjoys their work. You want your tax dollars given to people who hate their jobs. Just be honest, that's all the Chosen One wants.
Beyond Belief
January 7, 2009 - 15:35 ET by nofateI can't believe what I'm reading. Government owned porn? Adult version of Pravda Entertainment section. All comrades ordered to receive the official Obama communicator.
"We are living in a sitcom"- Rush
"The future is not set. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves."
michaelyon-online.com
After all, P.J. O'Rouke did call the U.S. Government....
January 7, 2009 - 15:29 ET by Prester John....a Parliament of Whores.
Now the porn industry needs
January 7, 2009 - 15:36 ET by fitzfongNow the porn industry needs a government fluffer?
That sucks. :-)
"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." -Ronald Reagan
fitzfong.blogspot.com
Ouch.
January 8, 2009 - 00:31 ET by Legacy76That actually made me laugh out loud in real life, as opposed to "lol". My pug was sleeping beside me on the bed, but woke up. Naturally, in typical liberal fashion I shall blame any complications that my pug develops tomorrow from a lack of sleep on you.
does...
January 7, 2009 - 15:33 ET by katainkentomfg cover it?
yeap. I do believe it do.
"part of what I'm hoping to introduce as the next president is a new ethic of [government enforced] responsibility" - B. Obama
At least they have a good
January 7, 2009 - 15:35 ET by ApacheAt least they have a good sense of humor.
Humor is right
January 7, 2009 - 16:29 ET by taznarThis shows our representatives in D.C. the road they started down. I'd like to hear a clear explanation from our elected officials of what makes some industries worth of a bailout and others not. They've set themselves up for every industry in the country to come to town with their hand out.
→ Hubba Hubba
January 7, 2009 - 15:39 ET by Cool ArrowI got your stimulus package right here Larry.
pure genius
January 7, 2009 - 15:43 ET by SickofLibs"Americans can do without cars and such but they cannot do without sex [our porn]."
Sounds pretty green to me - we can all just stay home and masturbate instead of going to work.
Where's Shawn?
January 7, 2009 - 15:45 ET by BlondeWhen we need him?
Right here B
January 7, 2009 - 20:00 ET by shawn228As much as I love porn, there should not be bailout. Porn, Tax Payers money and The government is a bad menage a troix
The government could not even run the Mustang ranch when they took it over. I would imagine it would be kind of difficult to mess up selling hookers and liquer.
He had my vote
Good one, Oblio!
January 7, 2009 - 20:03 ET by Blonde"A bad menage a trois", indeed.
See, NS put up a thread just for you and you missed it....that pesky job thingy.
→ And his dog Arrow
January 7, 2009 - 20:05 ET by Cool ArrowHe's got a point.
Would that be "menage a triangle toss"
NS
January 7, 2009 - 15:49 ET by BlondeLeave it to you to run away with the prize for most bizarre thing I've ever read....one whole week into 2009!
This one may be in the running for top bizarro prize of the decade, if not the century!
Is it just me........
January 7, 2009 - 15:53 ET by MOONSTRUCKor does flynt look and act like the "dude" in Porky's????
what a revolting pig!
say WHAT?
January 7, 2009 - 15:56 ET by AJB"Just to see us through hard times,"...
for most straight porn, aren't they ALL hard times?
The way I understand it
January 7, 2009 - 16:01 ET by cocodrieSex is on the way out. It's beem around too long, people are tired of it and are losing interest.
Besides, with all this global warming it's too hot to do anything.
These two gomers have to be joking, right?
January 7, 2009 - 16:01 ET by R D HelmBesides, who actually pays for porn these days, anyway?
You can pretty much find anything you want to see on the internet, and you can see it for free. If you are unable to, then you need to seriously work on your search-term technique.
-Dave
“Them that’s going get on the wagon. Them that ain’t get out of the way.” -Because enough is enough.
Good evening RD
January 7, 2009 - 16:09 ET by cocodrieI can't watch pornography. I never did buy a pornograph so I don't have anything to watch it on.
coco,
January 7, 2009 - 17:06 ET by R D HelmLOL-You should have asked for one for Christmas.
Pornograph. That's funny.
-Dave
“Them that’s going get on the wagon. Them that ain’t get out of the way.” -Because enough is enough.
That's what I get
January 7, 2009 - 17:49 ET by choselife3xFor following 'coco' on the Recent Comments. I stumble into the porn thread.
I will refrain from asking Dave how he knows about free porn on the Internet, commend coco for not owning a pornograph, and go take a shower.
Stop that, Dave, STOP THAT!!! Arghhhh, now I can't take a frigging shower 'cause Dave has a dirty, DIRTY mind....
