opinion

Mary Beth Buchanan: The Gift That <i>Wants</i> to Keep Giving

Mary Beth Buchanan is the gift that wants to keep giving... and giving... and giving... and giving. The lady doesn't ever want to go home! And why should she? A tough female U.S. Attorney who isn't afraid to clean up the sex-stained streets of Gotham has a certain appeal, and a bright future. It's a gritty TV crime drama waiting to happen, a writer's wet dream. Gal cop probes the dark corners of the sex trade, shines her high beams on the filth she uncovers and faces down the bad guys!

And all of it courtesy of the adult entertainment industry, thank you very much.

I have nothing against tough prosecutors — Lord knows we need someone to keep an eye on Wall Street (please) — but Buchanan, who was appointed U.S. Attorney in Pittsburgh by George W. Bush in September 2001, has made a very special name for herself above and beyond the call of duty, especially in her assault on free speech and adult entertainment in particular.

It is Buchanan who is personally responsible for bringing obscenity charges against Extreme Associates in 2003, and also that same year against Tommy Chong for selling bongs online, cases for which she was rewarded by then-Attorney General John Ashcroft with high profile positions such as Director of the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys. Her involvement in the now infamous firings of U.S. Attorneys by Ashcroft's predecessor, Alberto Gonzales, occurred while she was in that position.

Industry attorneys who know her say she is not a true believer, but a reasonable person who really cares about protecting women and children, but her actions and zeal over the years belie those reports. Buchanan has in fact distinguished herself as a partisan employee who has embraced her mission to deny adults the breadth of constitutionally-protected speech with a missionary's dedication.

She's also the one who went after Karen Fletcher, who wrote disturbing stories on her site that involved depictions of child sexual abuse. As vile as those stories may have been, did that clearly disturbed woman deserve to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law by this other disturbed woman?

The worst part is that she wants to stay on because her work isn't finished. Be afraid, be very afraid. ;-)

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

profile

WIA Profile: Leah Koons

If you’ve been to an industry event lately, odds are you’ve heard Leah Koons even before you’ve seen her. As Fansly’s director of marketing, Koons helps steer one of the fastest-growing creator platforms on the web.

Women in Adult ·
opinion

Why Sex Toy Innovation Isn't What Shoppers Want Right Now

During my first year in the industry, the luxury vibrator on shelves was LELO’s Gigi, priced at $109. It was made with high-quality silicone, boasted an ergonomic design, a travel lock and a warranty. Soon after, Je Joue released its first product, SaSi, which employed “rolling ball” movements to simulate oral sex.

Sarah Tomchesson ·
opinion

What France's New Law Means for Age Verification Worldwide

When France implemented its Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law on April 11, it marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing global debate surrounding online safety and access to adult content.

Corey D. Silverstein ·
opinion

How Adult Retailers Can Enhance Sales With Supplements

The supplement industry is big business. In 2024, Future Market Insights estimated it to be valued at $74.3 billion, and other market research firms anticipate that number will grow to upwards of $170 billion in just 10 years.

Rick Magana ·
opinion

From Tariffs to Trends: Staying Resilient in a Shaky Online Adult Market

Whenever I check in with clients these days, I encounter the same concerns. For many, business has not quite bounced back after the typical post-holiday-season slowdown. Instead, consumers have been holding back due to the economic uncertainty around the Trump administration’s new tariffs and their impact on prices.

Cathy Beardsley ·
opinion

Why It's Time the Pleasure Industry Got Serious About IPX Waterproof Ratings

As someone who regularly communicates with manufacturers, retailers and consumers, I’ve seen how this ambiguity can do a disservice to both the customers who use these products and the businesses that sell them.

Alicia Sinclair Rosen ·
opinion

Optimizing Payment Strategies for High Ticket Sales

Payment processing for more expensive items, such as those exceeding $1,000 per order, can create unique challenges. For adult businesses, those challenges are magnified. Increased fraud risk, elevated chargeback ratios and heavier scrutiny from banks and processors are only the beginning.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

Tips for Sexual Wellness Brands to Win Over Gen Z This Summer

As summer rolls around, the excitement in the air is palpable, especially for one particular demographic: Gen Z. College and university classes are over, vacations are booked and it’s time to let loose.

Naima Karp ·
opinion

The Barcelona Job: A Diamond Heist Drenched in Sweat and Seduction

In a city famed for its architecture and allure, something far more seductive is about to go down. The priceless NakedSword Diamond is nestled deep within a heavily fortified Barcelona museum, and master thief Sir Peter has his eye on the prize.

Jackie Backman ·
opinion

Celebrating the LGBTQ+ Community With Inclusive Packaging Design

Pride Month is a time of visibility, joy and self-expression. In the pleasure industry, projecting that energy can start with something as simple as a box. Market research shows that 72% of U.S. consumers say product packaging influences their purchasing decisions.

Matthew Spindler ·
Show More