Another News Blurb Without Enough Information

I need to call more attention to examples of news reports that do contain enough information to get an idea of what is alleged to have happened in criminal cases. It can be done without compromising the identity of crime victims. When reports or "incest" are vague because law enforcement is not releasing enough information and newsrooms aren't asking enough questions before they publish items, we have no way of knowing if what is alleged to have happened was a matter of assault or consensual sex. Those are two very different things, and yet in many places, the latter is still treated as a criminal matter even though it shouldn't be.The latest example I have is this blurb from wivb.com in Wellsville, New York by Liz Reiman...A 16-year-boy of...

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Posted in: consanguineous,incest,law,media,New York,terminology

Another News Blurb Without Enough Information

I need to call more attention to examples of news reports that do contain enough information to get an idea of what is alleged to have happened in criminal cases. It can be done without compromising the identity of crime victims. When reports or "incest" are vague because law enforcement is not releasing enough information and newsrooms aren't asking enough questions before they publish items, we have no way of knowing if what is alleged to have happened was a matter of assault or consensual sex. Those are two very different things, and yet in many places, the latter is still treated as a criminal matter even though it shouldn't be.The latest example I have is this blurb from wivb.com in Wellsville, New York by Liz Reiman...A 16-year-boy of...

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Posted in: consanguineous,incest,law,media,New York,terminology

The Future Belongs to Those Who Support Marriage Equality

Happy New Year one and all!As those who oppose interracial relationships continue to die out...As more and more countries and US states remove the restrictions on same-gender marriage...As more and more people become aware of polyamorous people and polyamory and ethical nonmonogamy as valid relationship models...As more and more people become aware of consanguinamorous relationships, whether initiated through Genetic Sexual Attraction or not, and question the irrational laws and prejudices against such relationships......we move closer to full marriage equality and general relationship rights for all consenting adults.We're going to get there. Let's make it happen sooner rather than later!Nobody should be discriminated against because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered. Nobody...

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Posted in: marriage equality

The Future Belongs to Those Who Support Marriage Equality

Happy New Year one and all!As those who oppose interracial relationships continue to die out...As more and more countries and US states remove the restrictions on same-gender marriage...As more and more people become aware of polyamorous people and polyamory and ethical nonmonogamy as valid relationship models...As more and more people become aware of consanguinamorous relationships, whether initiated through Genetic Sexual Attraction or not, and question the irrational laws and prejudices against such relationships......we move closer to full marriage equality and general relationship rights for all consenting adults.We're going to get there. Let's make it happen sooner rather than later!Nobody should be discriminated against because they are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered. Nobody...

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Posted in: marriage equality

Tale of Two Parole Boards

Jacob TrakhtenbergSitting on a parole board must be tough.  When reviewing a convict's petition for parole, the board member has an enormous amount of pressure to "get it right". One option is to take the easy route by erring on the side of caution and letting the petitioner's sentence "run it's course".  Eventually, if flopped enough times by the parole board, a convicted felon simply gets released from the penitentiary by serving a statutory maximum period of incarceration.That is what happened to two convicted felons that have been making headlines this month: one local; the other from Upstate New York.  This post takes a look at the circumstances of the cases, addressing the challenges of the parole system presented in each.First,...

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Posted in: Jacob Trakhtenberg,Judge Daniel O'Brien,Judge Deborah Tyner,Michigan Court of Appeals,Oakland County Circuit Court,Oakland County Prosecutor,Robyn Frankel,Sixth Amendment,William Spengler

Appeals Court Creates New Crime to Affirm Conviction

This case, State v Helen, arose out of North Carolina.  The facts, on the surface, were about as favorable as it gets for the prosecutor.The accused had a tail light out.  [If I had a dime for every defendant I represented who was pulled over for a tail light...]  The officer stopped the motorist; the stop led to a search of his vehicle and, eventually, a drug conviction.Here is the problem that arose on appeal: in North Carolina, there is a little known wrinkle in their motor vehicle code which provides that, so long as a motorist's other tail light is functioning, having one light out is not a violation.This case went all the way to the North Carolina Supreme Court.  Now, if I was sitting on that High Court, my vote would...

