|
|||||
|
| Porn Users Forum » User Ranks » User Post History |
Post History:
lk2fireone (0)
|
| 51-100 of 237 Posts | < Previous Page | 1 | Page 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Next Page > |
| 09-07-18 06:19pm - 2298 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User  Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
You often find that if you want to buy a movie (to own) for streaming at Amazon, you will pay a higher price than if you bought the DVD. It doesn't make any sense economically. For example: the price of "The Witch" is: ("The Witch" is a horror movie) DVD $3.92 Blu-ray $7.99 To rent a streaming version: rent SD $2.99 (I think this is 720p) rent HD $3.99 (I think this is 1080p) To buy a streaming version: (you can watch the movie through the Amazon site as long as you are a member of Amazon-no time limit on watching--you don't own the movie, but you have purchased the right to watch it) Buy SD $9.99 Buy HD $12.99 But to buy the DVD or Blu-ray disc is much cheaper than to buy the right to stream the movie permanently. It costs money to make a DVD or Blu-ray disc. So I would have thought that the DVD or Blu-ray disc would be more expensive. But I don't like paying a higher price to stream. Also, the DVD or Blu-ray versions often have extra features about the movie, that the streaming version does not. But I like buying the right to stream it on PC or TV, for convenience, instead of buying the physical DVD. I don't have to find the DVD to play the movie, if it's stored on the Amazon servers. And if my DVD program goes on the fritz, then Amazon streaming usually works much better--but not always. The Amazon streaming service can have occasional problems as well. What do PU members do: Buy a DVD or Blu-ray disc? Or buy a movie through Amazon or some other service to stream the movie? Or not buy a movie to own, but only to rent? | |
|
||
| 09-02-18 11:29pm - 2302 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
I've noticed a couple of members who are Webmasters that are/were suspended. And a regular member who was suspended, RustyJ. My question is: are any of these suspensions done by mistake? One of the Webmasters (she is part of MetArt customer support) was friendly, helpful, and willing to post her knowledge of the MetArt network at Porn Users, SelenaMetArt. She has since been re-instated, I believe. But Stas RC, at Teen Mega World, is suspended. Again, he has been helpful in his replies on the Teen Mega World network, and I think the PU site is better off with his participation. Unless there was some reason for his suspension, I believe his membership should also be re-instated. He did not reply as often as SelenaMetArt (the MetArt staff member who I believe was re-instated), but his input helps with knowledge of his TMW site. And there is a regular member who I noticed has been suspended, RustyJ. My guess is that there was a computer error, that resulted in some of these suspensions, because the regular member was a member for several years, he contributed reviews, comments, posts, whatever, and I never found anything objectionable in what he submitted to the PU site. I hope I'm not being rude or aggressive with this comment/thread. But I think that members who contribute to the site should not be suspended in error. Edited on Sep 03, 2018, 12:13am | |
|
||
| 08-31-18 09:28am - 2305 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Long list of porn site discounts for Labor Day at The Best Porn. https://www.thebestporn.com/special/discounts_new/ | |
|
||
| 08-25-18 06:49pm - 2311 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
John McCain, Senator And Former Republican Presidential Nominee, Dead At 81 HuffPost Igor Bobic,HuffPost 1 hour 11 minutes ago Arizona Sen. John McCain, a former Republican presidential nominee and a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, died on Saturday. He was 81. McCain, who had a history of skin cancer, was diagnosed with brain cancer in July 2017 after a routine physical revealed a blood clot over his left eye. He had surgery to remove the clot, which doctors then determined was the result of an aggressive tumor called a glioblastoma. Earlier this week, McCain decided to discontinue his cancer treatment. His family announced his death in a statement late Saturday. Tributes poured in from both sides of the aisle, including from President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama. The diagnosis did not immediately impede McCain from his work in the Senate, where, among other issues he was involved in, he played a major role in derailing the Republican effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act. He later described the disease as “very, very serious,” and said his doctors had told him he had “a very poor prognosis.” McCain was hospitalized in December 2017 with a viral infection, his office said, and returned home to Arizona to recuperate. In April, the senator had surgery to treat an intestinal infection at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. He had reportedly been recovering at his home near Sedona with his wife, Cindy. McCain was born on Aug. 29, 1936, at a U.S. air base in the Panama Canal Zone. After his family moved to northern Virginia in 1951, McCain attended the prestigious U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. He later trained as a fighter pilot and served aboard several U.S. aircraft carriers in the 1960s. On Oct. 26, 1967, McCain’s plane was shot down while he was flying a bombing mission over Hanoi in Northern Vietnam. The North Vietnamese held him in captivity for five and a half years, during which he was interrogated and subjected to repeated beatings. The injuries McCain sustained left him unable to raise his arms above his head. He was ultimately released on March 14, 1973, after his captors determined he was no longer of value. McCain’s military service briefly became a flashpoint during the 2016 presidential race, after real estate mogul and then-Republican candidate Donald Trump questioned his status as a war hero. McCain said he never received an apology from Trump. This photo shows John McCain, right, after being captured in Vietnam. The man on the left is Navy Lieutenant Charles Donald Rice. (Bettmann via Getty Images) After his return and rehabilitation in the U.S., McCain served as the Navy’s liaison to the Senate in 1977. Following his separation from his first wife, Carol Shepp, he married Cindy Lou Hensley and settled in Phoenix. There, he successfully ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982. Four years later, McCain was elected to the Senate, defeating his Democratic challenger by some 20 points. McCain served six terms in the Senate at various posts, including stints as chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee. Early in his career, he made campaign finance one of his signature issues by working to curtail the influence of political contributions and dark money. His efforts eventually led to the passage of the McCain-Feingold Act in 2002, which restricted the use of “soft money” to boost campaigns. As a member of the so-called Gang of Eight, McCain helped craft a bill overhauling the nation’s immigration system that included a comprehensive path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants. It passed in the Senate, but was not taken up in the House. Later in his career, he became a prominent voice among foreign policy hawks, advocating for a more aggressive U.S. approach to world affairs. His experience as a prisoner of war lent him credibility in opposing so-called enhanced interrogation techniques such as waterboarding. McCain first ran for president in 1999 with a scrappy and upstart campaign known for its “Straight Talk Express” bus that promoted his reputation as a “maverick” who would do and say things other Republicans would not. He lost the race, however, to the establishment-backed George W. Bush, due in part to a bitter smear campaign that falsely claimed McCain had fathered a black child out of wedlock. Bush and his team denied involvement, but McCain suspected otherwise. His 2008 presidential run was more successful. After key wins in the New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries, and the flame-out of other challengers, including former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R), both of whom would later go on to mount presidential bids in 2012, McCain finally won his party’s backing for president. Facing freshman Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), McCain cast himself as an experienced and sensible Republican, but his quixotic decision to select Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) as his running mate also turned into a major liability as the political novice floundered time and time again under the spotlight. McCain was ultimately unable to prevail against a younger, charismatic candidate who promised change amid a harsh recession and the costly war in Iraq. On Capitol Hill, the longtime lawmaker was celebrated for, among many noble qualities, his quick wit and good humor. He often sarcastically chided reporters to dismiss or make a point. He traded barbs with colleagues and was known to frequently repeat some of his favorite quips. “After I lost [the 2008 election], I slept like a baby,” McCain has joked over the years. “Sleep two hours, wake up and cry. Sleep two hours, wake up and cry.” In recent years, McCain took on the role of party statesman, but one who was fiercely critical of the Obama administration’s strategy with respect to renewed conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine and Libya. Along with friend and colleague Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), McCain advocated for committing additional U.S. troops on the ground to defeat Islamic State terrorists in Iraq and Syria. In 2016, McCain easily won re-election to his sixth term in the Senate by defeating Democratic Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick. The longtime lawmaker faced a more difficult test with several challengers in the GOP primary, reflecting pent-up frustration with his time and record in Washington among several tea party groups that failed to oust him in 2010. The following year, McCain played a pivotal role in opposing several Republican bills to repeal and replace the health care program known as Obamacare. In a surprise move that cemented his legacy, McCain cast a dramatic late-night vote against GOP legislation rescinding the law. He repeatedly urged Republican leaders to start over by including Democrats in a more open process. Toward the end of his life, McCain appeared to have made peace with his approaching death. In his book The Restless Wave, an excerpt of which was published on Apple News on April 30, the senator said his current term would be his last. “If I hadn’t admitted that to myself before this summer, a stage 4 cancer diagnosis acts as ungentle persuasion,” he wrote. “I’m freer than colleagues who will face the voters again. I can speak my mind without fearing the consequences much. And I can vote my conscience without worry.” Asked last year during a CNN interview about how he hoped to be remembered, McCain said, “He served his country.” He added: “And not always right, made a lot of mistakes. Made a lot of errors. But served his country, and I hope you could add honorably.” The senator is survived by his wife and seven children, including popular author and national radio personality Meghan McCain. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. | |
|
||
| 08-16-18 02:31pm - 2320 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
The description turns me off. I live in California. But even if I lived in NYC, I would not try this ice cream. Artisanal? Hand made ice cream. But the anal part makes me wonder. The downside of being a PU member. ------- ------- An Indian restaurant in NYC serves artisanal ice cream and cones infused with flowers and spices Grant Eizikowitz and Aly Weisman, INSIDER Jul. 24, 2018, 10:51 AM Pondicheri creates homemade ice cream infused with Indian flavors. Their whimsical cones are flavored with turmeric and spices like pink peppercorns and edible flowers. Some of their flavors include avocado moringa with crushed pistachios and cookie dough flavor with crushed chocolate chili cookies. | |
|
||
| 08-13-18 06:04pm - 2323 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
This is real news, not fake news. The boy has a mouth. He can talk trash as well as any politician. "I think Vermonters should take me seriously because I have practical progressive ideas, and I happen to be 14, not the other way around," Sonneborn said in a recent televised gubernatorial forum. "I think that my message and my platform transcend age." Sonneborn thinks he'll do better in the primary than people are expecting. And he measures his campaign's success another way, too. "I think if I can get one person who wasn't involved in the political process before involved now, then my campaign will have been a success," he said. -------------- -------------- 14-year-old boy uses legal quirk to run for Vermont governor Associated Press LISA RATHKE,Associated Press 4 hours ago BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — One of the four Vermont Democrats seeking the party nomination to run for governor in the fall election isn't old enough to vote, let alone drive. Ethan Sonneborn, 14, of Bristol, met the requirements to be on the primary ballot and is taking his place with the state's more age-appropriate candidates on the Tuesday primary ballot, to say nothing of numerous candidate forums and debates. "I think Vermonters should take me seriously because I have practical progressive ideas, and I happen to be 14, not the other way around," Sonneborn said in a recent televised gubernatorial forum. "I think that my message and my platform transcend age." The Vermont Constitution doesn't have an age requirement for people seeking the state's highest office beyond having lived in the state for four years before the election. Sonneborn qualifies. That apparent oversight by the state's founders more than 225 years ago was enough to encourage the politically precocious teen to collect the signatures needed to place him on the primary ballot. He said he's always been fascinated with the concept of building coalitions. Robert F. Kennedy was the politician who most embodies that for him. Sonneborn said his decision to run grew out of his frustration with state and national politics. The teen learned he could, and then decided to do so as a gut reaction to clashes in Charlottesville, Virginia, one year ago. His July finance report shows Ethan has raised just over $1,700, not enough to make him competitive in a world where the successful candidates will undoubtedly have to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more, for ads, mailings, staff and other miscellaneous political expenses before the November general election. Even if he doesn't have much money, Ethan has been on the stage with Vermont's other Democratic candidates. It might be a stretch, though, to call the other candidates traditional politicians. Former utility executive Christine Hallquist says her experience and ideas make her the best choice as Vermont's next governor, but outside Vermont she's pitching herself as someone who would, if elected, become the nation's first transgender political candidate. There is also James Ehlers, an environmentalist, Brenda Siegel, a dance festival organizer. Last January, two Vermont lawmakers introduced a bill that would require candidates to be registered voters. The proposal went nowhere. At a recent news conference, Republican Gov. Phil Scott said he thought lawmakers should take a look at who should be able to run for the state's highest office. "I think you should at least be able to get your driver's license at the time that you become governor," said Scott, who is seeking re-election and is facing businessman Keith Stern in the Republican primary. Sonneborn thinks he'll do better in the primary than people are expecting. And he measures his campaign's success another way, too. "I think if I can get one person who wasn't involved in the political process before involved now, then my campaign will have been a success," he said. ___ Associated Press writer Wilson Ring contributed to this report from Burlington, Vermont. Comment Guidelines | |
|
||
