Child Sex Trafficking Crackdown

How does that hurt the LGBTQ community?

So, in California legislators are considering Senate Bill 1414, a proposed law that would increase the penalties for child sex trafficking and the solicitation of sex from minors.

It came to a hearing in the Assembly and this happened.

Activists opposed the bill because it “impacts” marginalized communities, particularly LGBTQ folk and people with black or brown skin.

Here is Isabella Borgeson representing the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights:

“I’d like to acknowledge the survivors [of sex trafficking] here today and name that we all have the shared goal of protecting children from harm. We are concerned that the harsher penalties contained in this bill will disproportionately impact marginalized communities, particularly (LGBTQ) black and brown individuals who already bear the brunt of systemic biases within our criminal justice system.”

I’m not sure what, exactly, it is that would make the black, brown and LGBTQ communities more at risk for increased penalties for child sex trafficking.

Look, I’m not endorsing SB1414. It’s still swirling around the Legislature. If it makes it easier for “the system” to put away legit child sex predators, I’m all for it.

I’m just challenging the argument that sexual orientation and skin color somehow come into the discussion. It doesn’t. Stop it.

That’s all I’m saying.

(If you want to dig more into the issues at hand, here’s an article from Point. And here’s an argument from Reason. Have at it.)

Parkinsons

Reader Caroline McGaughey left this comment on a previous column. I’m lifting it up for those, such as myself, who don’t know a lot about Parkinson’s.

My Partner, who is 66 years old, was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease last year. We noticed that he was experiencing hallucinations, slow movement, disturbed sleep, and twitchy hands and legs when at rest. He had to stop taking pramipexole (Sifrol), carbidopa/levodopa, and 2 mg of biperiden because of side effects. Our family doctor recommended a PD-5 treatment from naturalherbscentre.com, which my husband has been undergoing for several months now. Exercise has been very beneficial. He has shown great improvement with the treatment thus far. He is more active now, does more, and feels less apathetic. He has more energy and can do more activities in a day than he did before. As far as tremors I observe a progress, he improved drastically. I thought I would share my husband's story in case it could be helpful, but ultimately you have to figure out what works best for you. Salutations and well wishes

‘Less Cogent Than usual’

George Clooney apparently wasn’t the only person at his fundraiser who was shocked at how bad President Joe Biden looked at the event. One of the donors waiting in line to get a picture with the president told CNN this:

“He was less cogent than usual.”

In Case You Missed It

• CNN's prime-time viewership ratings have declined, trailing Fox News and MSNBC. Profit last year fell below $1B for the first time in years as advertising revenue in early 2023 dropped almost 40% from the year before. CNN's struggles come amid a broader trend in news consumption habits; today, a majority of Americans get at least some of their news through digital products. Also, CNN quietly disbanded its Race and Equality team of reporters as part of a major restructuring that included firing 100 staffers this week, — 1440 Daily Digest

• An NPR/PBS News/Marist National Poll out today says honesty trumps age. Americans are overwhelmingly more concerned about a president who plays fast and loose with the facts than someone who is too old to serve. Nearly seven in ten Americans (68%) think it is more concerning if a president does not tell the truth. Nearly one in three (32%) think it is more concerning if someone is too old to serve. Democrats (85%), independents (66%), and a slim majority of Republicans (51%) agree that dishonesty is of greater concern over advanced age.

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• Thanks for reading. Remember to laugh a little, avoid soreheads and always question authority. You can follow me on Facebook and X and reach me directly via email at shermfrederick@gmail.com.

One More Thing