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Posted in: criminal defense lawyer,Fourth Amendment,law enforcement,police,pretext search,search and seizure

A Common Theme in 2012 Television

With the end of the year upon us and so much of the media world taking vacations, the annual retrospectives are everywhere. At huffingpost.com, there was a look at "TV Tropes of 2012."Tropes tend to spread quickly on TV. The networks are all hungry for ratings, watching each other like hawks to see what's working best for their competition. Because of this, certain plot devices, show constructs and character quirks can become ubiquitous cliches pretty fast.Looking back on the year in TV tropes brings a few trends into focus. The networks got way too invested in their singing competition judges. Stunt-guest casting to create faux-TV reunions ran amok. The bow and arrow combined with poison to bring TV weaponry back to the 19th century....

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Posted in: boundaries,brother-sister,consanguineous,incest,media,mother-son,siblings

Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas, Happy (belated) Hanukkah, Yuletide Greetings, Solstice Salutations, and Happy Holidays!Whatever holidays you celebrate, or even if you don't celebrate any, I wish you a fabulous season full of warmth and love.May you and your loved ones have peace, health, and happiness.I plan to update this blog as I can over the holidays, so keep checking back. Or better yet, subscribe in the column over there on the right if you haven't done so yet ==&...

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Defense Lawyer Needed in Consenting Adults Case

Over at patch.com, Mark Langlois brings us an update on the prosecution in Connecticut of a genetic father and his adult daughter for the "crime" of having consensual sex. This is a case that appears to be a matte of Genetic Sexual Attraction.George Sayers, who is out on a $750,000 bond, was denied a public defender Friday in Danbury Superior Court.Can't someone from the ACLU get involved? I know this wasn't set up as a test case, but perhaps the ridiculous laws can be successfully challenged?Judge Joseph Doherty told Sayers the next time he shows up in court he must appear with an attorney. The court date is scheduled for Jan. 25.Judge Doherty, why not simply throw the case out? Don't you feel silly interfering in the consensual sex lives of other adults?Hartford appeared at her hearing...

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Posted in: breaking up homes,Connecticut,consanguineous,courts,father-daughter,GSA,incest,love,prosecution

Defense Lawyer Needed in Consenting Adults Case

Over at patch.com, Mark Langlois brings us an update on the prosecution in Connecticut of a genetic father and his adult daughter for the "crime" of having consensual sex. This is a case that appears to be a matte of Genetic Sexual Attraction.George Sayers, who is out on a $750,000 bond, was denied a public defender Friday in Danbury Superior Court.Can't someone from the ACLU get involved? I know this wasn't set up as a test case, but perhaps the ridiculous laws can be successfully challenged?Judge Joseph Doherty told Sayers the next time he shows up in court he must appear with an attorney. The court date is scheduled for Jan. 25.Judge Doherty, why not simply throw the case out? Don't you feel silly interfering in the consensual sex lives of other adults?Hartford appeared at her hearing...

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Posted in: breaking up homes,Connecticut,consanguineous,courts,father-daughter,GSA,incest,love,prosecution

Yet Another Couple Denied the Freedom to Marry

By my count, this is the sixteenth committed relationship I've covered through exclusive interviews in which the lovers are denied the freedom to marry."Lil Butterfly" is a beautiful woman and a mother. She’s deeply in love with man in her life, but not only are they currently denied their right to marry, but they have to hide their love for each other or risk prosecution and having their children taken away.Read this interview and ask yourself if there is one good reason their rights should be denied.*****FULL MARRIAGE EQUALITY: Describe your background.Lil Butterfly: I am a young female with pre-teen children. Other than some close friends, I mostly keep to myself. I've spent a lifetime alone, so I tend to prefer my own company.I was raised...

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Posted in: brother-sister,consanguineous,freedom to marry,GSA,lack of equality harms,law,love,reunion,siblings

Yet Another Couple Denied the Freedom to Marry

By my count, this is the sixteenth committed relationship I've covered through exclusive interviews in which the lovers are denied the freedom to marry."Lil Butterfly" is a beautiful woman and a mother. She’s deeply in love with man in her life, but not only are they currently denied their right to marry, but they have to hide their love for each other or risk prosecution and having their children taken away.Read this interview and ask yourself if there is one good reason their rights should be denied.*****FULL MARRIAGE EQUALITY: Describe your background.Lil Butterfly: I am a young female with pre-teen children. Other than some close friends, I mostly keep to myself. I've spent a lifetime alone, so I tend to prefer my own company.I was raised...