| 08-11-18 09:22pm - 2324 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Mom detained in Dubai after drinking complimentary glass of wine on Emirates flight Kathleen Joyce By Kathleen Joyce | Fox News Ellie Holman said she was detained along with her daughter after drinking a glass of wine on an Emirates flight to Dubai. Ellie Holman said she was detained along with her daughter after drinking a glass of wine on an Emirates flight to Dubai. A mother from Kent, England, and her young daughter were jailed in Dubai for three days – where she was allegedly denied water and forced to clean toilets – after she admitted to drinking a glass of wine on the incoming Emirates flight from London, but Dubai officials have a different side of the story. It’s illegal to drink alcohol or be intoxicated in public in Dubai, one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Ellie Holman, a 44-year-old dentist originally from Sweden who resides in Britain with her husband and their three children, was arrested on July 13 after landing in Dubai with her 4-year-old daughter, the Press Association reported. Upon arrival in Dubai, an official reportedly told Holman she needed to return to the United Kingdom immediately because of an invalid visa, at which point she took out her phone and started filming the encounter, according to human rights group Detained in Dubai. Holman said the official was “dismissive and rude” to her, and asked if she had been consuming alcohol. She admitted to the official that she had a complimentary glass of wine on the Emirates flight. Holman, unaware that it was an offense to film the encounter, and illegal to drink alcohol, was taken into custody, Detained in Dubai reported. The mother and her daughter also had their passports and electronic devices confiscated. Holman said in a statement to Detained in Dubai that the prison guards also attempted to pull out her hair extensions, and the prison facility was “hot and foul-smelling.” She claimed she and her daughter were forced to sleep on a “filthy mattress” and to clean toilets. “My little girl had to go to the toilet on the cell floor. I have never heard her cry in the same way as she did in that cell,” Holman said in a statement. Holman added that she was given food that “smelled like rotting garbage.” She said her husband and friends tried to visit her in jail, but they were not allowed to see her. Ellie Holman claimed she drank one complimentary glass of wine on her Emirates flight to Dubai. Holman was released on bail days later, but could face “being detained in Dubai for up to a year while awaiting a court hearing,” the Press Association reported. Her passport was confiscated until the case is finished, and she claims to have already lost thousands of dollars in missed wages and legal costs. Her daughter returned to the United Kingdom with her husband. Holman was initially traveling to Dubai with her to daughter to visit friends for a few days. She has been in the country before. However, Dubai officials told The Sun a different story and disputed the dentist’s claim. “We dispute Dr. Holman’s account of her treatment," an official told The Sun. “She was not turned away because she had a one-visit visa, as she claimed, because European citizens get a 30-day visa upon arrival. UAE law is strict on people recording others on their mobile phone without permission, which will not have helped Dr. Holman’s case. She became abusive towards airport staff, which is not tolerated. “We cannot comment further as Dr Holman’s case is still under review but there is more to her story than she has told." Dubai's Attorney General's Office told Fox News in a statement that an investigation into the incident was completed and charges were dropped. The office said it decided to deport Hollman after she attempted to enter the country with an expired visa. The office also said Hollman and her child "remained in airport security for less than 24 hours while services were provided to them, taking into full account and consideration of her 4-year-old daughter." Radha Stirling, Detained in Dubai’s chief executive, said it is “wholly illegal for any tourist to have any level of alcohol in their blood, even if consumed in flight and provided by Dubai’s own airline. It is illegal to consume alcohol at a bar, a hotel and a restaurant, and if breathalyzed, that person will be jailed." However, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade says that being intoxicated, and not neccessarily just having a small amount of alcohol in your system, is what's actually forbidden, according to News.com.au. “It’s illegal to drink alcohol or be intoxicated in public,” the department states. “You can be arrested. Foreigners have been arrested on arrival after becoming intoxicated on incoming aircraft or while in transit.” This story was updated to add a comment from Dubai officials. Kathleen Joyce is a breaking/trending news producer for FoxNews.com. You can follow her at @Kathleen_Joyce8 on Twitter. | |
|
||
| 08-08-18 06:38pm - 2328 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
I seem to remember that a PU member can disable his account (membership) voluntarily, and later re-enable it at his choice. But what about suspended? Is that done by the PU staff, for an account that has broken some rule? Or possibly an account can be suspended for a non-reason as well. (I seem to recall reading that an account can be suspended for any or all reasons and even for non-reasons). Anyway, I see that SelenaMetArt has been suspended. She is part of the MetArt staff. Or was. I don't know if she still works there. I always found her replies to be courteous and friendly, and helpful. Was there a reason she was suspended at PU? Or was this a voluntary act on her part? Just asking, out of general curiosity. Because she seemed to an informative and helpful member of the PU community, and I'm sorry she is no longer able to contribute to the PU site. When a staff member of a porn pay site is willing to comment or answer questions about their site, it shows the site is taking an interest in the thoughts and concerns of the PU members and the porn site members, as well. Edited on Aug 08, 2018, 06:43pm | |
|
||
| 08-07-18 09:09am - 2329 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
I just want to compliment Vendo, the billing agent for some porn sites. Usually I prefer to use CCBill and Epoch. But I've used Vendo in the past, several times, and never had a problem with them. Today, I used their website to cancel a subscription. It was easy (once I found the Vendo Customer Service web page). And I immediately got an email confirming the cancellation. Also, the Vendo Customer Service website lists all your recent subscriptions through Vendo. The subs are laid out in an easy to see listing. With full details about the name of the sites, signup date, date and amount of next charge. I've been sloppy, have too many subs. I've also been paying for some subs that were still active, that I didn't realize I had. Stupid. But the Vendo site showed me I have an active sub to DDF Network that I wasn't even aware of. (My short-term memory can be lousy.) So I will cancel the DDF Network sub, and use it until it expires later this month. And if I want to re-join DDF Network again, I will look for a cheaper price. Because I was paying $29.99/month, and not even using the site. And there are usually much cheaper ways to join. But thanks to Vendo, for: 1. Making it easy to cancel a sub. 2. Having a clean listing of subs you currently have, with the details, so you know what you are paying for. I'm going to look at whatever subs I have, to cut down on money wasted. Cheers. | |
|
||
| 06-23-18 03:47pm - 2374 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
'Game of Thrones' stars Kit Harington and Rose Leslie wed in Scotland today, Saturday, June 23, 2018. For followers of the the series, Kit Harington died in one of the episodes of this series. And before that, Rose Leslie also died, in Kit Harington's arms. But still, the two lovebirds have realized their dreams, and wed in Scotland. Why Scotland? Seems like Egypt would be the place for them to pledge their troth, since Egypt has lots of gods who deal with death. But good luck to the pair.  | |
|
||
| 05-29-18 02:14pm - 2399 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Porn Leads To School Shootings, GOP Congresswoman Says HuffPost Jennifer Bendery,HuffPost 4 hours ago Rep. Diane Black must be watching some crazy violent porn, it seems. (Aaron Bernstein / Reuters) Does anyone know what kind of porn Rep. Diane Black (R-Tenn.) is watching? Whatever it is, the 67-year-old Black, who is running for governor of Tennessee, said it’s a “big part” of what is driving the spike in school shootings. During a meeting last week with local pastors, Black raised the issue of gun violence in schools and why it keeps happening. “Pornography,” she said. “It’s available on the shelf when you walk in the grocery store. Yeah, you have to reach up to get it, but there’s pornography there,” she continued. “All of this is available without parental guidance. I think that is a big part of the root cause.” Here’s an audio of her remarks, which she made during a listening session with ministers at Safe Harbor of Clarksville, Tennessee. Black didn’t clarify what it is about porn that she thinks is leading to school massacres. Her congressional spokesman did not respond to a request for comment. Beyond naughty movies, Black said school shootings are on the rise because of the “deterioration of the family,” mental illness and violent movies. There have been 23 shootings of some type on school grounds this year. Of those, nine involved a gun being discharged and people being injured or killed, including Friday’s shooting at an Indiana school that left a teacher and a student injured. Contrary to Black’s take, experts say poor social, economic and cultural conditions are primary drivers of gun violence. Enacting policies to improve those conditions for people, along with reducing access to firearms, would go a long way in stemming mass shootings, they say. These actions are “far more effective than all the police, doctors and hospitals combined, and intervening only after tragedies have struck,” said professors James Gilligan of New York University and Bandy Lee of Yale University, both experts on violence. Clarification: This story has been updated to give a more precise breakdown of and details about the number of school shootings this year. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. | |
|
||
| 05-25-18 12:43pm - 2403 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Sports Brazilian soccer legend wants to marry his 2 girlfriends at the same time — but is that even legal? Yahoo Lifestyle Korin Miller,Yahoo Lifestyle 23 hours ago Polyamory is on the rise, and there’s one more group planning to make things official — Brazilian soccer legend Ronaldinho and his “fiancées,” Priscilla Coelho and Beatriz Souza. The three, who have been living “harmoniously” in the soccer star’s Rio de Janeiro mansion since December, plan to tie the knot this summer in one ceremony, according to Brazil’s O Dia newspaper. Ronaldinho reportedly started dating Coelho a few years before he began seeing Souza in 2016. The women reportedly receive an “allowance” from Ronaldinho of about $2,000, and he always gives them the exact same presents, including matching perfumes. Ronaldinho has never publicly confirmed his relationships with his fianceés, but he travels with them to almost every event he attends, O Dia says. For the record, polygamy is illegal in Brazil. However, there is a precedent: Three people entered into a civil union in 2012 in Brazil that was approved, per the Week. (The rationale was that the three people don’t have any privileges of marriage — they just share an address and bank account.) Polygamy is also illegal in the United States, Mae Kuykendall, a professor of law at Michigan State University, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “No American state validates marriages entered into by more than two people,” she says. Utah tried to criminalize polygamous arrangements, but a federal court ruled the law unconstitutional because it applied to voluntary living arrangements, she points out. “Nonetheless, states in the past have had criminal statutes directed at officially authorized marriages between two people of the same sex,” she says. Using multiple marriage licenses by anyone to enter into a legal marriage with more than one person can be treated as criminal in the U.S., Kuykendall says. “Bigamy statutes are, on the face, applicable, though bigamy has traditionally been seen as a problem of fraud, not consensual arrangements,” she says. In a nutshell, no state in the U.S. will give any person more than one marriage license, so marriage to more than one person at a time is not legal anywhere in the U.S. However, polygamy is legal in some countries, including India, the Philippines, and Nigeria. Of course, there are potential emotional hurdles to consider as well. Given that polyamorous relationships aren’t the norm, people are usually left to their own personal experiences to figure out how to navigate pitfalls and challenges in their relationships, as well as to try to build a successful relationship, Manhattan-based licensed clinical psychologist Joseph Cilona tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “There are typically few models to turn to for inspiration and possible answers, and few resources, including professional resources, that can provide sound information, guidance, advice, and strategies,” he says. “This unfortunate fact may be considered one of the most significant challenges for those in polyamorous marriages.” There are also three people’s needs to consider in this kind of relationship, which can be challenging, Stephen Snyder, MD, author of the book Love Worth Making, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. “That ordinarily requires a lot of time and energy, and very few people have that kind of time and energy,” he says. That doesn’t mean polyamory doesn’t create valid relationships. “Ultimately, polyamory is as legitimate a relationship structure as any other, but it’s a different mindset than what is traditional in most cultures,” licensed clinical psychologist Ramani Durvasula, author of Should I Stay or Should I Go?, tells Yahoo Lifestyle. People in polyamorous relationships may struggle with emotions such as jealousy and insecurity, but Durvasula says it’s difficult to figure out how much of that comes from true biological need or from society. Ultimately, some trios can make it work, Durvasula says, adding, “I’m a big believer in ‘If it works for them, then no judgment whatsoever.'” Ronaldinho and his two fiancées reportedly plan to get married in August. | |
|
||
