TotallyOz

"for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change" I am thrilled that VP Gore has won the Prize. He deserved it and I hope he used the influence gained from it well. I with he would run for President but if his heart is not in it, I hope he stays the fuck away. We have good people who really want the job and I don't want to pressure someone to do a job they don't want to do. Oz http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/l...2007/press.html The Nobel Peace Prize for 2007 The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2007 is to be shared, in two equal parts, between the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Albert Arnold (Al) Gore Jr. for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change. Indications of changes in the earth's future climate must be treated with the utmost seriousness, and with the precautionary principle uppermost in our minds. Extensive climate changes may alter and threaten the living conditions of much of mankind. They may induce large-scale migration and lead to greater competition for the earth's resources. Such changes will place particularly heavy burdens on the world's most vulnerable countries. There may be increased danger of violent conflicts and wars, within and between states. Through the scientific reports it has issued over the past two decades, the IPCC has created an ever-broader informed consensus about the connection between human activities and global warming. Thousands of scientists and officials from over one hundred countries have collaborated to achieve greater certainty as to the scale of the warming. Whereas in the 1980s global warming seemed to be merely an interesting hypothesis, the 1990s produced firmer evidence in its support. In the last few years, the connections have become even clearer and the consequences still more apparent. Al Gore has for a long time been one of the world's leading environmentalist politicians. He became aware at an early stage of the climatic challenges the world is facing. His strong commitment, reflected in political activity, lectures, films and books, has strengthened the struggle against climate change. He is probably the single individual who has done most to create greater worldwide understanding of the measures that need to be adopted. By awarding the Nobel Peace Prize for 2007 to the IPCC and Al Gore, the Norwegian Nobel Committee is seeking to contribute to a sharper focus on the processes and decisions that appear to be necessary to protect the world’s future climate, and thereby to reduce the threat to the security of mankind. Action is necessary now, before climate change moves beyond man’s control. Oslo, 12 October 2007 Here is the CNN article: Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for their work raising awareness about global warming. The Nobel committee cited them "for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change." The IPCC and Gore will each receive a gold medal, a diploma and a share of $1.5 million. The award ceremony will be held December 10 in Oslo, Norway. "Through the scientific reports it has issued over the past two decades, the IPCC has created an ever-broader informed consensus about the connection between human activities and global warming," Ole Danbolt Mjoes, chairman of the Nobel committee, said in making the announcement. "Thousands of scientists and officials from over 100 countries have collaborated to achieve greater certainty as to the scale of the warming." The Nobel committee praised Gore as being "one of the world's leading environmentalist politicians." He is probably the single individual who has done most to create greater worldwide understanding of the measures that need to be adopted," said Mjoes Gore collected two Oscars earlier this year for his documentary, "An Inconvenient Truth," which followed him on a worldwide tour publicizing the dangers of climate change. Last month he also picked up an Emmy -- the highest award in U.S. television -- for "Current TV." The show, which Gore co-created, describes itself as a global television network that gives its viewers the opportunity to create and influence its programming. For the entire article: http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/10/12...gore/index.html Also see: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-N...nyt&emc=rss http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7041082.stm

I have always loved Montreal and loved the Black and Blue party there. I like the clubs and have always enjoyed Taboo. I have not been there much recently and with the shitty USD, I'm not sure when I'll get there or how long I'll stay. The city has a lot to offer and the boys are amazing. I think they have some of the hottest guys around but you have to search much harder for them now than you did years ago.

