I have avoided blogging about this vile creature forever simply because I could never quite wrap my brain around the precise reasons he was wrong for doing what he does. So, here goes:
Of course, Joe Francis offered the Spitzer gal, Ashley Youmans, a huge amount of money to join his merry band, then rescinded his offer when he realized he already had footage on her for "Girls Gone Wild" in 2003. What offended me most is that he said something to the effect of "she was so much hotter when I got to her"; implying that a woman is past her prime after 18. He also alleged, "oh yeah, I think she had sexual relations with my cameraman". Please. For some reason, those comments bugged me more than Joe Francis himself (and that's saying a lot).
So, he's out of jail, where, as he claims, he was treated "like a rock star". Well, good for him. A plea deal allowed him to avoid further jail time and got him back his cash and his cars.
There are many reasons to dislike (and, if you're many folks, revere) Joe Francis - he takes advantage of intoxicated girls on Spring Break and humiliates them at best. He creates an atmosphere where people think it's okay for these girls to be victimized. For those of you who believe the girls are willing participants and that they should be home reading Bibles and staying pure blah blah blah, feel free to say your piece; I am here to listen. But I would bet the farm that some of these girls are in blackout mode and have no clue what's happening. Worse yet, the "GGW" scenes you see on the infomercials or on tape are probably the sanitized version of what happens. I've received dozens of emails from women who claim to have been sexually assaulted by members of the "GGW" crew or young men egged on by same.
The problem with Joe Francis is that, unlike exotic dancers or even porn actors, these girls are not getting compensated for what they do. Joe Francis is getting compensated, end of story. When Joe was released recently from prison, it seemed he gained three things: long hair, some weight and a new blonde on his arm.
Listen: if you believe in free speech, what Joe Francis does and the fact that he's just a harmless guy trying to make a buck, you may want to read this. This report really opened my eyes and actually shocked me as to the lengths this douchebag will go to nurture his corporate image. Sure as hell changed my mind and made me loathe the sleazeball. He's much much worse than an "honest businessman".
4 comments:
liz,
i haven't read the article that you provided the link to, but i've seen GGW, and i don't have a problem with it per se, as long as, of course, the young ladies are of legal age and are sober, which they certainly appeared to be in the GGW videos.
of course, anyone who is offended by GGW per se doesn't have to buy it or see it.
as far as the young ladies being paid money, they can simply refuse to pose unless they're paid something up front b4 they pose.
as i said b4, i haven't read the article you provided, but if joe francis has acted illegally or unethically, either as a person or as a businessman, then, of course, he should be held fully accountable in the criminal justice system.
mario
I agree with some of your points - have actually defended Mr. Francis in the past.
Read the link.
liz,
i read the article: oh, my god! at the very least, joe francis is a sociopathic brat and bully who resorts to physical force, threats, and abusive language, and at worst, he's a two-time rapist!
and this is the dude who compares himself to rosa parks, nelson mandela, and MLK?!
mario
If Joe Francis wanted to make mostly-naked girls his business venture, he needed to cover his ass. But clearly he did not, as far as I can tell, beccause a) he had never gotten caught before, and b) he didn't care. I'm not sure that he does even now. You can't get into that sort of business without being a misogynist on one level or another. On the other hand, some would say he's a genius, putting himself in places where he is certain to get what he wants, surrounded by enough intoxicated girls who want to give it to him. Genius or not, I think he's red-blooded asshole. He got lucky. But with his clear lack of concern about the whole thing, I fear next time there will be no luck. For anyone.
-Erin
Post a Comment