Woman ‘injected client’s buttocks with cement’
Transgender woman has been charged with practising cosmetic surgery without a licence after she injected a patient’s buttocks with a cocktail of substances including cement and tyre sealant, police say.
Oneal Ron Morris, 30, was arrested last Friday for conducting a botched butt implant at a Miami home last May, ABC reports.
Police said Morris shot a mixture of cement, glue, mineral oil and “Fix-A-Flat” tyre mender into the woman’s buttocks and then sealed the amateur incision with super glue.
Morris, who appears to have an “enhanced” rear end herself from police photos, first met her victim to discuss the procedure in May 2010.
“They agreed on the price of $700 for the procedure, which was intended for cosmetic purposes,” Sgt William Bamford told ABC.
But the patient soon complained of serious pains in her abdomen and throughout her body, and was hospitalised.
She was treated in Tampa General Hospital for infection and pneumonia, but refused to divulge Morris’ name.
The hospital referred the matter to the Department of Health but it took police investigators months to track down Morris.
Police believe there may be other victims and are urging them to come forward.
Congress Hits Rock Bottom
A greater percentage of Americans approve of polygamy than the United States Congress, according a set of polls.
Last month, a New York Times poll found that Congress’ approval rating fell to an all-time low of 9 percent. Meanwhile, a recent Gallup poll found that 11 percent of people found polygamy “morally acceptable.” Additionally, 30 percent of Americans expressed approval of pornography.
The Fix posted a telling chart created by Senator Michael Bennet that compared Congress’ approval rating to a slew of unpopular people, things and ideas. “U.S. going communist” received an 11 percent approval rating, banks netted 23 percent and the BP oil spill received a shocking 16 percent.
A recent CNN poll showed that 52 percent of Americans surveyed approved of the individual mandate element of last year’s health care reform, an issue that half of Congress railed against.
It’s also worth noting that, during the Watergade scandal, Nixon’s approval rating was at 23 percent.
Watch Senator Bennet discuss Congress’ abysmal approval rating below.
Newt Gingrich Freddie Mac Fees
In recent months, GOP presidential candidate Newt Gingrich has strongly criticized Freddie Mac and sister company Fannie Mae, as well as Democrats in Congress that he claims played a key role in the collapse of the housing market. And yet two former Freddie Mac officials recently told Bloomberg that Gingrich made between $1.6 million and $1.8 million in consulting fees from the mortgage company.
That amount is significantly larger than the $300,000 payment that Gingrich was asked about during a Republican presidential debate on Nov. 9.
The Freddie Mac officials also told Bloomberg that Gingrich was asked to build bridges with Capitol Hill Republicans and help sell the mortgage company’s public-private structure to conservatives.
Gay Penguins Reunion: Buddy And Pedro Will Be Back Together By Spring
As people around the world express sympathy for their plight, Toronto Zoo has said its gay penguins will be reunited by the spring of next year.
Buddy and Pedro, African penguins, had “pair bonded” before they arrived at the zoo in Canada but for the sake of their species are to be paired with females this winter.
Aged 20 and 10 respectively, Buddy had previously mated with a female.
The African penguin is endangered with fewer than a quarter of a million individuals left, and the zoo said it may need the two males to produce offspring in order to increase animal numbers.
Tom Mason, the zoo’s Curator of Invertebrates and Birds told PinkNews.co.uk the move was necessary, but only temporary.
He said: “The population is good but we have to be careful to ensure that all individuals or as many as possible have genetic representation within the community. This will maximize the chances of survival of the population.”
He said males and females will be able to mix freely, but if Buddy and Pedro show no interest in mating with a female, they will need to be separated for a while.
Mr Mason said: “There will be a limited time of separation but it will not be permanent. No matter what happens all the penguins will be re-united by spring.
“If Pedro and Buddy wish to get back together, they will be welcome to do so.”
Porn Legend Sasha Grey Reads to 1st Graders
Former porn star Sasha Grey says she will not withdraw from an elementary school reading program despite outcry from angry parents
Earlier Friday, news broke that a Los Angeles area elementary school is facing some major criticism from parents after the district invited Grey to read to a group of first graders as part of the Read Across America program.
“I committed to this program with the understanding that people would have their own opinions about what I have done, who I am and what I represent,” she said in a statement.
“I am an actor. I am an artist. I am a daughter. I am a sister. I am a partner. I have a past that some people may not agree with, but it does not define who I am.
“I believe in the future of our children, and I will remain an active supporter and participant in education-focused initiatives.”
TMZ obtained photos of Grey reading to the children at Emerson Elementary School in Compton on November 2 as part of Read Across America.
Grey also tweeted about the experience, gushing that the students were the “sweetest.”
Angry parents fired back at the school’s decision, complaining to the PTA, who then contacted the school’s principle.
A rep for the school district however has flatly denied that Grey was ever present at the school, in spite of the alleged photos.
“We have several celebrities who read to our students each year. The actress you have indicated was not present,” the rep told TMZ.
Progressives Win Big In Ballot Measures Nationwide
Tuesday’s elections saw big wins for progressives around the country, who blocked right-wing measures on issues of voting, labor, immigrant and women’s rights.