Even Bush Can't Keep It Down – Madame Ovary's Guide To Fagulous New Orleans! New Orleans proves that you can't keep a bad girl down! While it got thrashed by one of the worst hurricanes in decades and abandoned by the bitchy Bush Administration, this fabulous southern city is back on its feet and practically screaming, “We're Here! We're Queer! Get Used To It!” While much of the South is a bastion of Bible Belt freaks, married men hiding in the closet and fat drunken homophobes, New Orleans is delicious, divine and waiting for you to embrace its charms. So, don't let Katrina or any other bitches keep you away! Get ready to follow the fagtastic Madame Ovary as she helps you learn everything you need to know before you hit the most debaucherous city in the south! In no time at all, you'll be jerking out your jizz to the sounds of jazz and getting rough with southern gentlemen. Whether you cum for Mardi Gras, cream for creole or go fagtastic in the French Quarter, New Orleans will make you feel like the slut you've always known you could be! After all, there is a reason this town of dragulous queens, tempting trannies, fuckable fags and terrific tops is known as “The Big Easy.” Madam Ovary loves to go down to New Orleans whenever I'm in the mood for the type of sexalicious weekend that mama warned me about! Katrina – The Bitch That Couldn't Bring New Orleans To Its Knees! Everyone who's anyone knows that when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, it devastated the city, and that – as is usually the case – Bush didn't help anything. But, what many people don't know is that while New Orleans was hurt by the hurricane, it has come back with a vengeance. Nearly all of the tourist attractions, gay bars, hip restaurants, public transportation and other divine delights the city has to offer are back up and open for business again. In fact, the only part of the city that's really changed is that cash is now king! Many places still don't accept credit cards, so you'll want to be prepared to hand over dinaro for most, if not all of your pristine pleasure. It seems that some people might simply not want to let the government that let them down know exactly how much money they are making now that New Orleans is a rip-rocking playground once again. Imagine that my little studs, divas and drag queens! Luckily, most of the banks are up and running, and you can find ATMs all over the city. On the other hand – I know that some of my bitchy boy readers love looking at train wrecks. If you are one of those naughty boys, you can take the Gray Line Tour – Hurricane Katrina – America's Worst Catastrophe!, and see parts of New Orleans that have yet to be rebuilt. It's a nasty little trip – but it might give you some primal perspective on just how badly the butch boys in the White House let us down! Getting Your Drink On One of the most fabulous parts of visiting New Orleans is that it allows you to be out and about while getting your drink on! In most cities, once you order your drink you are stuck in the bar – even if it's populated by the ugly, the rude or the straight – until you finish your bootilcious beverage. Not so, in The Big Easy! Here, they'll happily give you any type of cocktail you want – including their legendary Mint Juleps – in plastic cocktail glasses. Then, you can walk out of the bar with them, cruise down the street, look at the man meat and even go into another bar! There also are no restrictions for drinking in public – which for the people of New Orleans is the local pastime – so you don't even have to worry about running into the boys in blue – unless you'd like to get to know a man in uniform! Faubourg Marigny Once you get into New Orleans and have a drink or three, you'll want to head over to Faubourg Marigny, the chic yet bohemian New Orleans gayborhood. The Marigny, as it is called by the local gay boys, is proof that God is divine - it was the one area that was left mostly undamaged by Katrina. It just shows that God has good taste! You'll want to explore and cruise for hot boys and divalicious drag queens in Washington Square Park and on Frenchmen Street, where you'll find tons of delightful cabarets, sinfully sexsational clubs, and bars filled with some of the sluttiest boys you'll ever want to go down on! Even during Mardi Gras, Bible Belters, breeders and frat boys avoid the Marigny – because the plethora of penis and magnitude of man meat scares them off! In the roughly four-block area of the Marigny, you'll find tasty restaurants right next door to some of the raunchiest bookstores in America. Anything goes in the Marigny, and you'll want to keep cumming back for more! Just be sure to wash your hands before dinner – we all know where they've been! The French Quarter Bending over for Creole boys in the Marigny is totally fagulicious, but you have to do something after you are able to walk again! That's when Madame Ovary redoes her makeup, smoothes out her skirts and ambles over to the fagtastic French Quarter. This divine section of The Big Easy stretches for 14 blocks along the Mississippi River, between Canal Street and Esplanade Avenue. It is the biggest tourist section of the city. The upside is that it is the headquarters of hard drinking, power partying and some of the best jazz America has to offer. The downside is that it is often filled to the brim with drunk breeder types, you'll find more tuna here than in a Chicken of the Sea factory. That said, it can be divine to watch the straights make fools of themselves while you sip your cocktails with the divine dignity you know the French Quarter deserves. In addition to listening to Creoles play jazz and watching sorority girl jizz junkies drink tequila, you'll be able to visit any number of historic homes that have been kept preserved in their 18th century stately manners. You'll constantly be surrounded by street performers, who range from horrible to fagfuckingtastic! It's also totally fabulous to take one of the history buggy rides around the French Quarter and watch the shenanigans from a distance – particularly if you've imbibed a little beforehand and are ready to soak up the local color! Esplanade Ridge When you are too hungover to drink, date or mate, you might want to cruise over to Esplanade Ridge overlooking the New Orleans Bayou. This is where the locals live, eat and chill out to avoid the tourists and let the city scene seep into their souls. You'll find the real New Orleans here – and find that anyone, no matter their race, creed or sexual orientation, is taken seriously here and treated with respect. Esplanade Ridge is also where the annual New Orleans Jazz Festival is held, and where you'll find the New Orleans Museum of Art – which was thankfully spared Katrina's horrible devastation. Of course, because this is where people really live and work, you'll find the atmosphere a bit different than the rest of the city - even the baddest boys and naughty nancies mind their manners in Esplanade Ridge. Do Do That Voodoo That You Do So Well At the heart of the debauchery and sin that is the soul of New Orleans lies the ancient Voodoo religion that still thrives in the city. Take note, my divine divas and studly men: Voodoo is not about worshiping the devil – no matter what you may have seen in the movies. Instead, Voodoo is a serious religion where the participants are in touch with the earth and her mysteries. Of course, that doesn't mean you can't get yourself a Voodoo doll of your local office homophobe and stick pins in it to see what happens, or buy yourself a sex potion and see if you can bring the straight boy you've been lusting for over to the pink team! There are numerous shops in New Orleans that will sell you potions and spells, and explain Voodoo to you. Perhaps the most well known and reliable is the Island of Salvation on Piety Street, where you can undergo Voodoo healing, purchase curses or simply buy candles to light for health and salvation. Just be careful, you never know when a curse can backfire – and you wouldn't want to find yourself magically turned into Born Again Christian, would you? Southern Decadence While the straight world celebrates Mardi Gras (and pleated pants, but I digress), New Orleans fags, fairies, divas and dykes know that the Southern Decadence Festival held every Labor Day weekend for the past 37 years is the real street party to see and be seen at! You'll be blinded by the gay during this massive indoor/outdoor gay orgy that starts the Wednesday before Labor Day and continues on until the following Tuesday morning. More than 100,000 queers, fag hags and wannabes cum to town to go down, bend over and mount men. Chi Chi Larue, the “Diva of Decadence” runs the fagtastic festivities and leads the Sunday morning parade, featuring queens, leather boys, twinks, bears, Dykes on Bikes - and turns the city into a homo haven. The code of the parade is to dress as decadently as possible, so pull out your best frocks or tightest leather pants and get ready to go down! New Orleans Gay Pride For nearly 36 years, New Orleans has been hosting some of the best Gay Pride events in American each and every June. Unfortunately, there were no Pride parades in 2006 or 2007 due to Katrina clean up efforts. They plan to bring the Pride and the parade back in 2008, and tens of thousands of fags and fag-friendly friends are expected to converge on Bourbon Street to party, dance and scope out the hottest of the hot! Details on 2008 Pride events are still sketchy – but you know that The Big Easy will come out of the closet and tell the world that the queers are still here! Mardi Gras Beads, boobs and booze, oh my! There can be no real discussion of visiting New Orleans without talking about Mardi Gras – the two-week-long party that ends on the Tuesday before Lent. The fabulous premise of Mardi Gras is that the people of New Orleans give up good food, Voodoo, sex and other sinful pleasures for Lent. So, they want to eat, fuck and drink as much as possible beforehand. People dress in masks, get on floats, take off their shirts and drink like deliciously drunken divas day and night during the festival, when the population of the city nearly doubles. While the media always talks about trashy tuna showing their mammary glands in exchange for plastic beads, none of the locals participate in such degrading behavior. In fact, wearing beads at Mardi Gras is the mark of being a trashy tourist and highly frowned upon! Instead, you just want to dress up in the most fabulous costume you can find and get ready to party day and night while looking as divine as humanly possible. Cum Down To New Orleans – The Men Are Waiting For You! Darlings, you know you like them big and easy – so why not cum down to The Big Easy for your next gaycation! You'll drink, dance and dick the night away – while sleeping off your sinsational evenings in the warm Bayou breezes. And, if you wind up here for Southern Decadence, you might even run into Madame Ovary – who knows how to go down and show a new boy a good time! Ta-Ta For Now, Madame Ovary, Your Fagulous Travel Guide cc drag.com

