From CBC News:
Former sex worker challenges prostitution laws
“A former Vancouver sex-trade worker was at the B.C. Court of Appeal Thursday fighting for the right to challenge the constitutionality of Canada’s prostitution laws.
Sheri Kiselbach was seeking to overturn a December 2008 B.C. Supreme Court decision that she could not challenge the laws because she was not an active worker in the sex trade and was not facing criminal charges for prostitution.
(snip)
Prostitution in Canada is technically legal but there are prohibitions on keeping a bawdy house, communicating for the purposes of prostitution or living off the avails of prostitution.”
Kudos to Kiselbach! I hope she wins. This could be a huge victory for Canadian prostitutes. Could an active prostitute really challenge this law and not face arrest? I doubt it.
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From Philly.com:
Judge refuses to dismiss ‘sex-for-tix’ case
“A Bucks County judge today refused to dismiss the prostitution case against Susan Finkelstein, the self-advertised “buxom blonde” accused of offering sex for World Series tickets.
Judge Albert J. Cepparulo found that there was sufficient evidence to try Finkelstein on charges of prostitution and attempted prostitution. Prosecutors did, however, withdraw a more serious charge of promoting prostitution, saying the lesser charges better match the accusations against her.
(snip)
Brennan contends that no laws were broken because no sex occurred and nothing of value was traded.”
This case is so ridiculous. I can’t believe the charges weren’t dismissed. She never should have been arrested in the first place.
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From the ABC News:
Modern Pope John Paul Used Ancient Ritual of Self-Flagellation
“Pope John Paul II, whose world travels helped modernize the papacy, sometimes practiced ancient rituals of self-flagellation, including hitting himself with a belt that he kept in his closet, according to a new book.
(snip)
While it had been rumored that the late pope practiced self-mortification, Oder is the first to confirm it.
“As some members of his close entourage in Poland and in the Vatican were able to hear with their own ears, John Paul flagellated himself,” according to the book. “In his armoire, amid all the vestments and hanging on a hanger, was a belt which he used as a whip and which he always brought to Castel Gandolfo,” the papal retreat where John Paul vacationed each summer.
(snip)
“It’s an instrument of Christian perfection,” Oder said, referring to the efforts at self-mortification, which he said showed a profound link to God and the suffering of the world.”
The Pope used to spank himself?!? The pervert in me loves this story! He even had a “special” belt to whip himself. Did he really spank himself to feel the suffering of the world or to feel the endorphin high that comes from a good beating?
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From National Geographic:
The Polygamists
“A sect that split from the Mormons allows multiple wives, expels “lost boys,” and heeds a jailed prophet.
(snip)
Few Americans had heard of the FLDS before April 2008, when law enforcement officials conducted a raid on a remote compound in West Texas known as the Yearning for Zion Ranch. For days after, television viewers witnessed the bizarre spectacle of hundreds of children and women—all dressed in old-fashioned prairie dresses, with elaborately coiffed hair—being herded onto school buses by social workers and police officers.
(snip)
To spend time in Hildale and Colorado City is to come away with a more nuanced view. That view is revealed gradually, however, due to the insular nature of the community. Many of the oversize homes are tucked behind high walls, both to give children a safe place to play and to shield families from gawking Gentiles, as non-Mormons are known. Most residents avoid contact with strangers. National Geographic was given access to the community only on the approval of the church leadership, in consultation with the imprisoned Warren Jeffs.”
I am utterly fascinated with cults. Especially ones that have matching clothing. So naturally I loved this story. It’s impressive how deeply National Geographic was about to enter the community. On the other hand, after the raid I’m sure the FLDS wants to repair their image.
There’s a photo gallery that accompanies this story. It’s worth checking out if only for the elaborate hairdos the women wear.
Posted by Vixen as News, Sex Workers at 10:58 PM CST