PUBLISHER'S S

Why Was Larry Flynt Shot?

I am sitting in a hospital in Atlanta, mation is to be promptly incorporated insane priorities of a legal system that Georgia, nibbling on a slice of banana into an anonymous letter which can be uses as an excuse for bread baked by a cop's wife, while directed to his parents"—plus "neigh- political persecution. Althea Flynt is listening to the compas- bors and the parents' employers." Free speech has always been an irri- sionate advice of George Wallace. Al Another suggestion: "The use of arti- tant to the Establishment. One FBI Goldstein, who has been sued by the cles from student newspapers and/or the memo from late 1970 proposed the dis- Alabama governor, is mulling over a bit `underground press' ... showing advo- ruption of the physical plant of the of religious literature so he can improve cation of the use of narcotics and free Radical Education Project: "The his bedside manner with Larry Flynt— sex are ideal to send to university offi- Bureau is requested to prepare and fur- who thinks we should publish color cials, wealthy donors, members of the nish ... in liquid form a solution capa- photos of his born-again, torn-apart legislature...." ble of duplicating a scent of the most stomach, shredded like a Watergate Moreover, "since the use of marijuana foul-smelling feces available. In this memo. Dick Gregory is concerned that and other narcotics is widespread case, it might be appropriate to dupli- his own missing address book has been among members of the New Left, you cate the feces of the species Sus scrota lifted by an operative for the CIA. should be alert to opportunities to have [that is, pig shit). A quart supply, along In addition, Gregory is suing the FBI them arrested by local authorities on with a dispenser capable of squirting a because it wanted to "neutralize" him. drug charges." narrow stream for a distance of approx- He interprets that as "kill." It certainly The insidiousness of FBI counterin- imately three feet, would satisfy the does not mean that the FBI planned to telligence ran the gamut from "the needs of this proposed technique." lighten the pigmentation of his skin by creating of impressions that certain New Larry Flynt's mission to uncover the rubbing on lemon juice. Left leaders are informants for the truth about in this coun- Neutralize—what a nice, clean word. Bureau or other law-enforcement agen- try may have been the ultimate motive Ten years ago, according to FBI docu- cies" to the noting of an actual infor- behind his shooting, even if the act was ments, the intent was "to expose, dis- mant who "advised that the Students for inspired by publicity surrounding a trial rupt and otherwise neutralize the activi- a Democratic Society ... is now con- that could have ended with an acquittal. ties of the New Left," meaning the anti- sidering a weekly trip via automobile According to two jurors, the jury heavily war movement. Agents were told "to from Detroit to Chicago to secure films. favored a verdict of not guilty. remain alert for and to seek specific data Detroit plans harassment of the individ- Larry Flynt was shot because he depicting [New Leftists'] depraved uals traveling in the SDS vehicle...." wanted to show there is no conflict be- nature and moral looseness...." Significantly, whenever there was tween spirituality and sexuality. There Although the First Amendment friction between groups or individuals, is, however, a conflict between spiritu- guarantees freedom of assembly, FBI the order was: "This hostility should be ality and cruelty. But neither tax-sup- instructions stated that when a student's exploited wherever possible." ported stink bottles nor the climate they participation in a demonstration "is • • • have helped to create for bullets will accompanied by the use of or engage- Whoever shot Larry Flynt was en- stifle . ment in an obscene display, this infor- couraged — if not assigned—by the —Paul Krassner

