From Luke Is Back:
Burned Dancer’s Suspect In Court
“Remember the dancer Roberta Busby who was doused with something and then set on fire outside of the Babes & Beer Club in Tarzana?
She was in the hospital for months with severe burns. She has since undergone several surgeries and at least is back home with her family and two young children. I would love to know more about how she is doing..
The suspect in the crime, Rianne Theriault-Odom has been in jail on 1 million dollars bond since shortly after the incident happened.”
Luke Is Back also has a list of previous blog posts where he covered the story.
From the Seattle Times:
Woman accused of burning LA dancer to stand trial
“A woman accused of dousing an exotic dancer with an accelerant and setting her on fire outside a Los Angeles club has been ordered to stand trial.
A judge on Tuesday ordered Rianne Theriault-Odom to return to court July 21 for arraignment. The 27-year-old defendant, who remains jailed on $1 million bail, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated mayhem and torture.”
Both these stories are from July. I can’t find any newer updates. Have you read about this case recently? Email me at radicalvixenatgmaildotcom
Posted by Vixen as News, Sex Workers at 11:21 PM CDT
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The lighting and photography in this gallery are pretty amazing.
Posted by Vixen as Sexy Sensations at 9:48 PM CDT
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From Scripps News:
SEAPLEX: Scripps Cruise Returns
“Scripps Institution of Oceanography SEAPLEX scientists who recently returned from a 20-day expedition to the “Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch” will recount their research expedition and be available for one-on-one interviews. SEAPLEX is the Scripps Environmental Accumulation of Plastic Expedition.
(snip)
The North Pacific Ocean Gyre is roughly a thousand miles off California’s coast. Just what effects the accumulation of human-produced plastic and other debris has on this ocean area is a subject of current speculation. Scientifically, very little is known about the size of the “garbage patch” and threats to marine life and the gyre’s biological environment. From August 2-21, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, with support from UC Ship Funds, Project Kaisei and the National Science Foundation, dedicated a scientific mission to exploring and analyzing the problem of plastic in the North Pacific Ocean Gyre. The graduate student-led SEAPLEX expedition aboard the Scripps research vessel New Horizon explored the ocean patch from several angles, with research that included surveys of plastic distribution, investigations of floating plastic and assessments of impacts on sea life.”
—
The Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Patch certainly is getting more attention. Last year it seemed like I couldn’t find much info on it. This time around I found a lot more.
The main Seaplix (Scripps Environmental Accumulation of Plastic Expedition) site has a lot to check out. You can read that here.
The crew on the Scripps Cruise started a blog-SEAPLEX Seeking the Science of the Garbage Patch. They even have a Flicker page here.
I find all this fascinating and troubling. Maybe in a few hundred years a fish will evolve and be able to digest plastic?
Posted by Vixen as News at 11:58 PM CDT
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From CNN:
‘John schools’ try to change attitudes about paid sex
” About 40 men somberly entered a classroom on a recent Saturday morning. About half of them wore shiny wedding bands.
All had tried to buy a prostitute’s services and were caught by police. It was their first offense, and a county court referred them to a one-day program called the John School. It’s a program run by volunteers and city officials in conjunction with Magdalene House, a nonprofit that works to get prostitutes off the streets.
“Prostitution doesn’t discriminate,” said Kenny Baker, a cognitive behavioral therapist who is the program’s director. “Most of these men don’t have a prior criminal history, so our goal is to help these folks understand why they put themselves in a bad position, to prevent it from happening again.”
Set in a church in Nashville, Tennessee, the John School is led by former prostitutes, health experts, psychologists and law enforcement officers who talk to — and at times berate — the men about the risks of hiring a prostitute.”
—
I have several problems with these “John schools”. First up is that the one in Nashville is set in a church. How blatantly biased can they get? Want to bet that religious moral messages are laid on thick at these meetings? The judgemental comment about the men being married lets us know what? These men are sinners! I knew as soon as I got to that sentence that I’d be blogging and ranting about it here.
