One Agency Refuses to Accept Texas Customers

[Admin]

Texas recently enacted (effective April 1, 2009) the most restrictive legislation yet directed at "International Matchmaking Organizations." You can read the text of the legislation at this link -- http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/BC/htm/BC.101.htm.

One agency that organizes introductions primarily with Filipina women, Melinda's PenPals, had closed their doors to any new members from the great state of Texas - AND - asked existing TX members to resign their memberships. Here is a link to their announcement -- http://www.melindaspenpals.com/penpal-community/index.php/topic,483.0.html.

The states now are where the battle lines are drawn. HI, TX, MO, and soon MD all have laws on the books more restrictive than IMBRA.

- Dan

[TwoBitBandit]

Three cheers for our feminist utopia in the United States!

[Boethius]

Yes, I can certainly see how shelling out a few bucks for a criminal clearance constitutes feminism run amok.

[Turboguy]

Can you imagine the outcry if they tried to put those laws into effect to protect American women?  Actually American women are far more at risk and of course there is risk to AM as well. 

One effect it has is to drive the industry out of America.  For example European Connections which was a 20 million dollar business has been sold to a Canadian outfit.  Heck, we have lost a big chunk of our American Manufacturing businesses, why not just drive all the businesses out of America and everyone can work for the government. 

[I/O]

why not just drive all the businesses out of America and everyone can work for the government.

And...........China can keep providing cash credit for your Gov't to keep paying you with becuase they will have to in order for their main market to have sufficient money to continue buying their products. Worry not, the looney leftists (Gov't) perfected the technique here 35-40 years ago and despite the mess they made we've survived.

[kievstar]

Texas has a huge problem with sex trafficking.  So probably good they shutdown how immigrants get brought in.

Just saw a movie (date night) where they mentioned: she worked that pole like a Russian immigrant. A lot of dirtbags go overseas for children and women and something needs to be done.

[GQBlues]

she worked that pole like a Russian immigrant.

 

Isn't this new legislation just another installment to what everyone previously objected to from the first lines of legislation? So in essence, this ought to make more and more people happy that their complaints are actually being heard.

[Boethius]

Actually American women are far more at risk and of course there is risk to AM as well. 

The INS did a study in 1999 and found that immigrant women married to AM were three times more likely to be victims of domestic violence than American born women.  There was a similar conclusion made in another study in around 2003.  Neither of those studies is online, but citations thereto can be found on the Taheri website.  I really don't see the big deal in providing a background check.  It is par for the course now in volunteer work and job applications.

[TwoBitBandit]

Yes, I can certainly see how shelling out a few bucks for a criminal clearance constitutes feminism run amok.

Our culture is being destroyed by feminism.  If you take any one legal or political change (like this one) in isolation it appears insignificant.  We're frogs being boiled in water. 

When you add all of them up, the cumulative effect is that men are being disenfranchised.

[Boethius]

Bullocks.  The culture of "me me me" is what is destroying US society, not feminism.

Dr. Phil had a programme yesterday about how much battering men are "disenfranchised" in the family courts.  Have a look:

http://drphil.com/shows/show/1442

[BillyB]

Texas has a huge problem with sex trafficking.  So probably good they shutdown how immigrants get brought in.

Immigrants coming to America isn't a bad thing. Sex trafficking is but what Dan posted has little to do with the sex trafficking  problem. It targets marriage agencies.

The culture of "me me me" is what is destroying US society, not feminism.

The feminist movement has contributed to a "me me me" society. It one thing to have equal rights but the feminists want special rights. For the first time in America a few years ago, there are more single women  living without a man in the home. Maybe they only care about themselves after being brainwashed and don't need a man or family and more men feel the system is not balanced, don't want to marry and they have the attitude "why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?"

I said years ago IMBRA at the federal level isn't going to solve anything and now it's a fact the feminist movement is going State to State lobbying to shut down marriage agencies. Although the law is supposed to be gender neutral, the law is bias and doesn't affect women. How many marriage agencies are there for women so women won't be affected by background checks as the men are.
 
