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."
So Mitt’s position on porn and gay parenting:
I won’t do it but it’s good enough for you and your children and I need the money plus I want to get elected.
By the way, did you know that Marriott CEO and board chair J.W. Marriott, Jr. is Mormon, too?
Regardless of what Mitt says personally, it appears that Mormon’s think porn is okay.
Saundra,
He is only complicit in the decision to profit
by offering porn to every guest, by virtue
of his position on the board for a decade.
Certainly he knew. It was his job to know.
That is a legitimate question for those who
are concerned about porn. For those who are not,
well, it is a non issue.
best,
ampu
You haven't fest up to the posters "What Command pay-per-view service is? #318
That it is provided in every home in America who who has digital cable sevice on their home. TV?
Get with the program folks!
Well if you have digital Cable you too have Command pay-per-view service on your TV in your home just like every home in America who has digital Cable.
So Mitt isn't alone in bed Degaston and neither are you, friend!:)
He is only complicit in the decision to profit by offering porn to every guest, by virtue of his position on the board for a decade.
Certainly he knew. It was his job to know. That is a legitimate question for those who are concerned about porn. For those who are not, well, it is a non issue.
The soles of my shoes are all sticky from reading your post!
If you have Digital Cable you too have Command pay-per-view service on your TV in your home just like every home in America who has digital Cable. It seems Mitt is not alone nor Marriott!
Saundra they all seem to have a short attention span to realize that most of America has it in their home and ampu doesn't do his home work! If it is against Mitt and LDS he willing to peddle it!
Besides Romney, we should examine the hypocrisy of the Latter Day “saints” leadership.
LOL. I think you’re right.
Restornu, the Omni and Days Inn and other hotels do NOT offer pay-per-view porn as a matter of Christian principle.
I’ve met with the owners of both and know this to be their motivation as a matter of conscience, and they’re fully aware that they’re sacrificing millions in profits as a result of following their consciences.
“Omni Hotels announced today that it would be removing adult pay-per-view movies from its guest room televisions. ...The decision to remove the adult pay-per-view movies was morally and conscionably driven by the company’s ownership in response to what it perceives as a growing need for corporate America to support pro-family issues. Peter Strebel, Omni Hotels vice president of marketing, says the company’s ‘pro-family’ stance regarding its business operations was in direct conflict with the movie service. ‘Money is not the issue in this matter,’ says Strebel. ‘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.’”
http://www.omnihotels.com/AboutOmniHotels/Press/PressReleases/991105PressRelease.aspx
Marriott has made a different decision. To Marriott, making money off porn is a more important factor than refusing to peddle stuff that disrupts marriages and is a motivating factor in sex crimes against women and children.
Associated Press: “In-room movies are a revenue stream,” (Marriott Corporation spokesman Roger Conner) said. “This is a business matter.”
http://www.1010wins.com/pages/72296.php?
Marriott’s decision is morally at odds not only with other hotel chains such as Omni and Days Inn, but with the values of the church to which Mitt and the Marriotts belong, which last winter published a seven-part series on the damage to families and society done by porn.
Enlighten yourself, Restornu, at:
http://www.desnews.com/cn/view/1,1721,470005852,00.html
Restornu, please read what a prominent fellow member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says below, then I have a question for you...
From the original Christian Broadcasting Network news report, prominent Mormon John Harmer rejects Romney’s claim that Marriott board members had no knowledge of or responsibility for Marriott porn sales:
“John Harmer, president of the (Salt Lake City-based) anti-pornography group The Lighted Candle Society and former Lieutenant Governor of California under Ronald Reagan, isn’t buying it. He wants to hear more. ‘My attitude toward (Marriott) 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.”
The Davis County Clipper, a daily in Bountiful, Utah, further quoted prominent Mormon John Harmer in a March 29th article as saying that he “believes the key to winning against pornography is to take away the financial benefits that keep more legitimate businesses supporting it. ...’The hotel industry alone makes $500 million a year from hard-core porn on pay-per-view. If we can dry up some of that funding, we’ll have an impact.’”
Now here’s the question, Restornu:
Does prominent Mormon John Harmer’s criticism of Marriott porn sales make him “anti-Mormon”?
Is prominent Mormon John Harmer “against Mitt and LDS”?
(I understand this is going to give you fits, Restornu. You’ll probably increase the font size of your response even larger. Only question is: what color will it be?)
AFA-Michigan: “To Marriott, making money off porn is a more important factor than refusing to peddle stuff that disrupts marriages and is a motivating factor in sex crimes against women and children.”
People kill people; guns don’t kill people. People commit sex crimes; Marriott does not commit sex crimes.
I hate porn because it’s dangerous, violent, disgusting, and people who watch that crappola are creepy. I still don’t understand how Mitt Romney has anything to do with creepy people who watch porn.
One time I met a woman who’s boyfriend could not even get an erection (sorry for being so blunt) unless he watched porn first. She was crying when she said that he wasn’t even having sex with her; he was having sex with that woman on the screen. It’s a sick hurtful business, porn.
Those people who view porn in a Marriott hotel are responsible for their own actions. Mitt Romney had nothing whatsoever to do with it. We have agency to decide for ourselves.
