Honestly. I hadn’t thought about Flynt in years and could’ve sworn he died earlier since he had been “quiet” throughout Orange Foolius’ reign.
I was never a fan of his publication(s), strip clubs or brand in general because they were just excessive and simply…the definition of “gross.” I’ve supported his right to free speech since he never wanted to overthrow the government. Plus, as far as I know, he never promoted any material involving people under 18. If Flynt did, it would’ve surfaced decades ago, especially when he had his big moment in the sun with the Woody Harrelson and Courtney Love flick which I saw, it was OK. Standard Hollywood Cliff Notes with Wikipedia accuracy.
As for the “excessive and gross” comments I made, trust me, I know what I’m talking about. I lived briefly with a roommate who kept an issue of Hustler around the apartment. Even the cover was in poor taste and just not “enticing,” for lack of a better word. I probably looked inside once to see what the fuss was since the magazine’s name used to be a buzzword and/or juvenile joke in grade school; when Tom Cotter would say it in the library at St. Matthew’s, we’d giggle. Blech! Playboy used to create the illusion of the girl next door until the mid-to-late Eighties and its nudity was tasteful (to most opinions). Flynt’s stuff? It had more in common with a medical anatomy book than erotica (or porn); the late comedian Barry Crimmins once called the material, “cold cuts.” I also saw the facades of the three Hustler “clubs” around Bourbon Street in New Orleans and his big joint in Las Vegas. Even when I was a hormone-filled teenager, those places would be a solid ‘no thanks’ since they lacked a quantum of dignity.
However, to each their own in America. Whatever consenting adults do within the law remains alright with me. Much like the unfunny Lenny Bruce, Flynt served as a firewall to test the boundaries of the First Amendment. I did enjoy it when he upset the Religious Right, especially with his Campari parody ad involving Jerry Falwell. I was even more shocked when the St. Reagan-Era SCOTUS ruled in Flynt’s favor saying porno publishers are legally allowed to mock religious blowhards. OK, they said parody is protected speech in reality and I’m confident Chief Justice Rehnquist agreed grudgingly.
I do sincerely thank you Mr. Flynt for putting your money where your mouth was since it helped defend others in the future, aka today: BLM, the Sunrise Movement, The Onion and every documentary exposing Scientology for the cult it is. I hope those who inherited your financial empire continue to utilize toward good, tasteful things.