Posted on 07/02/2007 4:17:47 PM PDT by AFA-Michigan
Some anti-pornography groups are demanding answers as to how much presidential candidate Mitt Romney knew about the Marriott hotel chain's profits of pornography sales during his nearly ten years on the Board of Directors in the 1990's.
The hotel chain is one of many that offer pay per view sex videos for sale through in-room entertainment.
Though Marriott doesn't release their revenues when it comes to X-rated videos, industry analysts estimate it is in the tens of millions of dollars.
During his run for President, Romney has campaigned on a platform of "family values" recently telling a graduation class, "Pornography and violence poison our music and movies and television and video games."
Some of these conservative grassroots activists want to know whether he spoke up or tried to put a stop to Marriott's business dealings back then.
Phil Burress, founder of Citizens for Community Values, has been fighting hotel chains for decades on this issue. He tells The Brody File that every month a group of roughly 15 anti-pornography leaders meet in Washington to discuss the latest happenings.
Mitt Romney's Marriott connection has come up repeatedly. "Ever since he announced for president, it's been a topic of discussion."
Mitt Romney's campaign told CBN the following: "Governor Romney's role as board member was in an advisory capacity on financial matters related to the company and, obviously, he did not have a role in the day-to-day operations or decisions of individual franchise holders."
John Harmer, president of the anti-pornography group The Lighted Candle Society and the former Lieutenant Governor of California under Ronald Reagan isn't buying it. He wants to hear more.
"My attitude toward board members is that they are fully responsible. They knew exactly what they were receiving. I don't think any board member under any rationale could claim ignorance. You're either a board member or not. I can't imagine a board member going a full year and not receiving a revenue report from the company."
Previous news accounts researched by The Brody File show that Romney was paid more than $100,000 per year while on the board of Marriott.
When he left in 2002, J.W. Marriott, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Marriott International, called him, "an active, hands-on Director… From his first days on our Board nine years ago, Mitt has been an extraordinarily effective director and visionary leader."
Mitt Romney has a very close relationship with the Marriott family.
Romney's father, George Romney was best friends with Marriott's original founder J. Willard Marriott. Mitt Romney's first name is Willard, in honor of the Marriott founder. The Marriott family gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to Mitt Romney's campaign when he ran for the U.S. Senate in 1994.
So far during Romney's presidential run, they have given close to $80,000.
When asked about Romney's time on the board of directors, Marriott Spokesman Roger Conner told CBN, "We don't comment on board level matters."
Conner wouldn't speculate whether Romney had any knowledge about the fight to get rid of pornography in room entertainment or whether he did anything about it. He would only say, "This area would not have been a board area…"
Conner is quick to point out that voting on in room entertainment packages would not have been something the board would have voted on. Rather, he says, this is an operations matter.
Moreover, he says that many of Marriott hotels are either owned by others or franchised.
"We have to respect the business decisions and needs of owners. The guest has a choice to opt out of the adult entertainment options."
The Brody File made repeated calls to LodgeNet, one of the main providers for hotel in-room entertainment. We asked whether hotels have the option to opt out of the X-rated films if they would like.
They did not return our phone calls. On their website, it does say that they work "closely with its hotel partners to determine the best mix of titles to maximize viewing levels. Unlike most systems, On Command Video has the ability to tailor the programming at individual hotels to match the demographic profile of that particular property's guests.
Conservative pro-family groups have been putting pressure on hotel chains for years to change their ways.
In a letter to Bill Johnson of the American Decency Association, Marriott's Chairman of the Board wrote in June of 2000, "The in-room entertainment operators who provide our systems rely upon a certain volume of movie types in order to be economically viable. If we were to eliminate the R and non rated offerings, the systems would not be economic."
Industry analysts estimate that roughly 60% of hotel chains provide in room entertainment with the X-rated pornography movie option. Yet, some have decided to drop the adult videos.
In 1999, Omni Hotels announced that it would remove adult pay-per-view movies from its guest room televisions. It took a financial hit but Peter Strebel, Omni Hotels vice president of marketing, said in a press release at the time, "
"Money is not the issue in this matter. Not all business decisions should be fiscally driven. We believe that this is the right thing to do; the right thing for Omni Hotels, our associates and our customers."
Gary Glenn, a well known pro-family activist in Michigan recently sent an email to Justin Hart, one of Mitt Romney's Faith and Values Steering Committee members. Hart also works for the The Lighted Candle Society.
Glenn writes, "It is a matter of record that during the time Romney served as a 'hands on' member of its board of directors, the Marriott Corporation sold tens of millions of dollars worth of hardcore pornographic videos… as a candidate for president, Gov. Romney has a bully pulpit from which he could greatly assist your organization and others in applying sufficient public pressure to Marriott and other white-collar porn peddlers to 'dry up some of that funding'…we encourage you to urge the Romney campaign to initiate public discussion of the above concerns and questions in a proactive fashion, for which he may receive some credit for initiative and leadership on an issue that speaks both to his personal and political integrity and to his trustworthiness should he be elected as the chief law enforcement officer of the United States."
