Gus--a lot of the Eastern Eurpean women were lied to, told they were going to be hostesses or waitresses. I don't call that voluntary. It seems to be similar to the rings of deaf slavces which were discovered in NYC and Chicago. The ringleaders went mexico and recruited deaf workers, telling them the US was paradise and that they would get good jobs and training. They were then set to work peddling trinkets or flowers on the subway, packed into tiny apartments and beaten if they didn't hand over all the money they made. None of them could communicate in English or had any money to get out. The fact they they agreed to come to get jobs here is immaterial.

From way back, sexual slavery is what got the girls in the cans in the Wire Season 2.

....cans? Like....tuna fish cans? Mountain Dew cans?

Advancement? They did it to cross over and then they "belonged" to Madame whoever who tazered them if they took too long having dinner, and they all die because one woman decides not to service the crew members anymore...they beat her up, dump her over the side and then crush the others' airholes. Doesn't sound free to me.

t could not possibly love erika more

None of them could communicate in English or had any money to get out. The fact they they agreed to come to get jobs here is immaterial.

t or Robin

you always tickle me, babe.

Recorded here. All you other males may now stand ... wilted.

And do you think they were thinking "My brother's borscht stand? ...

They were each and every one unsurprised by the expected transaction. Check me. I am not saying that Russo ladies have less scruples than African ladies...

OK, yes. I disagree. The Borscht Ladies were on a different agenda.

I doubt the agenda included being gang-raped, having their passports stolen, thier families beaten or killed if they escape... it ain't all that consentual.

I can not do this. I can not compare an African woman ripped away from all she has loved to a Borscht Lady who bought a ticket. I am weak in this way.

We need a Buffista holiday to celebrate the festival of Shrift.

Ahem. [link]

And yes, Shrift does need to GET OUT of Michigan. She knows I have a futon for her, and room in my garage for her stuff, if she wants to try the Bay Area.

I miss the Buffistas, especially today, which was just too boring for words. Remind me of this week the next time I work until midnight, okay? Deadlines aren't always a bad thing.

Here's a controversial article from the NY Times about the sex slave trade. It's pretty stomach turning.

[link]

For the second time in two weeks I came across a brown recluse spider in the open in my apartment. Tomorrow I'll have to find out whether the apartment complex management pays for an exterminator, or I do.

At least this time I was able to get a few pictures: [link]

Gud: I find myself trying to support arguments in a TV show versus arguments in The Times.

In The Wire, the Borscht Ladies were represented as being persons who "bought in."

(Robin: Yes. The real world differs from the world found on The Wire.)