From the Raw Story:
Ex-employees claim Blackwater pimped out young Iraqi girls
“Since the revelation earlier this week of allegations by two former employees of security firm Blackwater that its owner was complicit in murder in order to cover up the deliberate killing of Iraqi civilians, explosive charges have continued to emerge.
Perhaps the most shocking of those charges — quoted by MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann on Thursday from the employees’ sworn declarations — is that Blackwater was guilty of using child prostitutes at its compound in Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone and that owner Erik Prince knew of this activity and did nothing to stop it.”
If this one is true I bet it quietly disappears from the headlines.
—
From Politics.co.uk:
New evidence devastates govt sex worker laws
“New evidence has been published which fundamentally undermines the government’s arguments in favour of criminalising those who pay for sex.
The research comes from Vancouver, and was conducted by the University of British Colombia. It found a direct correlation between criminalisation and increased violence against sex workers.
The research is highly problematic for the government, which intends to create a new offence of paying for sex with someone who is controlled for gain and introduce new powers to close brothels, in the upcoming policing and crime bill.
“Evidence from Vancouver and the UK shows that criminalisation reinforced stigma and facilitates violence against sex workers,” a spokesperson for the International Union of Sex Workers told politics.co.uk.”
Rock on! Now let’s hope officials actually listen to this research.
—
From Oregon Live:
Portland mother-and-daughter business makes the clothes strippers remove
“The aspiring stripper should also consider her outfit’s durability.
“It’s best to use stretch fabrics, so they hold up better,” said Gina Patterson, who is Rosie’s mother. “These outfits have to hold up better than everyday gowns. Because they go on and off so much more.”
This is the wisdom known to women who produce stripper outfits for a living. Which is what Rosie and Gina Patterson do at the Brass Pole, the stripper-themed boutique they own and operate in Southeast Portland. And while it may surprise some to learn such a shop exists, it should be more surprising to realize that a city that boasts something like 50 strip clubs (more per capita than any other in the United States) has only one shop geared toward satisfying the dancers’ clothing needs.”
I think Portland is such a cool, hip town. Next time I’m there I’ll have to visit the Brass Pole.
—
From the Boston.com:
Judge upholds strippers’ pay suit
“About 70 strippers who worked at a Chelsea club are each entitled to recover thousands of dollars in damages in a class-action lawsuit because their employer misclassified them as “independent contractors,’’ depriving them of wages and tips, a judge has ruled.
The suit, which a lawyer for one of the strippers described as the first of its kind in Massachusetts, seeks to recover money they should have received at King Arthur’s Lounge in Chelsea since 2004.”
This is a perfect example of why we sex workers need to stick together and support each other.
Posted by Vixen as News at 11:30 PM CDT
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From this gallery. I signed up as a Kink.com affiliate because I wanted some new pics on porn day.
The pic above is from Bound Gods. There’s some hot guys on that site. My one gripe? No guys with long hair. Surely I’m not the only one that likes kink and ponytails. Or maybe I haven’t explored the site enough?
Posted by Vixen as Sexy Sensations at 9:22 PM CDT
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via Breathtakers
I’m taking part in another Pleasurist review roundup.
Pleasurists is a round-up of the adult product and sex toy reviews that came out in the last seven days from bloggers all around the sex blogosphere. Did you miss Pleasurists #40? Read it all here. Do you have a review for Pleasurists #41? Submit it here before Sunday August 16th at 11:59pm PDT. Please re-post this list on your own blog if listed.
Want to win some free swag? All you’ve got to do is enter.
Madame Editrix
Scarlet Lotus St. Syr
On to the reviews…
Vibrators
Dildos
Anal Toys
Toys for Cocks
Lube, Massage Oil, Bath Stuff, & etc.
BDSM/Fetish
Adult Movies/Porn
Storage
Miscellaneous
Posted by Vixen as Reviews at 11:16 PM CDT
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From Global Research:
Preparing for Martial Law: International Swine Flu Conference to Be Held in Washington
“On his show today, Alex Jones read an email sent by a listener. “I work at the National Institutes of Health and we received an email about the upcoming International Swine Flu Conference that will be occurring in Washington, D.C. Aug 19 – Aug 21, 2009,” the listener writes. “They’re talking about mass fatality management and continuity of government. They’re going to hit us with a massive biological false flag attack.”
The email contains a PDF attachment of a brochure for the Swine Flu Conference. Breakout sessions detailed on the brochure include discussions on mass fatality planning, business continuity planning, and COOP or Continuity of Operations and Continuity of Government Planning. Additional sessions cover enforced quarantines, mass vaccinations, and how to “control and diffuse social unrest and public disorder.” The brochure is also available for download on the International Swine Flu Conference website sponsored by ISFC New-Fields Exhibitions.”
—
Ok, ok. That first paragraph is some pretty paranoid stuff. But there seem to be real International Swine Flu Conference happening in August. Here’s a creepy snippet from their PDF:
“Concurrent Breakout Session #1
Mass Fatality Management Planning
Develop and maintain plans, procedures, programs, and
systems
Develop and implement training and exercise programs
Direct fatality management tactical operations
Activate fatality management operations
Conduct morgue operations
Manage ante-mortem data
Conduct final disposition
Concurrent Breakout Session #2
Psychological Issues
Public’s distress of exposure and safety
Breakdown of public services, utilities
Medical supplies shortage
Unwillingness to follow government orders”
What the hell? No really. “Unwillingness to follow government orders?!” What the hell! Was this for real? I did some more research.