| 05-25-18 07:03am - 2403 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Movie producer Weinstein charged with rape, sex abuse By Alice Popovici By Alice Popovici 2 minutes 31 seconds ago By Alice Popovici NEW YORK (Reuters) - Film producer Harvey Weinstein surrendered to New York City police on Friday on charges of rape and sex abuse, months after he was toppled from Hollywood's most powerful ranks by scores of women accusing him of misconduct. More than 70 women have accused the co-founder of the Miramax film studio and Weinstein Co of sexual misconduct, including rape, with some allegations dating back decades. The accusations, first reported by the New York Times and the New Yorker last year, gave rise to the #MeToo movement in which hundreds of women have publicly accused powerful men in business, government and entertainment of misconduct. Weinstein is charged with rape, sexual misconduct, sex abuse and the committing of a criminal sex act against two women, the New York Police Department said in a statement, which did not identify the women. Weinstein, 66, has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone. Weinstein gave a weak smile as he arrived at the station house at about 7:25 a.m. EDT (1125 GMT) wearing a dark jacket over a blue sweater and white open-collared shirt and dark jeans. He carried thick books under his right arm, including what appeared to be biographies of the Broadway musical duo of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, and Elia Kazan, the director of such classic Hollywood films as "On the Waterfront" and "A Streetcar Named Desire." Police officers escorted Weinstein inside a lower Manhattan police station as scores of journalists pushed up against barricades for pictures and video, while three helicopters hovered overhead. He is due to appear later in the morning for arraignment at a Manhattan courthouse where a judge is expected to release him on bail, according to media reports. Weinstein is expected to be charged with raping one woman and forcing another to perform oral sex on him, the Times reported, citing unidentified law enforcement officials. Weinstein's spokesman Juda Engelmayer and his lawyer Benjamin Brafman both declined to comment to Reuters on Thursday on the imminent charges. The charges follow a months-long investigation that involved the Manhattan district attorney's office. The victim in the rape case has not been identified, the Times reported, but Weinstein will be charged with first-degree and third-degree rape. The other case involves allegations by Lucia Evans, a former aspiring actress who told the New Yorker that Weinstein forced her to give him oral sex in 2004, the Times reported. Entertainment industry heavyweights have distanced themselves from Weinstein since the accusations became public. The board of the Weinstein Co fired him and the company filed for bankruptcy in March. In 2017, he was expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences after racking up Oscars for a string of films that helped define independent cinema in the 1990s, including "The Crying Game," "Shakespeare in Love" and "Pulp Fiction." Weinstein had been a fixture in the most elite entertainment circles of Manhattan and Los Angeles until his accusers came forward. He sought treatment for sex addiction at a facility in Scottsdale, Arizona, the New York Times reported. London's Metropolitan Police have said they are investigating an allegation of sexual assault against Weinstein, while prosecutors in Los Angeles said in February they were reviewing three accusations of sexual assault against him. Brafman said in a May court filing that federal prosecutors in New York had opened a separate criminal investigation into the allegations. Actress Ashley Judd last month sued Weinstein, saying he cost her a part in 1998 in the film "The Lord of the Rings" after she rejected his sexual advances, charges that Weinstein has denied. [nL1N1S803B] Actress Rose McGowan, among the first in Hollywood to accuse Weinstein of sexual assault, said in a statement on Thursday that his alleged victims were now "one step closer to justice." Other actresses who have publicly accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct include Uma Thurman and Salma Hayek. [nL2N1PT0DO] [nL1N1OD2OK] (Additional reporting by Brendan O'Brien, Peter Szekely and Jonathan Allen in New York; Writing by Jonathan Allen; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe) Comment Guidelines | |
|
||
| 05-24-18 10:26am - 2404 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Yahoo Technology Pornhub has its own VPN now Brian Heater,TechCrunch 2 hours 6 minutes ago Pornhub is diversifying. The most popular site that no one you know will admit Pornhub is diversifying. The most popular site that no one you know will admit to frequenting, is launching its very own VPN service today, called, get this: VPNHub. The app, which is available on Android, iOS, MacOS and Windows, is primarily designed to offer "free and unlimited bandwidth,” according to its creators. It’s an attempt to circumvent ISP throttling, a potential boon for those who frequently visit sites with lot of video. Sites like, well, PornHub. "With 90 million visitors a day, the vast majority of whom are using devices on the go, it’s especially important that we continue to ensure the privacy of our users,” VP Corey Price said in a statement. The app is free on the aforementioned mobile platforms, but there’s a premium for desktop users. Another higher tier will drop ads, offer faster connection speeds and provide logins in additional countries, according to the company. That one runs either $13 a month or $90 for a full year subscription. Of course, there are some privacy concerns to contend with, including some security issues that have arisen in recent months. This WTF is a VPN primer should good you a good overview of what you’re contending with a bit more broadly. “Assume that all the free VPN apps that you see in the App Store and Google Play are free for a reason,” Romain wrote in the piece. “They’ll analyze your browsing habits, sell them to advertisers, inject their own ads on non-secure pages or steal your identity. You should avoid free VPNs at all costs.” So, keep that in mind. If you want to take the leap, however, the service is available now. There’s also a free seven-day trial for the premium version. This article originally appeared on TechCrunch. | |
|
||
| 05-19-18 06:19am - 2409 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Are Officially Married. I saw a photo of the happy couple. Prince Harry was dressed in a black uniform. Like he was at a funeral, or maybe that's the British version of camouflage-undercover? So he could disappear when it grows dark? The bride wore white. Like she was a virgin. Even though this is her second marriage. She is 36 years old. But maybe she was saving herself for Harry. Let's wish the happy couple luck. --------- --------- Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Are Officially Married Carly Ledbetter 1 hour 21 minutes ago Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are officially husband and wife! The two exchanged vows Saturday in a gorgeous ceremony at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, in front of 600 guests (and millions of people watching worldwide). Notable wedding attendees included Oprah, Serena Williams, James Blunt, Elton John, David and Victoria Beckham and George and Amal Clooney. Markle was escorted to Windsor Castle by her mother, Doria Ragland. Prince Charles walked the former actress down the aisle, as her father, Thomas Markle, was too ill to attend the ceremony. Markle then joined Harry at the alter, where he took a moment to tell Markle “You look amazing” and hearts all over the world melted: The sweet ceremony included so many highlights, including a reading from the late Princess Diana’s sister, Lady Jane Fellowes, and a rousing sermon from Bishop Michael Curry which he included quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. People also loved Karen Gibson and The Kingdom Choir singing “Stand By Me:” After the wedding, Harry and Meghan stepped out to acknowledge the 200 representatives in attendance from charities that Harry supports. From there, the newlyweds took a carriage ride around Windsor Town that lasted about 25 minutes. Following the ride, the newlyweds will head to a reception at St. George’s Hall, where the 600 wedding guests are expected to enjoy a standing-only meal with light bites. Only 200 guests are invited to the following reception at Frogmore House. Hosted by Prince Charles, it’s for select family and friends of the bride and groom. That’s where Markle is expected to break with tradition and possibly give a speech. The palace hasn’t confirmed any musical guests, but it’s rumored that Elton John, the Spice Girls or even Ed Sheeran (despite his repeated denials) might perform. After the big day, the couple will likely head back to London to their new home at Nottingham Cottage at Kensington Palace. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex plan to delay their honeymoon so they can immediately begin charity work and attend Prince Charles’ 70th Birthday Patronage Celebration, which takes place May 22. Markle and Harry officially announced their engagement on Nov. 27. They began seeing each other in 2016 after a friend set them up on a blind date. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. | |
|
||
| 05-17-18 01:23pm - 2411 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
I stopped watching Star Wars after the first movie, "Star Wars", the original. I enjoyed 2001 a lot more, thought that was a better movie than Star Wars. However, since Star Wars is so huge in popularity and sequels and whatever, I've heard of Lando Calrissian. The news that Calrissian is pansexual does not surprise me. Not with today's shifting attitudes toward sexuality. Disney, when Walt Disney was still alive, was homophobic and prejudiced as hell. Today's Disney is very different. You have to change with the times, or you fall by the wayside. And Disney made a ton of money with Black Panther. However, I do not think we are going to see many scenes of Calrissian making love to an earthworm. Maybe in another 30 years, however.... -------------- -------------- Movies The Wrap Lando Calrissian Is Pansexual, Says ‘Solo’ Screenwriter “There’s a fluidity to Donald and Billy Dee’s [portrayal of Lando’s] sexuality,” says Jonathan Kasdan Umberto Gonzalez | May 17, 2018 @ 12:09 PM “Solo: A Star Wars Story” screenwriter Jonathan Kasdan has dropped an intergalactic revelation: Smuggler Lando Calrissian is pansexual. “I would say yes,” Kasdan told the Huffington Post. “There’s a fluidity to Donald and Billy Dee’s [portrayal of Lando’s] sexuality,” Kasdan added. “I mean, I would have loved to have gotten a more explicitly LGBT character into this movie. I think it’s time, certainly, for that, and I love the fluidity ― sort of the spectrum of sexuality that Donald appeals to and that droids are a part of.” In the original “Star Wars” trilogy, Lando was played by Billy Dee Williams, who gave Donald Glover the simple instructions to “just be charming.” It appears that Glover took the advice to heart because as young Lando, he plays up the character’s charm and adds a new layer to the gambling swashbuckler. “He doesn’t make any hard and fast rules. I think it’s fun,” Kasdan said. “I don’t know where it will go.” “Solo: A Star Wars Story” follows young Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) as he gets started on his life of crime, meets and befriends Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo), gets hold of the Millennium Falcon and gambles with Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover). It also stars Woody Harrelson, who plays Tobias Beckett, Han’s mentor in piracy. “Solo: A Star Wars Story” opens May 25. Edited on May 17, 2018, 01:27pm | |
|
||
| 05-15-18 12:00pm - 2413 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Captain Marvel, the feminine version, played by Brie Larson, is one of the most powerful superheroes of all time. More powerful than Wonder Woman? More powerful then Superman? More powerful than Thanos? I thought Thanos was supposed to be the most powerful entity of them all, with his stones of power. But no, the good guys always win (or almost always, in the dark past, before superheroes had to fight the dark side of their nature and their flaws and the hostility of good people who don't like the superheroes for one reason or another). I'm still disappointed that Hela (Cate Blanchett) did not appear in the latest Avengers movie and kick everyones' asses (except for the Big Bad Guy, Thanos). She would have been a bigger, badder villain than the pussies that Thanos had working for him. Just my opinion. Cate Blanchett is a great actress, and I think she did a great job as Hela. | |
|
||
| 05-15-18 09:30am - 2413 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Man who killed 2 deer in his back yard charged with 7 counts. None of the counts are felonies. The man has sold his home and moved out of state. So I don't know if the police will issue an arrest warrant to force him to appear in jail. The man's lawyer says the man need not appear in person for the misdemeanor arraignment. -------- -------- The Mercury News Marin man who killed deer in his yard charged with 7 counts By Gary Klien | Marin Independent Journal PUBLISHED: May 15, 2018 at 6:46 am | UPDATED: May 15, 2018 at 6:55 am A man who fatally shot two deer that were foraging in his Tiburon yard last year was charged with a seven-count complaint Monday. Mark Dickinson, 54, is facing two counts of animal cruelty, one for a doe and one for a fawn, according to the filing prosecutor, Deputy District Attorney Yvette Martinez-Shaw. The other counts, which are alleged violations of the fish and game code, include the unlawful “taking of a mammal;” deer hunting without a license; discharging a deadly weapon near a building; using lead ammunition for game; and taking mammals at an unlawful time, i.e. half an hour before sunrise. None of the counts is a felony. Dickinson is scheduled to be arraigned June 11 in Marin County Superior Court. His lawyer, Charles Dresow, said Dickinson need not appear in person for the misdemeanor arraignment. Dickinson moved out of state after the episode, which drew the scorn of many residents on the Tiburon Peninsula. “The flames of community outrage were fanned by the statements of law enforcement,” Dresow said Monday evening. “Mr. Dickinson trusts that the actual evidence will prove him innocent of animal cruelty.” The incident occurred at about 5:15 a.m. Sept. 2 outside Dickinson’s former home at 2322 Mar East St. A neighbor called police after hearing a crashing sound and a pair of loud cracks. Tiburon police contacted Dickinson at his property. He told police he was chasing deer off with a pellet gun and did not know whether he struck them, according to a police affidavit. An officer told him there were two severely injured deer in the road near the property. “Dickinson said, ‘Oh, cool,’ and began laughing,” an investigator wrote in the affidavit. Dickinson added, “They’ve been eating our yard and I’ve spent $40,000 on my yard and I’ve done everything I can to keep them out of here and they will not leave.” Marin Humane staffers were unable to get to the scene for about 90 minutes. The deer died in the interim. Police booked Dickinson on suspicion of felony animal cruelty. The jail released him pending a decision on charges. Marin Humane took the dead animals for a necropsy. Internal imaging revealed a bullet in the torso of the doe and a pellet toward the rear o Police researched gun registration records and learned that Dickinson had purchased a JD Machine Tech TR1 lower receiver in 2014. Police determined that the product, the foundation for a rifle, was “an AR15-type military standard, or ‘mil spec’, lower receiver,” Tiburon police Detective Russell Stiverson wrote in the affidavit. “This type of lower receiver can be matched with various calibers of upper receivers to make a complete rifle, potentially capable of firing the type of bullet recovered from the doe,” Stiverson said. Based on the witness accounts, the necropsy results and the other investigative findings, police obtained a search warrant for Dickinson’s property. Police executed the warrant on Sept. 8. Police confiscated a Beretta handgun, a Glock handgun, numerous boxes of ammunition, magazines and assorted gun accessories. They did not find the JD Machine Tech TR1 lower receiver. The prosecution delayed charges until lab work on the evidence was completed. It was handled by a private lab contracted by the district attorney’s office. The prosecution released no details about the evidence analysis Monday. “We’re glad to see the district attorney is taking this so seriously,” said Lisa Bloch, a spokeswoman for Marin Humane. Dickinson, a commercial pilot, and his wife Shauna, a flight attendant, sold the Tiburon property in October. | |
|
||
| 05-11-18 11:52pm - 2416 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Video shows cop beating up his teen daughter in school office. Witnesses did nothing. If I was there, and I knew it was a cop, I'd do nothing too. Cops can shoot you dead, or beat you up like hell. Some citizen is going to interfere with a cop, not likely! Most cops I've known carry guns on them, even when off-duty. You mess with a cop, you can wind up dead or seriously injured, in addition to being arrested on whatever charges the cop can think of (and they are trained to think up charges, even if you are just standing there or sitting there, or walking by). The cop was relieved of duty with pay. With pay. Pending an investigation. ------- ------- Miami-Dade County May 11, 2018 9:09 PM Video shows cop beating up his teen daughter in school office. Witnesses did nothing. Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/co...9.html#storylink=cpy New video has surfaced of a Miami-Dade police officer beating up his 14-year-old daughter inside Pinecrest Cove Preparatory Academy's main office. Miami-Dade's State Attorney's Office Matias J. Ocner By Monique O. Madan New video has surfaced of a police officer beating up his 14-year-old daughter inside her school's main office. The March 19 incident — which led to Miami-Dade police officer Raymond Rosario's arrest — happened after his daughter "disrespected her teacher" at Pinecrest Cove Preparatory Academy, according to an arrest report. New video has surfaced of a police officer beating up his 14-year-old daughter inside her school's main office. The silent footage shows Rosario slapping the girl across the face, aggressively pulling her by the hair and whipping her with a belt on her legs as school employees sit a few feet away. Nobody flinched. The arrest report noted that the teen "stated she did not sustain any visible injuries and/or bruises." Rosario ultimately surrendered to police and was booked into Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a felony child abuse charge. He was "relieved of duty with pay" pending an investigation, Miami-Dade police said. His plea hearing is set for Tuesday. | |
