I wasn’t surprised when the adult film industry threatened this month to file a lawsuit to block implementation of Measure B. Just in case you spent the entire election season doing deals in China, where pornography is still prohibited, that’s the controversial measure that requires the adult industry’s so-called actors to wear condoms on the set. Controversial for the industry, because it claims that there isn’t a very big market for adult films in which the actors are depicted having safe, protected sex. And that’s likely true given the increasingly graphic videos that production companies now pump out to apparently insatiable demand. The initiative was loudly sponsored by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a large provider of drugs and health services to patients who are HIV positive or have developed AIDS. The foundation argued the industry is a sort of breeding ground for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, a disputable claim given the industry’s voluntary testing protocols. But apparently just the mere thought of it all was enough to sway voters, who passed the measure by a solid margin. In doing so, county residents ignored the industry, which contended the measure would only drive low-end productions underground while chasing big-name production companies out of the area. The industry also boldly claims the measure was a First Amendment rights issue, though adult firms are hardly known for their scripts – if they even have them. The economic argument, though, was enough to convince the Valley Industry & Commerce Association, a generally conservative business lobby, to come out against Measure B, citing tens of thousands of Valley production jobs that could be lost. Talk about strange bedfellows. But a couple of weeks ago, the industry finally displayed where it is going: nowhere. As it tends to do when it has to show its public face, out trotted Steven Hirsch, founder and co-chairman of Vivid Entertainment. That’s an upper-end production house located in a shiny glass building in the Cahuenga Pass, a sort of reminder to commuters on the Hollywood Freeway of the industry’s ascendency to legitimacy, no matter how questionable. He came down from his perch to announce in a statement that the industry “has organized a team of highly respected attorneys to protect our First Amendment rights.” It’s hard to imagine another industry feeling the need to point out how its lawyers are respected, but apparently the adult folks felt a little respect might rub off. The statement further noted the thousands of jobs and millions of dollars at stake for the local economy. Yeah, millions of dollars all right. That’s what production company owners like Hirsch rake in, money they’ve used to set themselves up in luxury right in the shadow of Hollywood – and they have no intention of leaving. It’s telling to note that even the industry’s leading trade publication, AVN, for years has run a feature called “Fresh Off the Bus.” As you might imagine, it highlights naïve newcomers to the Valley filled with stars in their eyes. What these young girls don’t know is that this industry uses up new female performers in two or three years, with only the rare one becoming a star or making big money. Come to think about it, that’s worse than the average tenure of a NFL running back, which says a lot. • • • This issue marks my first appearance on the Commentary page since being appointed as editor of the San Fernando Valley Business Journal. Being an editor is a serious position of trust. The holder of the position has to ensure that not only is the news accurately reported, but it reflects the breadth of topics that deserve coverage. To that end, the paper will be introducing a number of new features in the coming months that will bring more vital real estate, economic and other news to you. Equally important, I want the paper to become a forum for those who have something intelligent and important to say about local businesses and issues. Please send your letters and emails with comments. The paper especially welcomes op-ed commentary. Perhaps you have something to say about a story? Did a commentary rub you wrong? Do you want to inform the Valley about an issue that’s being overlooked? Whatever it is, please join the conversation. Laurence Darmiento is editor of the Business Journal. He can be reached at [email protected].