I hate being around drunks, too. They scare me and some are dangerous besides for just disgusting, especially if they get behind the wheel. Do you think because idiots buy booze at the Marriott’s bar that Mitt Romney is responsible for drunken brawls and drunken stupors, and fools running around with lampshades on their heads, too?
It just doesn’t make sense to me.
“People commit sex crimes; Marriott does not commit sex crimes.”
No, Marriott just sells tens of millions of dollars’ worth of pornography, which law enforcement authorities say is a major motivating factor in sex crimes against women and children. And Marriott did so during Mitt Romney’s decade as a “hands on” member of the corporate board, during which he could have — if his conscience had so motivated him — made a motion that Marriott adopt the same corporate policy as that implemented by the owner of Omni Hotels, for example.
By his own campaign’s testimony, he did not make such a motion or in any other way object to his friend’s company making money from porn sales. Nor did he object to being compensated in part from the profits of porn sales.
You carry on and on about the evils of porn, Saundra, yet you adamantly reject holding the people who sell it responsible. The sellers of pornography also have agency. In Marriott’s case, with Mitt on the board of directors, they exercised their agency by choosing to be white-collar porn peddlers.
If Mitt believes porn flicks were a motivating factor in the VA Tech shootings, which is what he said during his commencement address at Regent University, why didn’t he try to stop the corp of which he was a director from selling the stuff?
Why does he not now, as a candidate for president, publicly call on Marriott and all other hotels to follow Omni and Days Inn’s example and stop selling the stuff?
Marriott made a choice. Mitt’s making choices. And pro-family activists are simply holding them accountable for those choices. And will, I assure you, continue to do so.
Is Mitt Romney responsible for every idiot who got drunk at Marriott’s bars and committed a sex crime or did something illegal? He knew they were selling booze at those hotels and yet he allowed it to continue. Do you think Mitt Romney should have demanded all the bars in Marriott hotels be shut down?
I just for the life of me cannot make sense of your reasoning.
In my very own home, we have Direct TV on which we have the BYU channel going right now as I type. Apparently, you can buy porn on Direct TV if you want to. We don’t want to. I think you can buy boxing which I hate with a passion because I think it’s violent and disgusting and I can’t stand watching people punch each other. I do not want to spend money to watch porn or boxing so I don’t.
The service in the Marriott is a pay-per-view thing, I guess, which creepy people use to view porn and boxing. You can also pay to watch R rated movies. My Church advises its members not to see R rated movies. Many people do not think R rated movies are pornographic.
I can’t understand how you figure Mitt Romney is responsible for what people pay to view. Your point apparently is that Mitt Romney should have demanded that the pay-per-view service not be available in Marriott hotels. I don’t understand you and you don’t understand me so I guess we’ll just have to agree to disagree and hopefully still remain FReeper friends.
Saundra, that was a nice try at dissembling to avoid truth, but ask yourself, does Mitt have money in his bank account which was made off of the sale of porn he protected the sale of in a hotel chain which he helped to operate? It really isn't that difficult to see the truth if you actually have truth as your goal, not dissembling to protect a moderate to liberal political candidate who is also a Mormon like yourself.
I know John Harmer, his wife and several of his 10 children personally. They most definitely were strong LDS back around 1990. 17 years ago tonight I watched fireworks with them for the 4th of July.
“I can’t understand how you figure Mitt Romney is responsible for what people pay to view.”
Saundra, of course we can remain Freeper friends (at least as long as Boise State continues to beat BYU in football).
But now read the following sentences slowly and deliberately, and several times if necessary, so I don’t have to respond further to your confused mischaracterization of my point.
I do NOT believe Mitt Romney is responsible for what people pay to view. People intent on paying to view porn can do so outside a Marriott hotel. (Again, Saundra, please read the previous sentence as many times as necessary for it to sink in.)
I and many other pro-family activists DO believe that Mitt Romney is responsible for what Marriott chose to sell.
Marriott chose to sell and profit from the sale of porn. Romney chose to allow such sales without protest and share in profiting from the sale of porn.
You say you hate porn, Saundra. If you had a vote on the Marriott board of directors, would you approve selling it, knowing full well the damage it causes?
Or would you set your standards aside and compromise with evil?
And I trust Lt. Gov. Harmer remains actively LDS, or the church wouldn’t still have him speaking at church or church-related functions.
resty,
I block anything beyond a certain rating at my
home tv, as is our right. We cannot get some
stations without the others.
Mitt’s situation was different. He was on
the Board of Directors, charged with overseeing
the operation of Marriott. I wrote that he
surely woulde have known the percentage of
profit coming from their lodgnet operation
and the percentage from porn - unless he
was a mere figurehead. That is all I said
other than...
Some people have an interest in knowing the
answer. Period. Is that so hard for you
to view objectively that you must post
personal attacks??? Hmmm??
Saundra, your profile indicates you’re my kind of gal: a committed gun rights and pro-life advocate.
So as I asked last night around the campfire of an LDS guy who voted for Kerry in 2004:
How do you rationalize supporting a candidate — in your case, Romney — who spent over a decade using his rhetorical skills to promote and legitimize Roe v. Wade, abortion on demand, and gun control...not to mention homosexual Scoutmasters, “gays in the military,” and just about every other element of homosexual activists’ political agenda?
ping
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