Date rape is no joke, but when you have millions and a signed waiver, who's going to prove it?
Girls Gone Wild creator and celebrity-glommer Joe Francis has apparently let his extended 15 minutes of fame go straight from his head to his groin.…
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
Article comments
— go to most recent comments26 - dogga
This excerpt says it all: As she describes it, Francis "grabbed" her by the arm, pulled her toward him, and said, "You are so going on the bus later." Rather than recoiling in horror, the flattered Szyszka response was, "Um, OK." "I was shocked," she said. "I was like, 'Whoa - Joe's, like, trying to talk to me ... out of all the girls in here."
27 - Martin Lav
They said the same thing about Mike Tyson's victim.
28 - Triniman
Does anyone make videos of the "normal", mature women who flash at Mardi Gras? From what I've seen, many of these women are far from being insecure "kids."
29 - joe_psych
The idiot does not recognize that women are different from men, as evolution has endowed us with vast differences, differences which make women complient to the need for procreation to perpetuate the species and which make men the aggressor in this pursuit. He obviously is not into the role of a functionary of the procreative act, just a prick who wants to fuck little girls.
30 - Enzo
There ought to be a law. Something to do with sexual conduct and being under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Let's face it if you're bold enough to do it without the alcohol you will be receiving compensation or gratification in one way or another.
31 - Pittfan26
If this dirt bag ever treated my daughter like he treats other women, I'd gladly go to prison for ripping his balls off! Women are to be loved & respected by men, not treated as sex objects regardless of how drunk they are! This man,and I use the term "man" loosely, should be arrested & put into prison where the inmates will treat him like the sexual object he treats women!
32 - Martin Lav
SURFER JOE AND MOE THE SLEAZE
Here's a story about Surfer Joe
He caught the big one, but he let it go
There's somebody satisfied with winning.
Back on the boardwalk there's Moe the Sleaze
Sells good things and aims to please
He's almost even but he doesn't mind a handout.
Come on down for a pleasure cruise
We're all going on a pleasure cruise
Come on down for a pleasure cruise
Plenty of women, plenty of booze.
Give your ticket to Moe the Sleaze
He's the one that's weak in the knees
His pants are baggy, but you can see them shaking.
I'll introduce you to Surfer Joe
He may be there, I really don't know
We can smoke garfong and watch him ride the big one.
Come on down for a pleasure cruise
We're all going on a pleasure cruise
Come on down for a pleasure cruise
Plenty of women, plenty of booze.
Come on down, come on down
Come on down, come on.
Here's a story about Surfer Joe
He caught the big one, and he let it go
There's somebody satisfied with winning.
Here's a story about Surfer Joe
He caught the big one, and he let it go
He's somebody satisfied with winning.
He's somebody.
-Neil Young
33 - mary
I'm so disgusted by this whole thing. Joe Francis should be behind bars as far as I'm concerned, or at the very least have restraining orders from clubs where btw teenagers can freely drink?? The fact that he stocks plenty of booze alongside the sex toys for the teens shows he has no shame. What the hell is so great (even by a caveman's standard) about a conquest of having sex with a drunken young lady who says no? He obviously has contempt for women.
I'm also extremely disheartened that so many teens strive to be a part of his world, and look up to the pathetic likes of Paris Hilton. There are a lot of young people out there who feel pretty shitty if they don't get to wind up on a sex tape too like their heroine Paris. What the hell is going on??
34 - Martin Lav
In the name of Freedom, we let anything go. In the name of capitalism, we sell any number of drugs for any ailment on TV. Public humiliation is our game. Look at Mel's movie the Passion. If that isn't public humiliation I don't know what is. Today we could make it a Reality TV show. How about alcohol on all sporting events? Sports are games are they not, we start playing them as kids, then we grow up and dream of having the buxomy babes dancing in the aisle with their slim figurines to our beat. Hey.....every one knows sex sells and everyone has a price. We've been sold out by our government and yet they stand righteous before us and allow their campaigns to be gifted.
What a country man!
35 - Kevin
I'm sorry to interrupt the pulpit pounding, but I think that Joe is a genius. I'm positive that it isn't a small percentage of men who desire fortune, fame and sex with young attractive women. As far as the 'rape' accusations go, I prefer the 'innocent until proven guilty' school of thought. I didn't read anything about him being convicted. A wealthy man is a tempting target for a cash settlement. I try to teach my daughters to be responsible for their own actions. Don't blame the guy pointing the camera at you because he forever documented you acting like an idiot. You people sound like the morons who would sue a fast food place because you burned your lips on a cup of coffee.
