Daily Skiff

With the current slump in America's economy, it seems even the pornography industry has fallen into hard times and yet, the CEOs of the industry continue to bring in the money.

Larry Flynt, Hustler magazine publisher, and Joe Francis, Girls Gone Wild founder and CEO, have appealed to Congress for a $5 billion bailout to rejuvenate the adult entertainment industry.

At first glance this seems vulgar, repulsive and could be construed as an attempt to make a mockery of a serious problem in our economy.

But look deeper and you will find a silver lining. This bailout brings attention to the expanding bailout umbrella and the lack of integrity in our country.

Francis attained the "American Dream." He created a multi-million dollar franchise with very little work, in which he obtained his fortune by taking advantage of inebriated young girls and offering them nothing more than a T-shirt as reward for baring their bodies.

Lacking in talent and creativity, Francis is an example of how someone of lower intelligence and even lower moral standards can become a millionaire in our current version of American society.

Flynt admitted to CNN that the $100 million Hustler franchise's DVD video sales have slumped recently but said Hustler's Internet revenue has more than filled the void for the losses in DVD sales.

I see this as another stunt composed by Flynt to input some satire and awareness into American culture.

Flynt and Francis know well that they will not receive any money from a bailout, but why not ask for it? Why not strike while the iron is hot?

As this story plays out on news stations around the country, we should take it as it is - a joke - yet this punch line has a point. It shows us a logical view.

Are we, the taxpayers, going to continue to put money into the pockets of the already incredibly wealthy?

Some of these bailouts are serious issues.

However, some of our money is just further padding the pockets of those who do not need it, taking away the money that could be spent on more productive things.

I see this as the point of the request for the bailout and a truly valid point at that.

While we are throwing millions upon millions of dollars at corporations with billionaire CEOs, why not give to those who have earned their fame and fortune at the expense of others? They would like a new jet too, you know.

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