Boethius, I understand that you've embraced the feminist movement but look at some of the results. The desire to live in family environment within marriage is deteriorating for both men and women and the laws they are behind are rarely unbiased and provide equal and fairness for all people. These string of laws to target marriage agencies are not gender equal, they are not equal for all women and they are not even equal for all foreign women. Only those in or using marriage agencies will be affected. Doesn't that bother you? How hard is it to lobby for a well thought out balance law that solves all or the majority of issues on the table? If all problems are solved, then the special interest groups will not have something to cry about and will not have a need for donations to lobby every State out there to change their laws. The feminist groups are selling their actions as if they are to protect women. The truth is they just want to shut down marriage agencies but donations would dwindle if people knew the truth.

[Boethius]

Let's look at some of the things women put up with in the "good old days".  My mother hid her pregnancies as long as she could because pregnant women were not to be seen, and certainly not working (my parents were poor, and needed her paycheque).  Women were routinely sexually harassed at work.  I've spoken with many women in their fifties, already in the workforce when feminism was introduced, who had to deal with this.  When I was a young lawyer, I remember a scandal where a very senior lawyer in a very prominent firm was booted out because he had a habit of exposing himself to assistants.  When some 17 year old summer file clerk complained, the firm investigated and learned he'd been doing this for 30 years.  There are still law firms in my city known for harassing young female lawyers.  Why women work there, I have no idea.  I know one woman, now in her early 30's, who complained under the firm's sexual harassment policy and was still terminated because the senior partner (who had also installed a camera in another female lawyer's office) was more important.  These women just took it and moved on, because the legal community is small, and nothing good will come of pursuing the matter.  This is reality for all women.  It is still, no matter how much you complain, a man's world.

No, it doesn't bother me at all, although I don't think it is a panacea.  If it prevents one scumbag from abusing a foreign bride, it is worth it.

[BillyB]

No, it doesn't bother me at all, although I don't think it is a panacea.  If it prevents one scumbag from abusing a foreign bride, it is worth it.

And that is one of the reasons silly laws like this get on the books. Too many people with those exact thoughts are backing their politicians and donating money to feminist groups without thinking rationally. Although laws like IMBRA will deter scumbags from searching for foreign women at marriage agencies, it doesn't stop the scumbag at all. They will find a foreign woman at a dating site or a domestic woman. You believe into the lie special interest group tell you in that they are out to stop scumbags but it's the marriage agencies and the institution of marriage that will be affected. Scumbags are still allowed to roam free and abuse women. You should expect much more out of the organizations that have the ability to change laws.

Let's look at some of the things women put up with in the "good old days".   
 

We are not living in the good ole days anymore. We have laws to protect people from sexual harrassment and other kinds of discrimination. Should we start preventing people from having any contact with each other to be totally safe and nobody will get their feelings hurt?

[Boethius]

My point about the good old days is that there is a reason feminism arose.  Sexual harassment laws would not be in place without feminism.  But even though they exist, if you think sexual harassment does not exist, I have a bridge I'd like to sell you.

Do you know why most North American women don't dress the way FSU dress on a daily basis?  Because you will be a target of harassment on the streets by men, and that starts very early - 13 or 14 years of age.  FSU men are more mature in this regard.

[BillyB]

Do you know why most North American women don't dress the way FSU dress on a daily basis?  Because you will be a target of harassment on the streets by men, and that starts very early - 13 or 14 years of age.  FSU men are more mature in this regard.

FSU men are more mature? Most of the RW ladies I've dated said sexual harassment in common in the FSU. Male employees have spanked them on the butt and asked them to show them their bra.

I understand you are married to an FSU man but make no mistake about it, FSU men are sexually harrassing their women more than North American men.

[Boethius]

I'm not talking about workplace harassment, which is a completely different issue.  FSU men are more macho as their culture requires this and generally, more sexist than North American men.  But women don't get harassed there if they're well dressed, just walking down the street, except by drunkards.

[Gator]

But women don't get harassed there ...except by drunkards.

Aren't there a lot of drunkards?    The marriage agencies hype that RW seek foreign men because of alcohol abuse by RM. 

Probably more verbal harassment of women occurs in Latin America, although it is more of an acceptable social game than harassment.

[Gator]

At first glance the Texas legislation seems reasonable. 

