For four months, 10 FBI agents took turns listening in the days before, during and after September 11, 2001.
"They tapped my phone. I'm calling people in New York, crying," says Monica. "I called everybody. Oh my God. We're being attacked! And they're taping phone conversations about a brothel?"
Lawmakers wondered the same thing. The investigation was even ridiculed at a hearing on terrorism.
"I realize it comes as an enormous revelation to the American public that there might have been prostitutes in New Orleans. I mean, who knew," said Sen. Patrick Leahy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Vitter
Excerpt: D.C. Madam
In early July 2007, Vitter's phone number was included in a published list of phone records of Pamela Martin and Associates, a company owned and run by Deborah Jeane Palfrey, also known as the "D.C. Madam", convicted by the U.S. government for running a prostitution service. Hustler identified the phone number and contacted Vitter's office to ask about his connection to Palfrey.[18][19] The following day, Vitter issued a written statement:
“
This was a very serious sin in my past for which I am, of course, completely responsible. Several years ago, I asked for and received forgiveness from God and my wife in confession and marriage counseling. Out of respect for my family, I will keep my discussion of the matter there — with God and them. But I certainly offer my deep and sincere apologies to all I have disappointed and let down in any way.[20]
”
The statement containing Vitter's apology said his telephone number was included in phone records dating from his days as a member of the House of Representatives.[6] Phone records show that Vitter's number was called by Palfrey's service five times, the first on October 12, 1999, and the last on February 27, 2001.[21] Two calls were placed while House roll call votes were in progress.[22][23]
On July 16, 2007, after a week of self-imposed seclusion, Vitter emerged and called a news conference. Standing next to his wife, Vitter asked the public for forgiveness. Following Vitter's remarks, Wendy Vitter, his wife, spoke. Both refused to answer any questions.[24][25][26]
As background, several news outlets reported that in May 1999, Vitter replaced Congressman Bob Livingston after Livingston resigned due to an adultery scandal.[1][27][28] Vitter said about Livingston's decision to resign, "It's obviously a tremendous loss for the state. I think Livingston's stepping down makes a very powerful argument that Clinton should resign as well and move beyond this mess", referring to Bill Clinton'sMonica Lewinsky scandal.[29]
Vitter will not face criminal charges due to the statute of limitations.[30]
Vitter incurred significant legal and public relations expenses in his efforts to avoid giving testimony in the Palfrey trial and to respond to the ethics complaint. Consequently, his attorneys sought permission from the Federal Election Commission to use campaign funds to pay for these expenses.[31][32] The Commission, along partisan lines, couldn't agree whether funds could be used for reimbursing costs related to the Palfrey trial but did allow them to pay for expenses connected to the Ethics Committee complaint.[33][34][35]
On July 10, 2007, Jeanette Maier, the "Canal Street Madam", alleged that Vitter was a customer on more than one occasion in the 1990s, when Maier was identified by federal prosecutors as operating a $300 per hour brothel.[36]The Times-Picayune reported that "Maier offered no evidence or documents to support her claim."[37] A polygraph (lie detector) test was arranged for a New Orleans prostitute who claimed Vitter hired her and had sexual intercourse with her. The prostitute passed the test.[38]
While the Louisiana state Republican Party offered guarded support,[39] national Republicans offered forgiveness.[40]The Nation predicted that the Republican Party would be in a "forgiving mood", pointing out if Vitter did step down, then Governor of Louisiana, Kathleen Blanco, a Democrat, would likely appoint a Democrat to take Vitter's place until a special election took place, thus increasing Democratic control over the Senate.[41][42][43]
Republican Senator Sam Brownback told Bloomberg Television on October 5, 2007, that Vitter should be censured by the Senate. He said, "I think you could see something like that taking place. If you look at the actual crime itself and the discussion across the country– and as a Republican– this is bad."[44]
