Colombian Government Hits Back At Prostitution Slurs

Since 11 members of President Obama’s own staff were sent home recently during a visit to Colombia because of “Butt Plugs” life in the country has seen everything from comic songs to advertising posters based on the incident.

Strangely for what most people would see as an ostensibly Catholic country prostitution is legal and whether the country’s leaders and citizens chose to admit it or not this does form part of the attraction for some foreign visitors. Of course this isn’t the only thing that Colombia has going for it, which the government are at pains to point out. And in recent weeks they have been attempting to dissuade their own citizens from using the incident for their own amusement and profit.


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In one case an airline has been advertising cheap flights with the slogan “More bang for your buck” with a picture of four young women draped over a man, obviously intended to be a secret service agent wearing dark glasses. The campaign also pointed out potential customers would have to pay up-front.

At least one comedic song about the antics of the 11 presidential staff has become popular too and this has not improved the mood of the government. Singing “Oh, Obama, they left you all alone, they ditched you to take care of Colombian girls …” has left little for the authorities to smile about – to make it worse the Washington Post described Cartagena, a world heritage site that Colombia would love to have associated with wholesome and profitable conventional tourism as “Swimming in prostitutes”.

Even in a society where prostitution is legal the stigma associated with the trade is impossible to shake off.

The reality is that the country does experience sex tourism but the government would prefer that it happened under the radar, bringing in the dollars without fuss and away from the eyes of most tourists and Colombians. As always it’s difficult in circumstances like this to choose the level of control and acknowledgement of the sex trade the authorities should apply. The girls involved are on the whole fundamentally vulnerable, even if they are not being exploited in one way or another. They need money for themselves and their families so criminalising and persecuting them could be disastrous, but as with all situations where humans are at the mercy of economic circumstances there are other humans willing to take advantage of them unless they are protected.

Growing Up Seventh-Day Adventist: Being a “Preacher’s Kid”

I was in the unenviable position of having a father who was a traveling minister (he still is). This meant that he was away for long stretches of time, on the road, traveling, going to church after church, in conference after conference, spending so much time away from his family.G-spot dildos are wonderful dildos mainly for women to explore and tantalize the g-spot to get pleasure or realize the female orgasm Don’t think I didn’t notice, dad. But that’s just the way it was, and he is quite an inspirational speaker, don’t get me wrong. I’ve seen his process, how he goes about preparing sermons, and it’s a wonder to behold. I’ve also seen those same sermons delivered, in churches, in tents, in prisons, and in fields and pavilions throughout this country, and it’s also something special. But being him, and being his son are two completely different things, something too many people failed to remember.penis pumps are one of the few proven methods for increasing the size of your penis

When I would travel with my dad, which happened more and more as I got a bit older, I would always be introduced to everyone and their mothers as the next big preacher. I would shake their hands, they would pat me on the head (which I detested), and they would proclaim me the second coming of Jehosophat. I would nod along, laugh when instructed, and proceed to sit in my place of honor at the front of the church so I could listen to another one of my dad’s sermons while everyone around me looked at me to see my reactions. It was so strange, such a surreal time anytime I went with him. And I wore my special suit for the occasion. It was bright white, the better to call attention to myself, but also easier for people to recognize me. When we would go “on tour” I think they honestly passed on this knowledge from church to church. It was almost like we were celebrities, and while I liked it, I did not like the expectations that came with it.

That’s where the disconnect really began. At first I found it interesting and was even honored by the attention, but once they all started saying I was going to be a great preacher too I started to honestly think about it. And I realized I didn’t want to be a preacher. I didn’t want to stand in that pulpit and speak the words of God from on high. I wasn’t that guy, but how can one person stand against legions who are certain of that fact? I couldn’t, or at least I felt like I couldn’t. So I let myself get swept along with the tide, I let them believe I was the second coming, and I got tangled up in youth church, in theology courses, until I finally said “enough!” It took me long enough, and while I realized that being a preacher was a noble profession, it was also a calling, and I wasn’t called that way, even though so many people believed it to be the case. When I finally shut it down, I know I disappointed so many people, but I realized by then I am not my father, nor do I want to be, so it was okay.

