http://www.rawstory.com/news/2006/Coalition_of_conservative_groups_believe_hotel_0822.html
Coalition of conservative groups believe hotel . may be
prosecutable
08/22/2006 @ 8:44 pm
Filed by Ron Brynaert
A coalition of conservative groups that "strongly believe" hotel .
is prosecutable have issued an "urgent appeal" to the Department of
Justice to "immediately investigate" two leading in-room adult movie
distributors, RAW STORY has found.
".ographic movies now seem nearly as pervasive in America's hotel
rooms as tiny shampoo bottles, and the lodging industry shows little
concern as conservative activists rev up a protest campaign aimed at
triggering a federal crackdown," David Cary reports for the Associated
Press.
"A coalition of 13 conservative groups — including the Family Research
Council and Concerned Women for America — took out full-page ads in
some editions of USA Today earlier this month urging the Justice
Department and FBI to investigate whether some of the pay-per-view
movies widely available in hotels violate federal and state obscenity
laws," Cary writes.
The advertisment featured a remote control above two outstretched,
handcuffed hands.
"If what begins with a click can end as a registered . offense, it's
time we rethink hardcore .," the ad said (PDF link).
"DOJ and FBI should immediately investigate whether 'adult' videos
being sold in hotels by OnCommand and LodgeNet violate
long-established Federal and State laws regarding distribution of
obscene material," the ad continues.
"Adult hardcore .ography can tragically lead to . crimes against
women and children," the ad explains. "Yet . videos are available in
millions of U.S. hotel rooms which we strongly believe are
prosecutable."
"We call on the Department of Justice to immediately investigate the
companies that distribute it," the ad demands.
The Campaign for Corporate Responsibility includes the following
conservative groups: Citizens for Community Values, Concerned Women
for America, Family Research Council, American Decency Association,
Morality in Media, American Family Association, Exodus International,
American Values, AFA of Michigan, CCV of Indiana, Center for Moral
Clarity, Center for Reclaiming America, and Coalitions for America.
At its Website, the coalition provides a list of offensive adult
videos offered by OnCommand and Lodge Net, including such titles as
MILK and COOKIES after School, Hustler’s ALL GIRL Slumber Party, and
Bi Bi American Pie.
"The lists speak for themselves," Citizens for Community Values
President Phil Burress said in a press release. "This is not mere
nudity. We’re talking about every conceivable form of degrading,
distorted .."
"We’re talking about the types of material, which are addictive in
nature, which men are lured into viewing in the privacy of their hotel
rooms, and which have been responsible for .ual crimes and for the
breakdown of countless marriages, families and careers," Burress
continued. "And we’re talking about a company and its leader who care
more about the dollar than about those men, women, children and
families."
The A.P. estimates that "adult movies are available in roughly 40
percent of the nation's hotels, representing more than 1.5 million
rooms."
"Industry analysts suggest that these adult offerings generate 60 to
80 percent of total in-room entertainment revenue — several hundred
million dollars a year," Crary reports for the A.P.
Although the advertisement didn't single out any hotel chains "by name
because of legal concerns," a spokesman for Hilton slammed the
coalition for targeting adult entertainment.
"Really ultraconservative groups try to target the hotels in their
zest to eliminate .," Hilton's Kathy Shepard told the A.P. "In
their zest to have their personal morals prevail, they're eliminating
choice for others."
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