From the International Swine Flu Conference webpage:
“Top leaders and key decision-makers of major companies representing a broad range of industries will meet with distinguished scientists, public health officials, law enforcers, first responders, and other experts to discuss pandemic prevention, preparedness, response and recovery at the 1st International Swine Flu Conference.
At the International Swine Flu Conference, attendees will be able to draw on first-hand best practices to create the solid business continuity plans that their companies and organizations need in order to prepare for, respond to, and survive a pandemic.”
Erm, seems to be real. Creepy.
Posted by Vixen as News at 10:00 PM CDT
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Recently I received Babeland’s Under The Bed Restraints to review.
From the product page:
“No need to install complicated hardware or perfect your Boy Scout knots to have someone pinned and completely at your mercy—the Under the Bed Restraint system is simple, discreet and sets up in a snap. Four restraint straps and a connector slide under any size mattress—just attach each of the four soft, adjustable cuffs, and they’ll be rendered helpless in no time.”
The package looks good
And the back
Here’s the straps and cuffs
The wrist and ankle cuffs are identical.
The straps are long enought to fit beds of many sizes.
Here’s the restraints set up. I still have to shorten the wrists and ankle straps.
Mr. Radical agreed to be my model.
The straps are made of webbing.
The cuffs close with velcro.
A key ring and metal clip attach the cuffs to the straps.
So what do I think? It’s certainly a clever idea. Everything’s adjustable and the restraints make an excellent portable bondage kit. The cuffs are soft against the skin and the straps stayed tight.
But the materials aren’t that great. There’s quick release clips and key rings instead of strong D rings and buckles. The straps are thin webbing. Nothing buckles or locks down-the straps just tighten. The restraints work well enough but aren’t tough bondage materials.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing. This kit has a cutesey feel which makes the $55 seem a bit high. People seriously into bondage would likely scoff at these restraints.
However, heavy leather cuffs and thick strong rope isn’t everyone’s bag. I can see using this kit to introduce a vanilla partner to bondage. Most of the straps could be hidden by the mattress, covers and pillows.
Personally, I like cuffs that buckle and prefer tying someone up with rope. But I’m definitely keeping these restraints. Some of my clients like to be tied up while I spank them. This kit will be perfect for my prodom sessions. It’s lightweight, portable and sets up quick-all things I need when I’m a traveling Mistress.
Posted by Vixen as Reviews at 11:11 PM CDT
3 Comments »
“Do you think white people are superior?”
-new client
“No.”
-me
“Do you think black people are superior?”
-new client
“No.”
-me
“Do you think Arab people are superior?”
-new client
“No.”
-me
“So who do you think is superior?”
“Mother Nature.”
-me
He didn’t like my answers. But as a Pagan I think Mother Nature trumps us all.
Posted by Vixen as Quote Book at 9:17 PM CDT
2 Comments »
From the Honolulu Advertiser:
Ocean is choking on trash
“Joel Paschal, a crewman aboard the California-based marine research vessel Alguita, spent the past seven weeks sailing through a floating trash dump.
“We’re analyzing the (marine life) samples and looking in their stomachs to see which fish really eat plastic,” said Paschal, 33, of Waikiki. “This time, we saw mahimahi with plastic in the stomach. That was the first time we’d ever seen that.”
The Alguita is in Honolulu following a survey trip through what has become known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a band of floating trash north of Hawai’i. Swept loosely together by ocean currents, the patch has been estimated by some scientists to be twice the size of Texas.”
(snip)
Moore is the person credited with “discovering” the Great Pacific Garbage Patch while sailing from California to Hawai’i in the 1997 Transpac yacht race.”
—
As soon as I saw the ocean choking on trash headline I remembered the Toxic Island video I watched last year. Of course the thing hasn’t gone away-hell, it just keeps getting bigger. But at least it’s getting more attention. You can watch the video Toxic Garbage Island here.
Posted by Vixen as News, Activism at 9:37 AM CDT
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The best of this week’s blogs by the bloggers who blog them. Highlighting the top 3 posts as chosen by Sugasm participants. Want in Sugasm #171? Submit a link to your best post of the week using this form. Participants, repost the link list within a week and you’re all set.
This Week’s Picks
The fundamental things apply…
“If you can’t fuck me with your mouth, how are you going to handle fucking all of me at once?”
Perfection
“Patiently, he took his time touching me here and there.”
The Study Date (Sugarbutch Star: Green-Eyed Girl)
“I bet she’s already wet.”
Sugasm Editor
Wardrobe Malfunction
Editor’s Choice
3a.m. Vulnerability
More Sugasm
Join the Sugasm
HNT courtesy of long-distance sub.
Posted by Vixen as Sugasm at 10:06 PM CDT
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I’m finishing up some non-blog projects and will be back to blogging soon.
Posted by Vixen as Musings at 11:39 PM CDT
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