In a similar vein when the Eliot Spitzer prostitution scandal — Spitzer being then governor of New York — hit the headlines, commentators contrasted the end-results: Spitzer resigned while Vitter stayed on.[45][46][47] In response, Jeff Crouere, a New Orleans conservativepolitical commentator, called on Vitter to resign, saying he was an ineffective representative and reflected poorly on the state.[48] Other local political figures differed with Crouere. Democratic political consultantJames Carville said the two cases were entirely different: Spitzer's situation developed from an active investigation and as a former prosecutor and governor he had powerful enemies. In contrast, Carville described Vitter as "Louisiana’s junior senator and nobody really knows him or cares that much about him," but concluded that, "if they paid with their own money, I don’t think either one should resign." The Louisiana Republican governor Bobby Jindal said, "Senator Vitter has already addressed this.... The people of New York can deal with the Governor of New York.”[49] Additionally, one gauge of the scandal's impact — local fundraising — indicated that Vitter has weathered the controversy well: first quarter 2008 finance reports show that he made, according to The Times-Picayune, an "impressive haul".[50] Another gauge, voter approval, indicates Vitter is, as of June 2008[update], still popular with Louisiana voters.[51]
Following the June 2009 admission of NevadaSenatorJohn Ensign that he had an affair with an employee of his Senate office, the Louisiana Democratic Party called on Senator Vitter to resign his leadership position (as a deputy whip) in the Senate, arguing that because Ensign had resigned his position as Republican Policy Committee Chairman of the United States Senate, Vitter should do the same.[52]
Dominique Strauss-Kahn hired prostitutes from the “Manhattan Madam” who also served Eliot Spitzer, the disgraced former Governor of New York, Kristin Davis has claimed. Here is a profile of the escort agency owner.
Image 1 of 3
Former madam Kristin Davis Photo: AP
Image 1 of 3
IMF head Dominique Strauss-Kahn (C) is taken out of a police station in New York earlier this week.Photo: AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Image 1 of 3
Eliot Spitzer who resigned in disgrace after using prostitutes from the "madam".Photo: AP
"KING: Jeane, does that bother you, when people speak out on morality and then act immorally?
PALFREY: It bothers me considerably. And the reason that I ultimately released the phone records, as I did, was this very point, the hypocrisy.
There's another point that needs to be mentioned as well, perhaps even more important, and that is the susceptibility of blackmail of certain clients having used the service over the years. Most people at the moment for obvious reasons are focusing upon the hypocrisy angle. However, intellectualize a bit, think about it a bit, and you'll come to the conclusion that we've come to, that there are possible people who have used the service who have become subjects and targets of blackmail. And many of these people being in D.C. most likely have security clearances."
In an interview with the New York Post – thoroughly embarrassed New York Congressman Anthony Weiner again confirmed that he is NOT resigning over the Twitter lewd photo scandal – and a new poll out in his Congressional district shows his constituents support him.
The new Marist poll released yesterday revealed 56% of voters think Weiner should stay in office – while only 33% think he should go. So if it’s up to the constituents – as Republicans argue when one of their guys steps in a sex scandal – then the constituents have decided they want to keep Weiner as their Congressman.
And as long as Senator David Vitter – who was a client of the DC Madame – keeps his job – then Republicans should probably keep their mouths shut about Anthony Weiner.
The old political (admittedly low) bar used to be that politicians found with a “either a dead girl or a live boy,” as former Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards once joked, were pretty much out. That standard has obviously changed as gay rights have become more widely accepted, and as morality has made a comeback. That said, it’s important to ask how Ensign failed where his friend and GOP colleague, Louisiana Senator David Vitter, succeeded.
Vitter’s phone number came up in the infamous DC madam’s call list in 2007. He admitted his “sin” and apologized to family and went into seclusion. Vitter, though, was lucky — for lack of a better word — in two ways. First, the DC madam, Deborah Jeane Palfrey, committed suicide before * a potentially lengthy appeals process, thus saving Vitter from an extended and humiliating trial. And secondly, Louisiana’s Republican Party had a very shallow bench at that time. Vitter won reelection last year with 56.6% of the vote.
* Several days ago, I called for Representative Anthony Wienerto resign. He has lied to his constituents and that’s not tolerable. My position has been consistent. I called for David Vitter to resign (the family-value Senator who was on the DC Madam’s call list). I called for Senator John Ensign to resign. Personally, if you think that you are a playa, that’s fine with me. Just don’t tell me that you have great family values, because you don’t. If you want to send pictures of yourself to college coeds, that’s fine with me, too, but when you get caught don’t lie to me. It’s really that simple.
