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Monday, March 12th, 2001

Casting A Porn Star

I have a friend who's an Orthodox Jew and a Hollywood producer. He visited me today at my hovel, bringing Purim gifts. He said I needed to clean up my place. He couldn't believe that any girl from shul would come back to such a place, or drive with me in my hovel on wheels.

Then he told me about a recent casting call. A porn star came in to read for a part. She gave a good read. Afterwards, the casting director and other producers talked and realized she was a porn star. They made jokes about her. They ridiculed her. They didn't want to cast her. My friend believes she gave a good read. He remembers how her face lit up when he complimented her afterwards. My friend wants to cast her. He thinks it might help her step out of the sewer of porn. That it would be a mitvah [divine commandment].

My friend asked my opinion. I said that I didn't think it was a mitzvah. That he shouldn't take into consideration her porn background. That he should hire on merits. He said he believed she was the best person for the job.

The subject's been on his mind. I wonder how things will turn out.

Rob Black, XPW Question

Yimo writes: Hello- I'm a big pro wrestling fan and since you have the inside scoop on porn out west, I hoped you could give me your opinion on this question:Is Rob Black really having financial trouble? if so, will this carry over to his XPW wrestling federation?what is the outlook for XPW based on what you know about the porn side of things?

Luke says: I do not know. I've heard Black's having financial trouble.

Lynne L-patin Hospitalized After Asthma Attack

Monday morning I received this email from Lynne: "Luke, The asthma I had Sat am landed me in the ICU Saturday afternoon. Please contact me at 1-503-692-2347."

So I called Lynne.

Lynne: "I emailed you Saturday morning to say that I wasn't feeling well. Then Saturday afternoon at 2:30 PM, I had to call the ambulance from work. So they brought me to the hospital and they put me in intensive care overnight. Now they're just trying to stabilize me with enough medication so they can release me. But as to where they are going to release me, we still have to figure that out. I can't go back to where I was living because of the wood smoke and the cigarette smoke.

"I've talked to most of my professors so they don't fail me. I won't be working at my job because the people I was out with wouldn't call 9-1-1 for me.

"My vet tech work crew... We went to the first two clinics, then I realized that instead of getting better, it was getting worse and worse. So I said to my work crew, when we get back into town, I need you to call 9-1-1. And I'll wait in the van while you go inside to have lunch and you can call 9-1-1 from the restaurant.

"And after 20 minutes, after nobody came back out to see me, and the ambulance didn't show, and I went in, they decided they didn't want to do it. So we had the guy call and when the ambulance got there, I wasn't moving any air at all and my blood pressure was right up...

"There's nothing to read but a Gideon New Testament. So I thought I'd read Luke, after all I read Luke every morning. And he [the Gospel writer] was a journalist. He was not an apostle. And so are you. So I thought that was prescient of your mother. And now the chaplain is here to explain it to me."

Luke's Professional Problem

Bob Jones writes: I've been thinking a lot about Luke's reportage, and the criticism from the industry, and I think I understand some of it now. The job of a mainstream journalist is to strip away the marketing and presentation of the subject and present to the reader the subject as it really is. The job of a trade journalist (AVN, GeneRoss these days) is to repeat the marketing and presentation of the subject, perhaps with enough non-marketing perspective to lend the story an air of credibility.

The industry criticizes Luke for "getting it wrong" but usually that just means he's presented some interpretation of events other than the elaborate self-serving one promulgated by his subjects. If you sell sex, and you market it as fulfillment, you get upset when a journalist refers to you as a whore.

But the problem for Luke is that there is no underlying reality to reveal in this industry, just layers of marketing and presentation. The names and histories used for the general public are faked, but underneath them lies not real people, but merely another layer of falsehood used within the industry, and underneath that perhaps another layer that the subject uses for family, friends, and perhaps themselves. Image is constantly maintained, it never falls to the side because the image has replaced the person. Image is the product, the currency, and the means of production. There is no substance to be revealed. (Hence Kendra, insisting that she is not a prostitute while saying that she'd be happy to work as a prostitute, and advertises as one, but hasn't gotten a good enough offer yet---the image is all that exists, for the self as for the close friend as for the public. There is no reality.)

I don't think most of the people have personalities stable enough to be chronicled. I'll be if you looked at one of their business deals, and you asked all the participants at length for their side of the story, and you questioned them at length, that even if they decided to be entirely honest with you, you'd hear completely different stories. You wouldn't find out who said what to whom and why. You'd hear how a self-conscious image interacted with an image whose substance the first could not perceive, and find in reverse that the self-perceptions are as inaccurate as their perceptions of each other.

