I want to know what is FSC doing about the new porn tax
 

They said they wanted us , they are just not about the video business.Well tomorrow is a press conference for the new porn tax.
Well what are they doing to counter this:
What news programs are they going to be on?
What newspapers will there be letters to the editor?

very good questions

I too would like to know

fuck that nonsense...

i wanna know whats going on with 2257.

Well I just emailed this link to Tom ,we will see if he responds

They ain't gonna do fuck-all, like you dont already know that

I posted this in another thread regarding the porn tax, but in the event Tom from FSC drops in, I would like his repsonse as well:

This is the point when the ACLU, Free Speech Coalition, et al, should start lobbying, not reacting only after it's made into a law. This industry needs to be more pro-active or we can expect other such assaults since it is currently politically expedient.

I would recommend that as a part of some of the webmaster and adult video industry events, in between the drinking and self-congratulatory celebrations, that people meet and discuss ways to build a cohesive and unified response to the current trend.

For example, we might consider asking people to add a voluntary $1 fee to their web Membership to go to the FSC or some new industry group. Other options would be for sites to voluntarily put $1 from every Membership aside for an industry Political Action Committee.

We should provide educational info to the surfers and Members about how we have come under seige, and then provide ways and means for them to get active or to support our efforts. A one page statement would be enough.

Likewise, the video industry could insert a 1-minute video along with publicizing a web site and/or snail mail address which could serve as a resource center for the public about what's going on and what they can do to support us.

These are just some suggestions. I'm sure some of you can come up with even better ideas if you put your mind to it. It's time to pull our heads out of the sand and stand up and meet the challenges that are confronting us, otherwise the attacks will not stop, but will only increase.

ADG Webmaster

A 5% tax to surfers to counter the 25% tax to surfers :winkwink:

In all seriousness, tomorrow's press conference should be very interesting. I saw one gFY poster point out that having the Dems lead this bill surely means it won't make it, unless the Repub's take it over and change it to their liking.

Here you have Dem's who is the majority party for the adult biz, proposing a tax, then there is .XXX as a "voluntary" tax, and then there are other issues like 2257 and FTC investigations.

What else could possibly popup? I guess there is always IRS audits..


Fight the Red Flag!

I hope they do something. Has anyone sent them an email. I know they hired a DC lobbyist this spring

I want to see what they do on this one before I ask my members to contribute. They are our org they should be the face out there so its not a one sided arguement.

what they are waiting to do is take our money. plain and simple.

i sent Tom this link in a email

I know you are being facetious, but yes, a 5% tax to surfers in order to provide the adult industry with funds to fight against such legislation is much wiser and in the interest of the industry than giving up 25% to the government with nothing to expect in return but more regulations.

Other industries do this. They build the costs of their lobbying into their costs of goods. Union dues pay for lobbying and public education activities. As a $10 billion dollar industry with tens of millions (perhaps hundreds of millions of consumers) we can have some power if we learn how to weild and use it, instead of waiting for someone else to take up our fight.

The Republican's aren't going to let the Demo's outflank them on one of their hot button fundraising issues. Hell yeah, they are going to go for even more punitive measures and drastic action.

The writing is on the wall people, it's coming down to united we stand or divided we fall. I suggest that the people who consider themselves to be leaders in this industry step up and contribute to help organizing this industry so that we get left alone, and the elected officials decide to start working on solving social security, improving education, ending illiteracy, feeding and housing the homeless, etc.

ADG Webmaster

never happen you have a better chance herding cats lol

Yes, we hired a DC lobbyist this spring, and we've known about this bill for almost two weeks now. I won't talk about our lobbying efforts or strategy, but I do certainly agree that a united message of professionalism and responsibility from this industry would be a good thing to present to the world. I've done a few mainstream media interviews about this situation already, and I will do many more in the days to come, but it is not necessarily a good idea to get all worked up about a bad bill. It only makes it look better than it is. We will pick our fights, and pick when we fight, and if we are forced to challenge this one, we will. In the meantime, I have lots of ways to get our message out, and avenues to develop a constructive dialogue with these legislators, and so I'm going to remain positive and I'm going to concentrate on that.

Speaking of which, it would also be nice if the FTC busted fewer affiliates for illegal spamming, or maybe none at all. It doesn't help me in me counter the daily charges from almost every mainstrean reporter I speak with that Internet pornographers regularly and knowingly market their sexual content to minors.

Tom

the porn tax is to be released in a news conference at 11pm EST.

anyone catch what stations will be covering it?


Fight the TV Guide!

Hi there Tom

I hope you don't take this to badly but I fell like a little constructive critisism is in order.

I'm not understanding why it would take force for the FSC to react. Its like saying " if we have to we'll try and do something " These things should be fought when they start. Not, when they have you down on the ground beating you with a lead pipe.

I'm not sure who lied to you and said fighting for the rights of americans was easy. There will always be something reporters use to put you on the defense. Thats where most people are weakest and it gives the reporter control of the situation. It might be better to suck it up and go on a tagent like bush does every time he gets nailed with a compromising question.

Blaming the people you just asked for money from and are apparently trying to help puts us all down and makes us appear even more divided than we already are. Remember the words of Larry "If the first ammendment can protect a scum bag like me...." How about you fire back at the reporter that asks about the FTC fines " I don't see them putting a 25% tax on janet jackson concerts! ". Be a little more offensive to the people that are abusing the rights of americans and a little less offensive to the people that your trying to help.

Thanks Tom sounds good and you are very right but unfortunately alot of people have a very short term vision when it comes to this business which hurts us all.

I'm sorry what exactly sounded good in Tom's post?

The fact that the FTC is only going to do something if they are forced to?

Or the fact that Tom is allowing a few bad eggs in the media room to influenece his ability to defend the industries rights to freedom of speech and idea's.

He didn't answer any of your questions. In fact he flat out said he wasn't going to do anything until he was ready and or forced to do something.

my bad I meant the FSC not FTC

they gotta wait to push this issue up for a future membership drive

:thumbsup

How can the US government legally tax transactions (adult or other) on the internet?

They don't own the internet.

Hmm...do they own Chevron?

I would hope that we could keep this bill in committee where it will die.

If we protest too much at this time, we raise the bar by increasing the visibility and viability of the legislation as the opposition will rally around the bill and push harder to get the bill to the Floor for a vote. We need to be subtle in our approach and work with our friends.

As you are probably aware of, most congressmen know bad legislation when they see it and will work to keep the bill in committee. But, given the reality of the situation, if the opposition get motivated by our visible opposition, and the bill gets to the Floor for a vote, the congressmen have a difficult time voting against it and having voters perceive them as voting against kids and for porn.

If you want to do something about the issue, write a letter to your congressman stating your opposition to taxes on "speech" in general as a prior restraint and infringement on your First Amendment Rights.

One hundred well written letters to a congressman from their constituents is often more influential than pressure from a lobby group. You have to be tuned into the "Big Picture".