Go to From Damn Near Hell To Almost Paradise
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Joe,
I tend to feel the same way. I am rather fond of US soil and don't plan to leave it beyond Canada. I always have wanted to see England but international flights are scary anymore.
posted by
bel_1965
on January 13, 2007 at 6:58 AM
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Wifey
I don't think I'd be wanting to travel to England right now, either. Other than Canada, I don't think it would be safe for US Citizens to travel outside of the country right now.
posted by
Joe_Love
on January 13, 2007 at 6:57 AM
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Fourcats
Thanks for the info. Actually it was all of the typical behavior including NOT hissing at my male cat every time he came near her and as my daughter phrased it "MOM SHE IS DRAGGING HER BUTT ON THE FLOOR". It lasted a few days and now she is back to normal. Luckily my male is fixed.
posted by
bel_1965
on January 12, 2007 at 6:30 PM
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bel - vancouver IS a nice place. and if you're a nice person, the
likelihood that you'll be aware these people are crossing your path is slim, with the exception of driving by a girl standing on a corner. we have a huge industrial sea port and a few years ago really struggled with "boat people" being smuggled in in the cargo boxes, there were many deaths from travelling overseas with no food or water, no bathroom facilities. what amazes me more is that people in other countries are so sheltered, they haven't the foggiest idea how many safer options there are to change their lives, or that the $10,000 they're going to pay to hide away on the boat is going to be the worst $10,000 they ever spent. but they do it because they're a) trying to escape the hell they're in and b) many are trying to either reconnect with family who left before them or get to a place where they can earn money to send back to the family they left behind.
about your cat - the information was a little vague. however, unless you've got paperwork or a vet's word proving an animal has been fixed, it's always best to have the vet check it out. you didn't say what types of behavior your cat was exhibiting, i'm guessing caterwauling - meow!meow!meow!meeeeeeoooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!
if the cat has been fixed i would think it more likely the cat is crying because of another health issue, or is being territorial with a new kitty that's joined the neighborhood circle. in any event, any time an animal expresses itself in an unusual manner, it's always best to see the vet.
posted by
fourcats
on January 12, 2007 at 6:27 PM
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Naut
Sure thing! Ok seriously is this one better??
it sounds like you have some info on this subject and I would love to learn more, feel free to email me if you don't want to post it. I would be grateful.
posted by
bel_1965
on January 12, 2007 at 4:58 PM
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bel
you're welcome in Canada anytime! And some of us, including me, are indeed familiar with the problem you're referring to. But it doesn't affect everyone in the same way, for all kinds of reasons I won't go into now...
And another thing: can you increase the size of your font? I don't want to have to dig out my glasses to read your posts...
posted by
Nautikos
on January 12, 2007 at 4:56 PM
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It is scary
I worry more about my daughter than myself but it still makes me nervous.
posted by
bel_1965
on January 12, 2007 at 4:52 PM
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That is definitely some scary shit...er, I mean stuff! I guess the good thing is, I'm getting so old now that I guess I can travel anywhere and not worry about myself.
posted by
Holy_Grail
on January 12, 2007 at 4:51 PM
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Thanks Presley
posted by
bel_1965
on January 12, 2007 at 4:04 PM
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Bel
I'd love to read your articles if/when you write them!
posted by
Presley
on January 12, 2007 at 3:30 PM
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Very scary Strat
posted by
bel_1965
on January 12, 2007 at 1:46 PM
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LOL Ariel
Is prostitiution legal in that part of the world?
posted by
bel_1965
on January 12, 2007 at 1:46 PM
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Bel
Sex slavery is at least as prevalent as it was in former times ; maybe even more so, and it appears that the worst offenders in this abominable traffic are Balkan Muslims.
This despite the Quran's prohibition on them enslaving their fellow Muslims. But there, they interpret it to suit themselves, and let's face it ; anyone who'll sell a woman ( or worse a child ) into this sort of servitude, isn't very likely to obeye the word of Allah, is he?
On a lighter note ; last year a Spanish guy, who ran a bar, was arrested for staffing it with east European prostitutes.
He got a heavy fine : not for running a brothel, but for not having a licence for the bar.