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Posted in: brother-sister,consanguineous,freedom to marry,GSA,lack of equality harms,law,love,reunion,siblings

Brothers and Sisters and Pregnancies

Every day, all over the world, regardless of socioeconomic status, siblings are sharing everything from from exploration and experimentation to lifelong spousal relationships. Whether we know it or not, and whether they know it or not, we all know people whose genetic parents are brother and sister. It is that common, and most children born to close relatives are healthy. So the two news items in this update should be no surprise. (By the way, siblings and anyone else involved in a consensual relationship with a close relative who wants to talk with others should sign up at Kindred Spirit forum. But be sure to immediately read and follow the rules, or you'll get kicked right off.)Raymond Tan reports at the borneopost.com on a criminal case...

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Posted in: breaking up homes,brother-sister,children,consanguineous,cousins,family reaction,incest,lack of equality harms,love,persecution,pregnancy,prejudice,prosecution,siblings,Zimbabwe

Brothers and Sisters and Pregnancies

Every day, all over the world, regardless of socioeconomic status, siblings are sharing everything from from exploration and experimentation to lifelong spousal relationships. Whether we know it or not, and whether they know it or not, we all know people whose genetic parents are brother and sister. It is that common, and most children born to close relatives are healthy. So the two news items in this update should be no surprise. (By the way, siblings and anyone else involved in a consensual relationship with a close relative who wants to talk with others should sign up at Kindred Spirit forum. But be sure to immediately read and follow the rules, or you'll get kicked right off.)Raymond Tan reports at the borneopost.com on a criminal case...

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Posted in: breaking up homes,brother-sister,children,consanguineous,cousins,family reaction,incest,lack of equality harms,love,persecution,pregnancy,prejudice,prosecution,siblings,Zimbabwe

Polyamory is for Immature People - And Other False Statments

Maria Merloni has some interesting things to say at Synergistic Energy Exchange, where polyamory is a topic. This time, it is "What Polyamory is Not."1.  The “easy way out”.  It is now absolutely hilarious to me that anyone would think polyamory is the easy way out!  There are so many things to deal with that either don’t exist or aren’t as intense in monogamy.There are trade-offs to all actions. Entering into a polyamorous relationship is not an exception. For people who are polyamorous as part of who they are, it will be "easier" to be in a polyamorous relationship than to work at keeping a relationship monogamous, just as if someone needs monogamy, they will find that much easier than being a polyamorous relationship. A parallel can be made to someone who is gay. A gay...

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Posted in: boundaries,myths,polyamory

Update on Alabama Case

Way back in 2011 this blog noted an incest prosecution in Alabama. Stephen McLamb has an update at wsfa.com...Authorities in Marshall County are searching for a man convicted of having sex with his mother."Having sex" indicates consent. Why would authorities bother prosecuting someone for consensual sex, let alone search for someone who did? Are law enforcement resources so abundant to be concerned about consensual sex?Having pleaded to incest charges, the suspect was expected to be in court for sentencing but failed to show. Arrest warrants are being issued for 25-year-old Gary Dean Helms Jr.Helms failed to show in court Monday where he was facing a prison sentence up to 10 years.Ten years! Ten yeas in prison for consensual sex?!?Helms pleaded...

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Posted in: Alabama,consanguineous,courts,family reaction,incest,lack of equality harms,law,mother-son,prosecution

Update on Alabama Case

Way back in 2011 this blog noted an incest prosecution in Alabama. Stephen McLamb has an update at wsfa.com...Authorities in Marshall County are searching for a man convicted of having sex with his mother."Having sex" indicates consent. Why would authorities bother prosecuting someone for consensual sex, let alone search for someone who did? Are law enforcement resources so abundant to be concerned about consensual sex?Having pleaded to incest charges, the suspect was expected to be in court for sentencing but failed to show. Arrest warrants are being issued for 25-year-old Gary Dean Helms Jr.Helms failed to show in court Monday where he was facing a prison sentence up to 10 years.Ten years! Ten yeas in prison for consensual sex?!?Helms pleaded...

