Larry Flynt

[WileEcoyote]

The question: Has Larry Flynt's influence been positive or negative over the years?

Surely he's been noticed and done some good things. That and make a bloody fortune doing things many of the rest of us wouldn't even consider.

Just his name alone oughta give this thread a few hits. Even by a newbie such as me. You can't find many neutral observers of Larry Flynt...

I've never been much bothered by his antics and odd behavior although I known plenty from all sides who dislike him.

In the end I feel he's been a positive influence. Although every politician should be careful at allowing Flynt's endorsement. Maybe in the future he'll be considered an American hero.

OK FAR FAR in the future...

[Lindsey]

1. I consider him a hero now by exposing hyprocrisy.. n/t

[idgiehkt]

2. his refusing to publish Jessica Lynch's nude photos

was pretty heroic. I'm sure that some of the ways he's depicted women in his magazine have been vile. Probably a mixed bag.

[S n o w b a l l]

3. I love the guy!

I love to listen to him speak. He's a smart man. Unfortunately, he will never be viewed in a positive light in this puritan society.

Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. Vastly on the positive side.

[pokerfan]

5. The unanimous supreme court decision in his favor was huge

"At the heart of the First Amendment is the recognition of the fundamental importance of the free flow of ideas and opinions on matters of public interest and concern. The freedom to speak one's mind is not only an aspect of individual liberty -- and thus a good unto itself -- but also is essential to the common quest for truth and the vitality of society as a whole. We have therefore been particularly vigilant to ensure that individual expressions of ideas remain free from governmentally imposed sanctions". The First Amendment envisions that the sort of robust political debate that takes place in a democracy will occasionally yield speech critical of public figures who are "intimately involved in the resolution of important public questions or, by reason of their fame, shape events in areas of concern to society at large". In New York Times, the Court held that the First Amendment gives speakers immunity from sanction with respect to their speech concerning public figures unless their speech is both false and made with the knowledge of its falsehood or with reckless disregard for the truth of the statement. Although false statements lack inherent value, the "breathing space" that freedom of expression requires in order to flourish must tolerate occasional false statements, lest there be an intolerable chilling effect on speech that does have constitutional value.

[Mojambo]

6. Big plus. n/t

[Throwing Stones]

7. Regardless of how one feels about pornography

Flynt has definitely made a positive impact on the free flow of ideas and I respect him for going to the mat on First Amendment matters where others might have recoiled.

If you haven't seen "The People vs. Larry Flynt", rent it, and welcome to DU!

[gmoney]

8. working to end sexual repression...

he's done a lot to bring "adult entertainment" into the mainstream, and his stores are clean, well-lit professional establishments (the two I've been to at least). The store's motto is "it's only sex" and you can go into the store without feeling like you're going into some sleazy porn store with peep shows and stuff. I think anything that breaks down taboos and brings our sexual nature into everyday conversation is a good thing. I think most sexual problems (and sex offenders) are the result of repression and shame. Not sure how accurate the scene is in "People vs Larry Flynt" where he tells the photographer to shoot the model with her legs open, but whether the intent was to shock or pander or whether it was to fight repression, I think it's a step in the right direction of removing taboos. I know some would say it's exploitation and objectification, and that it creates expections for all women to be as highly sexualized as the models in the magazine, and that may be true to an extent as well, but it's a transitional step away from puritanism and the repression that manifests in harmful ways. Or maybe he's managed to put us all in that handbasket bound for hell...

For what it's worth, he also publishes a lot of mainstream titles...

[S n o w b a l l]

9. What you said!

:thumbsup:

[gmoney]

11. Thanks...

...and yes, Hustler exploits women, but really no more than Glamour, Elle, Cosmo, Modern Bride, Oprah or Martha Stewart. Hustler also exploits men in its pages, and by knowning the public's taste for sexual content. Sports Illustrated exploits athletes by using them to sell magazines. Bassmasters exploits fish. McDonald's exploits the unemployed and people with lousy diets. Wal-Mart exploits everybody and everything.

It's just one big exploit-o-rama!

[S n o w b a l l]

12. Great way to rebut the exploitation of women issue..

well said.

[xmas74]

10. I'm a big fan

both of his various fights with censorship and of his attitude toward sex.

[Dr. Strange]

13. Well, I wouldn't put him on too high a pedestal...

[WileEcoyote]

14. Am almost a lttle shy to say "good post"...

Flynt is one different sort of beast. Whatever outrageous thing that could sell & he'd sell it.

Just glad some of his money and deeds were put to good use.