In that sense, there is no "true story" to be chonicled, no hidden truth to be revealed, no inner life for the audience to relate to. It's the pinnacle of post-modern story telling. A subject that insists on self-consciously subjectifying itself, studied by an observer intent on finding an inner subject that does not exist.

SteveyB writes on Netpond: "All journalists write primarily about bad news. Good news usually isn't news." Luke I thought journalists are sposed to report the facts and tell the truth ? Your views about people with tattoo's / long hair etc isn't fact its your opinion, a good journalist would stick to the facts but present them in such a way so people will draw the conclusions they want without giving their own opinions. I think you look for the worst in any situation and make outrageous statements to get attention and make up for being a not that good journalist! A lot of good journalists may not be liked for reporting the facts and telling the truth but just because you are hated it doesn't make you a good writer :o)

Zack writes: Equally important, it seems to me, is that Luke doesn't clearly distinguish the reportage on his site from the unfiltered material sent in from his readers (like this letter, for example). That is, Luke's site is half newsletter/half bulletenboard. It's shear laziness on his part (combined with desperation for content) that prevents him from separating the two.

Spotlight On CCBill.com, ScrewMag.com

On February 20th, I paid for a $5 three day visit to Screwmag.com, published by Al Goldstein. After a half an hour of frustrated surfing through the inept site, I sent several emails requesting that I be cancelled.

I received back that day confirming emails from Screwmag.com and CCBill.com that I had been cancelled.

But today, I opened up my credit card bill and found out that CCBill.com billed me February 26 (six days after they emailed me that they had removed me from the site's subscription list) the $19:95 recurring monthly bill for a Screwmag.com membership.

Chef Jeff writes: Luke, I am an adult webmaster for sites like nakednicole.com and orgasmgame.com. We have been using CCBill to handle our online billing since we began operations. To date we have had no problems with cancellations and have no complaints or reports of any problems concerning billing or cancellations.

If this anonymous person that wrote I had a charge on his bill for something that was supposed to be cancelled all he has to do is call CCBill 888 906 0666 and they will credit his account. I'm sure of it. This sounds like a isolated incident. This guy should try customer service when there is an error.

Mandingo writes: Ford, Why didnt you just cancel it yourself via the CCBill website? Granted what they did was wrong, but most third party processors have a manual cancellation form for the user without having to rely upon customer service. What would you expect from the people who used to host KP back in the day?

JohnG writes on Netpond: Luke We have all known you were a retard for along time, now you have proven it CCbills is one of the most honest companys around. They ALWAYS pay every week unlike other billing companies. As they say you must be really desperate for HeadLines to have to use CCbill is Thieves to get people to read your trash

KimmyKim (Kim@CCBill.com) writes: Luke, I'm going to ask you once, nicely, to remove the obviously false headline you are using in what I consider to be that pathetic drivel you claim as a website. Otherwise, you'll be hearing from our attorneys shortly.

Luke says: On February 20, 2001, I received this email from Support@CCBill.com: Dear luke@lukeisback.com, This subscription has been removed from active billing in our database and will not be re-billed. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. - Your ticket number is: T200102200161 - Your current ticket status is: CLOSED Regards, CCBill Support Team support@ccbill.com

Luke says: Yet on February 26, 2001, my credit card was billed $20 for a subscription to Screwmag.com.

KimmyKim replies: Luke, I have looked into the trouble ticket and on the 20th the customer service person who had the ticket did note it as cancelled. However, on the 24th it did indeed rebill. Having looked through our system logs with the programmers, I cannot find anything that would indicate that the cancel was completed, which would mean that while the csr thought that she had cancelled it, in reality she had not. Human error does occur, as I am sure you are very well acquainted with that fact. The situation has been corrected, your card has been refunded and will not be billed again at any time. Now that we have covered this matter, I will await the change in headline on your site.

Bob Jones writes: Well, you know I've had similar experiences with CC-Bill, and I'm sure you recall my exchange with Kim. In my opinion, either CC-Bill or many of its customers intentionally structure their payment and cancellation systems to make cancellation difficult or impossible. Until recently, I also felt that they were very deceptive about their rebilling policies. This is, or was, definitely common industry practice. (It was certainly the subject of several recent lawsuits against websites.)

