WASHINGTON (CNN) — Another major American industry is asking for assistance as the global financial crisis continues: Hustler publisher Larry Flynt and Girls Gone Wild CEO Joe Francis said Wednesday they will request that Congress allocate $5 billion for a bailout of the adult entertainment industry.
“The take here is that everyone and their mother want to be bailed out from the banks to the big three,” said Owen Moogan, spokesman for Larry Flynt. “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 said in a statement 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."
“We should be delivering [the request] by the end of today to our congressmen and [Secretary of the Treasury Henry] Paulson asking for this $5 billion dollar bailout,” he told CNN Wednesday.
Flynt and Francis concede the industry itself is in no financial danger — DVD sales have slipped over the past year, but Web traffic has continued to grow.
But the industry leaders said the issue is a nation in need. "People are too depressed to be sexually active," Flynt said in the statement. "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. 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."
So far, there has been no congressional reaction to the request.
–CNN’s Chloe Melas contributed to this report
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(Me)
This can't be real, can it? However, in these days, I imagine they might even get it.
4 comments:
Rick: sort of had to wonder when this was going to happen. And I am afraid we haven't seen the end of it. I can see PP going and saying, "We need a bailout to tell teens how to get rid of their babies" etc. Flynt may be right in one thing: people probably are focusing less on sex because of the economic downturn. Reason: we have skewed priorities. Not that sex should have a high priority (although....) but that they are so skewed that we have worked and worried ourselves into a frazzle. Things that are important have taken a back seat to 401K's etc. Okay, off soapbox.
Where's my bailout?
Maybe our churches can get together, and when our tithes and offerings are down, we can request a bailout from the government.
Sports leagues for our children, I know they need a bailout.
Children are always wanting more money for movies, food, hanging out with their friends. They need a bailout.
There's an eating place not far from my house. The food is terrible! Hardly anyone goes there to eat. Obviously, they need a bailout.
Oh, and the place where I get my car tag! Have you seen how long the line is to just get a car tag! They need a bailout.
Rick...I blame the democrats!
Rick...I blame the republicans!
No, in truth, I blame you and me! We, as American citizens, let this happen!
Unlike Bill...I'm not getting off my soapbox!
Bill: I think we are in for a very difficult time morally, spiritually, and almost any other "ly" you can think of. Just a "sign of the times"...last days, that is.
Steve: Don't blame me! I was overseas for 10 years and obviously haven't bought anything on credit! Stay on your soapbox, however! Make a little room for me. I'm sick of this nonsense. I heard this morning that the City of Las Vegas is asking for 55 million dollars to make a museum about the mafia in Vegas! Now that's another really good use of the money. Egads!
I am kinda glad that business is having trouble! :)
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