And amazingly enough, the church still has some solid young preachers who really know how to sermonize. I don’t think I’m missed.

The Hobbit: An unexpected journey, the extended edition

UPDATE: I saw The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in 48 frames-per-second 3D. I felt that this format deserved its own article. Check it out here.

BENJAMIN ZAUGG: Right at the beginning of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, there is a wonderful scene depicting Thrór, the Dwarf King of Erebor, surrounded by mountains of gold, going completely mad with greed and power. As I watched the rest of the film I would frequently find myself recalling that scene and substituting that Dwarf King with Peter Jackson.

At a little over 300 pages long, the original paperback of The Hobbit is a rather and short straightforward tale. Originally, Peter Jackson was going to tackle it in two films, adding some backstory/sidestory elements to fill out two separate features. This was a bit of a surprise, but given Jackson’s relatively strong track record I was cautiously optimistic. When I heard that he was splitting the 300-page tale into three films I began to worry.

Going in with these grave concerns I came out at the end neither disappointed nor overly pleased with what I saw. There is no doubt that the movie was a combination of two dark forces: Warner Brother Studios milking three films out of what could easily have been one or two, and Peter Jackson given unlimited power to explore every nook and cranny of his cherished middle-earth. What makes Jackson different to say, George Lucas, is that he is actually an extremely good filmmaker. So while this first installment is overloaded with tacked-on story elements it holds together far better than it has any right to.

If you go into this expecting a faithful film adaptation of the first third of The Hobbit you will probably be disappointed. However, if you want to experience a richly detailed backstory to Lord of The Rings where part of The Hobbit is the main plot line, then this may be your cup of tea. Perhaps because I went in knowing it would be more of the latter I enjoyed myself most of the time.

The problem with expanding the story beyond the original book seems to be that much of its spirit seems to have been lost in the process. Part of what made the book so charming was its very linear Bilbo-centric storyline and Tolkien’s excellent pacing – which was so different from LOTR. With all the backstory and ‘side-quests’ stuffed into this installment there is an added weight that slows down the narrative and it also feels like the story is more about the fellowship than about Bilbo Baggins. This is a particular shame because I felt that Martin Freeman’s Bilbo was the best thing about the film and I would have enjoyed a film more focused on that character’s journey.

It is only the extra story elements that slow things down, not the key ones. The arrival of the dwarves and the unveiling of their plan at the hobbit hole, while a scene or two too long, was very well done. The meeting of Gollum and Bilbo is above and beyond what I ever expected, and the appearance of the Goblin King (Barry Humphries) was excellent.

Whole swathes of story could be cut from around the main plot points and the film would only have benefited. Instead, Jackson seemed to be pulling out every bell and whistle to keep the add-ons interesting. I lost count of how many scenes occurred on or just near an overhanging cliff (there’s a new drinking game), and by the end of the film I’d almost forgotten what normal daylight looked like, because every scene seemed to take place at either sunrise or sunset. The editing seemed to be working overtime to keep things dynamic. Just when I thought they exhausted every camera angle a new one would appear.

Despite being a Frankenstein’s monster of plot and despite being something other than the original tale of The Hobbit, the stunning visuals and extraordinary cast made this film an enjoyable watch. I have no doubt that once all three films are finally released on Blu-ray, someone somewhere will rip and edit them all into a single three-hour epic with no extraneous plot. That film will be incredible. In the meantime, I’m going to treat each of these installments like the extended extended edition releases that they seem to be.

Acosta’s ‘Crayons’ mural recalls Sandy Hook

This 6′ × 24′ graffiti mural is the work of Gamma Acosta, Longmont, Colo. “Crayons” is his statement about the Sandy Hook school massacre, done a day later. It’s gone now, boards and all, to an anonymous art collector who wanted it preserved. Normally Acosta, who paints on his uncle’s vacant building, would have painted over it to make way for his next mural. This is the first time in five years that one of his murals has been preserved. The collector will replace the planks.