36 - Mamie Lebu
I am following this expose and find the most interesting part is that most major news outlets are not picking up the story, most of the "news" related to this jaw-dropping article is confined to blogs. Must be because the slime ball's lawyer is working hard to earn his pay and managing to squelch this story. Come on, this thing was THE most viewed and THE most emailed story on the LATimes for 4 days now and can't even get Drudge to pick it up. Joe Francis must have lots of 'friends' or else he threatens everyone - $40M a year makes many people uneasy. If you are truly incensed about how this pond scum manages to skate around the law, let's all start hitting the major news websites and force this issue into the daylight. At least it might educate some girls who don't want to end up in the same spot as the worn out and tired things in his videos. Three pairs of underwear for enduring a sweaty drunk single cell amoeba like Francis leaving his likely diseased body fluids? What a generous fellow....one wrong move is all he needs and someone will make him cry buckets.
37 - Wildman
Silly american girls -- they deserve everything!
38 - cat
Very informative piece Dawn; Joe Francis and our society's view/treatment of/reaction to his disgusting behavior are stomach turning. The whole situation is appauling and sad.
39 - Cody
Love the way the article is followed by a paid Amazon.com ad steering us to the DVD "Girls Gone Wild: Ultimate Spring Break 3". A brain-dead process clearly at work...
40 - Craig
I think what Joe does is very wrong, but these girls are also to blame. These girls seem to want the attention, and will do anything to get it. I hate to place partial blame on these women, but if one or two girls enter a bus with several guys and a camera crew, what do these girls think the guys want to do...take a few pictures and say thanks...I dont think so! These girls dont seem to understand the guys will take it as far as they can, especially guys like joe that know they can make money off of the situation, and get laid in the process. I bet 25% of these girls that appear on the videos where the video was taken in a bus or other enclosed area had some form of sexual contact with Joe or his buddies/crew. What I dont understand though is why most of these girls decide to appear in the GGW video. Dont they understand they aren't appearing as a fine hot chicks, but rather just a bunch of fine easy sluts??
41 - Patty
"I'm sorry to interrupt the pulpit pounding, but I think that Joe is a genius. I'm positive that it isn't a small percentage of men who desire fortune, fame and sex with young attractive women. As far as the 'rape' accusations go, I prefer the 'innocent until proven guilty' school of thought. I didn't read anything about him being convicted. A wealthy man is a tempting target for a cash settlement. I try to teach my daughters to be responsible for their own actions. Don't blame the guy pointing the camera at you because he forever documented you acting like an idiot. You people sound like the morons who would sue a fast food place because you burned your lips on a cup of coffee."
thank you kevin for wording that so perfectly.
i agree 100%...
I'm a woman, and i would do the same thing...if boys were dumb enough to get drunk off their ass and sign a waiver for me to become rich...i'd be the next joe francis. people need to be held accountable for thier actions, whether they are sober or under the influence...if they can't handle alcohol, then they shouldn't drink. period.
42 - higgz
Welcome to ANY FRAT HOUSE USA... alcohol however intoxicating is not a date rape drug, you have to drink it... im sorry but if you walk into a bar with a girls gone wild bus, and you know your a bad drunk? LEAVE... I dont quite understand the point of this article? should he pay the girls, would that make it ok? you say they aren't compensated... are you implying them soliciting themselves for money is much more excepible and less humiliating... come on now, lets not say we haven't seen sleazy guys going after girls... this is no new thing its gone on for ages... this guy is an evil genious that made a lot of money in the process. Clearly this girl was awe struck that out of all the girls at the dance he wanted to slow dance with her... which leads to women falling for powerful men (men with money)... like the late monica lewinsky bill clinton incident... in which case the media should be condemned to, because it wasnt girls gone wild that turned her from a confused intern to slut of the week....
there is no responsibility on francis... you complain about giving them people booze... well what if she didnt have sex with him, what if she stumbled out of the bar into the street and got hit by a car, is that homocide or manslaughter... ALCOHOL IS NO EXCUSE.... GET OVER IT. being drunk and being raped are to different things... if you cant control yourself when your drunk, you shouldnt drink, dont make it other peoples responsibility...