The "human error" excuse is utter and total bulls---. CC-bill has one job and one job alone: to handle billing, including cancellations. If they make an error in this area, then they have failed in their only function. How could this be their job, and yet they don't have a process that prevents errors like this from occurring? What does this person who made the error do all day, except this?

I'll bet they never make this particular "human error" when they _start_ billing somebody. If you didn't have a website, and hadn't carefully watched your credit card bill, they would have kept rebilling you, wouldn't they? I mean, there was no way for this error to eventually be caught, except that the person keeps bothering them until they stop billing.

Do you think they sent that money to screwmag.com, or do you think they just keep the money when they bill after a cancellation?

This is absolutely typical of them. I accused Kim of this months ago, and she claimed it was untrue, etc. I asked her to check into particular sites and examples, and she completely ignored the response. Bluntly, I think she's lying. I don't know if they intentionally "lose" some of their cancellations, and I have no direct personal knowledge of their internal processes. But from the rate at which this occurs, I suspect that either: (1) They just care so little about cancellations that they haven't put the money in to handle them properly, and are being negligent about it; or (2) They are doing things intentionally to keep billing people after they cancel (perhaps for only a month) or to make it hard for people to cancel.

Rob Jackson writes: Hey Luke, perhaps this KimmyKim can tell us why CCBill handles the credit card transactions for web sites that feature nude images of well underage children? Anything for a dollar I guess as long as it's "artistic" kid stuff. Riiiight.

Low Bit writes: Luke, I had a similar experience with CCBill. After cancellation of my subscription to a site I was still getting charged. I replied to their cancellation confirmation e-mail indicating my account had been cancelled and they needed to credit my account. Next thing I know I am getting a slew unauthorized charges on my card and a half to cancel it. I am definitely shying away from porn sites now with this kind of s--- going on.

Mike AI writes on Netpond: Hey luke, if you want to have fun with CCBill investigate the Beasty websites, the incest websites, and sometimes Kiddie Porn ( nudist) sites they process for. You are coming around way to late to these issues. I guess that what happens to a person who can investigate no farther then the end of his nose.

KK - I was just hoping Luke would learn to investigate REAL issues. I know I tried to crack the tight lips of CCBill and asked very narrowly tailored questions on imprtant issues and still get the same song and dance in the terms and conditions...

Unlike anonymous posts, I am willing to put my name on the accusations I make. So I also invite the anons out there who always tend to pop up abuot KP when I tie it to CCBill ( coincidence maybe????) or say anything else nasty about CCBill - to e-mail me so I can also show them the overwhelming possitive actions that BlueMongoose, Inc. and http://masjorhost.com goes through to handle all KP issues. I would stake out proactive approach against anyone elses. We are not in business to profit off of other people misery.

Kimmy Kim replies on Netpond: Not one thing wrong with it Michael. You and I have been friends for a long time and I've never once expected you to be anything other than what you are. You of all people should know that. You certainly can say what you will about CCBill, and I do wish the anons would stop coming out and attacking Majorhost every time you say anything about us. It's quite impossible to police a freehost 100% effectively and anyone with a brain knows that.

MikeAI writes on Netpond: Kimmy Kim, I love you to death even if in my opinion you have become a pawn for a corrupt company which is willing to do anything for money! :-) As far as glass houses - you keep teasing me about this. PLEASE for everyone sake, expose me baby! Expose me to the light and make me hide... Because while it is impossible to control millions of accounts on MajorHost- we at HiRise are pretty tight on things. So if you happen to have something, it is either being done without my knowledge or approval, or something else and thus I would love to know so I could fix the situation. So if you area friend you would ICQ me the problem so I could fix it. ( like I have tried to do with you and CCBill on all the beasty, incst, KP sites) Or you can post.... but don't hold Phantom Ethics Problems over my head and expect me to roll over.

Joe Elkind of CENCash.com writes Luke: You really should find out... You should find out ANYBODY that has KP [kiddie porn] and do us ALL a Favor by getting rid of it! http://www.cencash.com/myprideandjoy

Webmaster BC writes on Netpond: I have been using CCBill for 2 years since Epoch crapped out. I am just sick and tired of them. I have no tools to remove customers that share passwords w/out giving complete refunds. My admin stats read all zeros for 4 hours of the morning ( 9 A.M. Eastern Time to 1 P.M. ) The stats say I owe thousands and have no recurring members. I sent screen caps to Brandon at ccbill three weeks ago and nobody has replied. I called yesterday they said it must be normal.

