Bruce Feiler - Where God Was Born, Abraham, Walking The Bible

Falwell and Flint: K-I-S-S-I-N-G
Wednesday, May 16, 2007

OK, I thought I'd read everything interesting about Falwell, then I saw this statement from Larry Flint! To remind, Flint published a satirical ad that ran in Hustler in 1983 with the headline "Jerry Falwell Talks About His First Time," in which the magazine described a drunken Falwell having an incestuous encounter with his mother. Here's Flint's statement.

"The Reverend Jerry Falwell and I were arch enemies for fifteen years. We became involved in a lawsuit concerning First Amendment rights and Hustler magazine. Without question, this was my most important battle – the l988 Hustler Magazine, Inc., v. Jerry Falwell case, where after millions of dollars and much deliberation, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in my favor.

My mother always told me that no matter how much you dislike a person, when you meet them face to face you will find characteristics about them that you like. Jerry Falwell was a perfect example of that. I hated everything he stood for, but after meeting him in person, years after the trial, Jerry Falwell and I became good friends. He would visit me in California and we would debate together on college campuses. I always appreciated his sincerity even though I knew what he was selling and he knew what I was selling.

The most important result of our relationship was the landmark decision from the Supreme Court that made parody protected speech, and the fact that much of what we see on television and hear on the radio today is a direct result of my having won that now famous case which Falwell played such an important role in."

Labels: Religion in America

Posted by B Feiler at 10:19 AM
Permalink Digg this Post Email this Post

1 Comments:

Phil W said...: Where did you read this? Is the original online somewhere?; May 16, 2007 12:31:00 PM EDT