43 - duane
Kevin (#35) says: I'm sorry to interrupt the pulpit pounding, but I think that Joe is a genius.
So exploiting silly teenaged girls and pandering to the drueling knuckledraggers that buy this kind of crap elevates Mr. Francis to the rank of genius? Pretty low standard of genius I would say. Isn't there a place for ethics in America? Is anything OK as long as it makes money? Is cash flow your only criterion?
44 - maxi
Even a slurred NO means NO! What is up with you people leaving the responsibility on the girls' shoulders here! Predatory actions are wrong, whether it is used by child molestors or elder abusers or ? Some of the postings appear to suggest that Francis was correct in his actions and that maybe if the entire staff of Girls Gone Wild had taken turns then so be it?
Here is a question, whatever happened to the law of not providing alcohol to an already obviously intoxicated client? If I can be blamed for the actions of a drunk guest after leaving my house party, why can't the hosting bars be held accountable for the activities that this GGW group brings?
45 - higgz
you all act like you have never been drunk before, there are a lot of women out there that drink, and tell sleazy guys to GO AWAY, not follow them on a bus...
." Rather than recoiling in horror, the flattered Szyszka response was, "Um, OK." "I was shocked," she said. "I was like, 'Whoa - Joe's, like, trying to talk to me ... out of all the girls in here."
" Szyszka said, and, "'Oh, my god, it hurts.' I kept telling him it hurt, but he kept going, and he said he was sorry but kissed me so I wouldn't keep talking."
if she had said STOP, that would be very different... but it hurts, is not NO, and is not STOP... the guys are the real sluts, like a lot of men, they are sex crazed. is this news to some of you people? to protect all women should we reinstate prohebition, 18, wtf was she doing at a bar??? she shouldnt be drinking, i think there should be more outrage towards the bar for letting her in the front door...
is it a girls responsibility not to have sex with a guy when shes drunk, or the guys responsibilty not to have sex with a girl when shes drunk... come on people, seriously
46 - DaintyDonna
Sounds like someone is upset that when they were on spring break,they weren`t asked to be in a certain video,and is now flicking on her Gloria Steinman switch.
47 - P.
Dawn, You are a Man Hater!
48 - bartart
I don't know, I kind of like his style. I think the girls must want something out of all that. maybe they just want to get laid. women want sex too!
49 - Maj
Amazing how distinct the sides are on who likes Joe and who doesn't and how accountable are the drunk girls. When the GGW bus hit the area, the girls who wanted to be on camera knew they wanted to be on camera before they took a drink. The processional line is long. How much credibility can I give either party? NONE! Intent is there on both sides. Are crimes occuring? It begins before the girls get to Francis. I was at a party where the girls were aching to be on the GGW. Get to the polls to make the difference. How many of you preaching and moralizing voted? How many of you know what type of municipal government you have? Who are your Reps? Only then will any change come in this country. I wish blogging counted as votes. In this forum, we would have a different world out there.
50 - Harv
francis is a pig , but on peruzing the internet i`ve seen a lot worse, these girls can not possibly realize how manipulative these preditors are, or they`d never get on the bus.
51 - Diane
I agree with you Harv. Joe Francis is a discusting pig. The lack of respect for women, authority or himself comes through loud and clear. We can only hope this middle aged idiot pays the price for minipulating young girls barely of legal age. Who hasn't made poor judgement calls at eighteen? What about the reporter he attacked? I'm assuming she wasn't drinking. Dig alittle deeper and I might feel sorry for his mother. How did he treat her? He needs to pay the price for his behavior. We can only hope these women pursue the charges and make old Joe someone elses play toy in prison where he obviously belongs.
P.S. I hope you never have a daughter Joey boy.
52 - Orchid
This is an interesting discussion and I wonder what motivates those who try to blame the rape on the victim. Do they need to feel drunken people are in a state of mind and body where they can make decisions and fend off aggressive pursuers? Do they need to feel they have a shot with a woman if she gets drunk enough and they won't be responsible for taking advantage of her?
Or is it simply the old nugget where they feel people have to start taking responsibility for their actions and that includes victims being responsible for putting themselves in the position of having a crime committed against them? What next, little girls playing on the playground whose skirts fly up and their panties flash on the merry-go-round deserve to be abducted by child molesters?