There are always 400-500 more members in my htpasswd file then ccbill's admin section says I have. Every 2 months my checks take a dip of several thousand dollars then resume correctly the following week. I was told this is due to checking chargebacks for the previous two months. When I replied I had not done that much in checking in those two months I was told "uhh, it may have been for a period longer than two months".

And .. I gotta laugh at this. I just got a reply from ccbills billing dept. regarding a chargeback. They put in the e-mail that I should, in the future, contact them from the e-mail they have listed for me in their records. I spent two hours on the phone with them over the last three weeks trying to get my e-mail address corrected. I was assured it was fixed. We just launched 5 new sites and none are with ccbill..

Taylor Wane's Available

Mark writes TaylorWane.com: Just read about your trip to St Marteens. Are you available for private shows in the LA area?

Taylor replies to Mark: "Sure, it is 1500 an hour. 1600 by credit card."

Mark writes Luke: "Luke, Is she smoking crack or what? She is another Ryan Conner, finding idiots to pay outrageous prices for used up pussy."

Taylor Wane replies to Luke: "I'm not sure why you sent me this. I don't appreciate this kind of publicity. The only way a loser like this could get used up??? pussy like me is to pay a high price for it."

Joe writes: i might be mistaken but the last time i saw taylor wane was many years ago .last time i saw her in a movie was on the prowl 2 jamie gillis movie. all i can say she was hot then more than likelly hotter now i like olde pornstars

Mark writes Luke: For $1500 an hour you think she would LOVE all the publicity she can get. I know guys with PhDs who don’t get $100 an hour. My attorney gets $300 and he “f---s” me!!! For $1500 an hour I should get to bang her asshole till she cant walk. I should get head till her teeth fall out. After that she should do my laundry(whites) and wash my dirty dishes (nude of course).

BrandyAlx1: Even for services of prostitution, you should tell Taylor that it violates the merchant agreements of all the major credit cards to charge a higher fee or surcharge to people using them. Anyone has been charged more for using a credit card should report it and get a refund.

Shaun writes Luke: Look man I know you aren't that busy. I asked if you would update your stars list. Some names should be added. April, Jessica Jewel, Tera Patrick, Bunny Love, guys like Nacho Vidal, And Kid Jamaca. My favorite Dannille Rush, find out why she f---s coons all the damn time.If mr.marcus is around I'm from Vegas and I'll beat your South Central ass nnniiiggaa. THANKS LUKE YOU JEW HTLER LOVING KIKE , Dr, Laura should be in porn.

James Fortune Seeks Charlene Aspen For The Dollars To Help Granny

James Fortune writes: Dear Gene, Big favor to ask....as you know I left LA due to family medical emergencies and left the business. I asked Ronnie Cox and Charlene Aspen to be caretakers for my video inventory, but have not had any success in reaching them for the last few months. It is so unlike them to screw people over....As it looks now, they took off with about $15,000 worth of my original video inventory, chromes and models releases and all attempts in reaching them have been unsuccessful.. This is so unlike them as I knew them to be honest folks. Could you please have them contact me at james_fortune@yahoo.com or call Royal King Entertainment so we can discuss transfer of materials? Thanks so much! The $$ will help pay the medical bills for my grandmother.

Ed Powers Xcitement Interview

Cindi Loftus from Xcitement Magazine sent me their March issue where I found an interview with Ed Powers. Here's an excerpt:

"...[I]t was all about me going to bus stops in 1988 and interviewing girls at bus stops... I would have the girls, and sometimes couples, come back and make a video. If they would sign a model release and let me use it, there will be compensation. No sex acts were necessary. Things developed. On tape you actually see how everything happened, and how realistic they are."

After Ed saw the need for HIV testing, he developed in 1990 the Dirty Debutante line.

X: "You were sexually active as a teen?"

Ed: "Oh yeah. I would meet girls, telephone operators, girls always liked my voice. I remember one time I called up a crisis hotline and dated the girl who answered and five of her friends during the same time.

"I would say that there is a lot of compassion that comes from my mind, my lips and my heart. Even on the radio people say that I am compassionate. They see porn stars in a different light now.

"I am an active person. When people meet me in person they always think that I look ten years younger than I am. I am 46. I am thinking of my fans all the time. When they meet me in person, they will say Ed is really Ed... It's a tremendous feeling of having so many friends. I know that after I am gone, my name will live on. Please respect women. When you are having sex with someone, it should be mutual."