Next up-the former prostitutes lecturing the men. Notice how the article of course mentions the woman was sexually abused as a child. Not all sex workers were abused as children! Nor are we all drug addicts or have men pimping us out. Gah, I hate it when they prance out the stereotypes in these kinds of stories.
Speaking of stereotypes, the article continues the myth of how prostitutes are exploited and how prostitution isn’t a victimless crime. Yes, some prostitutes are exploited but not all are. When Mr. Radical and I were first married we were dirt poor. I worked as a cashier at a generic retail store. The customers treated me so shitty and made such rude comments. That made me feel exploited. But you don’t see “Consumer Schools” teaching customers that capitalism isn’t a victimless economic model. Erm, I’m losing my point here so let’s move on…
Back to the prostitutes. I would love to get their side of the story. Are they speaking to the classes as part of a plea bargain? Are they coached on what to say? I can’t imagine a pro-prostitution former working girl giving a lecture on how whoring put her through college.
The story makes a big deal about these schools changing attitudes about sex. But they’re not. They’re just reinforcing all the tired beliefs that continue to keep prostitution illegal. If these schools were really about changing attitudes they’d be pro-prostitution and give the johns tips on being a good client.
Posted by Vixen as News at 11:33 PM CDT
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From Raw Story:
Insurers admit 50,000 employees lobbying Congress to claim profits fair
“A spokesman for America’s Health Insurance Plans, the industry’s trade group, admitted in an article published Monday that as many as 50,000 industry employees are involved in an effort to fight back against aggressive healthcare reform.
(snip)
“The health-insurance industry is sending thousands of its employees to town-hall meetings and other forums during Congress’s August recess to try to counter a tide of criticism directed at the insurers and remain a player — and not an outsider — in the debate over the future of the health-care system,” the Journal’s Vanessa Fuhrmans and Avery Johnson wrote Monday.
Employees of the health insurers have also been given talking points that encourage them to keep a low profile and avoid taking “the bait” when the industry is criticized in public, the reporters say. The industry’s trade group drafted a “Town Hall Tips” memo that instructs employees to stay calm and not to yell at members of Congress.”
—
If there’s 50,000 lobbyists working for the insurance companies’ interests what’s the chance the public is going to get a fair health care plan? I’m reminded of something my mother used to say-Not a snowball’s chance in hell.
This makes me wonder if the screaming “average Americans” at the town hall meetings could be some of these lobbyists.
Posted by Vixen as News at 11:39 PM CDT
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“You’re full of spirit.”
-regular client
Posted by Vixen as Quote Book at 9:07 PM CDT
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Recently I was on a call that went late into the night. I could feel my eyes getting heavy and my head kept leaning back. To keep myself awake I grabbed a knitting project. (For the knitters-it was a lace project and the next day I was pretty excited that I was able to do lacework while half asleep.)
I managed to stay awake but my mind was getting sluggish. The fantasy involved panties and dildos. The panty talk lasted a long time. Eventually the fantasy shifted to me grabbing my harness and my-
And that’s when I drew a blank. I couldn’t remember the word for the toy pictured above. What was that thing called? I kept wanting to say strildo but knew that wasn’t right. Strildo, straldo, what was it? I kept stalling in the fantasy-I’d describe tying his hands behind his back or talk about the panties again.
Eventually I just skipped over the word. I said something like “you suck my, that’s right suck it like the slut you are”. The caller didn’t mention how silly I sounded, probably because he was half asleep as well.
While I was describing fucking him “with my bent over the bed” I remembered the word. Dildo! I remember saying the word loudly because I was so excited to finally get it.
Strildo must have been my mind mashing up strap-on and dildo. Man, I was so tired. By the time I got off the call it was starting to get light outside. I turned off my phone and crawled into bed.
Posted by Vixen as PSO Confessions at 10:06 PM CDT
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From XBiz:
Rezko Films to Release ‘Barrack’s Big Stimulus Package’
“Rezko Films will release “Barrack’s Big Stimulus Package” on Tuesday.