The question of who behaves immorally is always on the shoulders of the potential perpetrator of the crime. She said "no", twice. A moral person stops right there because anything past that point is rape. It's not her responsibility to keep fighting either verbally or physically. It's his responsibility to stop right then.
If a bum walks up to you and asks for a dollar and you say "no", is it okay for him to become increasingly aggressive about it? Is it okay for him to reach in your pocket? Are you at fault if he takes your wallet and takes a dollar from it? Did you facilitate the crime by not pushing him away or physically resisting his actions?
People only question the victim's role when there's a sex crime because some people have a perverse need to believe that there is always some level of consent on the part of the victim if the victim does not protest exactly as they feel she should. The problem with this thinking is that rape is an act of violence and power, not sex. And can anyone deny that Joe Francis fits the profile of the type of guy who relishes degrading people as an exercise of power?
53 - sean
actually it is illegal
any contract is void if mentally unable to understand what it means. and being drunk / druged and alcohol is a drug by the way be it legal drug its a drug.
hence nE actian the women take against him is legal. it is rape. you wouldn't allow a retard or someone with alzaimers to sign a contract it wouldn't hold up in court. so what judge or lawyer could possibly support this guy its against the law they were under the influence of a drug contract is void.
they must have been payed off or just too inept to remember that part of the law.
damn who made room for interpretation
54 - Lauren
There is a reason 18 year olds are not allowed to drink... because they are not able to handle the effects. Those who supply the alcohol to these minors should be charged with counts upon counts ranging from contributing to delinquency of a minor to wreckless endangerment. Also where are all the law suits against mantra because where are those intoxicated allowed to sign away their rights. And for the proof of intoxication.... THE FILMS!! Mantra's council sounds as immoral as those producing the films. This article is great because this guy sounds like scum. The real world if now filming in my town and I can assume that this scum bad will show up soon looking to capitalize from those bitten by the reality tv bug. I will make sure to tell everyone I know to watch out!
55 - Markus A. S.
The circumstances are sad, but unfortunately will be repeated over and over again to someone else. There will always be those of us with the mental power to coerce others into doing what we want them to do, regardless of the consequences, shame or guilt felt afterwards by the "victim". Alcohol or drugs are the means by with this can be acheived. Parents need to build stronger children with stronger morals and mental fortitude to resist this.
Why do you think that the common denominator to 99% of all religions is the avoidance of alcohol/mind altering substances?!!!
56 - Fernando Rivas
Perhaps the question that needs to be asked is why do these girls need the attention so badly - why is taking their clothes off in front of a camera such a draw? What is it about the whole concept of American 'reality' television that draws people and loosens their inhibitions and often make fools of themselves in front of millions? I'm always amazed by the comments some people make when they are witnesses of a terrible crime or tragic event - It felt like I was in a movie or in a TV show, they say. Is the true 'reality' of every day life so boring and depressing that people actually seek out a 'defining' critical moment to feel more alive? And worse, that such reality only has meaning if it takes place in front of a camera?
While no doubt Joe Francis is a true scumbag in every sense of the word - and certainly with the maturity level of a fourteen year old boy - he's no different than people like Howard Stern, or hell, even Hugh Heffner. Such people (men) know that there is an exploitable level in all the things so-called 'respectable' society (now engaged in a greedy exploitation of the planet, not to mention ongoing war and mayhem) tries to squelch. There are dark instincts in all of us, and that includes young girls and women who are most obviously programmed for a narcissistic and submissive display - as much as boys are programmed for aggression and conquest. These are instincts that our commercial world has decided to exploit for financial gain. It's too bad that the more 'civilized' pursuits do not generate 'bank' but that is the sad truth about humanity.
I feel sorry for some of these girls but not enough to absolve them of their complicity and cooperation in this idiot's scheme. Sadly the only thing that would really take Girls Gone Wild down is if the girls started getting smart and charging for their 'work'. Makes you think - why is there no Guys Gone Wild video collection? Isn't it obvious that females are the object of desire and have always been so from the beginning of time? Most people (except gay guys) don't want to see naked men prancing about or having sex with each other. Naked women on the other hand cross all gender and sex-preference boundaries although naturally the primary audience target is mostly male. The figure of a naked female is probably the oldest primal totem and continues to be so even in our glitzy high-tech age. But society continues to engage in hipocrisy about the real motivating urges, male agression/female seduction - females know that if they have attractive bodies they have power. What Girls Gone Wild shows is the fledgling flight of young women discovering and engaging this power. To think of these girls as powerless little Polyannas is a mistake.
