I don't know the merits of the issues, as to which side in the fight offers the shareholders the best deal. I just want to comment on Hefner the man, an American icon and pioneer.
Mr. Hefner just isn't the founder of a classy girlie magazine, but is a pioneer advocate for personal freedom and for the enjoyment of life. There was a time in this country, during the pre-Playboy era, prior to 1953, the year the first Playboy magazine was published, -- the time before Hefner, when the flag of Puritanism flew high. In the pre-Playboy era, there were periods of fun, the Jazz Age of the 20s for example, but these were too brief isolated experiments of hedonism and indulgence, without a philosopher, serving as leader and guide. Mr. Hefner through his magazine and forums taught America that it really is okay to really enjoy life, to really enjoy ourselves, to really love to have fun, and that we shouldn't be ashamed of having fun and of enjoying ourselves. And Mr. Hefner encouraged music, free expression and thought. Here I am using the past tense, like the man has retired. It is good to be reminded that he is still active at 84, is looking good and has more to do.