(snip)
“Barrack is the role of a lifetime and I won’t let the country down,” DiSilva said. “I plan to screw in every room in the White House, patriotically, of course.”
Wow, that was quick. Obama hasn’t even been in office a year and there’s already a parody?
XBiz has another story about the film:
Barrack’s Big Stimulus Package’ Stars Appearing in ‘Night Calls
“Guy DiSilva and Aryana Starr, stars of “Barrack’s Big Stimulus Package,” will appear on Playboy Radio’s “Night Calls” at 6 p.m. PST.
(snip)
Starring Guy DiSilva as Barrack, “Barrack’s Big Stimulus Package” features performances by Aryana Starr as the First Lady and Mae Victoria as the Secretary of Fellatio —who gets promoted to the Secretary of Anal — along with Austin Taylor, Tia Gunn, Almond and Cortknee.”
Secretary of Fellatio? Secretary of Anal? That’s some funny stuff. Although we’d probably have less war if these were real positions.
—
From the Washington Post:
Gay marriage fight, `kiss-ins’ smack Mormon image
“The Mormon church’s vigorous, well-heeled support for Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in California last year, has turned the Utah-based faith into a lightning rod for gay rights activism, including a nationwide “kiss-in” Saturday.
The event comes after gay couples here and in San Antonio and El Paso, Texas, were arrested, cited for trespassing or harassed by police for publicly kissing. In Utah, the July 9 trespassing incident occurred after a couple were observed by security guards on a downtown park-like plaza owned by the 13 million-member Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The court case was dismissed, but the kiss sparked a community backlash and criticism of the church.”
For heterosexuals it can be easy to forget that not everyone can do cute little couple actions. When I want to walk down a street holding hands with Mr. Radical we just do. I don’t have to think about it. But not all couples can hold hands in public safely, let alone kiss, and that’s disturbing. Kiss-ins are great activism.
Rock on to the Washington Post for posting non-stereotypical pictures from the event. Often these stories only show cute, young lesbians kissing. There’s nothing wrong with cute chicks mind you but it’s nice to see two older men kissing as the lead photo.
—
From the News.com.au:
Married man refuses to pay prostitute child support
“A man who paid a woman for sex is resisting child support requests after the prostitute had his baby.
The married Melbourne man argues the child is potentially a breach of the Trade Practices Act.
(snip)
The accidental dad - who can be referred to only by the pseudonym Mr Lilley - told magistrate Grant Riethmuller he’d had “a consumer transaction” with the child’s mother.
(snip)
In an affidavit, he argued the woman’s basis for seeking support was “fundamentally flawed” given her job.
But in a ruling issued this week, the magistrate said the circumstances of the conception made no difference to the child’s entitlements under the Child Support Scheme.”
I can see part of Mr. Lilley’s argument. It is generally accepted that you’re not trying to conceive when sleeping with a prostitute. However, it seems like he only took this position after he fell behind on the payments. If he fought the child support from the beginning perhaps he would have had a stronger case.
On the other hand, when Judge Deni dismissed a rape of a prostitute because it was theft of services I was outraged. So how is it services in the case above and not in the rape case? See, this is why I suck at debating.
I’m disgusted that he argued the mother was “fundamentally flawed” to argue for child support. Lots of sex workers are parents!
—
From AVN:
Stockroom, Stormy Leather Present Mina de Sade
“It’s never fun to see summer come to an end, but Stockroom University’s next workshop will make the pain of going back to school a little more pleasurable.
Join Stockroom University on Sept. 6 at Stockroom’s Los Angeles retail boutique and Sept. 10 at the Stormy Leather San Francisco retail boutique for an evening of “English Corporal Punishment,” as Mother Mina de Sade guides you through the dynamic art of old-fashioned discipline.
Aimed at both tops and bottoms, Mother Mina’s lesson will begin with a brief overview of the history of English-style corporal punishment, then progress into ways of identifying you and your play partner’s favorite disciplinary fetishes.”