HUSTLER JUNE 5

On March 6, Larry Flynt was in Lawrenceville, hibitions since , is ghastly! are expressed in his Feedback column. Larry Georgia, defending our First Amendment rights. His courage couldn't break, so someone got caught in the middle, as so many great Larry has always expressed a willingness to die decided to murder him; haven't things gone men do. for his beliefs, but that made Me news of his far enough?! For God's sake, the world I have always felt that Larry Flynt is a being shot during a court recess no less shocking or needs its Larry Flynts. great man with a great magazine and a sense disgusting. At press time, as he lay fighting for Monty Edwards of reality few Americans have. I am not his life, we compiled this sampling of condo- Minneapolis, Minnesota afraid to make this statement or publish my lences. The response is a for cry from Time's name for all you goddamned religious fanat- quote of Lawrenceville Mayor Rhodes Jordan: My wife Nan and I pray for your quick ics and bleeding-heart, phony "liberals" to "Somebody was sending Flynt a message, that recovery. Your spirit is indomitable. see. I am not afraid because, first, I am a they don't want his type of filth around." Gay Talese member of the military machine that de. fends the rights of all you fucking assholes Bullets and a Free Press: Georgians Today, on my way home from work. l out there. Secondly, I am not afraid because 'from all walks of life were shocked and stopped off at the local. gin mill for a few I doubt if there is one individual in either stunned by the vicious and senseless assault beers with my Friends. After quenching our one of the above-mentioned groups who has directed at you while you were in our midst. thirsts and hashing over the day's events, I the balls to dispute me face to face without a We can only condemn the perpetrators of went next door to a small store and picked weapon in hand. As a defender of your the wanton act of violence and hope for a up my monthly copy of , which I freedom (which, I might add, few of you quick arrest. As a peace-loving, law-abiding leafed through as my neighbor drove me deserve), I subscribe to the right to bear people, Georgians deplore and despise this home. I got home, kissed my wife and two arms. So screw you guysl kind of lawlessness. Resources of state small kids, and sat down to supper. After the I am not a religious man, and I cannot say government are being made available to usual good meal and mellow conversation, 1 that my prayers are with Larry. If I could _assist in the investigation. Meanwhile, our tuned in the TV news. No one can imagine pray. I would; but suffice it to say that my prayers are with you for a speedy and corn. the disgust and shock I felt as—there in my best wishes are with Larry, and my sincerest plete recovery. own living room—the ultimate sympathy goes to Mrs. Flynt. Governor George Busbee put the damper on an otherwise perfect day. J. Michael Brigham Some motherfucking asshole has gunned Rochester, New York I am praying for you that the Lord will be down Larry Flynt! As yet I don't know all close to you and comfort you during this the specifics. Was it some Fucking Jesus- We at wish you a quick recovery. time of suffering. Your Brother in Christ, freak who would not share his God with a We stand firmly behind you and your Con- Charles W. Colson despicable smut-peddler like Larry Flynt? stitutional right of free speech, no matter Or was it a disgruntled liberal who was whether it is attacked by appointed officials I was shocked and almost in tears when I incensed at Larry's pursuit of religious or self-appointed vigilanties. May you return learned from the evening news that Larry belief? It doesn't really matter. to Columbus and to your presses soon. Flynt was shot. The fact that anyone could What does matter is that Larry Flynt has Hugh M. Hefner even think of shooting this dedicated man, a given birth to an honest, unbiased magazine man who has done more to open our eyes to in which the views of all types of cockama- Last night was the first time I ever the problems of sexual inadequacy and in- mie assholes such as the above-mentioned watched the news with tears in my eyes. I

Paramedics and hospital workers rush Larry Flynt to surgery after his transfer from the hospital in Attorney Herald Fahrrnger offers Althea Flynt a Lawrenceville. His condition had worsened in the three days following the shooting. shoulder to cry on upon her arrival in Georgia.

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Flynt is removed from the ambulance Mat transferred him is Emory University Hos- Althea Flynt, in :tars, rushes to Larry's side. She received . petal in Atlanta. Here hr underwent his third and fourth critical operations. the news at HUSTLER's executive offices in Columbus.

felt completely helpless, but only for a justice for those who would burn books or The sick minds that choose murder over second. I knew that Larry had the Lord at harm those who would publish them. freedom of the press are a disgusting com- his side and therefore nothing to fear. 1 Irvin J. Borowsky mentary on the condition of our society! Out refused to believe that a man who has spent Bestsellers of this disorder I sincerely hope we can win his life in a constant battle for freedom could our way through and again prove that the possibly be shot like this. I could not sleep We love you and please let us know if Constitution really means what it has always last night, so 1 prayed for Larry. there's anything we can do. said. Let sick people keep their hands off is- This is hard to say, but I believe it to be All the Robbins sues of HUSTLER and the REALIST, and we right: May God help the germ who shot Lar- will not censor their books. Surely, people ry:, the gunman is sick and in need of God's As an ardent supporter of the Bill of must realize that we can all be free. love. I've had more respect for Larry than Rights and an adamant opponent of censor- Paul A. King anyone on earth. ship, I am terribly sorry to see Larry Flynt Kansas City, James McCu tcheon and his attorney suffer this symbolic cruci- Tampa, Florida fixion by some misguided gunman. It is difficult to express our feelings on this tragedy, which is not only yours but that All my prayers go with you. of the American society itself. We look for- Garrett Morris ward to your speedy recovery and wish we could be of greater assistance. I've written to you before on my views Jim and Carla Prescott against the outdated, outmoded KKK and the so-called Nazi Party. Yesterday morning I have never written to any magazine I heard about Larry being shot by some before, although 1 read and buy several of mentally deranged person, a terrible thing to them every month. HUSTLER is my favorite. happen. I'm sorry that such things still take This letter is dedicated to all self-righteous place and that we live in a society with pea- judges of other people's rights to freedom of pie who have such little intelligence. expression. I believe that beauty is in the eyes of the These above-mentioned assholes are sim- beholder and that what people term dirty ply closet cases who are afraid to let their becomes so to them. They will never learn. own emotions be known. Every human am a sculptor' I see nothing but beauty in being has constant sexual urges; so why the human form. You have my deepest sym- shouldn't they be shown? It is time for pathy and that of my wife. America to grow up. These same closet cases Norman Guyewski are generally the ones who commit sexual Galveston, Texas crimes or crimes of repression. The degener- ate who shot Larry Flynt and his attorney is The world of publishing has been shocked a typical example. by the cowardly and tragic attempt on your Assuming Larry Flynt was wrong (al- life and on that of your associate, Gene arrives to comfort Flynt_ though I don't think so), that does not mean Reeves. You have my sincerest wishes for a She had helped him discover his spiritual self two wrongs make a right. So to the people speedy and complete recovery and swift who would condemn this man and deprive