Alcohol, as Mel Gibson has recently demonstrated, is not an inducer of behavior. It is a releaser of the things most people keep bottled up. We are an uptight culture and we keep booze out of the hands of kids. But we fill young people's heads with all kinds of other crap far more sinister and destructive.
Girls Gone Wild is not the disease, it is the symptom. We have an old document in a glass case in Washington DC called the constitution. That's how we like to think and define ourselves as people, as a culture. Maybe we need to take a second look. Maybe the crap we are putting on our television screens is REALLY who we are underneath all the pretensions. Maybe the shallow, sex-crazed, greedy, power hungry, brainless crap we've chosen to glorify is the ultimate and most truthful definition of who we are and where we are going.
57 - jay
Joe Francis is really hot --he would not have to rape me.
But his videos and parties are just cheap, boring TIT-elation, and fantasy, for highschool boys. It is obvious that flashing tits is a sexual act and an invitation. These girls desperately want to become famous and be admired and desired. As well, It is obvious that the "star-fuckers" and wanna-be's who line up to be in the videos are also trying to get something for nothing. Joe Francis is just better at it. But ultimately, it's not real shocking sex. It's all quite lame.
Real shocking sex can be found in the Marriage Statistics of all countries. Hundreds of men 40-60 years of age, per country, per year, marry girls 15-19 and 20-24. In democratic countries, females marry by choice. Some girls may be looking for a father figure, or to get away from their families, or to be well looked after, love is also possible, etc...
In countries where there are arranged marriages, and the median age for 1st marriage of women is under 20 years, families in effect condone legalized child-rape when they give their teenage daughters in marriage to men who could be their fathers or grandfathers--without their consent-- to be raped not only once for a video appearance but for years --every single day. In 2001 Iran raised the marriagable age of girls to 13. Mohamed's youngest wife Aisha was 9 years old when he married her --if it's good enough for The Prophet... But also in the US, teenage girls are highly prized wives for polygamists --amongst others.
Around the world, families also sell their daughters and sons into prostitution to get money to survive. The World Health Organization has documented articles on the subject. In comparison, the cheap and lame TIT-elation of fame crazed girls caught on video, is really just that and nothing more...
58 - chris
He's just another example of what's wrong with this country. Money = POWER, and apparently anyone who has it is allowed to get away with anything.
59 - QuitYerWhining
I agree with Maj, bartart, DaintyDonna, P., higgz, Patty..........
I'm just sorry I didn't think of his idea first!
And I'm sick of people blaming someone else for their own stupid actions.
signed,
Another "drueling? knuckledragger"
60 - JoAnne
This guy is one sick Puppy! And it's sad that these girls he's using are gonna grow up and have to live with these tapes made. Seen everywhere for there husbands, kids, relatives, co-workers and friends to see. When they make porno movies the girls know what they're doing (mostly) but to get girls drunk to use them and tape them is pathetic!!!!!!!!!!!
61 - Personal Responsibility
Why is it always someone else's fault for what WE do in this country these days. No one accepts personal responsibility for THEIR actions. The man is just inviting people to do what THEY are already inclined to do. If he is truly the "lowlife" he is accused of being, then more than likely, he'll get his comeuppance sooner or later. People here are SO impressed by other people with money. The blame should go on the shoulders of those that just have to be part of what's going on, no matter how degrading. If people would just be their own person instead of being mindless flock followers, we would have a lot less problems, theoretically. I say that because Joe is being his own person and a load of morons have not only showed him it's o.k., but damn profitable. To future participants I say this...Say no and walk away. If you do this, you won't be crying down the road about something you did that now you regret. And to the "bleeding hearts" that feel so much pity for the supposed "abused", quit your crying too! Think first and act second and accept what you do and if you deem what you do is wrong, work to change your behavior. Too many people would rather act first and cry second and blame someone else...The new American way!
62 - lora
you know let the s o b try to get someone who is not intoxicated he will be ballless everyone gets what they reep
and maybe that will be videotaped
63 - lora
people do stupid things when they are drunk would you like to know its on video in 10 or 20 years from now try telling your kids that we are all human we try to better are selfs.and try to forget stupid things that we had done.someone is profit from them they will never go away no one has that right
no one
64 - carol shem
You get what you send out.....Mr. Francis I expect you'll be going to jail anytime now.....and
you'll become someone's little bitch.
