More Blackwater Allegations Surface

Two former Blackwater employees are suing the company for mismanagement of several millions of dollars. Couple Brian and Melan Davis claim Blackwater double billed the government for services not covered under their contract. Two inspector audits estimate the excesses are approximately $55 million. The couple also claim Blackwater used unwarranted "excessive force" against Afghan and Iraqi civilians and even used funds to purchase a prostituted Filipino woman's services.

At the time of publication, the NY Times had not received comment from a Blackwater, now Xe, representative. However, the allegations are merely one amongst several that suggest such improprieties were rife within the organization.

Child Prostitution at the Super Bowl

With the Super Bowl less than 24 hours away, some interesting articles point to sordid practices that follows the competition across the country. Apparently prostituted individuals are trafficked into Super Bowl host cities and exploited for commercial gain. As conference playoffs wind down, pimps and traffickers alike are just winding up.

A 2008 article noted traveling prostitution rings flock to the well-attended event. Typically, these "circuit girls" would probe the lusts of wealthier patrons while evading ramped up police patrols. Approaching innocently, the women proposition potential buyers.

Former circuit girl Tammie Miller says, "I would walk up to them and ask them directions or some kind of help."

More recently, two dozen volunteers headed to Miami to rescue underage girls who were trafficked into prostitution. Their efforts, representative of a national response to sex trafficking, are saving lives in a place that "is known as a destination city for human trafficking" says Kristi House director Trudy Novicki.

Human trafficking is a $32 billion a year mechanism. According to the United Nations, sex trafficking represents $5 billion of that amount. As such, it is the number 2 source of income for organized crime syndicates and is outgrowing drugs and weapons in revenue.

Last year the group was able to rescue 24 children. Let's hope this year brings even more progress.

Tigers Tame City

A relieved Phil Brown walked away from today's match with a little less weight on his mind. The 2-1 win over Manchester City, move Hull out of the relegation zone but not out of danger. In the next 16 days Tigers will play 5 matches that will likely determine whether they remain in the EPL. If today is any indicator Brown's boys just may beat the drop.

Hull snatched the extended their lead after a 54th minute strike from George Boateng. The Ghanaian latched on to a poorly cleared corner from 18 yards out. The emphatic strike, enhanced by the Tiger's faithful, made City's comeback increasingly dubious.

Minutes later City responded but never really looked like the could take the lead. Standout performances by Jozy Altidore, Stephen Hunt and Jan Venegoor of Hesselink halted the men in blue.

Surely, the former will gain the most from today's win. Altidore has struggled to adapt to Hull and Phil Brown since he arrived on loan from Villareal in August. Today's effort was the American's first EPL goal in 19 appearances and lifted Hull to their first win in 11 games.

In the latter stages, Carlos Tevez embodied City's fighting spirit on the day. The Argentine won challenges while creating chances for a lackluster Adebayor. Despite a late flurry of attempts the Tigers stood firm until the whistle blew after 93 minutes.

In other news, Liverpool won the morale-building Merseyside derby 1-0. The win continues a 25 game win streak against the Evertonians. Manchester United further humbled Portsmouth in a 5-0 route.