gonzo
03-29-2008, 06:02 PM
As someone who has had sex with about 4,000 women in an acting career spanning more than 1,700 pornographic films, you could easily joke that Ron Jeremy likes to score.
The Long Island resident nicknamed "The Hedgehog," and author of a book of memoirs subtitled The Hardest (Working) Man in Showbiz, also likes scoring a good, sharp rhetorical point, no more so than in the heat of a good debate about his chosen profession.
"Nobody can defend porn better than me, because I have a teaching license," said Jeremy, referring to his master's degree in special education from Queens College in New York. "Pornography is older than all of us, and it will still be around when we're all dead and buried. We're all voyeuristic by nature. If it goes out of style, fine. I'll take up tennis. But right now people enjoy it."
Jeremy will take on porn critic Michael Leahy in a debate at 7 tonight at Salt Lake Community College's Grand Theatre. Leahy, author of Porn Nation, argues the U.S. pornography industry operates with an attitude similar to that of big tobacco companies. "I'm absolutely certain that Ron and others in the industry know just how addictive their product is, but they're in aggressive denial," he said. "He's basically singing the song that every student wants to hear, when I'm trying to put a warning label on the industry."
Leahy said his use of pornography over 30 years culminated
in an affair with a woman "who was like porn with skin on," ending his 15-year marriage and future business prospects. He has since formed Bravehearts.net, a nonprofit warning people about the long-term consequences of pornography consumption.
Jeremy, who has defended pornography in debates as far afield as England's Oxford Union debating society, said automobile accidents and alcohol abuse pose far greater risks to society than pornography, but that no one argues to ban driving or alcohol based on the reckless actions of some. "I've no problem with any of my debate opponents. It's people like me who are always on attack," Jeremy said. "I make my points, say thank you, then ask, 'Where's the limo?' "
The Long Island resident nicknamed "The Hedgehog," and author of a book of memoirs subtitled The Hardest (Working) Man in Showbiz, also likes scoring a good, sharp rhetorical point, no more so than in the heat of a good debate about his chosen profession.
"Nobody can defend porn better than me, because I have a teaching license," said Jeremy, referring to his master's degree in special education from Queens College in New York. "Pornography is older than all of us, and it will still be around when we're all dead and buried. We're all voyeuristic by nature. If it goes out of style, fine. I'll take up tennis. But right now people enjoy it."
Jeremy will take on porn critic Michael Leahy in a debate at 7 tonight at Salt Lake Community College's Grand Theatre. Leahy, author of Porn Nation, argues the U.S. pornography industry operates with an attitude similar to that of big tobacco companies. "I'm absolutely certain that Ron and others in the industry know just how addictive their product is, but they're in aggressive denial," he said. "He's basically singing the song that every student wants to hear, when I'm trying to put a warning label on the industry."
Leahy said his use of pornography over 30 years culminated
in an affair with a woman "who was like porn with skin on," ending his 15-year marriage and future business prospects. He has since formed Bravehearts.net, a nonprofit warning people about the long-term consequences of pornography consumption.
Jeremy, who has defended pornography in debates as far afield as England's Oxford Union debating society, said automobile accidents and alcohol abuse pose far greater risks to society than pornography, but that no one argues to ban driving or alcohol based on the reckless actions of some. "I've no problem with any of my debate opponents. It's people like me who are always on attack," Jeremy said. "I make my points, say thank you, then ask, 'Where's the limo?' "