Chomsky's interview is published at Larry Flynt's personal political website "Noam Chomsky: Rebel Without A Pause". As far as I could tell, there were no pictures but I didn't dig any further than Flynt's front page. Flynt seems to be all about liberal activism.

The battle will NOT be over whether Chomsky and the far left are on the side of the adult industry, but HOW the left can defend from such attacks. This is the crucial issue. I suspect the far left is in for a tough battle, one that will substantially challenge notions of free speech.

Now, it could be argued that it's OK for Chomsky to be published in any forum; it's a free country with a free speech, Chomsky is a force for the left, etc. etc. On the other hand, Chomsky himself denounces the magazine, calling it "disgusting". Thus a defensive argument that Chomsky is simply acting on the premise of free speech would be false. After all, he claims to have been "duped".

In other words, if he knew that Hustler was a "disgusting" magazine, he would have declined the interview.

Further, -in my opinion- I think the dilemma here tests the tenants of the radical left's mantra of free speech vs. what probably will be an upcoming, and forceful, right wing attack on Chomsky and followers for associating with Hustler. In other words, how can Chomsky be defended if he himself maintains that free speech is necessary, yet denounces Hustler and wishes he self-censored more carefully? Yes, it can be defended, but universally so? Can he be defended in both the National Review AND the New York Times? (Both publications agree that terrorism must be stopped with force, for example - one of very few universals that the left and right can generally agree upon)

With conservatives having wide, unfettered access to the MSM mic; Chomsky and Chomskyites will easily be kicked to the curb, pushed further to the fringe. It'll be interesting to watch...

Despite denials by Chomsky and defenders of Chomsky, it will be hard for anyone to defend against attacks that he is associated with a seedy adult industry. Denouncing a magazine as "disgusting" and and proclaiming he's been "duped" is easily obscured by the fact that his face will be plastered on the cover of the September 05 issue. Chomsky and the far left may have their hands tied for a while....

For more on the dilemma check out Lucinda Marshall's July 22nd piece over at Feminist Blogs Pornography: Objectification or Free Speech? The Debate Rages On

* WARNING * Lucinda's piece may not be safe for work due to language: there are no pictures, so it's up to you. One of her links is to someone named "Nikki Craft" - definitely NOT safe for work!