Even now, at 81 and with her memory beginning to fade, Gloria Donadello recalls her painful brush with bigotry at an assisted-living center in Santa Fe, N.M. Sitting with those she considered friends, “people were laughing and making certain kinds of comments, and I told them, ‘Please don’t do that, because I’m gay.’” The result of her outspokenness, Ms. Donadello said, was swift and merciless. “Everyone looked horrified,” she said. No longer included in conversation or welcome at meals, she plunged into depression. Medication did not help. With her emotional health deteriorating, Ms. Donadello moved into an adult community nearby that caters to gay men and lesbians. “I felt like I was a pariah,” she said, settled in her new home. “For me, it was a choice between life and death.” Elderly gay people like Ms. Donadello, living in nursing homes or assisted-living centers or receiving home care, increasingly report that they have been disrespected, shunned or mistreated in ways that range from hurtful to deadly, even leading some to commit suicide. Some have seen their partners and friends insulted or isolated. Others live in fear of the day when they are dependent on strangers for the most personal care. That dread alone can be damaging, physically and emotionally, say geriatric doctors, psychiatrists and social workers. The plight of the gay elderly has been taken up by a generation of gay men and lesbians, concerned about their own futures, who have begun a national drive to educate care providers about the social isolation, even outright discrimination, that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender clients face. For the rest of the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/09/us/09age...2c43MQI64SeEENg