|
||
| 04-29-18 02:09am - 2429 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Straight man kills gay man. Uses "gay panic" defense and is sentenced to 6 months in jail. Also has to serve 10 years of probation, 100 hours of community service, and pay $11,000 to the dead man's family. Note: a simple funeral can easily cost $20,000 or more (casket, burial servie, plot, etc.). So paying $11,000 to kill a man seems like a cheap price. As well, the 6 months in jail seems like a slap on the wrist for killing a man. But the victim was gay, and the killer claimed the victim was dangerous because he was younger and taller than the killer. Who are you going to believe? The dead man, who can't say anything in his own defense? Or the killer, who says he was afraid the gay man was going to hurt him? And why did the court rule that the killer has to use an alcohol monitoring device for at least a year? The article does not give much details of the defense, that make a strong defense for killing someone, other than to say the victim was gay. -------------------- -------------------- Texas Man Who Killed Neighbor Uses 'Gay Panic' Defense And Avoids Murder Charge [HuffPost] Curtis M. Wong ,HuffPost•April 27, 2018 A Texas man avoided murder and manslaughter convictions after his attorney cited a defense often called “gay panic” as the reason he killed a neighbor. James Miller of Austin was found guilty Tuesday of criminally negligent homicide in the 2015 death of Daniel Spencer, local NBC affiliate KXAN reports. He was sentenced Wednesday to 10 years probation and six months in jail. Miller also must complete 100 hours of community service, pay $11,000 in restitution to Spencer’s family and use an alcohol monitoring device for at least a year. In September 2015, Spencer had invited Miller to his East Austin home to drink and play music. Miller testified that Spencer, who had relocated to Texas from Los Angeles about a year before his death, grew angry when Miller rejected his sexual advances, according to the Austin American-Statesman. Miller said Spencer then moved forward, brandishing a glass. “We’re musicians and all that kind of stuff, but I’m not a gay guy,” Miller told police, according to an affidavit cited by KXAN. “It seemed like everything was alright and everything was fine. When I got ready to go, it seemed like [expletive] just started happening.” Miller later testified that he stabbed Spencer, who was 37 years younger and at least 8 inches taller than him, twice. “He had height advantage over me, arm length over me, youth over me,” he said. “I felt he was going to hurt me.” Defense attorney Charlie Baird told KXAN that he didn’t think the verdict was fair. “We thought that he should have been acquitted on the basis of self-defense,” he said. Prosecutor Matthew Foye told the TV station that the fact the jury didn’t let Miller off on his claims of self-defense “established that Daniel Spencer was a victim of a senseless killing by the defendant and he did not do anything to bring this upon himself.” At present, 48 U.S. states allow the “gay panic” or “trans panic” defense, in which a defendant can cite a victim’s sexuality or gender identity as the justification for violent crime, usually to obtain lesser charges or a reduced sentence. The defense tactic sparked debate in the LGBTQ community in 2016 when James Dixon was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the 2013 beating death of Islan Nettles. Dixon said he’d been flirting with Nettles on the street before he knew she identified as transgender and that he attacked her after friends mocked him for trying to pick up a trans woman. Queer rights advocates, including Nettles’ mother, felt the sentence was too light. In December, Illinois became the second state, after California, to prohibit the defense. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. | |
|
||
| 04-25-18 07:02am - 2433 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
I know that the year is not finished. But the anticipation is dreadful. Will Infinity War be as good as fans are hoping for? Find out tomorrow, or this weekend. The truth is, I'm not the biggest fan of comic book movies. I think there are better movies out there, at times. But I'm thinking of seeing Infinity War. The last superhero movie I really enjoyed was Captain America, with Chris Evans. The story was simple: origin story about how a dedicated, loyal American became a powerful hero fighting for America in WW11. Simple story, easy to follow. Not a lot of characters, so it was easy to root for the hero, who has his ups and downs. The inventions were marvelous: submarine, plane, whatever. And an Evil Villain, with an Evil henchman. I didn't care for the follow-up movie about Captain America, because now it's the hero fighting against evil, greedy Americans. (Sort of a reflection of today's America.) But maybe I will enjoy Infinity War. I'm hoping that the Evil Villain will finally prevail, and we can start again, with new characters that I can root for. Any PU members plan to see this movie, this weekend or soon? Or is everyone else overdosed on superhero movies, like I seem to be. Though I did enjoy Wonder Woman. That was a good action flic. | |
|
||
| 04-21-18 07:24pm - 2437 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
For many years, Yahoo email was free. With almost no ads. Now, Yahoo email comes with ads that are put into the inbox for emails. And you can't delete them. I try to delete them, and can't. They appear to be a permanent part of the inbox contents. Tricky. But if I upgrade to Yahoo Mail Pro, I can get rid of the ads, with an ad-free account. Cost of Yahoo Mail Pro: $3.49/month $34.99/year. Pretty smart. I'm now looking for a free email plan that doesn't come with ads. Any suggestions for a free email plan that is easy to use? Note: I've had my Yahoo email account for over 20 years now. But I figure it's time to switch. Edited on Apr 21, 2018, 07:29pm | |
|
||
| 04-20-18 02:16pm - 2438 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
'Smallville' actress charged with sex trafficking for alleged involvement in NXIVM cult Taryn Ryder 33 minutes ago Allison Mack attends Amazon Studios’ premiere of Lost in Oz. (Photo: Todd Williamson/Getty Images for Amazon Studios) Allison Mack has been arrested for her alleged involvement in a sex cult. On Friday, both the Smallville actress and Keith Raniere were charged with sex trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy, and forced labor conspiracy, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York confirmed to Yahoo Entertainment. Raniere, the founder of the self-help group NXIVM and the alleged cult leader, was arrested last month. Within NXIVM, there was reportedly a secret “sorority” called DOS, also known as “Lord/Master of the Obedient Female Companions.” Mack, 35, was allegedly a DOS Master who recruited and directed slaves to have sex with Raniere, also known as “Vanguard.” “As alleged in the indictment, Allison Mack recruited women to join what was purported to be a female mentorship group that was, in fact, created and led by Keith Raniere,” U.S. Attorney Richard P. Donoghue said in a statement. “The victims were then exploited, both sexually and for their labor, to the defendants’ benefit. This Office and our law enforcement partners are committed to prosecuting predators who victimize others through sex trafficking and forced labor.” Yahoo reached out to a representative for Mack, who had no comment. Keith Raniere (Screenshot: YouTube) The actress — who played Chloe Sullivan on the CW show from 2001 to 2011 — has frequently mentioned Raniere on her website and on social media. Mack’s former Smallville co-star Kristin Kreuk was once a member of NXIVM. Allison Mack and Kristin Kreuk (The CW) However, Kreuk released a statement saying she had no idea about DOS. Mack was set to be arraigned Friday afternoon. Raniere will be arraigned at a later date. The FBI is asking “anyone who might have been a victim” to reach out so it can continue to unravel this “pyramid scheme.” | |
|
||
| 04-15-18 05:53pm - 2443 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
As Prince heirs stew, bankers and lawyers cash in on estate Associated Press STEVE KARNOWSKI,Associated Press 7 hours ago FILE - In this Feb. 4, 2007, file photo, Prince performs during the halftime show at the Super Bowl XLI football game in Miami. The saga to settle Prince's estate provides a cautionary tale about what can happen when someone dies without leaving a will, as he did when he died of an accidental opioid overdose at his Paisley Park studio April 21, 2016. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File) MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — As the second anniversary of Prince's death approaches, his heirs have yet to collect a dollar of his estimated $200 million estate. But bankers, lawyers and consultants have earned millions from it. The long saga to settle the estate provides a cautionary tale about dying without a will, as Prince did when he died of an accidental opioid overdose at his suburban Minneapolis studio on April 21, 2016, and the heirs can't quit squabbling. Here's a look at where things stand: NO DOUGH YET Even though it's been nearly two years since Prince died, the executor of the estate, Comerica Bank and Trust, can't split the money among Prince's six surviving siblings until the Internal Revenue Service and executor agree on the estate's value when Prince died. It's not clear when that might happen. The IRS and state of Minnesota are entitled to collect about half, though the estate can stretch out the payments over time. THE ESTATE'S VALUE Court filings several months after Prince's death suggested that it was worth around $200 million before taxes. The actual value remains one of the biggest secrets in the case, hidden in sealed and redacted documents. The actual valuation could have gone up or down since then. That's because the various attorneys, accountants and industry experts at that point had not yet finished appraisals and deals for the use of his music, videos and assets including his Paisley Park studio. Attorneys for the heirs did not return calls for this story or declined to comment. FRICTIONS AND FACTIONS The six heirs have been bitterly split. Sharon Nelson, Norrine Nelson and John R. Nelson form one faction that has battled Comerica and other heirs on several fronts, including Comerica's decision to move the contents of Prince's vault of recordings from Paisley Park to Los Angeles. But the six showed rare unity last week when Tyka Nelson, Omarr Baker and Alfred Jackson joined the other three in strenuously objecting to an unspecified "entertainment transaction" in the works that they say would be "an embarrassment to Prince's legacy." The volume of heavily redacted and sealed court filings and counter-filings suggests it's big, but the public portions don't say whether it's a new music rights deal to replace a failed agreement with Universal Music Group or something else. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday. Most of the siblings have kept low public profiles. Sharon Nelson has been the most outspoken. She recently released an album of music composed by her father and Prince's father, the late jazz musician John L. Nelson. She also tweeted fresh criticism of Comerica last week, asking why Prince fans haven't been offered any new music. WHO IS GETTING PAID SO FAR? A small army of lawyers and the taxman. Public filings don't say how much the estate has already paid the IRS and state of Minnesota, but Comerica and its lawyers have already collected at least $5.9 million in fees and expenses, according to a filing last month. "There is legitimate concern that at the end of the Estate's administration there will be little, if anything left to pass on to the Heirs," attorneys for Sharon, Norrine and John wrote in that filing. The $5.9 million doesn't include a pending request for nearly $2.9 million in fees and expenses for Comerica and its lawyers. Nor does it include fees for the heirs' lawyers and other attorneys, or fees for the estate's main music adviser, Spotify executive Troy Carter. Carver County District Judge Kevin Eide has admonished everyone to keep spending under control, writing that the estate "is not an unlimited resource!" A SETTLEMENT? The agenda for Wednesday's hearing also includes a Comerica motion to approve some sort of settlement. Nearly all details have been redacted, but one dispute that appears ripe for a settlement is the estate's lawsuit against Jay Z's Roc Nation and the Tidal streaming service over alleged copyright violations. Whatever the settlement is about, Sharon, Norrine and John oppose it. They say the estate could win more in litigation. | |
|
||
| 04-11-18 10:39pm - 2446 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
S. Korean kills neighbour's dog, invites him to share meat AFP AFP 19 hours ago Seoul (South Korea) (AFP) - A South Korean farmer killed and cooked a neighbour's barking dog before inviting its unsuspecting owner to join him for a dog-meat dinner, police said Wednesday, in a case that has sparked online outrage. The 62-year-old unnamed man confessed to the crime after another neighbour tipped off the pet owner's family. He claimed he was so irritated by the dog's constant barking that he threw a stone at the two-year-old Welsh Corgi, resulting in the animal losing consciousness. "Only after the dog passed out, he claims, he strangled the animal and cooked it," a detective in the southern city of Pyeongtaek told AFP. "The man then invited his neighbours to share the meal, including the father of the dog-owning family", he said. Dog meat has long been a part of South Korean cuisine. But consumption has declined as South Koreans increasingly embrace the idea of dogs as pets instead of livestock, with eating them now something of a taboo among younger generations. The case came to light when a daughter of the family this week published an online plea calling for public support to ensure that the offender be punished sternly. A petition has so far gained almost 15,000 signatures. "We had been all around the town, handing out leaflets containing the dog's picture, phone number and rewards of one million won ($940), in order to find the missing dog", the daughter told AFP by phone, asking for her family's name to be kept anonymous. "When I reached the man's house, which is just three doors down from ours, he expressed sympathy, promising to let us know if he found the dog". At that time, however, the farmer was hiding the dog, either alive or dead, in his barn, she said. The following day, the suspect visited her father, drank with him and consoled him over the missing dog. "He even invited neighbours to come share the dog meat, including my father who did not accept the invitation as he is a non-dog meat eater", she said. As many as one million dogs are still consumed in South Korea each year, with the greasy red meat -- which is invariably boiled for tenderness -- believed to increase energy. Activists have stepped up campaigns to ban dog consumption. Under a newly strengthened law, animal abusers face up to two years in prison or 20 million won ($18,700) in fines. | |
|
||
| 04-09-18 10:58pm - 2448 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Just came across this video, of a real life horror story. Little girl, frightened by her own shadow. Can't make it disappear. Can life get any worse? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyYBL-8yx5M | |
|
||
| 04-09-18 08:32pm - 2448 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
