Not Beautiful. But Quite Dirty. And Rich -- NJ Corruption Scandal

Gotta love New Jersey. Politicians there never let you down for a good news story. The corruption scandal that surfaced last week has to date gotten a mixture of 44 politicians, rabbis, and other officials arrested. Don't you just love the money hungry? Greed is one of the seven deadly sins so it's been around for a while. Money talks, bullshit walks.

I wonder what it takes for one to cross the line. The young mayor of Hoboken was a bartender on the side so obviously his paycheck wasn't sufficing. If he earned a little more, would he have been less likely to take the bribes? Do you have to be a bad person to give in? Would the average person refuse to get involved? I just wonder whether it's easy to look on the outside in and judge. I personally think most of them are assholes, but that's because well...I'm on the outside looking in. Below are some of the key players in the whole thing.


Seacaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell was one of the biggest figures named. Not that you should judge a book by its cover, but he just looks like an asshole.


The youngin' of the crew, Hoboken Mayor Peter Cammarano III started his political career on the wrong track. He's been mayor less than a month! From some of the quotes I've heard, he's a cocky little bastard. Unfortunately, his newborn is most likely gonna be daddyless for a while.


Brooklyn had to be a part of this somehow huh? And in the most shameful way. Levy-Izhak Rosenbaum preyed on desperate and sick people, buying kidneys for $10,000 and selling them for $160,000. The worse.


And this guy (Jersey City political operative Jack Shaw) couldn't take the heat so got his ass out the kitchen. He was found dead 5 days after his arrest. They found pills and it is assumed he committed suicide. I guess depending on what you believe, he may be getting more heat than he can stand right now.


Laundering and laundromats. Irony? One guy laundered money in his apartment above the laundromat. How cute.

Metal Taboo July Giveaway -- "Bad Ass" Necklace

Every month, Metal Taboo offers a giveaway of one of its items to members of its mailing list. For July, we are giving away our "Bad Ass" disc necklace. This necklace can be worn by guys or gals and will be adjusted to fit the sex of the winner. To enter, click here. Good luck!

Art Spotlight-- Thomas Deininger

Heart Tattoo


Confused


Pierce


Party girl


Black baby doll


Fruit flies

I am very fond of Thomas Deininger's artwork. It is provocative in very subtle ways. He doesn't focus on only sex or gore or paint for shock value. All his art seems to be normal interpretations of life the way most of us know it. Fruit flies aren't pornagraphic, but they are disgusting. Party girls are common, but not usually depicted in paint. Breasts are painted all the time, but the focus of the painting isn't usually the tattoo. His titles are simple, but many of them provoke a lot of thought. He just nudges at taboos, which I think is very innovative and genius. I couldn't post all of his photos, but I suggest you take a look. I will probably post more of his stuff later on.

Newsy Taboo -- HIV Ban to Be Lifted

It is impossible to keep in tune with all the laws and policies that shape America. I'm pretty sure most people aren't aware that anyone infected with HIV is not allowed to vacation, visit, or immigrate to the United States. The federal law was instated in 1987 and they are just now trying to repeal it. Other diseases that are banned include tuberculosis, gonorrhea, syphilis and infectious leprosy. People who oppose the ban says HIV is included based solely on stigma and that there is no scientific data backing the ban. People who are for the ban fear increased health care costs for HIV infected immigrants and more transmission. Both sides have a point. Politics can be so overwhelming. To read more, click here.

My Love of Pin Ups -- Part One

Tattoo by Roy Priestley at Skinshokz


Classic Pin Up Painting by Harry Ekman


Contemporary Painting by Elizabeth Austin

So I love pin ups. I have vowed that for my 30th birthday I am going to splurge and get professional pin up pictures of myself done. I prob should start saving now, but I thought I would post some art and tattoos of some great pin up girls. I couldn't find any good African American Pin Up art (or any other minorities for that matter) so the hunt is on. I will devote a post to those once I can find some images.

Lyric Raid -- "Beautiful Dirty Rich" by Lady Gaga

Time for more Gaga. Like I said before, her lyrics are the epitome of taboo--the obsession with fame, money, sex, and extravagance. In this particular, it's all about looking good, but being broke. Aren't many of us guilty of that!

