The Beer Bar

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST: _____ Burma's Top Court Rejects Suu Kyi Freedom Bid 26/02/2010 Burma's Supreme Court on Friday rejected an appeal by Aung San Suu Kyi against her extended house arrest, her lawyer said, keeping her in detention ahead of elections promised by the junta for this year. The opposition leader, who has spent most of the last two decades locked up, had her incarceration lengthened by 18 months in August after being convicted over a bizarre incident in which a US man swam to her lakeside home. Her legal team immediately vowed to lodge a final "special" appeal with Burma's chief justice to win her freedom. Suu Kyi was…

When one hears the word "spy," one normally thinks of places like Moscow, London, and Washington rather than Rosemont, Pa. However, the controversy swirling around Rosemont's Harriton High School and the Lower Merion School District increasingly makes for bizarre reading. And even more bizarre thinking. The school district has been accused of remote-controlled Webcam spying on its students. The student at the center of the allegations, Blake Robbins, claims the school, having produced a still photograph taken remotely by a school official, falsely accused him of selling drugs (I have embedded the video of CBS News interview with Robbins and his family). One fact, though…

The School for Pot, a title Sheridan could really have worked with. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/29/education/29marijuana.html?_r=1&hp Cramming for exams as you've never known it.

Interesting story from today's Toronto star about a former (current?) sex worker currently studying at one of Canada's foremost law schools. I hope she makes it through the program, and can't wait to see what happens when she does! From selling sex to Osgoode Hall

LAS VEGAS — The owner of a brothel more than two hours' drive from Las Vegas said she hopes to hire Nevada's first legal male prostitutes within a month, now that state health officials have approved a method to test men for infectious diseases. George Flint, a minister-turned-lobbyist, is up in arms over the idea. Flint, a Reno wedding chapel owner and longtime lobbyist for the Nevada Brothel Owners Association, said he feared the idea of male prostitutes serving male clients could spur a legislative backlash. He said he works to make the brothel industry socially acceptable to both libertarians and conservatives. He called the change the "Pearl Harbor" of the brothel i…

Moving profile of Roger Ebert today... http://www.esquire.com/features/roger-ebert-0310

Coincidentally with RA1's mention of bad cell phone behavior in public, this item is in today's Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/15/fashion/15rude.html?_r=1&hpw

Atlanta, Georgia (CNN) -- When Laura Douglas-Brown got to work on Monday, she saw a note on the door. "It is with great regret that we must inform you that effective immediately, the operations of Window Media LLC and United Media LLC have closed down." It asked employees to return Wednesday, adding, "Please bring boxes and/or containers that will allow you to collect all your personal belongings at one time." And with that, Douglas-Brown lost her job at Atlanta, Georgia-based Southern Voice -- the South's main newspaper for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities -- where she has worked for more than 12 years. Southern Voice, which was in print for more tha…

Not sure if anyone has posted about these young gents on here already, but for those who love the sound of well-trained treble voices, check out this amazing choir from the UK: www.libera.org.uk/ They have a ton of high-quality videos on Youtube... here are a few of my favourites: http://www.youtube.com/user/liberaofficial?blend=5&ob=4#p/u/1/AAkfsibMq0M http://www.youtube.com/user/liberaofficial?blend=5&ob=4#p/u/32/LbAuTB8uLaQ http://www.youtube.com/user/liberaofficial?blend=5&ob=4#p/u/43/wOvN0Ek3Qrk Enjoy! ;-)

Washington (CNN) -- Alexander Haig, the former military officer, secretary of state and adviser to presidents, has died, a Johns Hopkins Medical Center spokesman said. Haig, 85, was admitted to the Baltimore, Maryland, hospital on January 28 and died at 1:30 a.m. Saturday, hospital spokesman Gary Stephenson said. Haig was a top official in the administrations of three presidents -- Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan. As Reagan's secretary of state, Haig famously (and incorrectly) declared, "As of now, I am in control here, in the White House, pending the return of the vice president," he declared shortly after President Reagan was shot on March 30, 1…

Thus:

From the "other site" "Can you picture all of the senior citizens in Palm Springs getting up on the stage and shaking it in a thong?" I thought we had already seen this 2 years ago at the Palm spring Playhouse when they did 42nd street!