How does a man provide a criminal record if he has no record?

[I/O]

Because you will be a target of harassment on the streets by men, and that starts very early - 13 or 14 years of age.  FSU men are more mature in this regard.

Ex..f*****g..scuse me..!! What planet are you living on?

Women were routinely sexually harassed at work.

Then two posts later.............

I'm not talking about workplace harassment, which is a completely different issue.

And............as for this.........

But women don't get harassed there if they're well dressed, just walking down the street, except by drunkards.

Please do go sample the opinions of a few more women than may write on RWD before jumping to that one. I can hook you up with about a dozen who'll tell you quite another story.............regularly having their arses pinched on metros etc, hence they pleaded with fathers to buy a car for them etc.

And then a half arsed apology for FSU male behaviour......

FSU men are more macho as their culture requires this and generally, more sexist than North American men.

Boethius: Personally, I don't give a toss about the feminist movement, I actually think they are a non event, have achieved little or nothing of what they set out to and in essence are not the real drivers behind more equality in the workplace. What I do give a toss about is very misleading information being spouted when someone backs themselves into a corner which you have done both here. I suggest you rethink your strategy and certainly don't apply this one in the court room or you'll be cannon fodder up against either a female OR male lawyer.

[GQBlues]

FSU men are more mature? Most of the RW ladies I've dated said sexual harassment in common in the FSU. Male employees have spanked them on the butt and asked them to show them their bra.

Well....technically it's no longer classified as sexual harassment if they actually get sexed up - or else, e.g. fired, lose promotion/raise... - Come here, you little pretty!

So yes, in that regard, FSUM are certainly far more mature than AMs since they're well ahead of the game. 

[Boethius]

Gator, a woman can usually avoid drunkards.  

Ex..f*****g..scuse me..!! What planet are you living on?

Then two posts later.............

And............as for this.........
Please do go sample the opinions of a few more women than may write on RWD before jumping to that one. I can hook you up with about a dozen who'll tell you quite another story.............regularly having their arses pinched on metros etc, hence they pleaded with fathers to buy a car for them etc.

And then a half arsed apology for FSU male behaviour......

Boethius: Personally, I don't give a toss about the feminist movement, I actually think they are a non event, have achieved little or nothing of what they set out to and in essence are not the real drivers behind more equality in the workplace. What I do give a toss about is very misleading information being spouted when someone backs themselves into a corner which you have done both here. I suggest you rethink your strategy and certainly don't apply this one in the court room or you'll be cannon fodder up against either a female OR male lawyer.

I am not "apologizing" for FSU men's behaviour.  My point was, without the feminist movement in North America, sexual harassment would be the norm here, too.  

Do you think that North American women don't get groped or assaulted on buses?  I can assure you, it is a common occurrence.  So much so where I live, my daughter won't ride the bus unless she is with a group.  I can also assure you that groups of FSU men in cars don't generally slow down, or stop, honk, and catcall a woman walking alone or with other women, which is an everyday occurrence here.  But a woman will generally dress in a manner which won't attract attention, unless she is in the company of a man, or going to look for men.

Workplace harassment and street harassment are very different.  While both generally have a power dynamic and workplace harassment is unpleasant, a woman will not normally be afraid for her safety in a work environment.  She will be if she is harassed on the street.  That was my point, and it does affect the way North American women dress.

Sorry, I/O, but you're not a woman, and you haven't had these experiences.  How many times have you been afraid walking across a parking lot or deserted street at night?  How often have you changed your behaviour so you won't be put in such a situation?  When you have had these experiences, you can come and tell me I am wrong.

[BillyB]

Workplace harassment and street harassment are very different.  While both generally have a power dynamic and workplace harassment is unpleasant, a woman will not normally be afraid for her safety in a work environment.  She will be if she is harassed on the street.  That was my point, and it does affect the way North American women dress.

Boethius, talk to enough RW to understand they do not walk on the streets alone at night in the FSU. They could be subject to a lot worse than just honking, slow drive by's and catcalls. They would be happy if harassment is all they had to worry about.

FSU men are more macho as their culture requires this and generally, more sexist than North American men. 