Mark writes: Ed Powers has ALWAYS paid for pussy. This man has never gotten laid from just being himself. In fact its well known he is the highest payer when it comes to talent. He pays a premium for being such a Dork.

Goth Net Porner Challenges Luke To Fight

In May of 1999, the National Film Board of Canada flew me to Montreal for the Faye Sharpe run porn internet convention.

Writing up the experience, I included this impression of the internet pornographers: "All the panelists appear cerebral, with little triangular heads. The crowd is 90% sleazy men, many with ponytails, tattoos, piercings and other outward manifestations of internal distress. Porn internet, like the rest of the sex industry, appears dominated by blunt, fast-talking, self-aware secular New York Jews whose mannerisms approximate the Mafia. Relationships and credibility are everything."

Many net porners took great exception to this description. One (Vick Gisin aka Nature Boy) in particular got upset with me and raises the matter every time we're on the same chat board. He's mad that I view piercings, tattoos and long hair on guys as outward signs of internal distress.

I understand these things as a cry for help. "Grownups, please notice me. Please help me."

I view tattoos, piercings and the like as low class, self-destructive pagan practices.

This does not mean that I automatically view all people with tattoos as bad people. You can have tattoos and be a wonderful person. And you can not have them and be a scum bag. People are very complex.

My friends Lynne L-patin and Rob Spallone are covered with tattoos.

But overall, tattoos signal "low class" to my mind. They bother me. It doesn't mean that I automatically dislike you if you have tattoos and piercings. It's just one of my many automatic reactions to small things that can signal important values.

Nature Boy aka Vick Gisin may be a total gentleman and a mentch and a classy guy. He may be far more moral and smart and classy than I am. I have no idea. I have not pronounced judgement on him. I have pronounced my judgement on tattoos and piercings and other things which may happen to be on him.

Goth net porner Vick aka Nature Boy (Vick@cloud9models.com) writes on Netpond: My offer still stands to challenge Luke F-rd to a I Quit or Knockout boxing match at a major industry show if a sponsor will pay for the ring to be set up Got to think that is a excellent low cost promotinal opportunity for someone

MikeAI replies on Netpond: Natureboy - I would pay for it, but I don't think Luke would get in the ring with you.

Serge replies on Netpond: MikeAI, don't bet on it, Luke has a few more pounds in his body, better muscles, I think he'll knock Vic by 3rd round. being a former amateur boxer myself, I'll gladly manage Luke's sport affairs and reperesent his interest during contract signing ceremony.

Vick writes on Netpond: Luke F-rd if you are reading this (and you do) I challenge you to a legitmate boxing match in the ring. Must be won by knockout or I quit. 3 minute rounds. Am suggesting this years Cybernet Expo for the venue as my wife is due with our first child 7/15/01 and I will not be attending Internext Come on Luke I am a little guy 5' 9" 160 lbs 39 years old and smoke 2 packs of Maroboros a day.

I resigned from Advertising.com 11/30/2000 to go back to full time webpublishing, the mainstream has more money to invest but still are challenged by thinking of internet advertising as traditional media as evidenced by CPM sales by many ad agencies

Dave Cummings writes on Netpond: Nature Boy: If you get Luke F-rd into a ring with you, please wallop him a good one from the many of us who are upset with his posting of actresses real names, thus exposing them AND POSSIBLY THEIR KIDS to stalkers, weidos, and inebriated folks who decide to look up their addresses and go to their homes. People are at risk of physical harm because of his insensitivity:-(...

Many of us are going to root for you to pound the heck out of mr ford, Nature Boy.

AlienX@SinCityFilms.com writes on Netpond: Luke F-rd would kick your ass to peices man, maybe you guys are the same stature, however. Like have I said before. Luke F-rd does not give a s---. In that it makes him crazy. He would floor you, he is psychotic and his hell bent sexual frustations would be fixated on you and the mere 8 feet that separate the both of you. It would not be pretty. What would be heard as typically boxing match "thumps" would turn oddly into sickening splashing "slosh" sounds. I get the mop and be sure to send my best wishes to your freinds and family:)

Vick aka Nature Boy writes on Netpond: Alien, I agree with you, Luke would kick my ass in seconds I am as lethal as last weeks luttuce I am a wimp Haven't been in a real fight in 10 years That is why he should take the match This can be a America Classic, huge underdog (me) taking on a heavy favorite and having the crowd hopes he scores just one good punch on Luke F-rd and still seeing him lose

For you do not know me, you may find this issue abrasive, childish or just plain stupid. Please understand Luke tried to made unwarranted derogatory stereotypical comments which to this day I sincerely believe were targeted at me. This is not a playground "I want to beat your ass type thing". I see pugilism as a raw art, with in this case server pain infliction included and the finest legal way to extract retribution for the comments (which he has many times refused to apologize for even to the point to leaving chat rooms when I posted) which Luke tried to levy upon me.

