yayayyy! go seahorses!


;)

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Reminder - America's most popular sporting event is also one of the largest venues for human trafficking in the world.
 

Later this week, New Jersey will host the Super Bowl, set to be the most expensive ever, with costs expected to reach $70 million. On Sunday, tens of thousands of football fans will make their way to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey — about 20 miles from Douglas’ hometown — to watch the Broncos and Seahawks go viciously helmet-to-helmet.

Before fans cheer, shout, and drink plenty of beer celebrating the ultimate all-American tradition, they will place their hands on their hearts for Renee Fleming’s national anthem, and sing praise to the United States of America.

But there’s another side to the Super Bowl that most football fans will never see: America's most popular sporting event is also one of the largest venues for human trafficking in the world.

According to the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking, "The Super Bowl attracts tens of thousands of fans to the host city … But it also attracts a sector of violence, organized criminal activity that operates in plain sight without notice including human trafficking in both the sex and labor industries." Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) said, "One Super Bowl after another after another has shown itself to be one of the largest events in the world where the cruelty of human trafficking goes on for several weeks." Cindy McCain, wife of Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), once called the Super Bowl the "largest human trafficking venue on the planet."

There are several reasons why trafficking increases around a huge event such as this. As hundreds of thousands of people (mainly men) flock to the New York City metro area for the week’s festivities, the primary motivator for increased prostitution is increased demand for it.

According to Dorchen Leidholdt, adjunct professor at Columbia University who teaches about violence against women, "The demand for prostitution will drive trafficking. ... It's supply and demand." According to documentary filmmaker Jane Wells, who produced a film on the topic, "There is corporate entertaining, parties, alcohol, corporate-sponsored parties, people away from their families, anonymity. It’s kind of like a perfect storm."

But this year could be worse.

CBS reported, "Many believe the state's sprawling highway system, proximity to New York City and diverse population make it an attractive base of operations for traffickers."

The three most common forms of sex trafficking expected this year are pimp-controlled prostitution, commercial-front brothels, and escort services.

Wells teamed up with John-Keith Wasson to make the disturbing documentary film "Tricked," inspired by the Super Bowl and sex trafficking, which chronicles "the pimps, the johns, the police, the parents and the victims of the America’s thriving sex trade." Douglas features prominently throughout. The filmmakers set out to show the glaring irony that "Americans are trafficked by Americans to service Americans at the quintessential American event."

Here's a snapshot of the startling facts they collected in researching for the film:

- The average entry age of girls into the sex trafficking industry in America is 12 to 14.

- The average life expectancy of a young girl after being trafficked is seven years.

- One third of teens living on the street will be lured toward prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home.

- Sex work is the most dangerous job in America, by 51 times.

- The average victim may be forced to have sex up to 20-48 times a day.

Law enforcement and politicians have been gearing up to address the problem. Mayor Bill de Blasio, members of the NYPD, FBI, and about 12 advocacy organizations recently held a meeting. Professor Leindholdt attended and said in an interview that law enforcement affirmed that trafficking activity is significantly increasing ahead of the game. The NYPD is stepping up its efforts.

Importantly, New Jersey’s Attorney General has made anti-human trafficking enforcement a priority.

But, the added emphasis on policing can only do so much. The laws that regulate the entire industry are completely out of whack. Currently, the arrest rate of a prostituted person to a john is 9:1. In other words, the blame has historically been placed on the prostituted individual, and not on the john, who could — at most — get a year in jail.

http://www.policymic.com/articles/79...per-bowl-on-tv

[QUOTE=Jet;881401]


ORANGE FRIDAY! GO BRONCOS! UNITED IN ORANGE. TIME TO RIDE AND FINISH THIS SEASON!

Football
 

Go Broncos!!!!!

Are you ready for some football?
 

Seriously, can one ever truly be ready? :p

Congratulation SEAHAWKS!


Damn now we have to wait for football until next season. :byebye:

Ok I'm back. Hey I love football! LOL

So what kind of changes would you like to see in the offseason for your team?

Broncos are getting close to contracts up with Manning, Decker, Moreno, Demariyus Thomas, Julius Thomas, and Von Miller.

I think Manning is staying put another season or two. I would like them to hang onto both Thomas's. Maybe we can get something good in return for Decker and Von Miller and possibly Moreno. Or Moreno can stay.

What about the Seahawks? The price of their players are definitely going up. It will be interesting to see where they keep the money.

I can't wait for the draft. 94 days countdown! haha.

A lot of the players that have turned out to be great are not drafted till the 3-5 th round. Wow!

I'll be ready in about 11.5 months lol

NFL at last has its first openly gay player
 

Rams pick Michael Sam in draft, clearing way for him to become NFL's 1st openly gay player.
http://images.cox.com/media/apimages...a4988392f1.jpg

The NFL at last has its first openly gay player, and he'll play for the Saint Louis Rams.

The Rams drafted defensive end Michael Sam, who came out publicly in February, with the 249th pick Saturday, ending months of speculation to when – or if – Sam would hear his name called in the draft.

Sam becomes the first openly gay athlete drafted into one of America's major professional sports leagues. Veteran NBA player Jason Collins came out last summer and plays for the New Jersey Nets.

"For Michael, it's a little bit of relief that it's over, and you can finally say you're part of the NFL family. That is a dream come true for so many football players. That's a realization that all his hard work has paid off," gay former NFL player Wade Davis, the executive director of the You Can Play Project, told USA TODAY Sports. "Now he can really start to focus on his new journey."

yay for this!

and yay for seeing this thread again....even if it only is May.... I sooo cant wait for August!

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Right on on Michael Sam ....I am ready love my SEAHAWKS!

I realize it's not easy defending your Super Bowl title!

I loved them when they were a no name team!

not.........far............now................


sad that we football fans have to wish the summer past in order to enjoy our greatest love....sigh

I am so ready for football. This year I'm going with Seahawks for Pro and Alabama for College.

Ah I can't wait.

who's ready for some football??

*THIS GIRL!!!*

rooting for my Pats as ever and the Panthers as i Have since I left the Carolinas.... :)

maybe this will be the year I finally get into fantasy football!

We are ready for some football!

What are we making this year party wise? Whats your go to food?

hell yeah bring on my bears and cowboys !!!

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Go Seahawks.....playing at denver....its just starting!

SeaHawks ROCK!

Waiting on The Cowboys/Chargers game!

Let's go Cowboys!