In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.
chose,
January 7, 2009 - 18:08 ET by R D HelmHey, I was just pointing out why the porn industry is in such deep financial trouble in this country.
I mean, they have a hard row to hoe now, because the internet has rendered them financially limp.
-Dave
“Them that’s going get on the wagon. Them that ain’t get out of the way.” -Because enough is enough.
Bad Dave!! Bad Dave!!
January 7, 2009 - 18:11 ET by motherbeltLOL!
MB
January 7, 2009 - 18:18 ET by choselife3xStop it! He LIKES that!!
In order to be pro-choice, one must first be born. Ah, the irony.
→ coco
January 7, 2009 - 18:31 ET by Cool ArrowYou really need to buy a good pornograph to watch that stuff.
Heck, I thought I could watch it on my Grandmaphone. Wrong!
Good evening Cool
January 7, 2009 - 18:38 ET by cocodrieYou should be able to watch the oldies shouldn't you? Or at least reruns.
Digital
January 7, 2009 - 19:10 ET by nkviking75Some lonely types enjoy their porn digitally.
...
Think about it...
Welcome to the era of unity, you racist!
→ Digitally? Of course
January 7, 2009 - 19:15 ET by Cool Arrow00111010110100010011101101010101?
Beats me.
That was hot until that
January 7, 2009 - 19:44 ET by ApacheThat was hot until that 1010101 at the end. Then is was just sick.
Cool,
January 7, 2009 - 19:44 ET by R D HelmLOL-Wow, she was hot! Short, but hot. :-)
-Dave
“Them that’s going get on the wagon. Them that ain’t get out of the way.” -Because enough is enough.
Digital
January 7, 2009 - 23:48 ET by nkviking75Cool, think about the various meanings of "digits"
Welcome to the era of unity, you racist!
Digital
January 7, 2009 - 23:49 ET by nkviking75Cool, think about the various meanings of "digits"
Welcome to the era of unity, you racist!
Yeah Dave
January 7, 2009 - 20:02 ET by shawn228"you need to seriously work on your search-term technique."
Never sure what images will pop up if the search is for Reagan Bush ;-)
He had my vote
For Crying Out Loud!!!
January 7, 2009 - 16:03 ET by mizflame98Brings a whole new meaning to the term Scuz balls wanting a hand out. I thought that only pertained to the likes of AIG and the banks.
Perfect Demotivator for the Obama Administration
http://www.despair.com/government.html
Mizflame
January 7, 2009 - 18:06 ET by thebutlerdiditI'm pretty sure that they have already made a porno named "Scuzzballs wanting a handout." I think I saw it on the movie listings last time I stayed at the Holiday Inn.
Another...
January 7, 2009 - 16:17 ET by StarAZAnother business that's sucking?
Let the scum fail! Their
January 7, 2009 - 16:31 ET by ForeverOnTheRightLet the scum fail! Their "industry" is not essential to the economy! We will do better without them! Porn can lead to violent crime against women, destruction of marriages, and child porn, it has NO intrinsic value, it just exploits and perverts human sexuality.
NO Bailout
January 7, 2009 - 17:03 ET by NorthCoasterLet the marketplace decide!
Now just hold your horses folks...
January 7, 2009 - 17:59 ET by MightyMouth...this porn bailout idea just might have some merit! With bail out money comes regulation & restrictions right? Witness the auto bail out: they are supposed to build smaller more effecient cars right?
(stay with me..)
Soooo.. just think about all the nookie us average guys are losing to HUGE battery hungry sex toys! I mean some of those things use 10 or 12 D size batteries! How does a guy compete with that?
With the right lobbying effort we could probably get that stuff 'capped' at say penlight size....no no better yet, 2 - AAA batteries only!! Woo hoo!
Pretty soon the more sex "trickle down" has got to reach us average guys as the female population becomes more and more..err..horny. Right? Just a thought :-)
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
MightyMouth
January 7, 2009 - 18:04 ET by thebutlerdiditI feel for ya, bro, but I think you may have too much "time" on your hands. And I am going out later to get Coco a pornograph. And not giving Dave my home address.LOL
Good evening MM
January 7, 2009 - 18:20 ET by cocodrieI hope y'all are enjoying acting like 12 year olds. I am.
LOL,cocodrie, who's "acting"?
January 7, 2009 - 18:56 ET by MightyMouth"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
delete double
January 7, 2009 - 19:11 ET by cocodrieMust have caught a touch of SSS here.
MM
January 7, 2009 - 19:08 ET by cocodrieWhen I was 12 the running water was a hand pump at the kitchen sink, the toilet was 100 feet behind the house and a bailout was taking the #3 was tub after we bathed and emptying it off the back porch.
