The fact that we've never been particular fans of Rob Black and Lizzie Borden's brand of over-the-top smut (mostly due to graphic design considerations, though that's somewhat besides the point) doesn't mean we didn't get nervous today when we heard that US Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez made good on his promise earlier this year to overturn the dismissal of federal obscenity charges against Extreme Associates; after all, if the feds are going to deny consenting adults the right to watch "Ass Clowns 3" in the privacy of their own homes, what's to stop them from making similar restrictions about other cosmetically notable porn titles like Ramco Production's "Clown Porn" or Burning Angel's "Re-Penetrator" or Michael Ninn's "Catherine" in the future? (Even if the latter wouldn't be too much of a loss—but that's kind of besides the point as well.) In all seriousness, though, this could only be the beginning of a slippery slope. Let's hope things don't get worse before they get better.

· "Appeals Court Reinstates Charges Against Extreme" (avn.com; intensely irritating audio ad warning)
· "3rd Circuit Rules Against Extreme Associates, Case Goes Back to District Court" (Xbiz)
· US District Court of Appeal, 3rd Circuit: USA v. Extreme Associates (05-1555) (.pdf @ ca3.uscourts.gov - thanks AW)
· Thumbnail: "Ass Clowns 3" (one of the "Federal Five" @ extremeassociates.com)

Previously: US vs. Extreme Associates, US vs. Extreme Associates, Round 2, Extreme Associate Obscenity Charges Dismissed