Porn Perspectives

A California bill which would have imposed a 25% excise tax on adult products has died in committee.

Assembly Bill 2914, proposed by Democratic Assemblyman Charles Calderon, aimed to offset the harms that opponents claim the industry creates, including "numerous health, safety and societal problems, including reducing property values in affected neighborhoods and encouraging unsafe sex and aggressive attitudes toward women."

Calderon had hoped the bill would raise over $250 million. In essence, Calderon wanted Californians to continue supporting this "harmful" industry, but wanted the government to have a greater piece of the action (note, of course, that adult businesses already pay taxes like everyone else). No dice, Calderon.

As you were.

After over 30 years on news stands, the enigmatic Playgirl magazine. Was it for women? Gay men? Housewives? Whores?  No one really knew the market for the magazine, and apparently the magazine didn't have much a handle itself. So it is gone. Its death does not mark the end of pro-woman porn, because I'm not sure that's what it was. At best it was a sometimes attempt to affirm women, which is cool. And for that, I am sad.

A much better eulogyover at Jamye Wasman.