
"The San Francisco Original",
Serving the Bay Area BDSM Community & Kink, Leather & Fetish News Across the USA
Volume 10, July 2008


Thomas Jefferson Sally Hemings
THOMAS JEFFERSON:
Did Jefferson secretly father children by slave Sally Hemings? A political rival of Jefferson, James Callender, first published such rumors in 1802. Jefferson was a widower and Hemings was herself the illicit daughter of a female slave and Jefferson's own father-in-law. For the most part historians tended to dismiss the rumors as scurrilous gossip spread by Jefferson's enemies. But in 1998, DNA testing on his descendants showed that Jefferson or one of his close male relatives was highly likely to be the father of Hemings's last son, Eston. A later study by the Thomas Jefferson Foundation also concluded that Jefferson was likely the father of at least one of Hemings's six children.

Grover Cleveland
GROVER CLEVELAND:
Ten years before Cleveland's presidency, store clerk Maria Halpin named him as the father of her illegitimate son. Cleveland didn't dispute the charge, and the child was quietly adopted out. During the 1884 campaign a Buffalo newspaper dug up the story, which Cleveland then -- remarkably -- admitted. His opponents attacked with chants of, "Ma, ma, where’s my pa? Gone to the White House, ha ha ha!" But the big man survived and was elected with a slim 62,000-vote margin.

Woodrow Wilson Edith Bolling Galt
WOODROW WILSON:
Wilson caused a public scandal simply by getting engaged. His first wife having died in August of 1914, Wilson met widow Edith Bolling Galt the following March and proposed in May. Much nasty gossip followed about Wilson's 'disrespect' for his first wife. Crazy rumors even surfaced that Wilson had murdered his wife, or had been having an affair. No matter: Wilson and Galt were married that December.

Warren Harding

Carrie Fulton Phillips Nan Britton
WARREN HARDING:
Harding got around! One mistress, Carrie Fulton Phillips, took $20,000 in hush money from the GOP while Harding ran for President. Another, Nan Britton, bore Harding's child in 1919 while he was a Senator. After Harding became president he continued to "entertain" Britton, sometimes in a small anteroom just off the Oval Office! After Harding's death she wrote a bestseller, The President's Daughter, telling all.

Franklin D. Roosevelt Lucy Mercer

Eleanor Roosevelt Lorena Hickok
FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT:
Wife Eleanor discovered FDR’s affair with Lucy Mercer in 1918. Roosevelt agreed to end the affair, but the romance began anew sometime later and continued while he was President. Mercer was with Roosevelt when he died in Warm Springs, Georgia in 1945, but this (like the affair itself) was kept hidden until much later. The funny thing about it all is that Eleanor held a much-publicized affair with Lorena Hickok---a relationship that not only FDR was aware of, but didn't seem to care much about...even when Hickok moved into the White House with them in 1941 until shortly after FDR's fourth inauguration in 1945! During that time not only was she involved with Eleanor, but she formed an intense friendship with the Honorable Marion Janet Harron, who was 10 years younger than her! (Can you say "Peyton Place?)

Dwight Eisenhower

Kay Summersby
DWIGHT EISENHOWER:
While fighting World War II in Europe, Eisenhower allegedly began an affair with his driver/secretary, Kay Summersby. The story goes that Ike planned to divorce his wife Mamie and marry Summersby; his superior, General George Marshall, quashed the plan by threatening to bust him out of the army. The rumor stayed mostly under wraps until 1975, when Summersby wrote a controversial book titled Past Forgetting: My Love Affair with Dwight D. Eisenhower.

John F. Kennedy

Marilyn Monroe Judith Exner
JOHN F. KENNEDY:
Who hasn't heard the tabloid rumors about JFK? Always a ladies' man, Kennedy had a boatload of girlfriends before marrying Jacqueline Bouvier in 1953. After their marriage he reportedly continued to see other women, supposedly even sneaking them into the White House! Judith Exner (former Mafia moll of Sam Giancana) and actress Marilyn Monroe are two of the wilder alleged partners; the latter claimed in a 1996 interview with Vanity Fair that she had JFK's child aborted. At first a great secret, such rumors have since gotten wide public airing, and even Kennedy's closest aides seem to have stopped denying many of the tales.


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"The Call",
By Sir Wolfr1
Dedicated to every man and woman of any generation who has answered "The Call"
A Master stood looking at his sub, both their eyes were filled with tears.
No words were spoken, nor were needed between the two, for both knew well their own, and the others fears. Some softly spoken words as he hung up the phone. For a time or forever, neither of them knew, for her Master had been called to war. His country had called and she knew he would answer, though the burden near made both their hearts break. For her Master was a soldier and both knew his duty, yet both held the other with a hunger that neither could hope to sate. For others could not understand the manner in which they loved each other as he softly kissed away a bitter tear. "We both knew that this day would one day come my love." he said as he held her to his chest. I know not what the future may hold beyond this point...only that with your love, I am truly blessed. "I am an American soldier pet, and that means that when they call...I go. She knew well the long days and longer nights that lay ahead, and softly swore that she would meet and pass this test. And as he took his seat and waited, he looked out and saw her, so alone and fair within his sight. A single face among the thousands, that he knew he would spot in any crowd. ...come home to me."
The call had come in the dark of night, as it seems these calls so often do;
But as he looked at her, he realized that she already knew.
It was the call that she had known and had dreaded would come; the call that said her love would soon walk out the door.
"Come home to me my Master," she whispered to him softly with a glance around to make sure no other could hear.
"I will never serve another," she whispered,
as she tried in vain to blink away the tears.
"Just come home to me, my Master.
For your loss is the only thing that I truly fear."
I have no idea when, or even how I will return to your arms, but I swear, if it is possible I will come, this please know."