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Posted in: Alabama,consanguineous,courts,family reaction,incest,lack of equality harms,law,mother-son,prosecution

Update on New Zealand Mother-Son GSA Case

I believe this is an update on a case in New Zealand I blogged about earlier in the year. Ian Steward reports at stuff.co.nz that a man convicted of raping his genetic mother even though the jury believed all events for which he was on trial involved consensual sex had his appeal dismissed. It appears to be a Genetic Sexual Attraction situation where, depending on who you believe, the son became increasingly violent and controlling.The 29-year-old man, who was adopted as a baby, was sentenced to five years and nine months prison after being convicted of assaulting and raping his biological mother.The offence occurred some months after he tracked her down to ask questions about his parentage last year. Rather than multiple rapes, he was...

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Posted in: consanguineous,courts,GSA,law,mother-son,New Zealand,reunion

Update on New Zealand Mother-Son GSA Case

I believe this is an update on a case in New Zealand I blogged about earlier in the year. Ian Steward reports at stuff.co.nz that a man convicted of raping his genetic mother even though the jury believed all events for which he was on trial involved consensual sex had his appeal dismissed. It appears to be a Genetic Sexual Attraction situation where, depending on who you believe, the son became increasingly violent and controlling.The 29-year-old man, who was adopted as a baby, was sentenced to five years and nine months prison after being convicted of assaulting and raping his biological mother.The offence occurred some months after he tracked her down to ask questions about his parentage last year. Rather than multiple rapes, he was...

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Posted in: consanguineous,courts,GSA,law,mother-son,New Zealand,reunion

Affection is Not Bad

The mirror.co.uk ran an advice column in which someone asked Coleen...My boyfriend and his 23-year-old daughter are making me feel uncomfortable when they are together.Now, last I checked, having a boyfriend was completely voluntary in the UK. Someone who is unhappy with how her or his boyfriend interacts with their family is free to not have that person as a boyfriend anymore. Think about it. This man's daughter is not going to disappear.  If she comes over she rubs against him like I imagine she might do with a boyfriend.If we watch TV, she sits so close to him and plays with his hair.And if she walks by him he’ll sometimes slap her bum and she does the same to him.Is this normal?It really doesn't matter. Think about it. Let's say that...

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Posted in: boundaries,consanguineous,father-daughter

Affection is Not Bad

The mirror.co.uk ran an advice column in which someone asked Coleen...My boyfriend and his 23-year-old daughter are making me feel uncomfortable when they are together.Now, last I checked, having a boyfriend was completely voluntary in the UK. Someone who is unhappy with how her or his boyfriend interacts with their family is free to not have that person as a boyfriend anymore. Think about it. This man's daughter is not going to disappear.  If she comes over she rubs against him like I imagine she might do with a boyfriend.If we watch TV, she sits so close to him and plays with his hair.And if she walks by him he’ll sometimes slap her bum and she does the same to him.Is this normal?It really doesn't matter. Think about it. Let's say that...

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Posted in: boundaries,consanguineous,father-daughter

Polyamory and Feminism

Ever hear that polygamy is patriarchal, often because someone thinks all polygamy is religion-based polygyny? Well you can listen to a podcast asking if feminism is incompatible with monogamy.Some question whether monogamy is a patriarchal invention that mainly benefits men and functions as a mechanism of control. In response, some people practice non-monogamy as an alternative. But is non-monogamy necessarily 'more' feminist? Is monogamy necessarily contradictory to feminist ideals?I'm a male, and have always been a male, and my humble opinion is that it is feminist to raise girls to be women empowered to be independent and truly free to make their own choices about their relationships. A woman, like a man, should be free to share...

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Posted in: boundaries,monogamy,polyamory,polygamy

Polyamory and Feminism

Ever hear that polygamy is patriarchal, often because someone thinks all polygamy is religion-based polygyny? Well you can listen to a podcast asking if feminism is incompatible with monogamy.Some question whether monogamy is a patriarchal invention that mainly benefits men and functions as a mechanism of control. In response, some people practice non-monogamy as an alternative. But is non-monogamy necessarily 'more' feminist? Is monogamy necessarily contradictory to feminist ideals?I'm a male, and have always been a male, and my humble opinion is that it is feminist to raise girls to be women empowered to be independent and truly free to make their own choices about their relationships. A woman, like a man, should be free to share...

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Posted in: boundaries,monogamy,polyamory,polygamy