This is a must see. http://crackle.com/c/Moving_Targets/Sen._C...223789%26o%3D12

What has been so truly interesting to me is that all my friend that live in the city keep complaining that there is no gay nightlife here at all. I have not tested the theory but it seems that many think the clean up that occurred in Times Square to Disnify the area may have rubbed off all over and is still being spread.

The Ritz is a play at Studio 54. It is starring Rosie Perez and Ryan Idol. Ryan is hot and actually does a nice job. Remember him? The porn star. He has really gone full circle and I was happy to see him do a nice job in this. The play is old but the laughter is contagious. The premise behind the play for those of you that have not seen it is on his deathbed, an Italian Mafia guy asks his family to kill a guy. The guy is the husband of his only daughter. After the funeral, he hides from him in a gay bathhouse. The cast of characters and the skin of the boys in towels is constant eye candy. I really enjoyed the show. It is currently playing in NYC at Studio 54.

LOL Can I trademark those? Sounds hot to me!

1908: The first production Model T rolls out of the Ford plant on Piquette Avenue in Detroit. The Model T was the first mass-produced automobile in history; approximately 15 million were built during a period lasting nearly 20 years. It achieved exactly what Henry Ford set out to do: to "build a motorcar for the great multitude." While it may be fairly described as the world's first people's car, history has been less kind to the Model T in other regards. Time magazine included the 1909 Tin Lizzy on its list of The 50 Worst Cars of All Time, describing it as "a piece of junk, the Yugo of its day." Nor was the Model T where assembly-line production was introduced, as is widely believed. According to the Time "tribute," Ford engineer William Klann studied the process by visiting another assembly line -- or "disassembly line," if you will -- at a slaughterhouse. He then applied what he had observed to the business of building automobiles, lots of them, quickly and efficiently. By 1913, the Model T's fifth full production year, an evolving assembly-line process had reduced the time for building an individual motorcar from 12 hours to an hour and a half. By 1927, the Model T's last year, Ford was cranking them out at a rate of one every 24 seconds. But if Ford was an innovator in production technique, he was positively hidebound when it came to design. The Model T remained virtually unchanged during its lifespan and by the early 1920s it was too antiquated to compete with the more modern designs coming off the drafting tables of other car companies, notably Chevrolet. It probably didn't help that the Tin Lizzy came in only one color -- black -- for most of its career. Nevertheless, the Model T would remain the most widely produced car in history until being surpassed by the Volkswagen Beetle in the second half of the 20th century. http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/n.../dayintech_1001

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJEe1WCGV1o

The drag queen was Candise Cayne! Wow!

LOL. Thanks. OK. I won't use the word Papi in the SMS. Although, I really really like the word. I don't care if he is a breeder or not. As long as he is open to change. At 18, how much did we really know of sex? I was a young whore, so I knew a lot but had sex with both guys and gals. The older I got, the more I grew from bisexuality to 95 percent male sex. LOL. You are good my dear! I did mention Black and Blue to him already. I was going to ask him to be a photo assistant for me. But, I got my media pack back from the BBCM.org and I think they only allow pics the last night and only till 3am. ;(