https://www.thewrap.com/porn-star-nikki-...it-against-brazzers/ The Wrap Porn Star Nikki Benz Files Sexual Battery Lawsuit Against Brazzers Director Tony T. and performer Ramon Nomar also named in lawsuit Tim Kenneally | Last Updated: April 9, 2018 @ 7:53 PM Porn performer Nikki Benz filed a lawsuit against porn company Brazzers, director Tony T. and performer Ramon Nomar on Monday, alleging that she was “struck on the face, head and breasts hard enough to cause her to bleed” during a December 2016 shoot. In the suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, Benz names Brazzers, its parent company MindGeek, director Tony T. and male performer Ramon Nomar, alleging battery, assault, sexual battery, gender violence and other counts. Benz alleges that, prior the the beginning of the shoot, she was only aware “that the shoot would be hardcore and what she would be wearing.” However, the suit says, Tony T. repeatedly “slapped Benz’s face and breasts,’ saying, ‘Open your eyes bitch’ and, ‘Open your f—ing eyes.'” “He would film with one hand and choke Benz with the other hand. Nomar stomped on Benz’s head. Between Tony T. and Nomar, Benz was hit, slapped choked and thrown on the ground and against the wall,” the suit reads. The suit also says that Benz suffered physical violence enough to cause bleeding, that Nomar and Tony T concealed the blood by pouring water on the walls and flow, and that Benz was not only gagged with her own underwear, but also effectively waterboarded. The complaint adds that Benz never consented to having Tony T. touch her during the shoot at any time, and called “cut” several times during the shoot to express that to him and Nomar. During the exit interview, when asked if she would do the shoot again, she said that she wouldn’t shoot with them again, the suit alleges, after which Tony T. yelled, “Stop!” “Tony T. made Benz record her exit interview again to give a ‘yes’ response,” saying that if she didn’t do so, “Benz would not receive her check,” the suit, which seeks unspecified damages, reads. As a result, the suit says, Benz suffered “pain, suffering, emotional distress, as well as past and future medical expenses and lost wages.” TheWrap has reached out to MindGeek and an attorney for Tony T. and Nomar for response to the suit. Benz first accused Tony T. of assault in December, after which he was fired by Brazzers. The director filed suit his own lawsuit against Benz, Brazzers and MindGeek, claiming that he was defamed by her accusations. Nomar was also listed as a plaintiff in the suit. Pamela Chelin contributed to this report. | |
|
||
| 04-08-18 12:47am - 2450 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Russell Crowe's Leather Jock Strap Sells for $7,000 at ''Art of Divorce'' Auction by Meg Swertlow | Sat., Apr. 7, 2018 2:50 PM Russell Crowe, Art of Divorce, Sotheby's, auction Sotheby's Australia Not bad for less than a day's work and only a decade of memories! More than five years after splitting from his wife of nine years, Russell Crowe is almost officially divorced, but before all that's said and done, the Aussie actor's pulled an unusual move to mark the end of his marriage—with an auction called "The Art of Divorce." Turns out that one of the most popular items up for auction was a leather jock strap from his 2005 film, Cinderella Man, which went for $7,000. In addition to the high-priced support wear, the superstar sold off some of the treasures, including art, furniture and keepsakes from his time with soon-to-be ex-wife Danielle Spencer. On April 7 (which is both the actor's birthday and wedding anniversary), Sotheby’s Australia auctioned off 200 items from the Oscar winner, including movie memorabilia, art, and furniture to the highest bidder. The event was live-streamed on Facebook. Afterwards, Crowe took to Twitter to tell his followers that the auction brought in nearly $4 million. The Gladiator star tweeted, "In case anyone is interested ... $3.7m at the coal face and around $350k of conversations ongoing." According to Sotheby's website, "The sale represents the dispersal of a highly personal collection that was assembled by Crowe over many years, including those shared with his former wife, Danielle Spencer." Sotheby's continues, "The Russell Crowe Collection comprises important paintings by some of Australia’s most significant historic, modern and contemporary artists, furniture, movie memorabilia, musical instruments, watches and sporting memorabilia." Russell Crowe, Art of Divorce, Sotheby's, auction On Friday, Crowe told Good Morning Britain that the jock strap was "one of the most popular items" ahead of Saturday's aucution. He said it was put in as a joke, "It was my jock strap when I won the heavyweight championship of the world as the character James J. Braddock in the film Cinderella Man. I put it in the collection as a piece of whimsy and a bit of a gag. Funny enough, it's garnered a lot of attention." In addition to the pricey jock strap, one notable piece was the molded polyurethane "armor" that Crowe wore in Gladiator, which was estimated at $20,000-$30,000, but sold for $125,000. Other items from the Ridley Scott-directed film went for the most money. An aluminum prop sword and spare blade combo sold for $70,000, a Roman chariot replica got $65,000 and a pair of black leather wrist cuffs fetched $32,000. The item that sold for the most money was Charles Blackman's 1960 painting "The Suitor," which earned $360,000. Despite splitting in 2012, Crowe and Spencer have still been legally married. In 2015, Crowe told The Sunday Times he still loved his estranged wife. "I've loved Danielle Spencer since 1989—that's never going to change—and that's one of those things where I stare at her and go, ‘How did it fail?' I still can't work it out, because my feelings for her have never changed." When asked about the chances of them rekindling their relationship, Crowe added, "Once I commit to something, I stick with it, so you never know." But it seems that relationship has sailed. Crowe and Spencer have two children together, sons Tennyson, 11 , and Charles, 13. | |
|
||
| 04-07-18 12:12pm - 2451 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Justice served: 4 teens who killed a man given suspended sentences. Four teens who dropped a sandbag onto a freeway, killing a man, were given suspended sentences. My guess is that the the teens were too young to understand why the man died, so the judge, instead of sending them to juvenile jail, said: "You're good guys. Don't do this again. Right?" And justice has been served. However, the 4 teens apologized in court to the victim's family. So everyone should be happy, now that the 4 teens have apologized. -------- -------- Good Morning America Ohio teens given suspended sentence for dropping sandbag off overpass that killed man Good Morning America MARK OSBORNE,Good Morning America 5 hours ago The four Ohio teens who pleaded guilty to dropping a sandbag off a freeway overpass that killed a 22-year-old man were given a suspended sentence and ordered to a treatment center on Friday. Marquis Byrd was the passenger in a vehicle that was hit by the sandbag dropped onto Interstate 75 in Toledo last December. Byrd was left in critical condition and died three days later in the hospital. The four teens, all aged 13 or 14, pleaded guilty to either murder or manslaughter. The boy who dropped the sandbag pleaded guilty to murder while the other three pleaded to involuntary manslaughter, the Toledo Blade reported. The teen who pleaded guilty to murder was sentenced to the Department of Youth Services until he turns 21, while the teens who pleaded guilty to manslaughter were sentenced to three years in the Department of Youth Services. All four sentences were suspended by the judge in favor of being sent to Toledo's Lucas County Youth Treatment Center. "It's a treatment facility, for certain services, to provide so these boys change their behavior and can become productive members of our community," Judge Denise Navarre Cubbon said. Ohio teens now charged with murder for allegedly killing motorist with sandbag dropped from overpass Overpass death highlights dangers from above for motorists and pedestrians Lillian Diallo, the lawyer for Marquis Byrd's family, called the decision to suspend the teens' sentences in connection with dropping a sandbag on a vehicle 'outrageous.' (WTVG) The decision to suspend the teens' sentences and send them to the treatment facility drew outrage from Lillian Diallo, the Byrd family's lawyer, who called the decision "outrageous." "Suspended what? If you do what? So eight months you get to go home?" Diallo told Toledo ABC station WTVG outside the courtroom following the sentencing. "This child will never be at home. His son will never see him. His mother will never be able to say, 'Hey son, how are you? How's your day?' Touch his face, see his face. This is outrageous." There were 30 letters written on behalf of Byrd, asking for a strong punishment for the boys. The four convicted teens apologized in court to the victim's family. "I pray for him and his family every single day and night and cannot imagine what they are going through and how they feel right now," one of the boys said Friday, reading from a letter. Lucas County Juvenile Court Judge Denise Navarre Cubbon gave the four teens who dropped a sandbag on a car a suspended sentence on Friday, March 6, 2018. (WTVG) The four teens initially pleaded not guilty to the charges of murder and vehicular vandalism, the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office said. "Let me tell you something -- at the age of 10 you know if you take something and put it in a moving lane of traffic, you should know what the consequence will be," Diallo said. "You didn't take the sandbag and throw it on the side. You took that sandbag and you threw it down there to that boy's death." Diallo, who knew Byrd, told ABC News in January that Byrd, a father to a 2-year-old boy, was planning a surprise proposal for his girlfriend, the mother of his child. | |
|
||
| 04-01-18 01:25pm - 2457 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
The youngster is more expressive than the adult, who has seen it all before: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8fdQYxcLEA | |
|
||
| 04-01-18 01:14pm - 2457 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
The Wrap Netflix Announces Acquisition of Seth Rogen – All of Him (Video) Streaming services says “Pineapple Express” actor has signed over his “personal autonomy” as of April 1 — yes, note the date Jeremy Fuster | Last Updated: April 1, 2018 @ 8:56 AM Netflix on Sunday announced possibly the biggest acquisition in company history, of actor-writer-director Seth Rogen. Not Seth Rogen’s latest standup act or film. Seth Rogen. Literally, his personal autonomy, name and likeness. (Yes, note that the tongue-in-cheek announcement came on April 1.) “World-renowned Canadian person, prolific marijuana-doer, and winner of the 2015 MTV Movie Award for ‘Best Kiss’ Seth Q. Rogen has entered into a lifetime deal to transfer full ownership of his personal autonomy to Netflix, Inc,” read the statement announcing the acquisition. The first special to air on Netflix as part of this new deal will be “Seth Rogen’s Hilarity for Charity,” an actual programming event that will feature comedy acts from Rogen and other special guests to benefit actual charities. “As a general rule, I don’t really ‘read’ anything before I sign it,” Rogen said in a statement. “That’s what Danny is for, he handles that for me, mostly…I really hope he didn’t f— this up. He’s the reason that ‘Zach and Miri Make a Porno’ exists.” As part of the announcement, Netflix released a video showing Rogen reading the details of his contract. This includes the right to frame Rogen for murder and to “make a docu-series about that murder. The contract cannot be amended and will continue to be in effect even in the case of Rogen’s “untimely and mysterious death.” “If it worked for Adam Sandler, it’ll work for me I guess, right?” Rogen said. | |
|
||
| 03-28-18 06:47pm - 2461 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
ON TOPIC: Woman Arrested After Raunchy Come-On To Easter Bunny. Rules of behavior: Do not make out with the Easter Bunny (in a public place). Also, being drunk in public can get you arrested. However, most PU members have higher standards than the woman in the article, and would only molest the Easter Bunny in the privacy of their home. --------- --------- Woman Arrested After Raunchy Come-On To Easter Bunny HuffPost David Moye,HuffPost 6 hours ago Trying to make out with the Easter Bunny isn’t egg-zactly appropriate behavior ― especially when kids are watching ― but that’s what police said an Ohio woman did. Ladonna Hughett, 54, was arrested on Saturday after police said she lewdly propositioned and grabbed an Easter Bunny working at a carousel park in Mansfield. When Hughett posed for a photo with the rabbit, witnesses said she inappropriately grabbed the costumed character and made suggestive comments within earshot of families at the indoor park, according to Columbus station WLW. Someone called Mansfield police. “We received a report from a citizen, an unusual report from a citizen, that called us to the Richland Carrousel Park of an intoxicated female doing some lewd acts on the Easter Bunny,” Assistant Chief Keith Porch told the TV station. Arriving officers found Hughett on the carousel, the station reported. According to an arrest report obtained by The Smoking Gun, officers said Hughett seemed to be drunk with slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and “a generally wobbly demeanor.” Hughett was charged with public drunkenness and booked into the county jail. She was released eight hours later, according to WLW. Police didn’t charge her with assaulting the Easter Bunny. Hughett’s Facebook page seemed amazingly prophetic, featuring a comment that she ″can be a handfull but most of the time i am just a idiot,” according to Metro.com. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. | |
|
||
| 03-27-18 12:50pm - 2462 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
TV The Wrap ‘Star Trek’ Actress Marries Leonard Nimoy’s Son Terry Farrell and Adam Nimoy tie the knot on what would have been the late Spock actor’s 87th birthday Reid Nakamura | Last Updated: March 27, 2018 @ 11:53 AM “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” actress Terry Farrell and Leonard Nimoy’s son, Adam, tied the knot Monday, on what would have been the late Spock actor’s 87th birthday. Farrell, who played Jadzia on the 1990s sci-fi series, shared the news in a tweet signed “Mrs. Adam Nimoy.” “Freakin AWESOME day!!!!!!! Love ya all!,” she wrote in the post, accompanied by a photo of the couple on their wedding day from film critic Scott Mantz. First engaged last summer, Farrell and Nimoy were wed in a ceremony at the San Francisco City Hall. Leonard Nimoy, who originated the role of Spock in the first “Star Trek” TV series, died in 2015 after a bout with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Last month, on the anniversary of his death, Adam shared a photo of his father with the caption, “Three years gone but never too far from us.” | |
|
||