When I first saw “Crayons” during a local TV interview with Acosta, I thought it was powerful, a kick in the gut, heart-wrenching. The horror of that day summed up in a single image. An unforgettable statement about something we must never forget.

Then I found a very long discussion about it on Reddit, and it seemed mine was very much a minority opinion. Most people there seem to think it’s shocking, awful, repulsive, etc. Yes, it is. But that’s the point. Isn’t it? To make sure we never forget. I know I’ll never forget this mural.

I think the discussion got started badly when the person who posted the picture described it as his friend’s Sandy Hook “tribute” mural. It was a reaction to Sandy Hook, but it’s obviously not a tribute in the sense of a sweet, gentle memorial to the victims.

I don’t know. What do you think?

Advanced Kissing Tips

Kissing is something you may think is basic, but you can create amazing sexual tension just by putting your mouth on hers – the right way. If you think you’ve mastered kissing tips and know everything there is to know about it, think again! Here’s how you can blow your lover’s mind and take it to the next level.
Take The Next Step In Kissing

Learn how to be both gentle and firm at the same time. Many guys think that they have to be either super soft or really wild, when the best kisses come from guys who know how to be both at the same time. Kiss your lover with a little bit of an urgency, like you have to do it right now. Start off a little firm to show your passion, then relax into softer, sweeter moves to convey how much you’re enjoying it.

Start integrating eye contact when kissing. Eye contact is one of the most powerful forms of body language, and it’s incredibly effective when used with a woman. Pull away for a few seconds while making out with your partner and gaze deeply into her eyes. Hold the eye contact for just a few seconds longer than is comfortable, and then go back to kissing.

Enjoy each step of kissing your partner. Don’t rush through it so you can have sex sooner, and don’t just kiss her for the sake of having sex with her. Make the an incredible activity all by itself, and if you don’t end up having sex afterwards, so be it. The kiss was great, after all!
Girls Like Variety

Learn a variety of kissing tips and techniques. Girls don’t necessarily like to do the same thing with a guy over and over – it gets old after awhile. Take some time to learn a variety of techniques, so you have something new to offer your partner every now and then. Experiment with new things and find out what works for you and your lover and what doesn’t!

Move around while kissing. Don’t just stay on her mouth the whole time – slide your lips down her neck and kiss her gently there, or gently nibble on her ear. Staying in one spot will not only make her mouth tired quickly, it’s also going to get boring pretty fast.

Make it a kiss to remember. Make it slow, soft, sensual and special. If you don’t end up having sex that night, make it so that she thinks about the kiss all night long and that’s all she has running through her mind.

Tease her. Remember that kissing is part of foreplay and you will create a ton of sexual tension if you tease your lover and make her want more. You don’t want to be the guy that overwhelms her and leaves her pulling away, gasping for breath. Always pull away first and make her want to come back for more.
The Importance Of Touch While Kissing

Touch her hair when you kiss. Start with a gentle caress and as you get more and more passionate, it can even progress into a light tug. The nerves in the scalp are extremely sensitive, and playing with her hair while you kiss or tugging it gently can send shivers down her spine.

When it feels right, run your hands over her body. Don’t assume that touching her body means going straight for her breasts or vagina! Run your hands over her arms, touch her cheek softly and gently caress her neck. Put your hand on her hip and draw her closer to you. Touch her in places that she wouldn’t expect a guy to touch – because let’s face it, she’s probably expecting you to head for her nether regions anyways.
Being Kissable

Make sure your lips and mouth aren’t too dry. Your lips should be soft and kissable, but also make sure that your lips and mouth aren’t too wet either. You definitely don’t want to go into a kiss with slippery, slimy lips and tongue.

Practice good oral hygiene – you may think this falls into the category of basic kissing tips, but you wouldn’t believe how many guys expect to kiss a girl right after they’ve had a plate of hot wings and a beer. Don’t do this! Freshen up before you move in. If you have to excuse yourself to the bathroom to get fresh, go for it. Brush your teeth, use lip balm and carry mints. Make sure that you’re fresh and ready to be kissed. She’ll not only appreciate it, but the kiss will be a lot better.