“I think all around, heading into 2012, it’s the strongest message we could possibly have that the other side has gone too far,” said Justine Sarver, executive director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, of Tuesday’s results. She added that it was one of the best elections in recent years for progressive wins on ballot measures, which have traditionally been dominated by conservatives.
The most high-profile fight was in Ohio, where labor unions sought to repeal SB 5, a measure that restricted collective bargaining rights for more than 360,000 public employees, among other provisions.
Democrats, Republicans and independents joined together to deliver a “sharp rebuke” to Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R), whose first term has been defined by his support for SB 5. More than 60 percent of Ohio voters rejected Issue 2, which would have kept SB 5 in place.
A humbled Kasich held a press conference shortly after the fate of Issue 2 was sealed, saying it was time for him to take a “deep breath” and think about what to do next.
“When I say it is a time to pause, it is right now, on this issue,” he said. “The people have spoken clearly. You don’t ignore the public.”
In Mississippi, voters rejected a far-reaching “personhood” amendment that would have declared a fertilized egg a legal person under the state Constitution, making it illegal for women in the state to use birth control, among other impacts.
The measure was so extreme that even strong pro-life advocates wavered in their support, with Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R) saying he wasn’t sure if he was going to back it.
Maine voters reinstated the right to register to vote on Election Day, a law that had been in place for four decades until Gov. Paul LePage (R) signed legislation requiring voters to register at least two business days before an election. More than 60 percent of voters rejected the GOP-backed measure, arguing it would serve to depress voter turnout and hamper democracy.
At a more local level, residents of Traverse City, Mich. voted overwhelmingly to keep in place a non-discrimination ordinance prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Opponents of the ordinance argued that it singled out LGBT individuals for special protections.
Openly gay and lesbian candidates nationwide also scored big victories on Tuesday. At least 53 of the 75 candidates endorsed by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund won their races. Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Charlotte, N.C. all made history by electing their first openly gay candidates to city council. In Virginia, meanwhile, “Adam Ebbin became the first openly gay person elected to the State Senate, and in New Jersey, Tim Eustace became the first non-incumbent openly gay candidate to win a seat in the State Assembly,” Gay Politics reported.
In addition, two prominent Republican state lawmakers were voted out of office in recall elections. Arizona State Sen. Russell Pearce (R), the controversial architect of Arizona’s immigration law, was defeated by Jerry Lewis, a fellow Republican who does not support the immigration crackdown. Pearce was the top Republican in the state Senate.
In Michigan, state Rep. Paul Scott (R) lost his seat in a close recall election. As chairman of the House Education Committee, Scott “was targeted by the Michigan Education Association for policies that weakened teacher tenure and cut education funding,” according to the Associated Press. Republican lawmakers, Gov. Rick Snyder (R) and former D.C. schools chancellor Michelle Rhee, a Democrat who has battled teachers unions, all supported his policies.
While Mississippi voted down the “personhood” measure, the state did approve a proposed constitutional amendment that would require voters to show photo identification at the polls. Ohio voters also approved a largely symbolic measure meant to object to federal health care reform. The official language on the ballot said it would “preserve the freedom of Ohioans to choose their health care and health care coverage.”
Republicans also gained seats in the Virginia legislature, and were “on the verge of taking over the Virginia Senate on Tuesday night and clinching control of all of state government for only the second time in more than a century.” Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) said it was “a very good night for Republicans in Virginia.”
Herman Cain Accuser Speaks Out
Sharon Bialek, the fourth woman to come out and make sexual harassment allegations against Herman Cain, appeared alongside her attorney Gloria Allred at a press conference on Monday.
According to Bialek, the Republican presidential candidate exhibited inappropriate behavior when he was serving as head of the National Restaurant Association more than a decade ago.
Bialek said the alleged incident in question occurred down the street from the NRA headquarters. Describing what happened, she said, “Instead of going into the offices, he suddenly reached over and put his hand on my leg, up my skirt, and towards my genitals.” She recalled that when she protested the advances, Cain said, “You want a job, right?”
Bialek alleged that Cain also “grabbed [her] head and brought it towards his crotch.” She said that she was “shocked” by the behavior.
After losing her job, Bialek allegedly turned to Cain for help. Allred said on Monday, “Mr. Cain instead decided to try to provide her with his idea of a stimulus package.”
According to Bialek, the alleged incident occurred at a bar in the nation’s capital in 1997. She said Cain worked to arrange a “palatial suite” for her at a hotel and told her, “I upgraded you.”
Bialek said, “I’m coming forward to give a face and a voice to the women.” Three other women have leveled sexual harassment allegations against Cain, though their names have not been publicly disclosed.
Herman Cain Says He Won’t Answer Sexual Harassment Questions
Republican presidential contender Herman Cain on Saturday vowed to answer no more questions about decade-old sexual harassment allegations and blamed journalists for the claims that have dogged his campaign.
Growing agitated with reporters after a one-on-one debate with rival Newt Gingrich, the former business executive suggested the reporters who asked questions about the allegations were unethical. Asked if he planned to never answer questions about the incidents, he was certain.
“You got it,” he snapped, even as the allegations leave plenty of doubts about Cain’s candidacy.