Not to mention all the irresponsible, libelous and even to the point of erroneous swill that he refers to as journalism that he has that he has tried to foster upon this industry. I am defending honor in my mind, first and foremeost mine, second the positive elements in this industry.

Translation- If Luke has the sack to get in the ring with little ol' wimpy I am going to hit him with ....................

Funniest thing, my wife is not in the least bit worried (rather she is excited), she says if your getting in the ring I want to see it ... go figure ;-)

Another funny fact, I am not tribe. Just an old Italian. Back in the day when I was a marketing director Jewish owned businesses would hire me. At one I was the token goyum, they trusted me to run the business on Holidays.

Luke says: Vick, I don't want to settle our differences in a physical fight. Such fighting, like getting tattoos and piercings, is against my values system.

I don't plan to apologize for my views on tattoos and piercings. They were not aimed at you.

I have my views on life. I don't change them or apologize for them to suit your sensitivities.

I would like to have you as a guest on my radio show where we can verbally joust if you like. You have my phone number.

You are welcome to post your views on LF.com.

Vick writes: Hello Luke, Thank you for writing and thank you for the offer. I am a mid sized (in terms of yearly revenue, Internet reach and traffic) web publisher with nothing to really offer the webpublisher community or your listener base of real substance. What I would really like is an apology for the derogatory remarks you made after the Montreal show in regard to tattooed, pierced, long haired webpublishers. Well that and maybe you could have MikeAI (provided he agrees) on your show in my stead. Mike as you may know is very eloquent and passionate speaker particularly with regards to the Internet arena. Hopefully from the tone of this email you can understand where I would be offended by your negatively perceived portrayal of webpublishers with my exact physical characteristics.

Luke replies: Hi Vick: I apologize if my remarks came across to you as aimed personally at you.

I do not apologize, nor would I expect that you would want me to apologize, for my views on tattoos and piercings. I assume you think these things are great. I have a different view.

That I have a negative view of tattoos and long hair on guys and piercings does not mean that I dislike all people with the above. It is simply my opinion and my values system. People are very complex and I don't dismiss people because they have a tattoo or piercing. But I would do everything I could to discourage a person from getting one, and I would forbid my kids from getting them. Peace, Luke PS. I would be happy to have Mike AI on the show...

Vic replies: Hello Luke, I understand your point, plus if your children had piecings or tattoos I don't think they could be buried in a Orthodox burial ground. Your comments could be construed as any one with those physical attributes was a porn dealing scumbag. I hope we both know there is much more to the equation than that. Thanks for the MikeAI placement, am trying to contact him now. Thank you for your speedy response. Will admit as much as I disagree with most of your reporting I have read your website more than once. Also some one who claims to have met you said you might not be such a bad guy when your not behind the keyboard. Can I ask you Luke, why is so much of your reporting in a negative vein? Dislike of the industry, disdain for what you see, what you think will get attention, or all the above or something else. Example, you reported you expected RBJ to fall under the weight of the FTC lawsuit and they came out still in business and still having one of the most visited chain of site.

Luke replies: Dear Vic: Most of my reporting is in a negative vein for several reasons:

One. All journalists write primarily about bad news. Good news usually isn't news.

Two. Every other journalist covering this industry is industry-friendly. l-keford.com is the only site that is willing to challenge the industry's basic assumptions. It's the only news/gossip site on the industry that is unfriendly. That is my niche. You know how on the internet you have to carve out a niche.

Three. I have psychological issues which predispose me towards negativity.

Four. From my values, I regard the industry as morally destructive.

Five. If I react honestly, from my gut, I feel the industry as a sleazy unholy entity.

Six. Regarding RJBT. I thought the FTC crackdown was big news. Everyone else said it was nada. No matter what happens, RJBT is going to be out hundreds of thousands of dollars. As will CEN, no matter what the results of the AOL suit. If I ever said RJBT was going under, and I don't recall predicting that, than I apologize. That was wrong.