"And if by chance I do not return my love, if the ultimate sacrifice is demanded of me.
Then know I died proud and loving you; for freedom has never been free."
"That Freedom means we can love as we chose to love, on proud bended knee or standing tall.
But none are free unless all are free...and so, I go to answer this call."
The PA system spoke the final boarding call, and in terror she held him one last time unto her breast.
She watched as with weapon and ruck sack in hand,
He turned and boarded the plane.
He looked back once and waved and smiled.
As with a smile, both struggled to hide their tears and pain.
He wanted again to hold and love and protect her.
But knew his country called him to fight another fight.
And behind a fence she watched,
Gently touching the collar she wore so proud.
"The freedom to love as we do love," she whispered through her tears..."The freedom to in pride and love bend a knee.
You are right my Master, these things are beyond all cost, but Master...please ...
©SirWolfr1
All Rights Reserved
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"What Is S/M?",
By Mistress Michelle Peters
S/M is not an aberration. S/M is a sexual orientation that is found in a significant percentage of the population. Surveys have listed S/M behavior by as much as 7 to 14% of the population, with interests at up to 50% of the population. To see the prevalence, just look at the public's interest in movies, books, and other artistic expressions with S/M as the dominant theme. After all, Hollywood would not invest money if there was not a large interest. Historically, S/M behavior was listed as a psychological problem, as was masturbation and homosexuality. Today, however, these various orientations are not considered a problem unless the person with the love map is unhappy about their interests.
S/M is not new. S/M activities have been performed by many religions and cultures. Early Christian mystics used it (flails and hair shirts, oh my.) Native Americans continue to use it for vision quests. Fakirs from India use it. That same energy can be used for spiritual journeys, sexual ecstasy, or personal bliss.
S/M is not fetishism. Fetishism substitutes an object for relationship. S/M can very much involve relationship. In fact, because of the requirements for trust and good communication, to even participate in S/M with another calls for the development of good relationship skills.
S/M is erotic psychodrama. The exchange of power in S/M is a framework for risk taking and for trusting. The shared reality created by S/M gives the participants the permission to explore their erotic fantasies. S/M has often been referred to as high-tech sex. The experience is incomparable.
S/M does not feel like what it looks like. In the model of the popular press, the Dominant or sadist does as he/she wishes, without regard to the needs of the submissive or masochist. In practice, it is the submissive or masochist that has the final say. APEX teaches the needs for good communications up front, the use of "safe" words that will stop the action if the submissive ever feels the event is not working, and a time of communications after the event so that both parties can learn and so that the next time will be even better.
S/M is not especially dangerous. Some S/M activities are more athletic than others. For more strenuous activities the individuals should be in good physical shape, just as for any other sport. For most S/M activities the players must know what they are doing. The shared education and experience of other players can be invaluable.
S/M is not sexist. Sexism tries to impose dominant-submissive roles according to gender. In S/M roles are chosen according to our inner feelings. S/M is honest, shared eroticism which includes men and women who prefer either or both roles.
Sometimes S/M is done in a brief scene with a stranger. Sometimes it is a full time relationship. Usually S/M is done in negotiated episodes (or scenes) between people who know and like one another.
S/M is not repressed anger or covert hatred. Actually it is impossible to do good S/M with someone you do not like.
S/M takes a lot of energy, preparation, time, and attention. Most practitioners do a lot more of "vanilla" (i.e. non S/M) sex than they do S/M.
S/M is as much an attitude as it is action. When traveling, the dominant may wish to drive the car in order to be in control and express their power; or the submissive may wish to drive the car as an expression of taking care of their dominant. Who's in charge is far from obvious. It is a dance involving both parties.
S/M people come from all walks of life. Some come from abusive backgrounds and practicing S/M can be part of their healing. Some come from healthy families and are looking for self fulfillment. Some identify as "liters', having S/M fantasies from their earliest memories. Still others are new to the concept and felt a connection when they tried it. S/M people come from all genders and orientations. As a result, S/M groups have been on the forefront of establishing common ground between heterosexuals, gays, and lesbians.
S/M people are everywhere. There are national organizations, such as the National Leather Association. There are local chapters of the NLA in many states. There are many independent local organizations supporting people in the S/M life-style. These local organizations have different charters and purposes. APEX is one such local organization whose charter includes individuals of all genders, gender orientations, and all associated fetishes. Every year some of these organizations put on local and national conferences and conventions. Some of these conventions may have only a hundred or so attendees. Others have thousands. Like any convention, there are meetings discussing a variety of topics, as well as a vendors' exhibit area with the S/M life-style equipment and literature of the available for purchase. To attend one of these conventions is to truly know that we are not alone.