This story pretty much reads like an ad but I’m including it because it sounds like such fun. English-style corporal punishments? Mmm, yummy.
Posted by Vixen as News at 10:28 PM CDT
2 Comments »
From this gallery.
Posted by Vixen as Sexy Sensations at 10:05 PM 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 #172? 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
Kiss Me If You Can
“I love the buildup, the discovery.”
Back To School
“Back at school a stolen glance across the corridor shows me you haven’t forgotten either.”
On Critics and Criticism
“But is it fair? Is it right?”
Sugasm Editor
Review: Babeland’s Under The Bed Restraints
Editor’s Choice
Building
More Sugasm
Join the Sugasm
HNT courtesy of The Perverted Negress.
Posted by Vixen as Sugasm at 11:46 PM CDT
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From Times Online:
Swine flu advert actor David McCusker catches… swine flu
“In the stern instructions of the Government advertisement he caught it, binned it and killed it, but the actor who attempts to teach the public about how to contain the spread of swine flu has failed to apply the lesson to his own life.
David McCusker, 30, who is shown on the advert learning how to catch his sneeze and dispose of it safely, was quarantined two weeks ago after he was diagnosed with the illness.
He said that he has received endless ribbing from unsympathetic friends.”
Yeah, I bet he’s going to get teased over that for a long time. When I first saw the headline I figured it was an Onion article. But no, it’s apparently real. There is so much swine flu propaganda around the story link above. Ridiculous. The original video is also ridiculous. (If that link stops working just google “Catch It, Bin it, Kill It”.) Let’s ostracize the sneezer even though people spread their germs all the time in infinite ways. Sigh.
Posted by Vixen as News at 11:15 PM CDT
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Remember the topless coffee shop that opened in Maine? I blogged about it in a sex news roundup post. Apparently someone was so pissed off by the topless staff that they burned the place down. This actually happened back in June but I missed it.
From CNN:
Topless coffee shop burns down; official says it was arson
“In the end, a coffee shop in Vassalboro, Maine, that gained national attention for its topless waiters and waitresses simply proved too hot — the Grand View Topless Coffee Shop burned to the ground early Wednesday morning.
A state fire official said it was arson.
The blaze consumed the risque, small-town business shortly after midnight, said Vassalboro Fire Chief Eric Rowe. He described the flames as “severe” and said the building was a “total loss.”
“I really liked it here,” waitress Krista Macentyre said after learning the cause of the fire. “We weren’t hurting anyone. I don’t know why someone would do something like this.”"
—
Wow. That’s pretty shitty. Are topless waitresses really that offensive? I find the arson more upsetting.
Posted by Vixen as News at 11:29 PM CDT
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“Is your husband normal?”
-regular client who knows I’m married
“No, he’s not.”
-me
“I wouldn’t think so being married to you.”
-client
Posted by Vixen as Quote Book at 12:35 PM CDT
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From the Los Angeles Times:
White House declines to disclose visits by health industry executives
“Invoking an argument used by President George W. Bush, the Obama administration has turned down a request from a watchdog group for a list of health industry executives who have visited the White House to discuss the massive healthcare overhaul.
Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington sent a letter to the Secret Service asking about visits from 18 executives representing health insurers, drug makers, doctors and other players in the debate. The group wants the material in order to gauge the influence of those executives in crafting a new healthcare policy.
(snip)
As a candidate, President Obama vowed that in devising a healthcare bill he would invite in TV cameras — specifically C-SPAN — so that Americans could have a window into negotiations that normally play out behind closed doors.
Having promised transparency, the administration should be willing to disclose who it is consulting in shaping healthcare policy, said an attorney for the citizens’ group.”
—
Remember when Bush kept his meetings with oil industry people a secret? Remember how shitty and suspicious that was? It’s the same here.
The candidate Obama and the president Obama are sadly looking more and more different. There’s been some change yes, but a lot has stayed the same. What’s his presidency going to look like in 2011?
Posted by Vixen as News at 11:26 PM CDT
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