Seven. Regarding "porn dealing scumbag." Sometimes I sincerely believe that dealing porn, like dealing drugs, is a scummy activity. Other times, I have more gentle views.

Luke writes on Netpond: I will try to make one straight, non-twisted, non-satirical unironic post from the heart. I have certain values which clash with probably everyone reading this.

I am a conservative Republican. I am a religious Jew. I believe in the ideals of political conservatism and Judaism.

For instance, I am morally opposed to pornography. I think it is destructive.

I am morally opposed to Hollywood and most TV shows. I think they are morally destructive.

I am morally opposed to rap music and most pop music because I believe they promote immoral values - such as promiscuous sex.

My religion holds that homosexuality is a great sin. And I agree.

My religion holds that tattooing is forbidden and that body piercing is forbidden but that circumsicion for Jewish boys on the eighth day is commanded. I agree.

I have opinions which are largely based on my values. One of my opinions is that is that externalities matter a great deal. How you dress matters a great deal. It says a lot about you. Dressing in a suit gives off a different vibe than dressing in dirty torned jeans and a T-shirt.

So, dressing in a suit generally connotes to me a classy way of behaving. Dressing in torned or ripped or dirty clothing lacks class.

Using obscenities in every day speech, in my opinion, is low class. Sleeping around is low class. Blasting music out of your car while you drive along is low class. Listening to pop music as opposed to classical music is low class. Reading the National Enquirer versus reading the New York Times is low class. Watching professional wrestling versus watching Masterpiece Theater is low class. Producing and profiting from pornography is low class.

As anybody who reads my site regularly knows, I participate in many low class activities. Indeed, my site frequently lacks class. It's journalistic style is often tabloid at best. I rely for a living off low class porn banner ads. I am not chaste.

So, you see, I believe in many ideals that I do not live up to. And just because certain persons do some things that I view as low class does not mean that I view their totality as low class. Some of my friends (such as Lynne L-patin and Rob Spallone) have tattoos. I never give them grief over it. One of my best friends at my Orthodox synagogue is a homosexual. I am completely opposed to male-to-male homosexuality. I view it as the Torah does, as an abomination. But he's still my friend. He probably scorns my web site l-keford.com.

So, in conclusion, I don't plan to jump into the ring to fight Vick. I am sorry if I have unnecessarily offended him. But I am not going to swallow my views and values to avoid giving offense. But neither am I going to pick someone out for ridicule. That lacks class. As does fighting in a ring to settle a difference of values.

Vic posts on Netpond: My Retort - A women is the most beautiful creation nature made. There is no shame in seeing her nude, rather it is art. There are no finer lines, beauty or curves any where in nature.

Being a captialist republican I furthermore believe there is no shame in making a profit from these images. They are viewed by others of their own free choice.

This business have put my former business partner (a women) though college, it has provided a loving and beautiful home for my wife, our unborn son and myself. It has allowed liberties that I did not know before entering this business. It has allowed contributions to worthy causes. It has brought smiles and happiness to all my nieces and nephews from the things I have been able to do with them. There is no way you can say all this is negative thing

America was founded on choice and not narrow view points. We celebrate the ability to choose everyday. I may express myself in the way I see fit so long as it does not harm other. Due unto others, that is the golden rule

It is my choice to wear a suit when I attend the Theater with my wife because that is my choice. I wear jeans meeting with friends at a convention and that is appropriate

What I find do not appropriate is the narrow minded view expressed by other's as I celebrate my choices when it does not interfer with their life in any way

Vic writes: Luke, Another thing I do not comprehend (not that I have to). You are for the most part anti-porn but have banners to sponsors. Somewhere I may have heard you used the revenue to help destitute porn stars or something very unusual. Am a very lucky man and I appreciate it everyday. Didn't get married until 38 and it is my only marriage. I will be a first time father at the age some men are becoming grandfathers. Also realize I am an anomaly, both in this business and life in general. Thanks again for your time and explaining. If nothing else your name is again in front of a good portion of the adult webmaster community.

Luke replies: I have banners to porn sites because they are the only ones that pay worth a damn. And I need the money to pay my bills. But yes, my religious community, if they knew, would be thoroughly opposed to my porn banners.

CJ asks: how about hiring a jiggalo for myself for my b'day??!! is nothing allowed??!!

Luke says: That is forbidden by the Torah. And it is neither emotionally nor spiritually satisfying to hire gigalos.

Dear esteemed members of the adult internet, I WANT TO BE YOUR MORAL LEADER!