65 - why should I
After reading this story and a few of the comments, I feel that I have to barf.
I am torn on the whole thing. Number one these girls choose to drink, and are under age. HOWEVER, that does not make the actions of GGW appropriate.
In my college days I was once asked by a drunk girl that was a friend of mine to watch out for her and keep her safe. That is EXACTLY what I did. I did not try to feel her up, or take her to my room to do as I pleased. I just sat with her chatted with her watched some TV, until she felt stable enough to go back to her room. Despite the fact I could have gotten into trouble I offered to go with her to be sure she got to her room. She did not want me to caught and refused. Besides with was the Girls side of the dorm an guys were not supposed to be on the non-common floors so she felt safe in the elevator. I think this might have been the night that I had stopped the biggest player on the Schools Rugby (US) team from hitting her A, er make that rear end. So again I defended her as she was in a less than sober state of mind.
Bottom line we guys have to start learning to use our real brain and not the one that is in our crotch. We need to be the human beings (homo sapiens note the definition means: wise, intelligent) that we are rather than dogs, cats, rabbits or the pigs that some folks act like. I really hope that GGW gets shutdown soon, and that they do not have an new upstart that comes to be by the time my daughters are 18. But then again, hopefully my wife and I are doing, and will continue doing a good job to teach them that if they are in a crowd of folks doing silly things it is time to leave. After all in America a guy goes stupid when a woman shows her breasts. Maybe folks in other countries can handle this better but in the US we do not have then exposed all that often neither in statue, or reality.
66 - Michael J. West
if boys were dumb enough to get drunk off their ass and sign a waiver for me to become rich...i'd be the next joe francis. people need to be held accountable for thier actions, whether they are sober or under the influence...
People need to be held accountable for their actions--unless, apparently, they're Joe Francis.
67 - ERA4EVER
While this guy is a pig I find it somehow ironic that when woman do something stupid while drunk they are not accountable and should be protected but when men do something stupid while drunk they should be vilified and prosecuted.
What ever happened for that push for equal treatment under the law?
There are no feminists in divorce courts.
68 - kanenite1985
Girls should be able to go out, have fun and drink a little.
Let loose there inhibitions a little bit after weeks of studying hard for exams WITHOUT worrying about if its going to be on camera or if someone is going to be raped.
Some say she might deserve it because she was drunk yada yada yada, but where her friends when she went in the trailer saying "yo seriously that ain't a good idea.."
The fact of the matter is that someone was responsible for that night, maybe it was Joe Francis because quite frankly if she was 'barely legal' and inebriated he should've backed off.
It doesn't matter who's fault it really is. The fact was that even though he didn't supply the alcohol he used his power/fame to get what he wanted. In a sense that IS rape. And no one deserves it, not even the college drunk girl having a good time with her friends.
69 - QuitYerWhining
Sure, what goes around comes around and I'm sure he'll get his someday, but.........no one MADE these chicks get in line to board the bus, or made them get all giddy about meeting bad-boy Joe, and nobody made them pose.......18 year old females are not stupid and know a helluva lot more than alot of you folks commenting seem to think. Why do you think clubs like DejaVu are popular? Because the majority of dancers are 18 or 19 and they do it because they WANT to. Something about wanting money and attention. These girls are no different. Get real people!
70 - Matthew T. Sussman
" ... 18 year old females are not stupid ..."
*snort* Good one.