Today, I had another session with my new husband. lol We went into a workout room with another trainer and his client. We worked for about 15 min until they left. As soon as they left, he pulled a CD from his bag and put in on the stereo. He said, "I made this for you." It was a techno tape of songs he thought I would like. The title on the CD said Alternative. hummm Now, my mind is wondering. As we were finishing, a class was starting and there were several flaming queens going to the class. We walked out and I said, "I am now pissed. I can't belive I didn't get the memo." What memo he said. "The one about the gays meeting up in the step class." He laughed and said, "I'll let you know when the next meeting is." Well, well well. How would he know? Was he just being catty with me? I left with my girlfriend and told her the story. We had a long discussion on the possibility of him being gay. He does ask a lot of odd questions she said. He has asked about where I go, what I do, etc. I tell him very honestly and bluntly. He must be intrigued or he would not have made the CD. Now, my next question is what move do I make? Also, he is Latin. I am not. I am old. He is not. Would a text message to him that says, Papi in it be rude? I ask honestly because I don't know and don't want to offend him before I have the shotgun wedding.

abrogate \AB-ruh-gayt\, transitive verb: 1. To annul or abolish by an authoritative act. 2. To put an end to; to do away with. He also knows that failure to secure a clear unionist majority will leave the UUP [ulster Unionist Party] leader vulnerable to those pressing for an assembly manifesto which would effectively threaten to abrogate the agreement. -- "Politeness could not mask gulf within the UUP", Irish Times, May 20, 1998 The Court had made clear that the Federal Government was one of "limited and enumerated powers," Brann said, adding, "One of those powers is not to abrogate a state's immunity in its own courts." -- Linda Greenhouse, "Justices Seem Ready to Tilt More Toward States in Federalism", New York Times, April 1, 1999 So why is Washington seeking to abrogate the ABM Treaty, to push ahead with its anti-ballistic missile Star Wars programme? -- Simon Jenkins, "Thanks so much for having me, Mr Blair", Times (London), April 19, 2000 Abrogate derives from Latin abrogare, "to repeal a law wholly, to annul," from ab-, "away from" + rogare, "to ask, to inquire, to question; also, to propose a law."

I could not agree more. I just don't see how either of these guys can get as much influence as they have. I don't get it!

I like Aaron, James and Todd. I think James is the hottest. That guy has a great body. I hated to see Chicken leave as I thought he would be a fun character this season. But, he should have stepped up to the plate when they asked his advice. The gay Mormon flight attendant is funny. I kind of though of him when I posted the joke of the day. He has a bit of a swish to his walk, but he looks like he may last a while if he is careful.

THE GAY FLIGHT ATTENDANT My flight was being served by an obviously gay flight attendant, who seemed to put everyone in a good mood as he served us food and drinks. As the plane prepared to descend, he came swishing down the aisle and told us that "Captain Marvey has asked me to announce that he'll be landing the big scary plane shortly, so lovely people, if you could just put your trays up, that would be super." On his trip back up the aisle, he noticed this well-dressed and rather Arabic looking woman hadn't moved a muscle. "Perhaps you didn't hear me over those big brute engines but I asked you to raise your trazy-poo, so the main man can pitty-pat us on the ground." She calmly turned her head and said, "In my country, I am called a Princess and I take orders f rom no one." To which (I swear) the flight attendant replied, without missing a beat, "Well, sweet-cheeks, in my country I'm called a Queen, so I out-rank you. Tray-up, Bitch."

Did anyone else watch this show tonight? It was a bit stupid but totally entertaining. I love the guy from 6 Feet Under and the totally dysfunctional Darling family. Where do they get this stuff? A family with a priest who has illegitimate children, a Paris Hilton look alike, a horny goddess, a few other odd characters and a few billion dollars thrown together and you get Dirty Sexy Money. Having loved Dynasty years ago, I hope this show is able to grow into itself as I do really like several of the actors. Was the Tranny Candis Cayne?

“Beauty is truth. Truth Beauty. That is all you know on earth and all you need to know” said John Keats. I think I have lived my life in the pursuit of beauty. Not on me but on others. I love beautiful boys. Always have and I guess I always will. Sometimes this causes me to look the way I should not look. Sometimes, it gets me into a bit of trouble. Sometimes it works out great. I was at the gym and I needed a trainer. How do you think an old whore like me picks a trainer? If you say that I searched through all the credentials of the trainers and picked the one that was best for my needs, you would be right. Well, you would be right in that is probably what I should do. Not me. I watched the trainers for a few days and I picked the cutest one. For me, that is lean body, young, a little dark and sexy. I really didn’t care if he know anything about training as I thought I could teach him a few things. My selection was a 18 year old Latin papi. Cute, handsome and yes, Marc Anthony the twink of all twinks. I walked over to him and said, “I need a really strong man. Paused. To be my trainer. Do you fit the bill?” As they all work on commissions, he said yes. I blatantly ignored the lady beside him but my eyes were captivated by this young stud. I hired him and we began our first workout. He did a good job and was more knowledgeable than I would give him credit for. On our third session, he concentrated on my legs. OMG. He worked me till I was dead. Not only did I pick the twink, I picked a damm good trainer as well. Luckily, it fell that way. It could have been really bad. But, as luck was on my side, the guy I picked was the hottest kid I have seen in NYC and now was sweating with me a few days a week. OK OK There is no sex involved. But, I do have my hopes high. Since I can’t wear my high heels as my calves hurt so much, I am glad to have something high.