"We got a redlight,
Pornographic dancefight,
Systematic, honey,
But we go no money.
Our hair is perfect,
While were all getting shit wrecked.
It's automatic, honey,
But we got no money.
Daddy I'm so sorry, I'm so s-s-sorry yeah.
We just like to party, like to p-p-party yeah

Bang bang, we're beautiful and dirty rich.
Bang bang, we're beautiful and dirty rich."

TattooLaPalooza--Miami

Metal Taboo display

Body Painting by Jessie Velero

Ricoz Tattooz


Crazy, but cool Rico


Rick, the non-tattooing, non-body piercing living vampire

Monkey see, monkey do

What a fox

Excuse the weeklong hiatus from the blog. Metal Taboo participated in the TattooLaPalooza Tattoo & Motorcycle Convention in Miami, Fl this past weekend. It was cool, but pictures tell the story better than words so I'll just post a few.

Anti-American, Bitchy, or Expression?

Peter Nichols "In God We Trust"


Some 6th grader

Happy 4th of July weekend! As proud as most of us are to be Americans, there is always this battle that goes on within the average American's mind. No matter how in love with American you are, there is no denying that is plagued with many issues, problems, taboos, and vulnerabilities. The photos above are both rendered by fellow Americans who have some strong views on a couple of things. The first picture of the skull came under much scrutiny in 2007 when Portland Airport displayed the art. Residents felt a tax-funded airport wasn't the place for it and it has been considered anti everything--including capitalism, American, religion, war. As for the second picture, a 6th grader felt America blocks out all input from outside nations. It's hard to believe a child came up with such a thing. What do you think? Is this art too harsh or is it simply getting frustration off your chest with no harm involved?

Shock Value Ads: Tasteless or Funny?

You can always count on Calvin Klein to piss people off.


Talk about having it your way!


Not so much a big company, but getting in on the tasteless ad action.

Every once in a while, major companies will put out an ad that purposely riles people up. Once they do, the ad comes under fire for being too explicit, raunchy, sexist, or degrading. I thought I'd post some recent ads that have a lot of people's panties in a bunch. The Calvin Klein ad is actually located on the same block I frequent. Klein is known for all his ads being too sexual so I'm surprised people still get mad. Anyway, it poses the question: Are these advertisers out of line or do people need to lighten up?

Art Spotlight-- Sagittarius Gallery

"Lounge Act"


"Loaded"


"Pendulum"

Sagittarius Gallery has a lot of erotic art, but they do other paintings as well. The last piece was chosen as one of the winners to be included in the Erotic Signature book "The World's Greatest Erotic Art of Today - Vol 3" to be released this summer.

Dirty Dirty Craigslist

Need a job in this messed up economy? Well if you don't mind doing smut to make a buck, there are several job offers in Craigslists' adult gig section. Below are some of the better ones:

S L U T T Y NYMPHO Female Personal ASSistant -
Date: 2009-06-30, 2:10PM EDT
We are 3 Busy Married executives looking for sexy FEMALE office NYMPHO / assistant to answer phones, do filing, organize schedules, assist with business matters, and take care of our adult needs. Perfect arrangement for a sexy nympho or Slutt. This is a real job soooo Real work will be involved. So please no PROS be able to work at least 20 hours a week. Send Pics & tell us why you are OUR special S L U TT

Golden Shower Fun (Manhattan)
Date: 2009-07-01, 1:47PM EDT
Dominant coed available for hot, steamy GS. I enjoy doin it and so will you. I'm young, hot, and into it. Available to come to you in Manhattan only. Foot Fetish, nipple play, sensual domination also avavilable. Email to meet today. Serious inquires.

MILF or GILF with friendly hand (LI)
Date: 2009-07-01, 12:57PM EDT
Mature man wants older mature woman who still knows how to use a "friendly " hand. No sex or undressing. Weekly situation wanted.

Tickle tickle tickle ....
Date: 2009-07-01, 12:36PM EDT
Ticklish females wanted for tickle fun! You will be lightly restrained and tickle tortured ....... Ladies between the ages of 21 and 35 who are genuinely very ticklish (especially feet and armpits) are required Laugh your ass off for doing nothing but lying there and being tickled !!! $100 for an hour or $50 for 30 minutes

Hand shake (aLI)
Date: 2009-07-01, 12:25PM EDT
Shake my c--k with your hand Sexy women only. No sex.

Any takers? Actually, the tickle one bothers me most because I am extremely ticklish and being tickled for an hour REALLY IS torture!!!