Pimp.net

I sincerely hope that isn't a real website, but I didn't check because I don't want to know. A friend sent me this article today and unfortunately it wasn't anything new or that we haven't discussed before. Apparently, pimps have figured out how to get online and exploit women at the same time. I mentioned this in a previous posting, Paradox of Prostitution.

According to Wider Blog Network's article, "Pimps Go Online to Lure Kids into Prostitution," pimps are using myspace to target at risk kids and talk them into prostitution. The article also mentions Craigslist as a way for these pimps to advertise their girls...I mean girls, not a euphemism for women. The article mentions two specific pimps (one from Oh..I.O. we're so proud), and the way they targeted their victims. We knew this was going to happen; as technology advances so are criminals. The article mentions what the police and law enforcement organizations are doing to fight sex trafficking, but it doesn't change the fact that these perverts are always going to be one step ahead. As a result we, the opposition to the exploitation of persons, need to fight for stronger punishments for the trafficking and exploitation of people.

Oh, Silly MySpace...

Yes, MySpace has removed 90,000 sexual predators from the site. The number has doubled from last year's estimates. Is this really surprising to anyone? Anyone use MySpace? I have an account which I use predominantly as a way to keep track of my favorite bands, but even that has kind of died off for me. I have received incredible stupid things on that site from sexual solicitations to chain letters. That being said maybe people should have better control over who they contact on the site. I am not defending the sexual predators at all; they shouldn't be on the site. However, what happened to basic Internet safety? Don't give away personal information. Don't "friend" people you don't know.

I understand the concern about the sexual predators on the site, but where there is a will there is a way. As my roomie would say, "Creepers will find a way."

Saudi Girl Rock Band

This group of girls decided they wanted to be a rock band. Doesn't sound to hard. Except they can't perform in public or pose for album covers. Accolade's first song has become an underground hit with hundreds downloading it from their My Space page. The group's lead singer admits it is a bit of a challenge, but they decided they were going to do something different. Women in Saudi are rarely allowed out without their faces covered so for girls to be singing angry lyrics about a failed relationship is very new.

A rock scene is emerging in Saudi, but slowly. Some bands are no longer afraid of the religious police, the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, and are even selling tickets to their shows. 60% of the Saudi population is under 25, and they put on pressure for more freedoms. I'm going to go home tonight and check out their sound. Expect an update, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to like any all girl rock band fighting against the social constraints of society.

Women, Relationships, and Computers

I found an interesting little article on Jezebel again. This one is about women and their computers. Apparently women spent three times as much time with their computers as with their significant others. Also only one in five women wanted to spend more time with their partners. I found this humorous, but not ridiculous. We live in a cyber culture; thanks to blogging, MySpace, Facebook, and everything else we can have an abundance of social interaction from our living room. There are positive and negatives to this, but as far as relationships go as long as you and your partner are happy why worry?