The Brody File contacted Justin Hart who said "In this important fight against pornography there are those people who are determined to make enemies and effect zero change and there are those who propose to use their influence to create serious lasting change - Romney is in this latter camp…pure societal turnaround can only happen when people of influence find the right moment in time to lead change…In my opinion, Romney's record shows that he could very well effect that change to happen. The fact that he included a serious anti-pornography group on his Faith and Values committee suggests this as well."
That's not satisfying to Phil Buress. He wants answers from Romney. "This man is very knowledgeable about the issues, but for him to not know anything about what Marriott is selling, I found that very interesting."
The Romney campaign won't go beyond their initial statement.
Instead they point out that Governor Romney is actively talking about pornography issues and today's culture wars.
In a speech Romney gave nearly three months ago, he said, "I have great faith in the American people. I have faith in our children, and in our grandchildren. But at the same time, I am deeply troubled by the culture that surrounds them today.I'd like to keep pornography from coming up on kid's computers. I'd like to keep drugs off the streets. I'd like to see less violence and sex on TV and in movies and in video games…I believe that the most important work being done to strengthen America's future is the work that is being done within the 4 walls of the American home."
In a past life did you wear a turban and answer to "Mullah"?
Didn't Jimmy Swagert practice what he preached against?
Wierdos go on the offense to defend, in advance, against their own transgressions.
yitbos
Let’s see from 1993 to 1998 pay per view in-room sales constituted less than 1/2 of 1% of total revenues of operating franchises. It would be quite amazing at that point in time for item which represented an 1/2 percent of sales to be discussed by Honorary Members of the Board.
From 1999 to 2000 in-room sales increased to around 7% of revenues (in 2006 it is around 12%). At this point in time, I would expect the Members of the Board to take notice. However, as you may know, at this point in time Romney was thoroughly involved in the Olympics and it would be hard to imagine that he had any actual substantial dealings with the board during this timeframe.
If you think that is weird check this out every home in America that has Digital cable has this as part of their package on their home TV!
Some how that part always never seems to be clarify that in these article and only names in these attack is Marriott Hotels when also in the article say it is the Hotel Chains...Humm!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1859880/posts?page=318#318
Don’t forget the:
...gay couples raising kids. That’s the American way... -Mitt Romney
While I can't speak for Mariott directly, I can say that many national hotel chains DO offer "real" hard core movies, on a pay per view basis. These aren't the "soft core" sort of movies you see on late night cable... But the real thing.
But again, they're on pay per view, and it's the sort of thing that parents can have disabled from their room. And if you're an adult who doesn't like porn, you don't have to watch it.
Mark
That is a total distortion and in your heart you know it but it sounds good when you hate someone.
Sorry I don’t live in your world of thinking its is very small to be vindictive!
The full quote is worse:
“There are other ways to raise kids that’s fine: single moms, grandparents raising kids, gay couples raising kids. That’s the American way, to have people have their freedom of choice.
- Mitt Romney -
CONCORD, N.H. --A New Hampshire woman, frustrated with Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's opposition to gay marriage, made a point Wednesday of telling him about her personal experience.
"I am a gay woman and I have children. Your comment that you just made, it sort of invalidates my family," said Cynthia Fish, a mother of a 6- and 8-year-old. "... I wish you could explain to me more, why if we are sending our troops over to fight for liberty and justice for all throughout this country, why not for me? Why not for my family?"
Romney paused, asked Fish about her children and then praised her.
"Wonderful," Romney said. "I'm delighted that you have a family and you're happy with your family. That's the American way. ... People can live their lives as they choose and children can be a great source of joy, as you know. And I welcome that."
But then Romney repeated his view of marriage.
"Marriage is an institution which is designed to bring a man and woman together to raise a child and that the ideal setting for society at large is where there is a male and a female are associated with the development and nurturing a child," Romney said.
The former Massachusetts governor acknowledged other scenarios that raise children.
"There are other ways to raise kids that's fine: single moms, grandparents raising kids, gay couples raising kids. That's the American way, to have people have their freedom of choice," he said.
What Romney said was true it is the American Way is it not?
Romney already exlain his view on the subject but so many here ignore that part!
So Mitt’s in bed with the porno industry. It’s certainly no secret that Hugh Hefner and Larry Flynt rely heavily on people like J. Willard Marriott Jr. to legitimize their industry. If ever there is a hero for the porn industry its Marriott. Maybe someday we’ll see colleges put up Marriott centers as places to hold assemblies and basketball games in order to pay homage to the $$(s) of the porn industry.
Nitti is so creative: “I believe this kind of thinking was tried out earlier in Afghanistan by the Taleban Morality Police.”