| 03-25-18 07:06pm - 2464 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Sports 19-year-old says she was kicked off of her college volleyball team because her Instagram posts were 'too sexy' Erin Donnelly Sat, Mar 24 7:43 AM PDT A college student who claims she was kicked off the University of Cincinnati women’s volleyball team after being singled out for Instagram images her coach deemed “too sexy” is taking legal action. According to legal documents obtained by Courthouse News Service, which was the first to break the story, Shalom Ifeanyi filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court Tuesday. The lawsuit names former coach Molly Alvey as well as executive senior associate athletic director Maggie McKinley and the University of Cincinnati as defendants. Ifeanyi, who is black, cites racial discrimination and sexual discrimination and harassment as motives behind her dismissal from the team in late June 2017. Her lawsuit alleges that Alvey “began harassing and shaming” her about images posted to her social media accounts, referring to them as “too sexy.” The 19-year-old, pictured bottom right in the below image, maintains that she was fully clothed in the images, and claims that her teammates were not subjected to similar lectures. “Upon information and belief, no such requests were made to other members of the women’s volleyball team who were of slighter build and lighter complexion despite photographs picturing them in outfits, including but not limited to, two-piece swimsuits,” the lawsuit, prepared by Ohio firm Rittgers & Rittgers, states. Ifeanyi claims she heeded the warnings and removed the images in question, posting more conservative headshots instead. But in June 2017, she was allegedly confronted by Alvey about her Instagram profile picture. “‘When the football players see this, what do you think they see?’” the coach allegedly told her. “‘They see your breasts. It’s seductive.’” Ifeanyi deleted the photo but was soon ordered by text to remove additional photos. She finally objected, citing a frustration with the “body shaming,” and replied to Alvey that she would not comply. Approximately a week later, in a meeting overseen by McKinley, Alvey informed Ifeanyi that she would need to leave the team, as they had “different philosophies.” Leaving the team prevents Ifeanyi, who suffered from a knee injury for much of the season but maintains that she remained committed to her rehab and workouts, from renewing her athletic scholarship past the 2017-2018 academic year. The lawsuit claims that NCAA transfer rules also prohibit her from playing competitive volleyball for the 2018-2019 season, which means pursuing another athletic scholarship is off the table. Ifeanyi has since enrolled in a different university and has “lost earning capacity.” The student filed a Title IX complaint about her dismissal nine months ago, but claims that an investigation was not completed, nor was she given an opportunity to appeal the decision. Citing Ifeanyi’s “pain and suffering in the form of humiliation, frustration, aggravation, anger, and depression,” the lawsuit is seeking “compensatory damages, punitive damages, reasonable attorney fees, costs, and all other relief to which she may be entitled.” Ryan Koslen, a spokesman for the University of Cincinnati’s athletic department, told Yahoo Lifestyle that he was “unable to comment on the allegations.” Ifeanyi has not yet responded to a request for comment. “We feel that the lawsuit speaks for itself and do not have any additional comments at this time,” her lawyer, Ryan McGraw, said. | |
|
||
| 03-25-18 06:55pm - 2464 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
I'm certainly not a movie professional, like Spielberg, Christopher Nolan or James Cameron, but I think that if a movie is great, it should be in contention for an Oscar. I understand that these directors want the audience to see most of their movies in a movie theater. And in 3D, Ultra-large/WhateverTheFuck Special Presentation movie format. But most of us don't have the cash to pay for the Special Presentation formats. Or even to see a lot of movies with ticket prices that seem to go nowhere but higher and higher costs. So-give us a break, and let us watch these movies on DVD, TV, Cable, Streaming, etc. That's my opinion, anyway. --------- --------- Steven Spielberg Says Netflix Movies Shouldn’t Win Oscars, Warns TV “Poses Clear And Present Danger To Filmgoers” by Dade Hayes March 25, 2018 2:38pm Even while promoting his futuristic, high-tech new movie, Ready Player One, Steven Spielberg is revealing his traditionalist streak., questioning the level playing field between theatrical features and films launched on Netflix and other streaming services. During his five-decade directing career, as innovations from DVD commentary tracks to digital cameras and projectors have arisen, the filmmaker has often questioned the need to veer from the classical approach. There are positive results of this reverence for tradition, including Spielberg’s work on a range of preservation causes and other efforts to strengthen the legacy of Hollywood. But the latest target of his skepticism is feature films that launch on streaming services like Netflix and Amazon are the latest target of his skepticism. (His views, and those of fellow filmmakers like Christopher Nolan, are not new but are getting fresh attention as he makes the publicity rounds.) In an interview with ITV News (see video below), Spielberg noted that the movie business has never faced more of a challenge from television, especially given the rise of streaming. While there are benefits from that to the overall culture, he said features launched on streaming platforms should not be allowed at the Oscars. “I don’t believe that films that are given token qualifications, in a couple of theaters for less than a week, should qualify for Academy Award nominations,” he said. “Once you commit to a television format, you’re a TV movie. If it’s a good show, you deserve an Emmy. But not an Oscar.” Movie studios who once took chances on fringe, indie fare they discovered at film festivals, he said, are focused on branded tentpoles. And filmmakers are able to find willing buyers in the SVOD world, fundamentally changing the game. “Television is thriving with quality and heart,” he said. “But it poses a clear and present danger to filmgoers.” Reflecting on his previous film outing, he expressed no regret. “I’ll still make The Post and ask an audience to please go out to theaters and see The Post and not make it for Netflix,” he said. | |
|
||
| 03-23-18 10:41am - 2466 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Drones from Amazon will respond to signals from people. If the person who is supposed to get a package delivered shows a thumbs up (meaning I accept the package), the drone will deliver the package. If the person starts screaming or waving his hands or jumping up and down, the drone might abort the delivery. Stay tuned: I am a Amazon prime member. I'm hoping to get a drone delivery some time in the near future (within the next 5 years or less). This sounds like a dangerous delivery system. Because drones, in the past, have been used to deliver bombs. What if Amazon makes a mistake, and delivers a bomb to my house? Stay tuned for future developments at Amazon. | |
|
||
| 03-21-18 10:02pm - 2467 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Tomb Raider (201  I saw Tomb Raider (201 with Alicia Vikander.It was good. But I actually enjoyed the 2 Tomb Raider movies with Angelina Jolie more. Different reasons why I enjoyed the Jolie Tomb Raider movies: -the Jolie movies had more of a cartoon vibe: outlandish action, plots and turns that I enjoyed. -I thought that Jolie was more physical than Vikander. I'm not saying which is the better actress. They've both won academy awards. But Jolie has more heft to her body, it just seems more real that Jolie could physically beat opponents in a fight than Vikander, who has a slender body. These are movies, not real life. But I just thought that Jolie was a better fit, physically, than Vikander. And, dare I admit it, I ogled Jolie's body when she was partially naked. Not that she showed much, but I kept hoping to see more. Both the Jolie films, and the Vikander film, are fantasies: neither character would be alive at the end of any of these movies. But that doesn't matter: they are fantasy-adventure films. Both Jolie and Vikander did a good job, in my opinion. But I enjoyed the Jolie film more. I also liked the villains more in the Jolie films. (Walter Goggins, the bad guy in the Vikander film, was less of a villain than a guy was fell into a sad situation and was fighting his way out. So Goggins became evil, because of the situation he was put in. But Goggins was also a father, who missed his two young daughters.) Goggins did not have the Evil that Jolie's villains had. So I thought that Jolie's villains were more memorable. Have any PU members seen either the new Tomb Raider or the older ones? Care to comment on which movies you enjoyed the most? Edited on Mar 21, 2018, 10:10pm | |
|
||
| 03-21-18 05:51pm - 2468 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Police shot and killed an unarmed black man in his own backyard. However, the police can say it was in self defense. The man had a cell phone in his hand. The police have made statements about the weapons the man was holding: The current statement is the police thought the cell phone was a gun. The police fired 20 rounds at the man. After the shooting, officers waited several minutes for backup before moving to handcuff Clark and beginning medical treatment. And the only item he turned out to have been carrying was a cellphone. The police issued multiple statements about the suspect they killed: -they said the man may have been armed (holding a gun). -they said the man had a tool bar (a cell phone is a tool bar?). -they said the had a wrench (a cell phone can be used as a wrench, which police know is a deadly weapon). What can we learn from this? Never wave or point your cell phone at a police officer. This a reson for them to shoot you. Never wave or hold or move your hands if you see a police officer. That is a reason for them to shoot you. Police officers are here to serve and protect. That is why they carry guns. Guns can be dangerous. -------- -------- https://www.vox.com/identities/2018/3/21...-shooting-sacramento Police shot and killed an unarmed black man in his own backyard. All he was holding was a cellphone. Officers say they mistook Stephon Clark’s cellphone for a gun. Activists want more answers. By P.R. Lockhart Mar 21, 2018, 6:30pm EDT Stephon Clark, 22, was shot and killed in his backyard by police on Sunday, March 18. Officers say they mistook his cell phone for a gun. Facebook Police killings of unarmed black men helped fuel the rise of the Black Lives Matter Movement. Now a new tragedy — the shooting death of an unarmed black man in his own backyard — is raising new questions about how much things have changed, if at all. On Sunday, 22-year-old Stephon Clark was shot in the backyard of the home he was staying in with his grandparents. Police officers were purportedly responding to reports of a man breaking car windows. According to a press release issued by the Sacramento Police Department, a helicopter tracking a suspect directed the officers to Clark, who ran towards the house after being confronted by officers. The police department said Clark turned and began to “advance forward with his arms extended, and holding an object in his hands.” The officers, who are said to have thought the object was a gun, then fired 20 rounds at Clark. It’s unclear how many of the shots hit Clark, but other facts aren’t in dispute, and they’re disturbing: After the shooting, officers waited several minutes for backup before moving to handcuff Clark and beginning medical treatment. And the only item he turned out to have been carrying was a cellphone. The shooting has sparked public outcry both locally and nationally. And, nearly four years after the death of Michael Brown sparked the rise of Black Lives Matter and brought more attention to racial disparities in police shootings, the Clark case serves as a stark reminder that even as national attention has waned, unarmed black men and women continue to experience deadly encounters with police. There are a lot of questions and few answers about the Sacramento shooting What happened immediately before Clark’s shooting remains unclear, and his family and community are demanding answers. ”He was at the wrong place at the wrong time in his own backyard?” Sequita Thompson, Clark’s grandmother, said to the Sacramento Bee on Tuesday. Thompson also said that though she heard the gunshots, she never heard the police ask Clark to drop what he was holding. Clark’s family also said that they were not immediately told that their relative was the man killed in their backyard. At a city council meeting in Sacramento on Tuesday, local activists argued that the police department’s multiple statements on the shooting have only added to the confusion. “They put one story out that he may have been armed. They put out another that he had a ‘tool bar,’ whatever that is,” Tanya Faison, founder of the Sacramento chapter of Black Lives Matter, told reporters. “Then they put out that he had a wrench, and then they put out that he just had a cellphone. They need to get it together.” The officers who shot Clark have each served in the Sacramento Police Department for less than five years, and were placed on paid leave while the investigation continues. Both officers were wearing body cameras. A local ordinance requires that footage from the cameras be released to the public within 30 days, and the department says that it plans to release video and audio from the helicopter in the near future. Clark’s shooting is the latest in a troubling pattern Clark’s death follows several high profile police shootings of black men in recent years. According to the Washington Post’s Fatal Force database, some 230 people have been shot and killed by police in 2018. 38 of those people were identified as black in news reports. Research has shown that there are significant racial disparities in police use of force. While these disparities are most commonly attributed to issues like implicit bias and systemic racism, recent research has also noted that specific factors like high levels of housing segregation and economic inequality also play a role in where police shootings occur and who they affect. “It’s not just about how individuals interact, but how society is structured,” Michael Siegel, the author of a recent study examining the relationship between housing segregation and structural inequality to police violence, told the Intercept earlier this month. At this point, it is unclear what the results of the police investigation will be, or if the officers will face charges for the shooting. But when police officers shoot civilians, it is rare that these cases lead to prosecution. As Vox’s German Lopez has noted, police are given wide latitude to use force and only have to reasonably perceive a threat at the time of the shooting for their actions to be legally justified. | |
|
||
| 03-16-18 01:50pm - 2473 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
We're supposed to believe in the law. To serve and protect us. Right. Here's a case of a 20-year-old guy, Nehemiah Griego. At 15, he shot and killed his mother, father, brother, and 2 younger sisters. 2 years ago, a judge ruled that the man (a teen at the time of the ruling) was amenable to treatment and should be released when he turns 21. He is now 21, and a different judge ruled that the man should stay in jail until the state decides what to do (keep him in jail, or release him). Personally, I would not feel safe if this guy was released and moved next to me. He shot his parents, his brother and 2 sisters, in cold blood (while insane or in a rage over life or suicidal or whatever) over a several-hour time frame (killing the mother first, then the brother, then the 2 baby sisters, then having to wait several hours before the father came home, and shooting the father multiple times). And this guy, now 21, 5 years after the killings, is ready to be set free? Enquiring minds want to know: If they release this guy, will they also be issuing life insurance policies to anyone he murders in the next few years? ---------- ---------- Nehemiah Griego to be detained at MDC, judge rules J.R. Oppenheim and Kasia Gregorczyk March 16, 2018 05:44 AM ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- A 20-year-old man who killed five members of his family as a teenager will be remanded to the Bernalillo County jail, a Children's Court judge ruled on Thursday. Nehemiah Griego will be housed at the Metropolitan Detention Center as he awaits a potentially new amenability hearing. In January 2013, Griego killed his parents and three siblings. He was 15 at the time. Griego has been in Children Youth and Families Department custody ever since. Two years ago, a judge determined Griego was amenable to treatment and should be released on his 21st birthday. He was due to be released on March 20 when he turns 21 years old, but the New Mexico Court of Appeals overturned that ruling and sent the case back to Children's Court. Griego's defense argued he should stay in the juvenile detention center pending the next step in his case while the state said Griego should be treated as an adult. "A person 18 years of age or older shall not be detained in a juvenile detention facility," prosecutor James Grayson told the court. "And so based on that provision, your honor, the detention facility would not accept him because he is over the age of 18." "Those protections would be administrative seg [sic], so that's what they would do to keep him safe from the other inmates," defense attorney Steven Taylor said. "Interestingly, I mean it says to protect his civil rights. But in effect, it would jeopardize his civil rights if he were kept in administrative seg [sic] for his safety. Quite a conundrum." In his ruling, Judge Michael Martinez determined the appellate court's decision essentially hit the reset button on Griego's amenability and, hypothetically, he was never charged as a juvenile. As it stands today, that makes Griego an adult in the eyes of the court. Therefore, Griego does not have to wait until he turns 21 to be detained. He will be transported to MDC under instructions that his safety is a top priority. New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas praised Thursday's ruling. "I am pleased that the Children’s Court judge recognized the effect of the Court of Appeals Opinion and remanded Nehemiah Griego to jail consistent with the appellate positions of the Office of the Attorney General," he said. Griego's defense has 30 days to ask the state Supreme Court to reconsider. That clock started March 9 when the appellate court sent the case back to Children's Court. While Griego is in jail, his attorney always has the ability to file a motion to review his conditions of release. AddThis Sharing Buttons Share to Google BookmarkShare to FacebookShare to TwitterShare to PrintShare to More Credits J.R. Oppenheim and Kasia Gregorczyk Updated: March 16, 2018 05:44 AM Created: March 15, 2018 04:42 PM Copyright 2018 KOB-TV LLC, a Hubbard Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved | |
|
||
| 03-13-18 01:22pm - 2476 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Nicolas Cage is Superman in the ‘Teen Titans GO!’ Movie Posted on Tuesday, March 13th, 2018 by Chris Evangelista Teen Titans GO! to the Movies, a new animated film featuring everyone’s favorite teen superheroes engaging in some fart jokes, won’t just feature the Teen Titans – adult superheroes will be popping up in the movie as well. And best of all: Nicolas Cage will play Superman. Cage and two others have joined the Teen Titans movie cast. Nicolas Cage will finally have a chance to play the Man of Steel. Cage almost took on the role of Superman for director Tim Burton in the Kevin Smith-scripted Superman Lives, but production troubles prevented the film from ever getting off the ground. Now, more than 20 years later, Cage will play Superman in the animated film Teen Titans GO! to the Movies. USA Today reports Cage has joined the cast, along with singer/songwriter Halsey, who will be voicing Wonder Woman, and rapper Lil Yachty will voice Green Lantern. While the film primarily focuses on the young members of the Teen Titans – Robin, Beast Boy, Cyborg, Raven and Starfire – some adult heroes will pop up as well. DC’s live-action movies have succumbed to doom and gloom lately, but Teen Titans Go to the Movies might reverse all that. The candy-colored animated flick is geared toward a younger audience, and looks to make light of all the cinematic superhero darkness we’ve come to expect. As an official Old Person, I’m not very familiar with Halsey and Lil Yachty, but I’m sure youngsters out there will embrace this casting whole-heartedly. Adding Cage to the cast as Superman, however, is a masterstroke. My interest in this project has increased considerably based on his casting alone. Cage came very close to playing the part on screen before, going so far as to try out different Superman costumes. For more on Cage’s past attempts to play Superman, seek out the documentary The Death of Superman Lives, which is where the above image of Cage in costume comes from. “Every superhero in the DC Universe has an impact on the fans, so we felt a great responsibility to find a voice for each character that would not only suit the role, but the playful tone of the Titans, and we’re thrilled with our cameo cast,” executive producer Sam Register told USA Today. Other Teen Titans Go to the Movies cast members include Greg Cipes as Beast Boy, Scott Menville as Robin, Khary Payton as Cyborg, Tara Strong as Raven, Hynden Walch as Starfire, Will Arnett as Slade Wilson aka Deathstroke, Kristen Bell as Jade Wilson, and James Corden as everyone’s favorite character, Balloon Man. Teen Titans Go to the Movies opens August 3, 2018. You can check out the film’s trailer below. Teen Titans Go To the Movies Trailer “Teen Titans GO! to the Movies” finds our egocentric, wildly satirical Super Heroes in their first feature film extravaganza—a fresh, gleefully clever, kid-appropriately crass and tongue-in-cheek play on the superhero genre, complete with musical numbers. It seems to the Teens that all the major superheroes out there are starring in their own movies—everyone but the Teen Titans, that is! But de facto leader Robin is determined to remedy the situation, and be seen as a star instead of a sidekick. If only they could get the hottest Hollywood film director to notice them. With a few madcap ideas and a song in their heart, the Teen Titans head to Tinsel Town, certain to pull off their dream. But when the group is radically misdirected by a seriously super villain and his maniacal plan to take over the Earth, things really go awry. The team finds their friendship and their fighting spirit failing, putting the very fate of the Teen Titans themselves on the line! | |
|
||
| 03-01-18 03:40pm - 2488 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Trump's friend, Russian overlord Putin, releases video of nuclear missile destroying Florida. Just another joke by these two jokers, who love to brag about how strong and invincible they are: But if Putin actually destroys Florida, home of Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, will the two remain friends? Or will there be a fight club video, where the two friendlies come out slugging? ------ ------ https://www.yahoo.com/news/russia-releas...orida-150307267.html World Russia releases chill video of Florida getting nuked, taunts Elon Musk Marcus Gilmer,Mashable 8 hours ago There's nothing to see here, folks, just Russian overlord Vladimir Putin showing off an "invincible" nuclear missile destroying Florida. Oh, and the editor of one of Russia's most notorious media outlets is using it to mock Elon Musk. Just another day in 2018. Taking his role of real-life Bond villain to new heights, Putin used his annual state-of-the-nation speech to the Russian Federal Assembly on Thursday to brag about the country's new nuclear weapons he claimed could hit any point on the globe and would render any defense "useless." Seriously, look at this thing. It's like something out of a comic book (assuming it exists). And taking that supervillain analogy one-step further, Putin's speech was full of bombast. Per NBC News' translation: That's frightening enough as it is but as Gizmodo notes, the video showing off this new super-weapon uses a not-so-innocuous target on which to rain down its radioactive terror: the state of Florida. Yep, that's the central portion of the state, including Tampa Bay, Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and (of course) Palm Beach, home of Trump's Mar-a-Lago club. Putin is out here dropping casual threats of nuclear armageddon on the part of the country where Trump likes to go golf and solicit gun control advice from country club members. This can't be good for the pair's complex bromance. If this seems familiar, it's pretty similar to the same stunt that North Korea pulled almost two years ago when it shared a propaganda video that included the nuclear obliteration of Washington, D.C. Cool. As if that's not enough, Margarita Simonovna Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of RT, the controversial Moscow-based news outlet that draws some funding from the Russian government, decided to celebrate Russia's new nuclear might by mocking Elon Musk. Because threatening to obliterate the home of Mickey Mouse wasn't enough, Russia's out here insulting America's high-tech entrepreneurs? What did Elon ever do to you, RT? Nothing to see here. Everything is fine. Though, if reality TV star Donald Trump can be president, than an action-hero showdown between Musk and Putin isn't really that far off, right? Edited by Staff on Apr 03, 2018, 07:59am | |
|
||
| 02-24-18 07:22pm - 2492 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Problems with hiring an undercover cop when looking for a hitman: -The man can take your money, and still put you in jail. Even if he doesn't do the hit. -Never trust a cop. Undercover cops are even less trustworthy. ----- ----- A Son Plotted to Have His Parents Killed—So They Went Along With It to Get Him Arrested Newsweek C.paton,Newsweek Fri, Feb 23 9:08 AM MST Police in Russia have arrested the son of a wealthy family who tried to have his parents killed. Instead, the parents turned the tables on him, playing dead and covered in blood in pictures as if the hit the son had ordered went ahead. According to reports in the Russian media, the 22-year-old man, who has not been named, was caught after he began making inquiries locally for a hitman to kill his parents in the hopes of cashing in early on the inheritance. He later confessed to police he had plotted their murder for some time, choosing to put out the hit because all his other attempts had ended without success. The young man approached a friend to ask if he knew where to find a hitman, but the friend immediately informed the parents. The family then alerted the authorities, who assigned an undercover officer pose as an assassin for hire. The suspect supplied the officer with a map of his home, the details of where security cameras were, and even briefed him on the family dog. The son would pay the hitman the equivalent of $53,000, to be delivered once he provided photographic evidence of the killings. The required photographs were arranged with the help of the parents, who agreed to pose for the police in their family home, appearing dead and covered in fake blood. When the 22-year-old was shown the gruesome photos, which have now been made public, he was reportedly enthusiastic, meeting the police officer in the back seat of a car to hand over the cash. As soon as the transaction was complete, officers pounced on the car, arresting the suspect. Although he has been living separately from his parents for some time, the man was neither working nor studying, and local media reported that he had made several amateur attempts to kill his family for their money before resorting to a hired hit. In one instance, he was reported to have filled a kettle with an assortment of pills in hopes they would kill the family when they drank from it. The father of the family noticed the strange taste of the tea and discarded the water, foiling the plot. Another time, the son tried breaking a small mercury thermometer in his father’s car, thinking the resulting fumes would be enough to kill him. They were not. On a third attempt, he went to his parents' home with the intention of killing them but found they had visitors and got cold feet. If he is found guilty, the man faces up to 15 years in prison. This article was first written by Newsweek | |
|
||
| 02-18-18 09:28am - 2499 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Are these two people PU members in good standing? Enquiring minds want to know. ----- ----- The Washington Post Strangers caught in a sex act on Delta flight could face felony charges, authorities say By Marwa Eltagouri October 31, 2017 Strangers caught in sex act on Delta flight A 48-year-old woman and 28-year-old man reportedly met on a flight from Los Angeles to Detroit and engaged in a sex act Oct. 30. (WDIV-Local 4) Two strangers were caught engaged in a sexual act on a Delta Air Lines flight from Los Angeles to Detroit Sunday night, airline officials said. The 48-year-old woman and 28-year-old man, who have not been publicly named, reportedly had not met before the flight, during which the woman allegedly performed oral sex on the man while they were both in their seats, police told WDIV-Local 4 in Detroit. The man was flying to Detroit to catch a connecting flight to Miami, while the woman was going to catch a connecting flight to Nashville. “The act within itself is very inappropriate in a public space,” a passenger on the flight told WDIV-Local 4. “There are children,” she added. “There are families. There are seniors. These things should be respected.” FBI officials told WDIV-Local 4 that the incident is still being investigated, and that the man and woman could be charged with a misdemeanor or felony. Both were issued citations. FBI officials said that the man and woman could be charged as early as Tuesday. ADVERTISING A Delta spokesman declined a request for comment by The Washington Post. | |
|
||
| 02-11-18 06:25am - 2506 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
If this girl wants to be displayed fully, she should get a PU membership card. Otherwise, her act will be a no-tease tease. Where's the sizzle in her twizzle? ---- ---- Olympics figure skater Yura Min overcomes wardrobe malfunction with calm and class HuffPost US Dominique Mosbergen Feb 11th 2018 6:51AM South Korean skater Yura Min’s Olympic debut on Sunday was marred by a performer’s nightmare: A wardrobe malfunction that occurred seconds into her short dance routine that threatened to reveal just a little too much to the watching world. But instead of stopping the show in a panic, Min gamely continued her performance with partner Alexander Gamelin, improvising as she went so as to prevent her top from slipping off her shoulders. Min, who was competing in the figure skating team event, was lauded by viewers for performing — and recovering from the wardrobe near-disaster— “with class.” Min, a dual citizen of South Korea and the United States, told the Detroit Free Press that the hook of her top “came undone” seconds into her and Gamelin’s routine on Sunday. “I was like, ‘Oh no!’” she told the paper. “If that comes undone, the whole [outfit] could just pop off. I was terrified the entire program.” Min was determined not to stop in the midst of the performance, however, and instead changed her movements so her arms would be kept back, preventing her costume from falling off. She only paused once, during the twizzles (synchronized side-by-side spins), when her top began slipping off her shoulder. “It started to come down so I had to stop my twizzle and pull it back up,” she told the AP. | |
|
||
| 02-09-18 09:49pm - 2507 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
A lot of sites are having special discounts for this Valentine weekend. Maybe PU could create a listing of some of the special offers. But since this is probably a limited-time offer, I don't know if PU has the time or staff to create such a list. | |
|
||
| 02-03-18 09:41am - 2514 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
