Why stop now when we’re on a roll?

In the mysterious ways that these things happen, barebacking has become the theme of the week here at Nightcharm. Triggered by a casual aside from a porn star, developed in a report on a report, the subject has set off a cascade of irate comments. To acknowledge the practice without condemning it, apparently, is a deal-breaker for many readers and some veteran Nightcharmers have vowed never to break bandwidth with us again.

We hope they will reconsider. Still the muse calls. In keeping with our theme, we bring you the contrary view, a herald from the opposite camp, who comes through the battlefield out of breath, loaded with news, telling us of the latest in the Trojan Wars.

For it is not only barebackers who don’t believe in condoms. The American religious right — a scandal throughout the world — has long waged a campaign against them with all sorts of ludicrous misinformation about their supposed ineffectiveness. It is their way of policing morality, to make sex as deadly as possible. And so the latest skirmish is taking place over a witty new ad for Trojan condoms:

In the ad, beautiful women sit listlessly in a singles bar while all around them big, hairy hogs are looking for some action. But the piggies don’t rate so much as a glimmer until one of them gets the idea to buy a Trojan from a vending machine. Poof, he instantly turns into the cutest Prince Charming ever to need a sweetener to enhance his sales pitch (Odd, but the actor reminds us of Sanjaya – except hot and manly! Who knew? See for yourself.) (read the full article)

After working like mules through July to redesign Nightcharm’s front page and blog, we’ve decided to do what every sane art and nature-loving Frenchman does: take the month of August off.

Europeans are lucky that way. For eons August has been the time of year when folks retreat from their day-to-day grind and take time to contemplate other people, places and things. Traveling, or not. Catching up on literature, film and fucking.

Some of the more privileged and blessed on our staff — people like our dear editor-in-chief John Calendo — will take both August and September off (the bitch) for some deep soul rejuvenation. Expect miraculous things from him in October when he returns from the Promises Treatment Center. (read the full article)