Surfing the Sundays
Browsing through the pages of the Independent on Sunday two articles hit me between the eyes; the first was a short article about the transmission of the HPV16 virus by kissing (HPV16 is one of the many versions of the HPV/wart virus – HPV 16 is one that is known to cause cancerous changes and is implicated in cervical cancer); the unfortunate couple concerned in the American case mentioned in the article have neck and head cancers as a result of the virus (Journal of Oral Oncology). This isn’t new news – it’s been known for some time that HPV is implicated in oral cancers. Kissing is described as one of the safer sex activities on many sexual health websites; no one is seriously considering prohibition of kissing of course, but it might make you think next time you pucker up. Kissing under the mistletoe anyone?
One chap who appears to have had more than his fair share of kissing is ‘loveable’, good looking Mr Russell Brand. The Independent on Sunday records that as per other so called celebs at this time of year, he’s brought a book out, his endearingly titled My Booky Wook – about himself of course. Amongst the other highs and lows of Mr Brand’s energetic life, there are a number of references to availing himself of prostitutes – in Thailand and Greece. He does apparently have a high sex drive of course – and nothing wrong with that, however considering books, one wonders if Mr Brand has had a chance to read The Natashas – Inside the New Global Sex Trade by Victor Malek? Doubtful, as he’s probably off being sweetly heroic on the road somewhere. Wit and charm and a sympathetic and adoring public (and the hyperactive libido) can excuse anyone anything obviously, not to mention the cause of self-aggrandisement. Not everyone who works as a sex worker is forced into it – but there is a dark tale of human misery woven into all this; what a man eh Russell?
Let’s just hope that the ladies who gave themselves to you (and your father in your joint escapade) really did give themselves freely to you and were not coerced and forced into pleasuring your sweet self by a criminal gang master waiting to collect your readies. You should be proud of yourself. I haven’t read your book Mr Brand, and possibly you’ve given up on seeking ‘satisfaction’ by paying for it (is coming clean in the book a moment of catharsis?), but perhaps you should read Mr Malek’s book – you might be appalled to find out about the number of women and girls trafficked into brothels, massage parlours, strip clubs etc to give men ‘a good time’. You might also be appalled to find out just what they are subjected to before they find their way onto the punter’s menu. Slavery or choice? For them there is no choice at all. Perhaps Mr Malek’s book should find it’s way into your Christmas stocking? You live and learn eh…
Leave a Reply