The Surprisingly Glamorous Daughter of a Brutal Uzbek Dictator. . .
. . . that was receiving until recently (for over a decade) about $150 million in US taxpayer money (military aid) not counting the law-enforcement training we provided Karimov's security apparatus and, in one case, a free gift of thousands of police batons and riot shields. USA! USA! USA!
@gawkimo: The evil (Karimov) that's the enemy of the evil (Taliban) that's the enemy of the good (USA) - is good. Therefore, evil is good. War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.
@Claire Buoyant: "The consequences of crossing Karimova became clear in 2001 when she divorced her husband... The unfortunate ex-husband’s Coca-Cola bottling factory in Uzbekistan was promptly shut down, three of his relatives were imprisoned, and 24 were deported at gunpoint to Afghanistan."
@24-7: He's in the running to become a contestant on that new reality TV show "Survivor--Uzbekistan: Life Among the Goats". If he turns up as the wacky shepherd, I predict a ratings bonanza.
Having to cater to vile Ceaucèscuan tyrants' women, and accept their blood-soaked money, is why couturiers in Paris numb themselves with drugs and drink. Also because it's fun.
The page 6 math on that doesn't reflect how real world business works.
You don't need to get $150,000 in subscriptions for the investment in that shoot to be worth it.
It increased brand awareness, got heterosexual women to think about Playgirl, let people in general know that Playgirl is still operational and built up a lot of overall awareness.
What that means is that they might not get $150k in sign ups right away, they will get more sign ups over time, be able to charge more/get more click throughs on their ads, etc...
If they spent the same $150 on online advertising they wouldn't have gotten anywhere near the overall value for their money that they got from this shoot.
@drunkexpatwriter: Yeah, I think they're right that it would have cost much more than that to get the marketing results the whole stupid thing provided. That doesn't change the fact that they're a hella gay magazine trying to relaunch in a recession, when unlimited and excellent free porn is abundant, when gay media is wheezing its last gasp, and when print in general is collapsing, but hey, all that was also true three months ago, before any of us knew Playgirl still existed.
@drunkexpatwriter: I didn't mean to imply it was a bad marketing investment. Quite the contrary, it was a marketing coup. How does Page Six think that's even a question? Playgirl was SO off the radar before this.
@Lysergic Asset: Apparently the bar's set pretty high, because (L to R): convicted felon, wacky probable drug hound, gay, crazy definite drug hound, pervy old man.
@Martita: I would like to apologize and clarify that comment: the only people who think gays are going to hell are the nutty Christian types. Not me! If anything, that lineup should serve to show the nutty Christian types why they are wrong. Anyway, many apologies; you may ban me now.
12/18/09
. . . that was receiving until recently (for over a decade) about $150 million in US taxpayer money (military aid) not counting the law-enforcement training we provided Karimov's security apparatus and, in one case, a free gift of thousands of police batons and riot shields. USA! USA! USA!
12/18/09
12/18/09
I see that crusty old Baby Boomer/Cold War logic is alive and well:
Saddam good!
Reagan like Saddam!
Reagan lift export embargo so Saddam get chemical weapon ingredients from US!
Reagan want Saddam to use chemical weapons against Iran.
Oh noes! Saddam also use chemical weapons on Kurds!
(Skip a decade)
Saddam bad!
Saddam has expired Sarin!
We smash Saddam!
(Meanwhile.)
Karimov hate Taleban.
US need place to land planes to bomb Afghan people.
Karimov good!
Karimov get weapon and money from US!
Karimov use US weapon and money to oppress own people (not Taleban)!
(A few years later.)
Karimov no want US in his country anymore!
Karimov ask us to leave!
Now, Karimov bad!
(Someday in the future.)
We smash Karimov!
& etc.
12/18/09
12/17/09
12/18/09
12/18/09
12/18/09
12/17/09
[www.foreignpolicy.com]
12/17/09
But what happened to HIM? Has he been seen again?
12/17/09
I'm a bit surprised myself that she didn't just make him disappear, considering the way these ruthless dictators and their families usually operate.
12/18/09
12/18/09
12/17/09
12/17/09
12/17/09
12/17/09
12/17/09
Also, Tony Bourdain has convinced me never to visit Uzbekistan. No thank you to naked rape-massages!
12/10/09
12/10/09
12/10/09
And Playgirl is kinda bummin cause of the lack of enthusiasm from their, ahem, "readers"?
Sorry to have to be so crass but without a saluting member present, revenues are going to be flaccid.
12/10/09
12/10/09
You don't need to get $150,000 in subscriptions for the investment in that shoot to be worth it.
It increased brand awareness, got heterosexual women to think about Playgirl, let people in general know that Playgirl is still operational and built up a lot of overall awareness.
What that means is that they might not get $150k in sign ups right away, they will get more sign ups over time, be able to charge more/get more click throughs on their ads, etc...
If they spent the same $150 on online advertising they wouldn't have gotten anywhere near the overall value for their money that they got from this shoot.
12/10/09
12/10/09
12/10/09
And now it looks like they'll have the Tiger Woods photos next.
12/10/09
12/10/09
12/07/09
Betsey and Martha, OK. The rest, book me on the River Styx ferry to Hell, if you please.
12/07/09
12/07/09
12/07/09
12/07/09
And don't forget to book the tow trucks and police presence at least a week in advance to ensure your Thanksgiving needs are met.
12/07/09
12/07/09
12/07/09
12/07/09
12/07/09
It isn't because he's gay, it's because he's an untalented fashion designer fame whore.