10 JUNE HUSTLER PA.'. by t PI -y_ fEEDBACk him of his livelihood and freedom of expres- May the magic of our Family in Marin sion, I say: Search yourself and think about bless you. Love, laugh and live. what you are doing to yourself. Honey Bruce, I offer my sympathies to Larry and his family and friends staff. I saw the trial and heard about the shooting today and could not contain my We, the convicts of the Marion Penitenti- emotions. I sincerely appreciate your maga- ary, would like to send our sincere condo- zine. Keep up the good work. lences in the matter of Mr. Flynt's shooting. Rabon Smith It's a profound disgrace that shootings of Houston, Texas this nature should take place in our country. But when we look back at Watergate, no- Am praying for your complete recovery. thing should surprise us. Don't you often Remember you belong to God. He has not wonder who the real criminals are? forsaken you. Guard against bitterness. God Names Withheld by Request Mar You. Marion, Illinois Sister Sandra Segrest I have thought much about you and what Who did it? Who shot Larry Flynt? Who you are going through. You are someone fired the shots that sent contempt, pain and who has much to do, and it is important that sorrow into the hearts of millions? Attorney Gent Reeves, shot at the same trine you do it. Stick with it. I will help you to What feebleminded degenerate gloats as Flynt, receives first aid on sidewalk. accomplish what you want as well as I know with satisfaction that he or she has accom- how. My prayers are with you. plished something of major importance? phy." Then, when all else fails (when those Mary Calderone Who?! As you can see, one question leads to of us who are enlightened cry "nol"), we another. I, along with many other faithful resort to our oldest and sickest form of pro- My daughter was murdered a year and a readers of HUSTLER, grieve with the Flynt test— violence. half ago. Every condolence letter I received family. When the gunman is tried and found contained much the same kind of genii- I surmise that the person who conceived guilty, it will no doubt be determined that ment —"I know how little words can help at this atrocious vendetta against Mr. Flynt he is sexually repressed and therefore the a time like this...." But those writers were and HUSTLER Magazine is a hypocrite. "victim" of what Larry is trying to crusade wrong. Every word did help. The fact that so Probably, he's a God-fearing person around against. It's ironic that Larry was probably many people cared enough to write helped his Friends. 1, however, am not a hypocrite, hurt by someone he was trying to help. me enormously in my grief. and I hope this brainless derelict rots in hell. It has been said that HUSTLER is in bad 1 care about the violence done to Larry 1 wonder if this person feels that he has taste. Bunk! Satire is never in bad taste! Flynt. I am full of sorrow and indignation, saved the world from pornography? Mike Thrasher and for Larry's comfort I offer the shortest, I ask the asshole this: Did someone force Fresno, California simplest theological statement I have ever you to buy your first issue of read. It is by the American poet HUSTLER? I would truly hate Ezra Pound; near the end of his myself if you bought it of your own lung poem The Cantos he writes: free will and if it disgusted you "Pray. There is power." enough to shoot someone. It doesn't matter if you think the Or are you just a Fascist/Com- power is inside you, or outside—or munist pig from an Archie Bunker both—or whether you call it Jesus, world? Does it bother you that the Buddha or ten other names. It woman I love is white and that I doesn't matter whether you under. am black? stand it or whether you are baffled Are you going to shoot us too? by it. The important thing is this: Johnny R. D. Power is there and it can help. Lawrence, Kansas May Larry find that power, and use it well. We share your pain and hope For Robert Anton Wilson your quick recovery. Berkeley, California Tom Hayden and Jane Fonda 11, While whoever shot Larry Flynt may I've just heard about the be some type of fanatic, we can't attempt on Larry Flynt's life, and I exclude the possibility that Larry was am appalled. This proves that Lar- attacked by a professional hit man. ry was right: Our society is sick. The assassin's clean getaway and the We condemn a person for mastur- absence of any witnesses has led to bating by invoking ridicule and speculation that he was shot in an guilt, and through the telling of effort to silence a part of the free press half-truths and old wives' tales. We that, among other things, Is seeking intimidate those who are sexually new information on the jFir assassi- aware and/or active with labels nation. Larry's attempts to investigate such as "promiscuous," "sinner" what the press has ignored (and what or even ''whore." And when a per- the government has likely tried to son is aware of our society's prob- That morning in court: Reeves and Flynt discuss the case. A few hide) are the kinds of things that lead lems and tries to educate us, we hours later, bullets of repression ripped through the two men': bodies. to violence more certainly than someone arrest him for printing "pornogra- exposing a woman's body.

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