Marvin Williams wasn't the only Atlanta Hawks player to suffer the wrath of NBA Dean of Discipline Stu Jackson after Atlanta's 111-102 win over the New York Knicks on Friday night. Forward Josh Smith grabbed his (own) junk. Unfortunately, Smith works for the NBA and not the TSA -- where touching junk is a part of your daily job description. Smith got fined.
The incident happened after Smith drained a 3-pointer with 3:44 left in the game. After taking a shot from behind the arc that usually makes many a Hawks fan groan and hitting it, the Atlanta forward pulled off the Michael Jackson crotch grab as he ran down the court before accentuating his junk by holding both hands near his private parts.
SportSouth replayed the incident on live television seconds later to nervous chuckles by announcers Bob Rathbun and Dominique Wilkins.
Of course, the NBA -- a league only rivaled by the NFL in cracking down on any sort of athletic exuberance -- took exception to Smith's theatrics and lightened Smith's wallet $25,000. Smith got off easier than Williams, who was suspended two games and fined an undisclosed amount for his swing-and-a-miss punch in an altercation with New York's Shawne Williams with 43.7 seconds left in the game.
http://blogs.thescore.com/tbj/2011/02/02/house-finally-breaks-big-balls-dance-silence/ (video is private)
Excerpt:
On Sunday afternoon, Eddie House hit a huge three-pointer the way a guy like Eddie House would. Big-time, clutch and off a pass from a player who’d drawn defenders to him. Classic Eddie House, really. He promptly celebrated by appropriating Sam Cassell’s huevos grande dance. All was good with the worlds of the genital gesticulations and the Miami Heat.
Monday afternoon he was fined $25,000. Whoops.
Current News: Janet's Exposure is gonna cost 20 CBS television stations a record total of $550,000 for violating indecency rules, U.S. communications regulators said on Wednesday.
The below pictures show Janet Jackson peforming on stage for the Superbowl. During the performance Justin Timberlake sing: "By the end of this song I am gonna rip your clothes off". As you see in the end he ripped her breast plate off to reveal a star on the breast. Original claimed as a wardrobe malfunction by Timberlake is has changed since Janet Jackson confessed to changing the show without the approval of anyone. The FCC is no in charge of going after her as in America you can not show a naked breast as is too mind damaging to everyone because we as humans have never seen a naked women before. In an age of threats the one thing that is on the minds of Americans is this small exposure to a covered nipple. Better known these days as Janet's Nipplegate. Justin after winning in the Grammys apologized again for the incident as he was sorry for offending anyone who watched the 2004 Super Bowl Halftime Show exposed boob. Janet was a no show for the Grammys. Click here to see more pictures: Janet Super Bowl Page 2 or Click here for Justin and Janet's Video Responses on the Incident
LONDON: It may sound ridiculous at first, but Facebook is planning to trademark the word 'face' because it wants to stop other companies using the term in a way which damages its own brand.
The first stage of the bid has been approved and, provided they complete all the paperwork, the full trademark will be rubber stamped by the U.S. Patent Office in six months time.
Over the next six months Facebook will have to demonstrate it is using the trademark and file a Statement of Use, the next phase, ahead of final approval.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Avenue_51/Michael_Jackson
Excerpt:
In the 19-minute music video for "Bad"—directed by Martin Scorsese—Jackson began using sexual imagery and choreography not previously seen in his work. He occasionally grabbed or touched his chest, torso and crotch. While he has described this as "choreography," it garnered a mixed reception from both fans and critics; Time magazine described it as "infamous". The video also featured Wesley Snipes; in the future Jackson's videos would often feature famous cameo roles.[46][203] For "Smooth Criminal", Jackson experimented with an innovative "anti-gravity lean" in his performances, for which he was granted U.S. Patent No. 5,255,452.[204] Although the music video for "Leave Me Alone" was not officially released in the US, in 1989, it was nominated for four Billboard Music Video Awards, winning three; the same year it won a Golden Lion Award for the quality of the special effects used in its production. In 1990, "Leave Me Alone" won a Grammy for Best Music Video, Short Form.[60]
http://www.google.com/patents?vid=USPAT5255452 Excerpt:
A system for allowing a shoe wearer to lean forwardly beyond his center of gravity by virtue of wearing a specially designed pair of shoes which will engage with a hitch member movably projectable through a stage surface. The shoes have a specially designed heel slot which can be detachably...