You almost say that as if their bad behavior is culturally acceptable while you are all for the feminist movement to further castrate North American men. If it's not good for us, why is it good for them? I know you dearly love your Ukrainian husband but please put your bias away and criticize the FSU man once in a while. On sexual harassment at the workplace and on the streets they are on average deserving criticism more than the North American man.

[Boethius]

Boethius, talk to enough RW to understand they do not walk on the streets alone at night in the FSU. They could be subject to a lot worse than just honking, slow drive by's and catcalls. They would be happy if harassment is all they had to worry about.

This doesn't happen at night in North America.  The incidents I am referring to have all happened during the day.  I knew a girl of about 19 who quit her job because she used to have to put up with this while waiting for a bus at 6:30 am, and she was afraid that if she were ever alone at that bus stop, dire consequences would arise.

You almost say that as if their bad behavior is culturally acceptable while you are all for the feminist movement to further castrate North American men. If it's not good for us, why is it good for them? I know you dearly love your Ukrainian husband but please put your bias away and criticize the FSU man once in a while. On sexual harassment at the workplace and on the streets they are on average deserving criticism more than the North American man.

No, all I am saying is their culture is different.  And I'm not saying it is good.  But, neither Russia nor Ukraine have had a feminist movement yet, despite the so called "equality" of communism, and we can't lose perspective on this.  Also, don't underestimate FSU women.  They have learned how to manipulate their men in a way North American women generally do not.

I don't see how North American men not being able to cop a feel at work, or not being able to threaten a woman with losing her job if she doesn't sleep with him is emasculating.  A real man doesn't do these things.  It has taken 30 years for WW to get to this point, and that happened largely because of women, not men.

No way on the streets.  The view in Ukraine is "She's just a broad.  There's another one around the corner."  There just isn't the same leering, the catcalls, etc. that are prevalent in many parts of North America, though groping on public transport is a problem.  But, sexual assault is rarer than in North America.  Women don't have to watch their drinks in social settings.  Other Western countries may be different.

[KenC]

There is a flip side to the concept of men sexually harassing women in the workplace.  Almost 30 years ago I started a small company that grew into a successful 300 employee business.  We also had an additional 250 independent reps across the country.  Because of the nature of the business, light manufacturing, packing and shipping, the major majority of the employees were female with only a handful of males.  I cannot tell you how many sexual advances I received from employees and reps looking for an "in" (pun intended) with the owner.  Of course it was a different time then, when a woman sleeping with the boss was scorned for "sleeping her way to the top." 

Today, no matter what the circumstances, the man is ALWAYS the guilty party.  I really don't think human nature has changed all that much, just the public opinion.  I have no love for men that prey on their subordinates nor the women looking to "bag" the boss either.

I have read that the majority of married couples had met their spouses in a work environment.  With today's sexual climate in the workplace, I wonder how it is even possible now.
KenC

[I/O]

you're not a woman

Counter point at that level being, you're not a man so you don't know how they think. The line is becoming just plain silly on this one and highly speculative.

sexual assault is rarer than in North America.

Some reliable data to support this claim?

BTW, man or no man, I manage an office in which I am the only male among 5 fairly attractive women, we have a constant stream of male contractors and employees through the door (Between 250 and 300), none of which I will tolerate any disrespect to the womenfolk from and this has nothing to do with any "movement" out there but has much more to do with the influence of father, grandfather and womenfolk within the family who were always worthy of respect. I am proud to claim some credit for changing (The girls remark upon this) the attitude of the menfolk (Not all as most of them were fine) associated with this business and again, it has nothing to do with any so called movement out there, it is simply what I grew up to call common decency.

Furthermore, personally I can physically overpower the majority of women I come across so it was (in my heyday) a much more interesting challenge to charm her out of her skirt than it would have been to force her out of her trousers. These days I am too bloody old, slow and ugly to do either.

Incidently, I don't have to live with this law all the boys are up in arms about but it looks fairly non invasive to me, goodness I had to provide a national Police check recently for wife and number one to get their PR visa. I couldn't give a toss, send the $43, get the check, send it off, visa done, she and he have PR status, celebration had..............she offered immediate divorce, I refused, the groping continued as normal.