The Washington Post By Kyle Swenson and Katie Zezima February 2 at 9:45 PM Houston man awaits execution scheduled for February 22, 2018, after orchestrating the killings of his brother and mother in 2003. Rage and faith were at war inside Kent Whitaker as he lay in a hospital bed with a 9mm bullet hole six inches from his heart. It was December 2003, and the pillars of the Houston-area man’s life had just been ripped down. A husband of 28 years, now he was a widower. A father of two college-age boys, one was dead while the other was recovering from a gunshot wound. A man of faith, he was burning at God for letting tragedy strike. His anger tightened specifically around the unknown shooter who had ambushed the four as they came home from a family dinner. “All I could feel for this person was an incredibly deep and powerful hatred,” Whitaker told The Washington Post. “Just thinking about how I could inflict pain on him.” But Bible verses also pushed into Whitaker’s thoughts. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,” he recalled. “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Revenge was a dark path he did not want to step down, so Whitaker resolved to forgive the shooter. Laying in the hospital bed, it seemed impossible. But he would do it. No matter who was responsible. “As soon as that happened, there was a warm glow that flowed over me,” Whitaker said. “It took the fire out of me.” What Whitaker didn’t realize then was that the man he would have to forgive was his surviving son, Thomas “Bart” Whitaker. In spring 2007, Bart was convicted of orchestrating — along with two accomplices — the murders of his mother, Tricia, 51, and younger brother, Kevin, 19. During the attack, Bart was purposely shot in the arm as a way of diverting suspicion. Jurors sentenced him to death. Throughout the appeals, however, Whitaker has stayed by his son’s side — and remains there today, as the state prepares for Bart’s execution, which is scheduled for Feb. 22. With time running short, the Whitakers have asked the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to recommend that Gov. Greg Abbott (R) commute the sentence to life in prison. Whitaker’s forgiveness is the bedrock of the petition, as he said he believes the board’s role is to provide a check on the justice system when it fails. Whitaker said his son’s sentence was flawed because no one — neither he nor Tricia’s family — pushed for his execution. “I feel the whole decision to pursue the death penalty was an overstep,” Whitaker said. “This isn’t just a case of a dad who is ignoring the truth about his son. Believe me, I’m aware of what his choices have cost me.” The district attorney of Fort Bend County, John F. Healey, Jr., and the first assistant district attorney who prosecuted the case, Fred Felcman, believe the punishment is appropriate for the grisly murder-for-hire. “I haven’t met any person aside from Mr. Whitaker who didn’t say justice hasn’t been served,” Felcman said. The Whitakers’ last-shot appeal is framed by a dramatic debate working through courtrooms across the country — the same issue spotlighted at the recent sentencing hearing for Larry Nassar. When more than 160 abuse survivors marched into a Michigan courtroom to testify about the fallout from the USA Gymnastics doctor’s abuse, it amplified the power of victims’ participation in the legal system. Kent Whitaker’s appeal enters that same realm: Can justice be served in his son’s case if the victims are not part of the process? “Texas claims to be a victims’ rights state. It’s something we’re proud of,” he said. “I’m asking for the board to recognize victims’ rights means something even when the victim is asking for mercy, not just when they are asking for vengeance.” Though investigators initially believed the Dec. 10, 2003, shooting was the work of a burglar interrupted in the middle of a break-in, clues began pointing elsewhere. Drawers were pulled out in the house — consistent with a break-in — but they weren’t ransacked, the contents still neatly organized inside. The only item missing from the house was Bart’s cellphone. Also suspicious: On the night of the murders, Bart had invited the family out to dinner because he said he wanted to celebrate his upcoming college graduation. But police learned Bart was not about to graduate college. He wasn’t even enrolled in school — something he had kept hidden from his parents. For seven months after the shooting, Bart lived at home with his father. Police told Whitaker his son was a suspect and warned he still could be in danger. “He continued to deny it, and the police continued to say he was their suspect,” Kent Whitaker said. “I didn’t know who was telling the truth. I told the police, ‘If I see something, I’m going to tell you. But I’m not going to abandon my son. I’m going to stand with him through all of this even if he’s responsible.’ ” Police found their strongest lead when a former roommate of Bart’s came forward and said the two had plotted earlier to kill the Whitakers. Investigators recorded a phone conversation between the two. Though Bart said nothing specific about the killings, authorities said he agreed to pay the roommate $20,000. But he then disappeared, running to Mexico in July 2004. While Bart was on the lam, police learned that two friends — Christopher Brashear and Steven Champagne — had plotted the crime with Bart. Champagne admitted to being the getaway driver and told police Brashear had pulled the trigger. In September 2005, Bart was arrested and taken back to Texas. Kent Whitaker went to see his son in custody. “The very first thing he told me as we were facing each other through the glass was, ‘Dad, I don’t know why this happened, but I’m going to do everything I can to make it quick and as painless for everyone as possible,’ ” Kent Whitaker said. Whitaker believed this was an indication Bart was willing to plead guilty. But prosecutors declined to rule out the death penalty as a potential punishment even after Kent Whitaker and other members of the family, including his deceased wife’s relatives, urged them not to. “We met with them for about an hour,” Whitaker said. “At the conclusion, the DA leaned over the table and asked, ‘So. Mr. Whitaker, you are asking me not to pursue the death penalty?’ I got out of my chair and down on my knees and said, ‘I’m begging you not to pursue the death penalty.’ ” Healey said Whitaker never physically got on his knees, and Felcman said that it was one side of the family that asked prosecutors not pursue a capital case. Prosecutors, he said, must also seek justice for those who can’t weigh in on the outcome, not just the survivors. “We don’t represent just them, we represent all of Fort Bend County, all the people involved, including Patricia and Kevin, who are dead,” Felcman said. “We represent them too.” The state proceeded with a capital case at trial, painting the defendant as a remorseless sociopath who had manipulated his accomplices and set up the slayings believing he would receive a $1 million inheritance. “He has to convince people who have nothing to gain to kill people because he didn’t have anything better to do. We think it was for money,” Felcman said. “He killed people because it was a game.” Bart Whitaker was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and was sentenced to death. The shooter, Brashear, also was convicted and received life prison sentence. Champagne, the getaway driver, was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Prosecutors said they allowed the jury to hear the entirety of Whitaker’s story, including multiple instances of the father telling the jury that he forgives his son. Jurors still decided to convict Bart Whitaker of murder and to condemn him to death. Kent Whitaker was left sifting through his relationship with his son for warning signs, clues, indicators — anything that could explain what happened. Before the murders, Bart and his father enjoyed long-distance bicycling. They would go on 100-mile long-hauls, just the two of them. “You have a lot of opportunity to talk, and we did,” he told The Post. “We had a good relationship. Also, Tricia and I both were active parents. We didn’t ignore things.” Bart Whitaker also has struggled to put his actions into context. “The fifteen-second sound bite answer is, I wanted revenge for being alive, and I blamed them for that,” he told “20/20” in 2009. “I blamed them for who I was instead of blaming me.” He continued: “In order for me to be that person that my parents would love or that they did claim to love, I had to be better than I was . . . There was an idealized version of me and then there was me . . . So every time I failed at reaching that goal of mine, I felt like a failure.” Bart Whitaker said the plot with his two friends was “sort of like a game of chicken between me and the other guys.” Bart was waiting to see who would back out before the final act. No one did. “I think he believed that who we were loving was a person who didn’t exist,” Bart’s father told 20/20. “He was hiding behind the mask so we wouldn’t find out.” On death row, Bart Whitaker, now 38, has been a model prisoner, his petition argues. He has earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature by mail and also is close to finishing a master’s degree from Cal State. All he needs is the school to sign off. “His thesis is in committee,” Kent Whitaker said. “It probably won’t be cleared until after Feb. 22, so it might be posthumous.” | |
|
||
| 01-31-18 08:07am - 2517 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Young porn star practicing her first climax. Is she acting, or showing her true emotions? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnBgPrPPtaQ I think she might be a he. I can't really tell. Edited on Jan 31, 2018, 01:03pm | |
|
||
| 01-28-18 09:34am - 2520 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
Pornographic dances are illegal in many countries unless you first get a special license for them. These idiots in Cambodia did not get a special license. So they were arrested. Make sure, when travelling, if you are a PU member, that you bring your PU badges with you, to show you are a member in good standing in the PU club.... -------- -------- The Washington Post Asia & Pacific Cambodia charges foreigners after pornographic dance arrests By Sopheng Cheang | AP January 28 at 9:33 AM PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodian prosecutors charged 10 foreigners Sunday with producing pornographic pictures after they were arrested at a party in Siem Reap town, near the country’s famed Angkor Wat temple complex. Police said they raided a rented villa on Thursday where the foreigners were taking part in what organizers billed as a pub crawl and found people “dancing pornographically.” While almost 90 foreigners were detained, all but 10 were released. The 10 arrested are five British nationals, two Canadians, one Norwegian, one New Zealander and one from the Netherlands. A statement on the arrests posted on the National Police website Sunday included photos showing clothed young adults rolling around together on a dance floor. The prosecutor of the Siem Reap provincial court, Samrith Sokhon, told The Associated Press by phone that those charged face up to a year in prison if convicted. He said after producing the photos, the foreigners shared them on social media. “Any people producing pornography is contrary to Cambodia’s traditions,” he said. The United Kingdom’s Foreign Office confirmed they were in contact with British nationals in Cambodia. “We are assisting five British men arrested in Cambodia and are providing support to their families,” the office said in an emailed response to questions from the AP. Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. | |
|
||
| 01-28-18 08:58am - 2520 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
I just started reading: YOU CAN'T SPELL AMERICA WITHOUT ME. This a book about Donald J. Trump. It's supposed to be a parody. But it think it's a truly amazing view into the life and thoughts of our greatest American President and the leader of the free world. This is a book that will open your mind and heart to the man who loves everyone (while still wanting to build a wall to keep out people from shithole countries that are rapists, murderers, thieves, and low-life scum). Trump is the least racist person you will ever meet. He is like Jesus reborn. Better than Jesus, because he is a genius, billionaire businessman who is making America great again. Read this book, and you will become an acolyte of Saint Trump. Edited on Jan 28, 2018, 09:29am | |
|
||
| 01-26-18 10:08pm - 2521 days | Original Post - #1 | |
|
lk2fireone (0)
Active User Posts: 3,618 Registered: Nov 14, '08 Location: CA |
FBI shoots and kills kidnapping victim. The victim was kidnapped, his hands were bound in duct-tape. But the FBI shot him anyway. The shooting is being investigated. Why shoot the victim of a kidnapping? Especially since his hands were bound in duct tape? However, I understand that if you are a law enforcement officer, you are in fear of your life, especially in a crime scene. So it's better to start blazing away, to defend yourself against the bad guys. And if someone gets in the way of a bullet, well, that's life. The victim shouldn't have been there, associating with criminals. End of story. -------- -------- FBI agent fatally shot kidnapping victim during botched raid in Houston NBC News ERIK ORTIZ Jan 26th 2018 10:34PM An FBI agent fatally shot a kidnapping victim during a botched raid early Thursday inside a Houston home, leading Texas authorities to say "the system failed." As the circumstances surrounding the man's death remain under investigation, three suspects in the kidnapping were in court Friday morning on charges of taking part in a chaotic plot that police say involved a home invasion, the escape of a child and a ransom demand. "The system failed," Philip Dupuis, the police chief in Conroe, said at a news conference Thursday about the victim's killing. "We do this job to help people and it doesn't always go our way." The Houston raid, which occurred before 4 a.m. CT (5 a.m. ET), jolted neighbors — one of whom told NBC affiliate KPRC they awoke to bullets flying: "We just heard gunshots. It was like four pop, pop, pops." What led the FBI agent to open fire was not clear. Police said the incident began Wednesday morning when officers responded to a disturbance call at a home in Conroe, a suburb north of Houston, that belonged to a man later identified as Ulises Valladares, 47. As Valladares' 12-year-old son was getting ready for school, two men burst into the home and held the pair up at gunpoint. The men demanded money, bound the father and son with duct-tape, and ransacked the home for valuables, police said. They grabbed a PlayStation, an Xbox, a sword and hat. The armed men then put a black sweater over Valladares' head and led him from the home. They instructed the boy, who was still bound, to stay behind and not contact police, Dupuis said. Once the men left, the boy was able to free himself with scissors and run to a neighbor to call police when he couldn't find his father outside. Meanwhile, an uncle arrived at the house and got a phone call from a man demanding money in exchange for Valladares' return, police said. According to court documents, the man on the phone said in Spanish that he was part of the Mexican drug and crime syndicate known as the Gulf Cartel and that he wanted $20,000 as ransom. The caller added that they were watching the house and if police became involved in the ransom exchange, Valladares would be killed. Court documents said the boy had overheard the two suspects saying that the father's brother owed them $8,000. The uncle denied knowing anyone matching the suspects' description or that he owed anyone money, court documents said. Meanwhile, Conroe police contacted the FBI, and agents using a federal warrant traced the caller's phone to the area of a Best Western hotel about an hour away. Valladares was not at the hotel, but agents on surveillance of the location found two suspects matching a description given by the son. Agents also located the cellphone used to call the brother, according the court documents. Nicholas Chase Cunningham, 42, and Jimmy Tony Sanchez, 38, were arrested Wednesday night and were charged with aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery. Police said Cunningham's wife is the niece of Valladares' brother. In addition, a third suspect — Sophia Perez Heath, 35 — was arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping. Cunningham told investigators that Valladares was being held at Heath's home in northeast Houston, according to court documents. Heath is described as Cunningham's girlfriend, and she was allegedly ordered by Cunningham to watch and feed Valladares at her home. During a court hearing Friday, Cunningham and Sanchez were denied bond. A judge set Heath's bond to $1 million, and must wear an ankle bracelet if she makes bail. The reason for the gunfire during the raid was not detailed during Thursday's news conference with the FBI in Houston. Valladares' hands had still been bound in duct-tape when agents arrived. He later died at the hospital. In addition, other people were inside the home at the time of the operation, including children. The FBI said the shooting was being investigated by an internal incident review team and results will be shared with the Department of Justice and local police. "The FBI takes very seriously any shooting incidents involving our agents and as such have an effective, time-tested process for addressing them," the agency said in a statement. The agent who shot Valladares has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. "We've got the bad guys," Montgomery County District Attorney Brett Ligon told reporters Thursday. "Even though it's good work on behalf of Conroe Police Department, it's still a tragedy." by Taboola Edited on Jan 26, 2018, 10:14pm | |
|
||
| 51-100 of 237 Posts | < Previous Page | 1 | Page 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Next Page > |
|