Is what he said any better than, "nappy headed hos"? ? Will there be such a commotion as with Imus?

I know the following story is not from Thailand but I do think that monks in mainly Buddhist countries have the same power. I know of few guys in Thailand who are not very respectful of monks and those that work with the temples. BANGKOK, Monday, Sept. 24 — The largest street protests in two decades against Myanmar’s military rulers gained momentum Sunday as thousands of onlookers cheered huge columns of Buddhist monks and shouted support for the detained pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Winding for a sixth day through rainy streets, the protest swelled to 10,000 monks in the main city of Yangon, formerly Rangoon, according to witnesses and other accounts relayed from the closed country, including some clandestinely shot videos. It came one day after a group of several hundred monks paid respects to Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi at the gate of her home, the first time she has been seen in public in more than four years. The link between the clergy and the leader of the country’s pro-democracy movement, the beginnings of large-scale public participation in the marches and a call by some monks for a wider protest raised the stakes for the government. So far, it has mostly allowed the monks free reign in the streets, apparently fearing a public backlash if it cracks down on them in this Buddhist nation. Monks were reported to be parading through a number of cities on Sunday, notably the country’s second largest city, Mandalay, where an estimated 10,000 people, including 4,000 monks, had marched Saturday. Myanmar’s military government has sealed off the country to foreign journalists but information about the protests has been increasingly flowing out through wire service reports, exile groups in Thailand with contacts inside Myanmar, and through the photographs, videos and audio files, carried rapidly by technologies, including the Internet, that the government has failed to squelch. Click here for rest of story: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/24/world/as...nyt&emc=rss

Would or should? I am not so sure our government doesn't know everything that goes on and turns a blind eye until they get caught with their pants down. I agree, that they should be put on trail. I am just not sure where this will go.

It will be interesting to see how the Iraqi government will bring them to trail as they don't have any authority over them according to Congressional Research service. BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- The Iraqi government will file criminal charges against employees of U.S. security firm Blackwater who are blamed for a gun battle in Baghdad in which civilians were killed, an Iraqi Interior Ministry official said Sunday. It is unclear how Iraqi courts will attempt to bring the contractors to trial. A July report from the Congressional Research Service said the Iraqi government has no authority over private security firms contracted by the U.S. government. The Iraqi government claims that as many as 20 civilians were killed by the private contractors, who were guarding a U.S. diplomatic convoy. Iraqi officials, who claim the shootings were unprovoked, dispute the U.S. claim that the guards were responding to an attack and said on Saturday they had a videotape that showed the Blackwater guards opened fire without provocation. The incident prompted the Iraqi government to call for Blackwater's expulsion from the country and sparked anger among ordinary Iraqis. For full article go to: http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/09/23/...robe/index.html

I have read this before and I have been saying that jerking off and regular sex is very healthy and will help with mental disease, health issues, stress, etc. Now, the BBC agress with me. Finally, studies are being done. Here is the story: Men could reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer through regular masturbation, researchers suggest. They say cancer-causing chemicals could build up in the prostate if men do not ejaculate regularly. And they say sexual intercourse may not have the same protective effect because of the possibility of contracting a sexually transmitted infection, which could increase men's cancer risk. Australian researchers questioned over 1,000 men who had developed prostate cancer and 1,250 who had not about their sexual habits. They found those who had ejaculated the most between the ages of 20 and 50 were the least likely to develop the cancer. The protective effect was greatest while the men were in their 20s. Men who ejaculated more than five times a week were a third less likely to develop prostate cancer later in life. Fluid Previous research has suggested that a high number of sexual partners or a high level of sexual activity increased a man's risk of developing prostate cancer by up to 40%. Read the rest of the article here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3072021.stm