Malawi Launches Operation Against High-Profile Gay and Llesbian People Fears of backlash across Africa as US evangelists accused of spreading religious zeal behind homophobic campaigns David Smith and agencies guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 16 February 2010 Police in Malawi have launched an operation to hunt down and arrest high-profile gays and lesbians in the southern African state. Fears of an anti-gay backlash across Africa are intensifying after the prosecution of the first gay couple to seek marriage in Malawi, and thousands of Ugandans demonstrated this week in support of a bill proposing the death penalty for some offences involving homosexual acts. Last…

Marvelous!

You gotta admire this guy's tenacity. Brit determined to clear his name.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jan/10/china-gay-pageant China's first gay pageant gives glimpse of new acceptance Contest aims to boost community's confidence in country where homosexuality was classed as illness until 2001 Tania Branigan in Beijing guardian.co.uk, Sunday 10 January 2010 19.17 GMT Eight men competing in Mr Gay China, which organisers say is a striking sign of how far attitudes to homosexuality have changed Link to this video There's a swimwear round and a talent section where contestants can show off their singing and dancing. But organisers insist the contest to be held this Friday is a serious business. It is China's first gay pageant. The ev…

Hello fellow MERmen, Just a quick note to let y'all know I am still around. I have not been quite as active as I had been in the past.I am going to try and get my affairs in order this year(pay off all debt)and this means having to curtail two of my hobbies-Travel and Boys. I still do get out and about a bit(and this staying home stuff is boring me to tears)but it is a small price to pay to get some(a lot)of breathing room and to be able to tell the banks to go fuck themselves.It is dfficult-but very doable. I also just turned 50.I had a great birthday party in San Francisco surrounded by friends and family.I treated myself to a little fun(met him at the Stud)but even…

February 14th serves double duty this year- gung hay fat choi! 2010 is here and it’s the year of the TIGER. According to Chinese astrology: The Tiger is said to be lucky vivid, lively and engaging. Another attribute of the Tiger is his incredible bravery, evidenced in his willingness to engage in battle or his undying courage. Keep these 2 things in mind: courage and good luck. Be courageous and lucky this year!

"We Are The World" 25th Anniversary Edition:

Even AdamSmith is at a loss for words. http://www.mukiskitchen.com/home.html

This from the BBC's website -

Just heard that Alexander McQueen, one of the enfants terrible of the fashion world who was also head designer for 5 years at the celebrated fashion house Givenchy, was found dead in London last night, apparently of suicide. There have been several threads on this Board which have discussed depression - usually in relation to the "flying farangs", a title which has raised the ire of some posters. I have no idea of the circumstances surrounding McQueen's death, other than that his mother had died about a week ago and her funeral was scheduled for today (12th). It was also known that the designer was under intense pressure finalising designs for the fashion weeks due t…

Former Congressman Charlie Wilson Dead at 76 (CNN) -- Former congressman Charlie Wilson of Texas died Wednesday at age 76, a Texas hospital said. The 12-term Democratic representative, who served Texas' 2nd Congressional District and inspired the book and movie "Charlie Wilson's War," had been in a meeting with a friend Wednesday morning when he complained of difficulty breathing, said Yana Ogletree, a spokeswoman for Memorial Medical Center in Lufkin, Texas. The two men were heading to the hospital when they passed an emergency medical services vehicle on the side of the road and stopped for help, she said. Paramedics took Wilson to the hospital emergency roo…

I have just been watching on CNN the latest episode of the saga of the American church-goers in Haiti who have now been charged with the willful kidnapping of young children. As each day passes, new disturbing and distressing revelations come to light - no paperwork, the kids had to be under 10, they knew most of the kids were not orphans, their Dominican orphanage does not exist, and the leader of this motley group lost her home in December and her business is a failure. It is more than pathetic learning of their shenanigans, yet hearing them talk about doing "God's work", putting their faith in the Lord and singing hymns when interviewers try to talk with them. At its r…

Interesting question from Larry King in his interview today with Michelle Obama. "Does he get down easily, your husband?" And neither of them batted an eyelid