I am here to serve you, 24/7 (except for shabbas, religious holidays, etc). Email me your moral questions.

SykkBoy writes on Netpond: So, I guess it's safe to assume cj isn't going to be converting anytime soon ;) no tattooes and piercings? well, I'm not going to be converting anytime soon either... but I guess, being an atheist, that would be quite the chore anyways... as for low class, what would it be called for someone to post half truths, lies and bulls--- fed by anon sources with ulterior motives? And btw, the anons who email s--- to Luke F-rd are no different than the anons who post here...the same people we talk with everyday and buy drinks for, etc. Although with all the jealousy, backbiting, cock waving and bulls--- in this industry it's still not as bad as the resteraunt biz...yet ;)

Jigga Man writes: Luke go to L.A. and tell the homeboys on the corner that they are low class for blasting their rap music and wearing jeans and a T... not everyone can afford suits.. see how they answer back to your values.. might be with a "cap."

JohnIP writes: Luke ...does all this mean you wont be wearing the pink dress anymore.

Mutt writes on Netpond: gee what a surprise Luke turned down an offer to get in the ring. Well in the same spirit I am going to challenge Stephen Hawkings to a karate fight.....or if he's a nancy boy like Luke I'll race him in the 100 meters, even give him a 50 meter head start!

Luke's got CFS, that weird mysterious disease that makes you tired and achy all the time. Anybody old enough to remember SCTV? Eugene Levy used to do this really funny Perry Como bit where Perry was so laid back so devoid of energy he'd do his shows in Vegas lying on the stage his eyes half open......damn I wish they'd put those shows on DVD.

Luke i just read your site for the first time in a few weeks. Isn't it Kendra Jade who you had the huge crush on? When you found out she had advanced in her career to whore status did it hit u like a kick in the stomach? Ouch.

Alisha Klass and Bruce Willis? woohooooooooooooo............now that is rich! She is as nasty as she is gorgeous. The funniest thing on Luke's site is that Alisha is reportedly hurt that Bruce is keeping her a secret .

HELLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO? Alishaaaaaaaaaa? Anybody home? Can you imagine Bruce showing up to some A List Hollywood party with Alisha.

Shecky Sheckman: Hey Bruce good to see you. How've you been. I'd like to introduce you to my financee Sherry Finklebergerstein. Isnt she something? She's also an accomplished sculptor. She has a show at Gallerie Caca I'd like to invite you to. Who's this beautiful lady with you Bruce?

Bruce Willis: Shecky......this is my lady friend Alisha.....Alisha Klass. She can shoot semen out of her twat hitting moving targets at 100 paces. Her anal gape has been measured at 9 inches at full dilation.

This is the chick who was Mrs Seymour Butts? Honey i think you should set your sights just a little bit lower so you don't get your heart broken. Why not hook up with Dick Gozinya or Ben Dover?

Fred writes Voltaire: Damnit! My local 7-11 carries out-of-date tabloids. Now if that doesn't kill off the credibility of those things, I don't know what will. Voltaire, quick. What's going on in the Weekly World News? I've got to know what else I'm missing.

Actually, when I read your post on l-keford.com, I tried typing in the url "www.globe.com", and wound up getting the Boston Globe. (Not nearly as credible, intellectual or interesting a newspaper as the other Globe.)

When Luke passed on your e-mail about the tabloid the Globe, I tried to access www.globeonthenet.com, but my ISP (XO Communications) was unable to connect me. So it's not my fault. Forgive me for ever doubting you. I swear it will never happen again. I was such a fool! Forgive me!

Mutt writes on Netpond: NatureBoy, No. Luke does have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. He dropped out of college because of it. He said he was really pretty sick. He still has it I think but maybe it waxes and wanes or he's on some kind of treatment. My sister has something like it, fibromyalgia?, another kinda sickness that leaves you all achy and really doesn't have a known cause. I know that at one point and maybe it still is debated that CFS, Epstein Barr disease, really doesn't exist or if does the diagnosis is often given to people who really don't have it. Personally I think alot of people with these kind of problems have unresolved emotional problems which surface as these diseases. I've had something like it, chronic headaches, not migraines but constant headache like a dull heavy hangover, went to every doctor had every scan and test. It had to be emotional stress cuz I didn't die of a brain tumor and over a few years it disappeared. I think Luke is in good enough shape now that if he taken you up on your offer you could have entered the ring with a clear conscience : )