Political Hotsheet
January 8, 2009 10:28 AM

Porn Moguls Ask For Bailout

(GETTY IMAGES/Toby Canham)
It's the water cooler story of the day: "Porn industry seeks federal bailout!"

As CNN reported late yesterday, Hustler publisher Larry Flynt and Girls Gone Wild's Joe Francis, in a move that has been effective in generating publicity for both, have vowed to "request that Congress allocate $5 billion for a bailout of the adult entertainment industry."

Flynt spokesman Owen Moogan gave CNN an odd comment explaining the nature of "the take here."

"...everyone and their mother want to be bailed out from the banks to the big three,” he said. “The porn industry has been hurt by the downturn like everyone else and they are going to ask for the $5 billion. Is it the most serious thing in the world? Is it going to make the lives of Americans better if it happens? It is not for them to determine.”

Francis, meanwhile, released a statement in which he said 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."

(AP)
That wasn't the last of the memorable comments. More from Flynt, via CNN:

"People are too depressed to be sexually active," he said. "This is very unhealthy as a nation. Americans can do without cars and such but they cannot do without sex."

"With all this economic misery and people losing all that money, sex is the farthest thing from their mind," he continued in his statement. "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."

As CNN notes, the porn industry is not presently in danger of collapsing.
Tags:
larry flynt ,
joe francis ,
porn ,
bailout
Topics:
In The News
Add a Comment See all 40 Comments
by gophwy71 January 9, 2009 11:19 AM EST
Just WHO''s money do you think the government is spending anyway?

You liberals can only see the top of the bucket. You need to climb out and look around!
Reply to this comment
by gophwy71 January 9, 2009 11:17 AM EST
You have got to be kidding!!!
Reply to this comment
by fauxnewscom January 8, 2009 9:27 PM EST
Better porn would keep terrorists occupied in their home and off the streets. Wouldn''t this justify silicone grants from Homeland Security?
Reply to this comment
by omded January 8, 2009 9:07 PM EST
Maybe this will improve the quality of their productions. I say give them the money!

Seriously, Uncle Sam is skipping around handing out dollar bills to everyone these days. He might as well hand some out to this industry too. After all, I''ll bet Americans buy a lot more American made X-rated movies than they do American made automobiles. Let''s face it. It''s one of the few things we still do well in America. Heck, it may be our leading export. You let this industry fall, and the trade deficit will grow even larger! Just one thing. Congress needs to attach one string: only American actresses and actors can be used in these films. Free trade (aka "NAFTA") should not be allowed in this industry after it''s been subsidized!
Reply to this comment
by theoldbag-2009 January 8, 2009 7:18 PM EST
Get Real!
Reply to this comment
by antoniof123 January 8, 2009 5:48 PM EST
I love these guys they are great.

They at least are honest about what they do.

The other industries lie cheat and steal plus buy politicians.

Flint was told that he was a smut peddler and he said yes I am for that he deserves respect because he was honest.

Too bad the Republicans didn''t take a lesson from him. I bet he has a better approval rating they they do right about now.
Reply to this comment
by tigerrram9 January 8, 2009 5:02 PM EST
What is decent porno?
Reply to this comment
by whitemale08 January 8, 2009 4:50 PM EST
Ever since porn went GONZO the adult industry has went down hill.

They took story lines out and turned it into circus acts.

If they get the bailout then I''m sure they will get really hot fresh young women who will do whatever since it will seem more like acting careers.

Gonzo is like what ''reality shows'' has done for television; go for the cheap quick buck and if in trouble ask for a bailout.
Reply to this comment
by getoffmine1 January 8, 2009 4:44 PM EST
All the porn in this day and age is really bad. If they made decent porn I''''d probably support them.

Posted by shanev137 at 01:29 PM : Jan 08, 2009

What is your idea of good porn?
Reply to this comment
by shanev137 January 8, 2009 4:29 PM EST
All the porn in this day and age is really bad. If they made decent porn I''d probably support them.
Reply to this comment
by vranger January 8, 2009 4:24 PM EST
The sad thing is that all these guys were after was the free publicity. They were not serious about a bailout appeal. CBS, of course, and who knows who else, fell for it. Suckers.
Reply to this comment
by tawpdawg111 January 8, 2009 4:10 PM EST
Bailout for porn?

OK, top priority....we''ll get right on it.
Reply to this comment
by pkelly79 January 8, 2009 4:04 PM EST
I thought Francis was still in jail for being worthless and annoying?
Reply to this comment
by hennighg January 8, 2009 3:57 PM EST
A bail out we can really get behind!
Reply to this comment
by sassalin January 8, 2009 3:52 PM EST
Kinda funny....shows we all still can laugh while making a very valid point.
Reply to this comment
by riv2000 January 8, 2009 3:50 PM EST
Govt. should get enough guarantees that the bailout money will be used for more interacial and colored theme films instead of boring ones.
Reply to this comment
by kittykatty2 January 8, 2009 3:47 PM EST
Even after your post traveler73, they still don''t get it. I do. I agree with you 100%. Good God, are Americans really that stupid that they don''t recognize what the porn industry is trying to alert us to?
Reply to this comment
by catherine195 January 8, 2009 3:46 PM EST
...yeah, let''s bail out the PORN industry!!!that''s a good one!!!
I''m oh so sure Pres-elect Obama will be all over this one.
Reply to this comment
by carpriddler January 8, 2009 3:43 PM EST
The first scheduled meeting with members of congress is taking place at a undisclosed airport bathroom. The next meeting is taking place at a church in Colorado.
Reply to this comment
by gce65 January 8, 2009 3:30 PM EST
Everyone will make their little pun or quip, but the point here is that there are much larger obscenities than porn that have already been bailed out by our government in the recent future.
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