Another guy had grants from the E.U. to build and run a riding school ; which was really a brothel. ( No need to make the obvious comment!! LOL )
posted by
ariel70
on January 12, 2007 at 1:22 PM
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There was some sex slavery ring that just got busted in Georgia,
in the Atlanta area, just a couple of weeks ago. Pretty nasty, frightening stuff.
posted by
strat
on January 12, 2007 at 1:04 PM
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LOl Maggie
I think you just put some naughty dust on your cornflakes. Tell you husband to take that stuff away from you.
posted by
bel_1965
on January 12, 2007 at 12:20 PM
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bel........
o
posted by
MaggieMae
on January 12, 2007 at 12:15 PM
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I don't know about that Maggie
your mascot is a nut and you have been mean to me lately.
posted by
bel_1965
on January 12, 2007 at 11:12 AM
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You can come and see me, bel.....
That's pretty safe.
posted by
MaggieMae
on January 12, 2007 at 10:59 AM
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Very true Deshak
posted by
bel_1965
on January 12, 2007 at 10:53 AM
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Vancouver? Wow. I thought that was such a straight place. It "just goes
to show, you never can tell."
posted by
WindTapper
on January 12, 2007 at 10:52 AM
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This stuff fascinates me too.
posted by
MiaElla
on January 12, 2007 at 10:41 AM
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Fourcats
really? That blows me away. Vancouver seems like a nice place, I would have never guessed this.
posted by
bel_1965
on January 12, 2007 at 10:23 AM
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human trafficking is alive in vancouver, gangs bringing in groups of
people from foreign countries with offers of a better life only to tell the folks, "oh, but you've got to work for us first." there are many girls in the sex-trade industry trying to pay a bill.
posted by
fourcats
on January 12, 2007 at 10:18 AM
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LOL Pat!!!!
I know the numbers are small but there are definately certain areas that it's a very bad idea for a woman to travel alone.
posted by
bel_1965
on January 12, 2007 at 9:30 AM
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If there are 5 Americans grabbed each season,
and there are five million traveling to vacation spots, then the chance of being abducted is probably about a million to one. I imagine the odds would be even more lopsidedly balanced against someone my age (over 70) being dragged off to work in the sex industry. But there's always hope. :)
posted by
Pat_B
on January 12, 2007 at 9:08 AM
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Justi
It's a sad state of things when there really is no longer any safe place for anyone.
posted by
bel_1965
on January 12, 2007 at 9:05 AM
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Very true Ariala
LOL my daughter wonders why I make her give me all her passwords!
posted by
bel_1965
on January 12, 2007 at 9:04 AM
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Interesting post and scary...it's amazing this stuff goes on in a modern
world, but it just goes to show human vice is still alive and well, and with today's technology, they can make it happen even easier.
posted by
Ariala
on January 12, 2007 at 8:57 AM
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Bel
Always take time for yourself. You will be so much better for it. You have to take care of you in order to take care of those you love. No you can't go into harm's way. Our world is no longer as pretty as it once was.
posted by
Justi
on January 12, 2007 at 8:53 AM
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Well shoot Rumored
I used to go there all the time. We haven't been back since Carl came home and I think now I have to get a passport to cross...I really should look into it so we can get back to some of the things we used to enjoy!
posted by
bel_1965
on January 12, 2007 at 8:39 AM
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bel, we're right across from Detroit, Mich....Windsor, Ontario.
posted by
Rumor
on January 12, 2007 at 8:37 AM
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Thanks Az
posted by
bel_1965
on January 12, 2007 at 8:34 AM
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Rumored
we just might take you up on that! What part of Cananda are you in??
posted by
bel_1965
on January 12, 2007 at 8:34 AM
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Sham
I will thanks!
posted by
bel_1965
on January 12, 2007 at 8:33 AM
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Rich
It's very frightening to me to realize it's this bad. As the parent of a young girl it just makes me sick.
posted by
bel_1965
on January 12, 2007 at 8:33 AM
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bel, human trafficking exists everywhere in the world.
Recently I read about a gang from Malaysia trafficking asian women to Britain for sex. Also, there are suppliers of western women to Malaysia, especially from Russia and Switzerland.
posted by
richinstore
on January 12, 2007 at 8:05 AM
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Be sure to add a link if you publish the articles
posted by
Shams-i-Heartsong
on January 12, 2007 at 7:54 AM
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bel, if you do come over to Canada, let us know..Liz and I would enjoy
a tea or coffee with you...or if you timed it right, a dinner.
....
hope you will do some more posts on this human trafficking topic..it seems to get swept under the rug all too often...
posted by
Rumor
on January 12, 2007 at 7:51 AM
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Interesting post .
posted by
afzal50
on January 12, 2007 at 7:45 AM
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