It’s the latest variation of the old rule in political discourse: the first person to call the other a “Nazi” is admitting that he’s lost the debate and must resort to demonization of the opponent.
If you’re gonna use it, Nitti, and I suspect you’ll be left with little choice in future contests of intellect, a small suggestion:
Learn how to spell “Taliban.”
Thanks for the spelling tip......the moralizing I’ll handle for myself
“Even if you don’t have a problem, I have serious doubts about a Pat Robertson-affiliated organization’s motivations.”
Gotta hand it to you, Smithee. You’ve near perfected the art form of saving face.
Just eviscerated and laid bare your feeble “religious bigotry” allegation, which you breezily acknowledge with a hurried concession, quickly followed by a seamless segue into then questioning Pat Robertson’s motivations. (Oh, that didn’t work, but not having learned my lesson, I’ll try it again.)
So having tried it again, let me eviscerate you again.
NEWSWEEK: “Romney’s edge — (Pat) Robertson has to have his own candidate, and there is no way it would be McCain. The good doctor seems to have taken a liking to Romney, whose father was a governor and who had the good sense to get graduate degrees from Harvard. Robertson’s Christian Broadcasting Network ran a glowing profile of Romney, a piece that studiously ignored some of the Mormon doctrinal teachings that would seem calculated to make even Robertson’s helmet of TV hair stand on end.”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17150516/site/newsweek/page/2/
Two months ago, at Robertson’s invitation, Romney gave the commencement address at Regent University; in fact, that’s where Mitt said porn videos were partly responsible for the VA Tech shootings.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/05/AR2007050501081.html
Jay Sekulow, president of the American Center for Law & Justice, the Christian legal foundation founded by Robertson, is openly endorsing Romney and serving as a campaign advisor.
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?pid=174210
Plus Sekulow’s 20-something son Jordan is a paid Romney campaign staffer.
“Thus endeth the lesson.” (Sean Connery, The Untouchables)
That is, the latest in a series of lessons.
In both cases (your questioning first mine and then Pat’s motives), you’ve exposed yourself as not only clueless but as grasping at any straw by which to appear to maintain an argument.
After this series of embarrassments and exposures, please show some dignity and just throw in the towel.
Hey, you spelled “mullah” right.
N&L says “it would be quite amazing...for item which represented 1/2 percent of sales to be discussed by Honorary Members of the Board.”
Even assuming N&L’s figures are correct (he offers no citation or source), a few thoughts:
* Whatever the percent, it amounted to tens of millions of dollars worth per year by Marriott alone.
* If 1/2 percent of Marriott sales had come via prostitution services or cocaine sales billed through the front desk, might that have been a subject of board discussion?
* Former California Lt. Gov. John Harmer, a fellow Mormon appointed to office by then Gov. Reagan, now chairman of the Lighted Candle Society, a Salt Lake City-based anti-port group, estimates that the U.S. hotel industry sells half a billion a year in porn flicks. In the original CBN article posted, he doesn’t buy Mitt’s “I didn’t know Marriott sold porn” ruse.
http://www.cbn.com:80/CBNnews/188311.aspx
* Who said Mitt was an “honorary” member of the Marriott board? He was paid $100,000 a year — at least 1/2 percent from porn profits — and Marriott news release upon his departure called him “an active, hands-on Director.”
LOL, see even a broken clock gets somethings “right”
Thank you for your post about Pat Robertson and Jay Sekulow. Yahoo! I am so happy. I didn’t know about this. I love Jay Sekulow. He has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court and really knows how to do battle.
Jay Sekulow is one of the heroes of the “religious right” and a hero on FreeRepublic. I have followed him since probably 1985 (?) when I used to watch TBN. He has fought the good fight on abortion, Christians rights, etc. I have given money to his organization ACLJ.
I am so happy that he is involved in Romney’s campaign. You made my day!
Seems to be a lot of spinning and deceiving coming from Mormon defenders of the Romney campaign. Doesn’t bode well for this latter day religion does it? But of course conservatives are being called to compromise during this political season. But compromise what is the question voters should ask themselves when contemplating candidates.
Glad to make your day, Saundra, especially on “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” Day.
Sekulow signed on with Romney early, long before Mitt’s long record of promoting abortion on demand and endorsing “gays in the military” and just about every other plank in homosexual activists’ agenda was widely exposed, beginning in December 2006.
Guess it was easier for Jay to just batten down the hatches, hang on, and pretend he knows something the rest of us don’t, rather than admit after Mitt’s record was exposed that he (Jay) had exercised poor and premature judgment, misleading millions of social conservatives to believe they could trust a guy who thinks the Boy Scouts are wrong to prohibit homosexual Scoutmasters...who was endorsed twice by the homosexual Log Cabin Republicans and once by the pro-abort GOP Majority for Choice...
Etc., etc...
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