Luxembourg money influencing past and future US elections.

My Orchids. Phalaenopsis "Blushing".
Photo: ET / WinGeek

Luxembourg money influencing past and future US elections.

In 2012 Luxembourg-based Manwin, now MindGeek, contributed as much as half of all monies raised to defeat “Measure B” in elections in Los Angeles County, California. Now California’s Fair Political Practices Commission’s Enforcement Division is investigating.

Measure B was also called “condoms in porn 2012 ballot measure”. Manwin, the Luxembourg-based online porn company aimed at defeating it by financing the adult film industry’s effort to defeat Measure B, the mandatory use of condoms by the performers in adult movies. There is a problem though. It is indeed illegal to accept foreign funds to finance any US election campaign.

Quoting Michael Weinstein, a backer of Measure B in BusinessWire, a Berkshire Hathaway Company:  “Keeping foreign money out of US elections should be an extremely high principle. We were fortunate that L.A. County voters had the good sense to vote ‘Yes’ on Measure B, but under different circumstances, foreign money could tip the balance in a close US election. Do we really want Saudis weighing in on oil policy via a US election? From a cursory look at the required political financial disclosure forms from 2012, we believe that Luxembourg-based Manwin (now MindGeek) and its other overseas entities donated at least half of all monies raised for the porn industry’s failed campaign to block Measure B. We thank the FPPC for opening this investigation.”

Isn’t it amazing how the subject of Luxembourg as a porn center gets continuously erected in US news to the point of nation branding? The moral of the story however is: Luxembourg’s minor contribution to a minor local election puts its fingers on the huge inconsistency in US national elections, where Presidential and other candidates twist the rules in many fashions, so they can accept foreign (governmental) donations. It is broadly documented how national election campaigns accepted foreign millions without even the equivalent of a protection from undue foreign influence, that a condom provides from STDs.

As a condom is now mandatory in porn, thanks to Measure B, foreign political donations have to be disbanded. By the end of this investigation the presidential candidates can no longer accept foreign bribes, thanks to Luxembourg’s demonstration ad absurdum that if foreign money cannot defend the naked truth in porn, it shouldn’t elect Presidents either. The equivalency is astounding. Just saying. 

Jacques E. Lennon Obituary

Jacques E. Lennon Obituary

To an old friend.

LENNON--Jacques E. 92, died of pneumonia, on June 22, 2015. Born in Luxembourg on January 15, 1923, he began a career in business--spanning more than 70 years--at S.A. des Minerais. In 1939 he emigrated to the U.S. and joined Continental Ore Corporation (COC), the North American office of Minerais, making it possible for him to bring his parents and sisters out of harm's way during the war. He served with distinction in the U.S. Army in the Psychological Warfare Branch in North Africa, Italy, and Austria. Following his military service, he rejoined COC in 1946, becoming executive vice president in 1962. COC became one of the most highly respected international marketing companies of industrial raw materials, with over 30 offices and subsidiaries throughout the world. COC was acquired by International Minerals & Chemicals (IMC) in 1968. IMC (now Mosaic), the world's leading independent producer of fertilizers, acquired COC in order to broaden its international presence and diversify into some of COC's areas of expertise. In 1974, together with his two partners, Louis Lipton and Eric Lomnitz, he started Continental Resources Inc. (CRI), serving as president until the present day. Jacques is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Donatella, who took remarkable care of him during his last years; his cherished daughter, Linda, son-in-law Stuart Baskin, granddaughter Rebecca, and nephews Robert and Mark Wolff, and their families. His self-taught appreciation for art resulted in the eclectic collections in his homes in New York and Rome. His generous philanthropic endeavors characterize his diverse interests and humanistic approach to life. He never forgot his Luxembourg roots, serving as chairman of the Luxembourg America Chamber of Commerce for many years, as well as Luxembourg's Honorary Consul, in New York. Jacques was the family patriarch, never too busy to make himself available. His joie de vivre, irrepressible smile, and twinkling blue eyes can never be matched. He made it great for us all. A Memorial Service celebrating Jacques' life will be held at a later time.