Inventors: Michael J. Jackson, Michael L. Bush, Dennis Tompkins
Assignees: Triumph International, Inc.
Primary Examiner: M. Denise Patterson
Michael Jackson grabs crotch (I wonder if he was trying to patent this move?)
A number of Judaism’s most venerable ancient rabbis, whose edicts are recorded in the "Bible" of modern Judaism, the Talmud, were pedophiles. This is documented in my article, “Pedophilia: The Talmud's Dirty Secret.”Some of the earliest and very greatest sages, such as the "great" Simeon ben Yohai, encouraged rabbis to sexually assault ("marry") girls as young as three and permitted Jewish women to molest boys under the age of 9. (See, "Judaism and Homosexuality: A Marriage Made in Hell" and "Pedophilia 'Rampant' in Orthodox Judaism") Orthodox Judaism today reveals a disturbing trend: the more that Jewish leaders literally believe the Talmud, the more they are charged with sex crimes against minors.
It is rare today that rabbis from the liberal branches of Judaism, which often “spiritualized” the Talmud, are accused of sex crimes against minors. (These are Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist.) Yet in Orthodox Jewish centers such as New York and Israel, an escalating number of such Orthodox authorities are indicted as child molesters. These rabbis do not merely theorize about the Talmud’s encouragement of child sex but act on it.
Shmarya Rosenberg publishes Failed Messiah, a site devoted to ultra-Orthodox Judaism and exposing its sins. A former member of the Lubavitcher Hasidic movement who remains a practicing Orthodox Jew, he has published hundreds of posts about Orthodox molestation and says he gets dozens of tips per week.
New York journalist and attorney Michael Lesher says, “A certain amount of sexual deviance is going to be found in any society. What is really shocking is the extent of license that’s been extended to these people to victimize children and if you are a pedophile, the Orthodox Jewish community is one of the best places you can be…” (In The Wall of Silence, a Canadian TV documentary about haredi sexual abuse, part of a larger series.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rev. Ted Pike is director of the National Prayer Network, a Christian/conservative watchdog organization.
TALK SHOW HOSTS: Interview Rev. Ted Pike on this subject. Call (503) 631-3808.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/police-indict-rabbi-moti-elon-for-sexual-abuse-1.306824
Excerpt:
The police yesterday announced they had collected sufficient evidence to recommend that Rabbi Mordechai (Moti) Elon be indicted on charges of sexual crimes.
Police suspect Elon, one of the most prominent rabbis in the religious Zionist movement, of forcibly committing indecent acts on two minors.
A prominent Brooklyn rabbi was charged yesterday with molesting a 12-year-old girl over three years, authorities said.
Nechemya Weberman, 52, of Williamsburg, pleaded innocent at his arraignment last night. Authorities said the shocking sex abuse, took place from 2007 until 2010.
The alleged victim -- who was being counseled by the rabbi, a source said -- is now 16. The source said her parents contacted police.
Police said Weberman was charged with a criminal sex act, rape, endangering the welfare of a child and sexual abuse.
"When someone is a molester . . . it has to be dealt with," said Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn), who represents the predominantly Jewish Orthodox community of Borough Park.
"We have made some progress [in the community], but we have a very long way to go. Now is the time to stand up and do the right thing."
Weberman's lawyer, George A. Farkas, denied the charges, saying his client "has counseled troubled families in the past."
"It would be an injustice if people had any kind of belief that there was truth in these allegations," he said.
"This case represents, I feel, one of the vilest forms of racketeering there is, and that's the exploitation of women for the sake of a buck," says assistant U.S. attorney Sal Perricone.
In spring of 2003, federal prosecutors slapped indictments on Jeanette, Tommie and Paula - a dozen women in all - for running a nationwide prostitution ring. "We're not hurting anybody. I don't see why this is such a big deal," says Jeanette. "We weren't going out and grabbing 14-year-old girls off of the street, making them hookers. These were professional women who booked in with us."
In an interview with the New York Post – thoroughly embarrassed New York Congressman Anthony Weiner again confirmed that he is NOT resigning over the Twitter lewd photo scandal – and a new poll out in his Congressional district shows his constituents support him. 
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