Enjo kōsai, or "dating for assistance" (usually called an escort service in English), is a practice in Japan where high school-aged girls are paid by older men to accompany them on dates and sometimes to render sexual services.

Most observers, especially overseas, regard it as a form of child prostitution, although it need not involve sexual activities; it often does not even involve kissing or holding hands.

The social network surrounding enjo kōsai is complex. Originally, most initial contacts were made through "telekura" (an abbreviation for "telephone clubs"), where male clients paid a fee to sit in a booth and receive calls from participating women, who could then set up a date if they wished.

These days, telephone clubs simply supply paying customers with a list of mobile phone numbers to call.   more »

Too many Americans harbor the illusion that we live in a democracy simply because we have the right to vote. But let us be clear about something: voting matters only where real choices are allowed.

The system is purposely designed to require enormous expense from its participants. It requires big money to win political office and big money comes from the deep pockets of corporate America.

In effect, special interest money has rendered the political process as we know it null and void by restricting our choices to candidates that have been pre-chosen for us by corporate America.

The choice is more illusory than real. Plutocrats and workers have nothing in common. People of ordinary means can no longer ascend to the presidency or even Congress.   more »

Harry's job was pinpointing the Taliban for a USA jet

to drop a bomb on them. Truly heroic stuff.

I can see it now, A hero's welcome on his return with a jacket full of medals. Makes you feel so proud to be British and part of this jingoistic warmonger nation.

The Boy Prince is being used for war propaganda and as a recruitment model for fresh cannon fodder. It wouldn't surprise me if he got bumped off by British agents to stir up more hatred towards Arabs.   more »

The rush to tag along with Barack Obama's presidential juggernaut shows beyond doubt that progressive "movement" politics is "on its death bed" in the United States, on both sides of the racial divide.

MoveOn gave its millions-strong mailing list no choice but to endorse one or the other of the political twins, Clinton or Obama, affirming its allegiance to "lesser-of-evils" politics.

The Nation magazine noted the glaring evidence that Obama is no progressive - and then rewarded him with an endorsement for "reaching out to independent and Republican voters."

White and Black Democrats reveal that they want nothing more than a ceremonial "seat at the table" - anything to avoid the hard work of opposition to corporate rule.   more »

There is enormous inequality in Pakistan, and the gap between rich and poor is increasingly visible.

Last year the economy grew by more than 7 percent, but still more than half the population is illiterate and poverty means that only a quarter of children get beyond primary school.

Meanwhile in Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, one of only two seven-star hotels in the world is nearing completion.

Here the Pakistani elite will meet to do business with the global rich, while the poor will be expected to look on in wonder.   more »