71 - Dave
If you get so drunk that you cannot control yourself and/or remember where you are, who you are, or what you're doing then..... just can't have much sympathy for you. I have been drunk many many times. NEVER once do I remember doing anything that I didn't want to do. When we are sober we are logical, reasonable, pragmatic.... scared, inhibited, introverted, afraid to be the person we wish we could be! A drunk man's words are a sober man's thoughts. Ever hear that one? Sure, a 99 lb 18 yr old girl can get so drunk that she is beyond many of the faculties that help keep her in control and safe, but at that point she is also vomiting, falling all over the place, and about 5 mins from being completely passed out. HAVE YOU SEEN THESE VIDEOS??? These girls are nowhere near that state. More likely they have had a couple drinks just to loosen them up enough to act out all the behavior they are so curious about and dying to be a part of. Sluts get what sluts deserve. Sure every now and then there are the exceptions, the unfortunate incidents where somebody went way too far and somebody gotten hurt, taken advantage of. Joe Francis is not a good guy. I'm sure of that. But I own about 10 of his videos and I'm a real good guy who would never hurt a fly, let alone another human being. Life is gray, not black and white. A little nuanced thinking is almost always necessary in order to truly understand. At 18 a girl from a good family with parents are are still looking out for her best interests and personal safety will usually not be found at places where these horrific incidents occur; or at the very least would have the common sense not to put themselves in the kind of vulnerable situations where something like this could occur. If you go back to the GGW bus willingly and without any of your friends by your side at all times then......... like I said, tough to have that much sympathy for you. We've all made mistakes and errors in judgement. You may have to suck it up and move on rather than get all litigious and try to get some reparations you really don't deserve simply because you know you may be able to given the nature of our legal system and a lawyer who knows how to manipulate it. Everybody trying to take advantage of everybody else, in one way or another, all for a profit. Isn't that the bigger problem here? The root cause?
72 - Michael J. West
This comment thread is depressing the shit out of me.
73 - Matthew T. Sussman
It would cheer you -- and everyone else -- up if you just showed us a little skin.
Please sign this first, though.
74 - Dina
Sean is right. The contract is illegal due to the fact that the girls are inebriated at the time it is signed. I wonder what would happen if the girls signed the "contract" while totally sober and then drank to get up their courage? I bet alot less would do it...bar the true sluts who wouldn't have to get drunk to do it!
75 - Punky
As a 24-year-old female who recently graduated from my crazy Girls Gone Wild college days, I felt the need to weigh in on this topic. I could talk for hours about this, but I will try to keep it short ;)...
With the exception of those against whom an actual crime has been committed (rape, harrassment, physical abuse), there are no victims in this situation. As human beings, we are all capable of reasoning, analyzing situations, and making decisions based on the logical consequences of our actions. You may argue that alcohol inhibits these mental capabilities...and you would be correct. However, if we have made the decision to drink alcohol to the point of complete mental deterioration, we must accept the consequences of our actions...whether those consequences be a hangover the next day, vomiting all over our brand new shoes, or doing something embarrassing/degrading that we later regret. Everyone makes mistakes...but we must live up to those mistakes and accept responsibility for our actions.
My sophomore year in college, I went to Acapulco with a group of friends for spring break. One night after drinking way too much tequila for a group of 19-year-olds, we decided to go to a strip club. In my drunken stupor, I proceeded to get on stage, take my top off, and dance around in front of my (largely male) group of friends and whoever else happened to be at the club that night. Everyone thought it was hilarious, and so did I...until the next morning. It could have been easy for me to blame my buddies ("You guys kept making me take shots", "You encouraged me to get on stage!") or the club owners ("How could they let an obviously wasted girl get on stage?", "They should have seen how drunk we all were and cut us off!"), but I didn't. I made the decision to get on the stage, I made the decision to take my top off, and it was all because I made the decision to drink so much freaking alcohol in the first place! As "adults" (since technically, that's what 18+ are), we have to take responsibility for our actions and their consequences! Fortunately for me, no one was there (as far as I know anyway!) to catch the whole thing on tape for the world to see. But that didn't make it any more (or any less!) my own fault.
With that said, I am certainly not condoning Joe Francis's videos or his actions. The problem is that GGW has become a cultural phenomenon among college-aged kids. Everyone has heard of it, many have seen it, and a fair amount want to buy into it to achieve what they see as their 15 minutes of fame. The thought of being selected to appear in a GGW video is tantalizing because it sends the message to these young women (who are largely insecure and driven by body image and male acceptance) that they are attractive..the hottest of the hot! While on spring break my freshman year, I was approached to appear in a wet t-shirt contest that would be featured in a GGW video...and I was flattered! But did I do it? No...because even in my drunken state, I knew that I would later regret it (obviously didn't think about that in Acapulco a year later though...oh well, you win some, you lose some) and I was embarrassed of who would end up seeing the video.
These young women have a burning need to be accepted and Joe Francis is exploiting their insecurities...but it wouldn't be possible if the public didn't keep buying his videos and college kids didn't keep flocking to the GGW bus. Society seems to have taught young women that their value is based on their level of attractiveness and how desirable they are to men. Is it any surprise they (including my "former self") act this way? We are all to blame here.