Scotland becomes seventeenth "country" to approve same-sex marriages

(Reuters) - Scotland voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to allow same-sex marriages, becoming the 17th country to give the green light to gay marriage despite opposition from its main church organizations.

The Scottish government, which will hold a referendum on independence from Britain in September, said passing the same-sex marriage bill was an important step for equal rights and paved the way for same-sex wedding ceremonies later this year.

The move was opposed by the Scottish Catholic Church and the Presbyterian Church of Scotland but the law will not compel religious institutions to hold ceremonies on their premises.

The approval, in a vote of 105 to 18 in Scotland's devolved parliament, follows similar legislation passed by the British parliament last year that allows same-sex marriage in England and Wales, with the first weddings to take place from March 29.

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57 Women Stoned To Death During Annual Riyadh Fashion Week

(theonion) RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA—With local organizers and attendees hailing the event as a “major success,” the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh wrapped up its 10th annual fashion week Friday, a star-studded international showcase of the latest trends during which 57 women were pelted to death by stones.

The glamorous high-fashion event, which debuted the fall couture collections of Calvin Klein, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Anna Sui among others, took place over seven days in the city’s upscale Olaya district and claimed the lives of dozens of models, assistants, and designers, as well as 19 female audience members whose outfits exposed parts of their bodies other than their eyes or hands.

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Coca-Cola's "America the Beautiful" Super Bowl Commercial Sparks Outrage on Twitter

It's a conspiracy!

Who knew a Coke commercial could cause such an uproar?
Coca-Cola aired a Super Bowl commercial titled "It's Beautiful," with a simple premise: scenes from American life (families, pool parties, road trips, what have you) with "America the Beautiful" playing in the background. The twist? The patriotic tune was sung in different languages.

Should the Minimum Wage Be Abolished (i.e. Reduced to $0.00)?

In a Nutshell

Yes	No
The vast majority of economists believe the minimum wage law costs the economy thousands of jobs. Teenagers, workers in training, college students, interns, and part-time workers all have their options and opportunities limited by the minimum wage. A low-paying job remains an entry point for those with few marketable skills. Abolishing the minimum wage will allow businesses to achieve greater efficiency and lower prices. When you force American companies to pay a certain wage, you increase the likelihood that those companies will outsource jobs to foreign workers, where labor is much cheaper. Non-profit charitable organizations are hurt by the minimum wage. The minimum wage can drive some small companies out of business. A minimum wage gives businesses an additional incentive to mechanize duties previously held by humans. Cost-of-living differences in various areas of the country make a universal minimum wage difficult to set. Elimination of the minimum wage would mean more citizens and fewer illegals would be hired for low-pay hourly jobs, leading to greater tax revenues and less incentive for illegal immigration. The minimum wage creates a competitive advantage for foreign companies, providing yet another obstacle in the ability of American companies to compete globally. The minimum wage law is just another example of government condescendingly controlling our actions and destroying personal choice. Citizens do have the ability to say no to a lower wage.  Continue Reading	Adults who currently work for minimum wage are likely to lose jobs to teenagers who will work for much less. Workers need a minimum amount of income from their work to survive and pay the bills. Businesses have more power to abuse the labor market. It forces businesses to share some of the vast wealth with the people that help produce it.

Myanmar: "Ethnic Cleansing" of Muslims by Buddhists on the rise

Ethnic Cleansing Just Went From Bad to Worse in Myanmar

(newrepublic) - The ethnic cleansing in Myanmar's northwest has followed a jerky rhythm, coming in fits and starts since the first Buddhist-on-Muslim attacks in the middle of 2012. I visited the area for an article in the current issue of the magazine, and found it in a dangerous lull, with many Burmese Buddhists thrilled by the prospect of driving out the remaining Muslims and killing those who resisted.

The Horror! Cheerleader sues American football team for low pay and having to "buy her own eyelashes"

Why do we have minimum wage again?

(telegraph.co.uk) - An American football cheerleader is suing her team in a California court claiming that she and other dancers are paid barely half the minimum wage.

According to legal papers the Oakland Raiders, an NFL team that has won the Super Bowl three times, also requires cheerleaders to pay for their own tights and false eyelashes.

The case has been brought by a 27-year-old cheerleader who is known as Lacey T because the team traditionally only identifies dancers by a first name and initial to protect their security.

She is a member of the Raiderettes troop, known as "Football's Fabulous Females," that performs during the team's games.

In a statement Lacey T said: "I love the Raiders and I love being a Raiderette, but someone has to stand up for all of the women of the NFL who work so hard for the fans and the teams.

"I hope cheerleaders across the NFL will step forward to join me in demanding respect and fair compensation."

She claims Raiderettes were paid just $1,250 a year which amounted to less than $5 an hour. The minimum wage in California is $8 an hour.

The pay consists of a flat rate of $125 for each home game they perform at but they are not paid for rehearsals and a minimum of 10 other appearances they are required to make including opening shops.

Lacey T also claims the cheerleaders do not get paid for a photo shoot they are required to attend for an annual swimsuit calendar.

According to the complaint cheerleaders who gain five pounds or appear "too soft" forfeit their $125 game fee and have to stay in the locker room.

She also claims they are not paid until the end of the season, have to pay out of pocket for their own travel costs, and face fines for bringing incorrect equipment to work including the wrong pom-poms.
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Florida student kicked out of school for performing in porn

Bitches gotta make they money somehow..

And his mom said: I think he’s the most awesome person in the world,” she said. “He STOOD up and he was the man of the house when I couldn’t be.”

Read full article: Florida student kicked out of school for performing in porn

Read more at http://iowntheworld.com/blog/?fvcn-post=florida-student-kicked-out-of-school-for-performing-in-porn#qTJ2RYRlZfuiw6Uk.99

And his mom said: I think he’s the most awesome person in the world,” she said. “He STOOD up and he was the man of the house when I couldn’t be.”

Read full article: Florida student kicked out of school for performing in porn

Read more at http://iowntheworld.com/blog/?fvcn-post=florida-student-kicked-out-of-school-for-performing-in-porn#qTJ2RYRlZfuiw6Uk.99

And his mom said: I think he’s the most awesome person in the world,” she said. “He STOOD up and he was the man of the house when I couldn’t be.”

Read full article: Florida student kicked out of school for performing in porn

Read more at http://iowntheworld.com/blog/?fvcn-post=florida-student-kicked-out-of-school-for-performing-in-porn#qTJ2RYRlZfuiw6Uk.99