Yikes!
January 7, 2009 - 19:20 ET by MightyMouthI thought I had it bad because I had to watch the first season of Star Trek on a black and white TV!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
It was Ok MM
January 7, 2009 - 19:31 ET by cocodrieEveryone in the bayous lived that way so we did great.
MM,
January 7, 2009 - 18:12 ET by R D HelmLOL, I think you might be onto something there.
Call it welfare for those in need. :-)
-Dave
“Them that’s going get on the wagon. Them that ain’t get out of the way.” -Because enough is enough.
Geez...that does it!
January 7, 2009 - 18:27 ET by BlondeNow even conservatives are looking for welfare....of a certain type!
Blonde and Dave...
January 7, 2009 - 19:02 ET by MightyMouthI think the sex toy industry has been de-regulated for far to long! I think they should take a hard look at every aspect of the industry( with the single exeption of the "FleshLight").
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Ha Ha
January 7, 2009 - 19:04 ET by Blonde....a very hard look, indeed.
Yes, but first make them
January 7, 2009 - 18:00 ET by Chris NormanYes, but first make them unionize:
Sisterhood of Drunken College Bimbos
Sisterhood of Screen Skanks
Brotherhood of Smarmy Screen Studs
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
→ That's right Chris
January 7, 2009 - 18:35 ET by Cool ArrowAnd watch the Liberal Johns scream when ladies of the evening are assigned by seniority.
Yikes - but just think what
January 7, 2009 - 18:45 ET by Chris NormanYikes - but just think what #1 can do with her walker... :)
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
I hate porn because it ruins
January 7, 2009 - 18:44 ET by mostlymoderateI hate porn because it ruins a lot of lives. However, in a way I think Flynt is just trying to be a pain-in-the-arse and nothing more. It's how he gets his kicks. I don't think he's actually "serious". I think he is just highlighting how ridiculous ANY bailout is in a capitalistic society.
Bailouts=Socialism
Flynt is a provocateur.
January 7, 2009 - 19:02 ET by Chris NormanFlynt is a provocateur. And Francis, he may have just mistook the term "federal bail out" as a Get Out of Jail Free card...
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
This is seriously OT, but
January 7, 2009 - 18:54 ET by thebutlerdiditThis is seriously OT, but those of you who are fans of satire, and love Dave Burge, AKA IowaHawk, he is now writing for this rag across the pond. He still has his regular site, but I loved this piece, and wanted to share it. Some language content warning.
http://www.anorak.co.uk/media/199510.html
this is why I want to start
January 7, 2009 - 20:06 ET by seaniepthis is why I want to start a typewriter business and then demand a bailout because of what computers and printers have done to me
bailouts for everyone - I actually agree with larry flynt on this one, it shows how dumb its all become
actually, on a lot of things I would be more likely to agree with flynt if it wasn't for the way he went about proving his points
you set up your typewriters
January 8, 2009 - 17:14 ET by UndercoverConservativeand I'll start my Quickie-Horseshoe changing business:)
then diversify into Wagon Wheels While You Wait
"to call an illegal immigrant an "undocumented alien" is the same as calling a streetcorner drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist".
"You spend your money anyway you want and respect other's rights to do the same"
Porn Bailout
January 7, 2009 - 21:07 ET by sccNow this is what you would call a stimulation package.
Not tryng to be crude. Just could not pass up on this one.
→ Sorry scc
January 7, 2009 - 21:59 ET by Cool ArrowBeat ya to it.
Low hanging fruit.
Cool Arrow
January 7, 2009 - 23:32 ET by sccSorry, I did not read all the comments before I posted. It looks like I am Avis to your Hertz.
I think it's a joke
January 8, 2009 - 08:27 ET by jasonblanchardC'mon folks we're taking Flynt and Francis WAY to seriously. Don't you think the whole thing is tongue in cheek :)
They BRILLIANTLY illustrated that ANY argument can be made for a bailout. Why are autoworkers MORE protected than porn workers? Aren't both afforded the same rights under the Constitution? I applaud these guys for showing the hypocrisy of our save the planet government which only saves people THEY deem deserving.
Porn Bailout Solution....
January 8, 2009 - 12:12 ET by weeklyworldnews$5 Billion?! Come on.
pretty sure we can circulate porn without the help of Joe Frances.
Hilarious bailout solution...
http://www.weeklywor...
Gives new meaning to the
January 8, 2009 - 21:10 ET by fitzfongGives new meaning to the word "Hustler", doesn't it?
"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." -Ronald Reagan
fitzfong.blogspot.com