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Date:    Sat, 26 May 2001
Subject: Thank You

Greetings from beautiful downtown Cincinnati, Oh.  I am now comfortably 
bending over to pick up the soap (strategically placed by the mild
mannered but still well-meaning - and needing sexual healing - Mark Kernes)
in my own home (NOT in jail!) and am available for legal consultation
re/ How to Defend Porn,  for only $2.99 per minute-------
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED!  Tissues included.
     Boy, I only WISH it would be that easy to pay the legal
     fees!  My attorney Lou Sirkin is NOT a cheap date!

I am joyous about the verdicts.  It seem the Citizens for Community Values 
do not share in my joy.  (Forgive them for they know not what they're 
missing.)  Phil Burress, president of CCV, whom Dirty Bob had the dubious 
pleasure of interviewing - safely - by phone, says, "There is no one case 
(where) community standards are set.  If that was (sic) true, then (Ms. 
Metcalf) never would have been allowed to sell these (videos) when Larry 
Flynt pleaded guilty two years ago."  That's very interesting since I was 
not aware that plea bargains set community standards.  But I really get a 
kick out of this remark.  They are saying Larry and Jimmy Flynt's plea has 
set a community standard in Cincinnati against porn.  CCV is pulling the 
Flynts to their side.  It's as absurd as the anti-porn feminists who align 
themselves with the very people who oppress them (the religious 
right).   Also, if the verdict had been guilty, CCV and the prosecutor's 
office would be ranting on about how the guilty verdict has set THE 
community standard in Cincinnati. CCV and Hamilton County Prosecutor Mike 
Allen has made it clear that they have lost the battle, but the war 
continues, locally, nationally, and even globally.

It was never my intention to become a standard bearer for the industry.
Sleepless nights and a commitment to a personal cause made it impossible
to allow myself to be steamrollered.  Defending freedom of speech and
thought is only as strong as the personal convictions that motivate us
to act.

Along this way,  I've had the good fortune to run into some people who I 
champion and appreciate for acting on their convictions.  They are, of 
course, some of the many who have supported ME beyond lip service.  There 
is a long list of these people.  While I can't begin to list them 
all,  Dirty Bob and Mike South---the Dudley-Do-Right boys--in particular, 
were wonderful sources of strength.  While I know there is animosity 
between some (OK, just about everyone!) at AVN and Gene Ross, Gene has
been a wellspring of support for me.  Tod Hunter at AVN as well.  Both
have given me a voice on their sites that allowed my situation to be
known (and argued.)  Gene has been a wonderful source of emotional support
as well.

AVN.COM did a wonderful job of continuous legal coverage.  Greg Beaumont
has passionately spoken out about the situation.  GVA-Cleveland has
generously given me videos, but a special source of support there is Bob
Radin, who talks to me anytime I need it (which is a lot).

VCA contributed $$ as did Devil's Films, Totally Tasteless, and others.

I really don't want to leave anyone out and I know I must have, so please
forgive me if I forgot to mention anyone.

In regards to the May 4th fundraiser/raid, Felicia Fox, Taylor Hill, 
Veronica Knight, DB (bless his bald head), and Mike South generously 
donated their time and energy (invaluable).  Mike South continues to do so 
on the sites.  Actually, Dirty Bob deserves much credit for orchestrating
the whole event (except the raid of course.)  Danni Ashe, Becca, Goddess,
and others have contributed financially and emotionally.

Den from cavr.com has donated money, time and effort, has covered my trial
(in person!) and continues to do so and there's a long list of people who
have responded by email to that.  There are some people who have donated
money directly to Louie Sirkin (although he still continues going to his
mailbox eagerly looking for more).

When I was being hit with the plea bargains in April when the trial was 
originally scheduled, I kept asking, "What does God want me to do?"  What
I heard was DON'T TAKE A PLEA!!!  SEX IS REALLY COOL!!!  BE NOT AFRAID!!!
So there's a lot of gratitude there.  The licensing issue case is
now scheduled for August and the judge knew me as a court reporter but says 
she can be fair and impartial.  So we'll see how all that goes.

Gene? Dirty Bob? Tod? Den?  Call me.  SOON.  We don't know what's going 
to happen to the little waif in Cincinnati (me).  Your support means the 
world to me.

Elyse


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Den's Comments (immediately after the trial).
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Elyse is my HERO!

It took a woman with BALLS to stand up and fight for the
   First Amendment.

Isn't it ironic that she did it in the same city that
   Larry Flynt is from and with one of the exact same
   tapes that he took a plea on?

Elyse should now be considered out First Amendment Champion
   and is my Pre-Nom for AVN's Person of the Year and it
   is only May!

Thank you from all of us!
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