While looking for letters in response to Harriet Hodges' recent male bashing editiorial, I came across a story about a man who has spent two years in jail and is asking for a new trial after a 13-year-old girl has recanted her accusation that the man molested her while he was living with her and her mother. This story in the Roanoke Times gives the full details. Aleck J. Carpitcher was convicted solely on the testimony of his girlfriend's 11-year-old daughter, who later said she fabricated a story about Carpitcher's abusing her because she wanted him out of the house they all shared. ... "I did not know that he would get in so much trouble or that he would have to spend the rest of his life in prison. ... I felt like everything backfired, and now I am trying to make things right." Scott's note: Thanks also to Neil Steyskal for sending in the story as well.

A while ago, I was doing a search on masculism over at Google out of boredom, when I found this e-mail from Terry Daly, a man who claims to be the "sole founder of masculism and leader of the masculist movement." and also says "I want to clear up the confusion which exists in America about the genesis of the men's movement terms 'masculist' and 'masculism', and about the precise nature of what constitutes (and does not constitute) the masculist manifesto."
What a big claim, huh? Have a read anyway and see what you think.

Hawth writes "In this recent commentary found at SF Gate, Joan Ryan expresses concern for U.S. women soldiers wanting abortions. The procedure may be banned in certain countries, or performed in poor conditions, thus necessitating women soldiers to be sent home for the procedure - at their own expense. Ryan seems to have trouble with the idea that women soldiers may lack certain freedoms they enjoy as civilians."

Neil Steyskal submitted this New York Times article (free registration required) and writes "The NY Times has a feature article on the mental and physical devastation of Afghan men after decades of war." From the article: " Afghanistan is a nation with 24 million people but only three psychiatric hospitals and eight psychiatrists to serve them. It has virtually no ability to treat its enormous population of mentally ill war victims, according to the World Health Organization, which estimates the mentally ill population at two million."

The first 2002 issue of the DesertLight Journal is out, and is sure to enjoy the same success that it had in 2001. Click here for the latest edition, which covers news including an Australian community radio program run for fathers by fathers, more domestic violence services in Canada for men, the formation of an international coalition to restore family rights, and much more.

Remo writes "This article is from a Japanese newspaper, and it deals with the abuse of Japan's new laws on harassment in the workplace. I wonder why they didn't look at the U.S. first, and see an example of how NOT to write these laws?"

jaxom submitted this story from the UK Independent and writes ""A young mother suffering from depression avoided jail yesterday despite killing her baby daughter in a jealous rage by tossing her from the window of a second-floor flat." Can anyone imagine a similar judgment for a father who killed a baby?"

This story from sportsillustrated.cnn.com reports that famed basketball player Michael Jordan's wife has filed for divorce. Citing "irreconcilable differences," she wants the house, the children, and half of everything else (the vast majority of which were built from Jordan's basketball career, no doubt). ...Jordan cited a desire to spend more time with his family when he retired from the Bulls the first time in October 1994 and again in January 1999. Perhaps now he is being punished for returning to the game?

donaldcameron1 sent in this very disturbing article from Canada's National Post and writes "I contend that this is the another step on the path to controlling the movement and lives in general of most men." The article states that a system is being tested whereby sex offenders, when released from prison, will be forced to wear an electronic ankle bracelet which can report their physical position using the Global Positioning System. Click Read More to view Donald's letter to the editor, and consider writing in about this as well.

DaveW writes "This story, about a judge fining women who get protective orders, but later return to their alleged abusers, may indicate the beginning of a trend to curb the misuse of protective orders." I'm definitely in favor of policies which encourage people to stop and think before filing a protective order, considering how often they get carelessly used these days.

Neil Steyskal sent in a link to an article in the Fairfax Journal, which reports that a couple of Northern Virginia legislators are proposing to revive the Equal Rights Amendment. Many men's activists have mixed views on the ERA, but from my understanding, if it passed, the ERA would put an end to allowing women to have rights without the corresponding responsibilities. Nightmist's Update: The story has moved here

Friend of MANN and ifeminist Wendy McElroy's latest Fox News Column is now available online. This week, McElroy delves into the National Organization for Women's attempt to redirect funds earmarked for the World Trade Center recovery effort to other purposes. Amusingly, McElroy points out the lack of common sense behind everything NOW has said or done related to the 9/11 tragedy so far: [NOW President Kim] Gandy then explained the proper political response to the war on terrorism: Demand justice for the women of Afghanistan, advocate the right of women soldiers to have abortions abroad, speak out for gay and transgender soldiers.

Bill wrote in about some important medical information for men who are starting to have problems with their prostate. He reports that there is a technique that some doctors should be aware of that can improve the treatment of routine prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate). If you are experiencing this problem, consider talking to your doctor about the following. Click Read More below to view Bill's letter.

Douglas Rome sent the following UK Guardian article our way, which reports that "Terry Grange, Chief Constable of Dyfed Powys...admitted that some recent police inquiries into alleged abuse in care homes may have made mistakes - an admission that could open the way to a flood of successful appeals. Readers not from Britain should be aware that fear of paedophiles has been near hysterical proportions in this country as of late, and this admission could be the critical opportunity that many men falsely accused of child abuse need to vindicate themselves.

ronn sent in this short editorial from the Roanoke Times. The author, Harriet Hodges, claims that "Women gentle the human impulse... [the savagery of] little boys...is tamed and channeled....Boys grown entirely among males learn arrogance and cruelty." How any respectable newspaper could justify printing this trash is beyond me.