Needle Exchange No, No

On May 5th, the Texas Attorney General issued an opinon on the new needle exchange program for Bexar County (i.e., San Antonio). Needless to say, it was not in favour.

In sum:  If, however, Bexar County elects to include such a needle- and syringe-exchange program as part of this overall disease-prevention program, the participants in that program appear to be subject to prosecution under the Texas Controlled Substances Act because the Legislature did not except them from such prosecution.

Burka, Texas Monthly Editor and blogger, says this became an issue when the Bexar Co. DA said she would prosecute anyone who participates in such a program. This program was an amendment to SB 10, but this issue began way back in 2007, during the Legislative session, when a couple of reactionaries in the House tried to kill the idea.

The Senate legislation was SB 308 by Doctor Bob Deuell (Republican). It passed the Senate, and then died in the House committee. Two House bills were filed. One by McClendon (who is from San Antonio) and the other by Solomon Ortiz, Jr. McClendon’s bill became the amendment to SB 10. There was quite a fight over this amendment with Betty Brown (or one of those other reactionary old biddies) leading the way.

The people standing in the way of good public policy are using this as a club to bash their political opponents or buttress their own flagging credentials of being “tough” on crime. Forget whether or not this program would actually work (it’s a freaking pilot program for goodness sakes; notice how these reactionaries have no problem with pilot programs for vouchers, etc., because they are politically popular and the education establishment is a viable whipping boy). A program that could save lives and save revenue isn’t expedient, because the direct beneficiary is a pariah – the druggie. (Just remember what recently happened to Rep. Jerry Madden in this year’s primary election).

Good policy should not take a back seat to political skulduggery and posturing for the voters.

A Swing and A Strike

The City of Ducanville, Texas is planning to crack down on swingers, because heaven forbid that people have group sex in private.

She [councilwoman Johnette Jameson (her parents must have wanted a boy)] said the ordinance is targeting public nuisances related to the Cherry Pit club rather than what people are doing as part of the club.

Sure thing Johnette, because parking in the big metropolis of Duncanville is such a problem, especially on the weekends. I think Johnette may be jealous that she’s not going to these parties (the Cherry Pit is in her district). And apparently Duncanville isn’t too proud of this ordinance since it isn’t being promoted on their website, and I cannot find it on their site. But, I did find mention of it in their agenda:

Consider approval of Ordinance No. 2039 amending the Code of Ordinances by adding Chapter 11B to provide for sex club regulations; providing for purpose and scope; providing for enforcement; providing for responsibility for compliance; providing for definitions; providing for the declaration for operation and maintenance of a sex club as a public nuisance and prohibited; providing for the abatement of public nuisance; and providing for the penalty of fine not to exceed the sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000) for each offense.

And according to the Dallas Morning News:

The ordinance defines a sex club as “any premises, person or organization that is presented, advertised, held out or styled as, or which provides notification to the public that it is a swinger’s club; an adult encounter group or center; a sexual encounter group or center; party house or home; wife, spouse or partner-swapping club; or that it provides permission, an opportunity or an invitation to engage in or to view sexual activity, stimulation or gratification, whether for consideration or not.”

And all this is necessary to address the parking problem. This ordinance doesn’t address a public nuisance; it regulates private behaviour in a private residence, and the city council, et al can’t even be honest about why they’re introducing these regulations on private behaviour. They cite parking as the issue, when the real motive is their distaste for the behaviour. Nothing bothers me more than pusillaminous, prevaricating moralists.

So, visit the Cherry Pit, contribute to their defense fund, and piss off the neighbours.

Sex News from Around the Globe

Singapore Legalizes Oral, Anal Sex for Heterosexuals

Singapore rejected a proposal to legalize sex between gay men while repealing laws that restricted oral and anal sex between heterosexuals, in the biggest changes to the city-state’s criminal code in two decades.

Thank the heavens, it’s finally legal to buttfuck in Singapore, but not for you homos. I’ve never understood these kinds of laws. They’re unenforcable, and their main purpose is to console the tender sensabilities of those feeble moralists who want to ensure that no “untoward” acts occur in the bedroom.  

Also in the news: Daily sex improves male fertility

Men, please note: If you think that limiting sex will boost your sperm count, you are wrong. If researchers are to be believed, having sex everyday will improve your fertility. According to a study by scientists in Australia, regular sex not only boosts male sperm quality but also helps those who suffer fertility problems to improve their chances of fatherhood.

Now if only this applied to masturbation.

And finally: Campaign launched to highlight dangers of pornography

Women’s groups are today launching a national educational campaign to highlight dangers they believe are inherent in pornography and the sex industry. At a Scottish Government-funded conference in Glasgow, Scottish Women’s Support will be launching educational packs about the harm done by the increased availability of extreme pornography on the internet.

So, a bunch of ugly women want to convince you not to look at porn, even though it’s usually what helps their men help them get through a life of living with these women. Their educational pamphlets will probably be more harmful than porn is.