...not to click links for mail order bride outfits while I'm at work. Mainly because I can't jump into a shower and cleanse off the pathetic.

Earlier in this coloumn, an article from "Dear Abby" was mentioned where part of the advice was something to the effect that there are worse things thing being single. I think mail order brides and husbands definitely fall into that category.

>>there are worse things thing being single. I think mail order brides and husbands definitely fall into that category.>>

True dat, but what these women want is a Green Card, more than they want a husband. An American husband is the best way they know to get into the US.

At least such a thing might shed some reality on the mystique of mail order romance. I have met two women in my town- on Russian and one Chinese, who both married the same violent man, and who both later divorced him.

Why is the U.S. taxpayer paying to research potential husbands for foreign women chasing green cards?

For $30 these foreign women can do the criminal background check themselves via the internet.

Why doesn't American taxpayer money go to protect the American men who will marry these women and their children who will be raised by them?

Americans cannot investigate backgrounds of foreign women via the internet -- that service is available only in America. They are about to be living with a mercenary -- a woman who marries a stranger for economic improvement. And these are particularly vulnerable men who have few other options and particularly vulnerable children who do not have a mother to protect them.

Do these senators believe that foreign women deserve more protection with American taxpayer dollars than American men and children?

she doesn't deserve to die for it.

When an American man kills his immigrant wife,

THAT IS STILL ILLEGAL IN THE US.--and bad.

What he did was wrong and if we can prevent it, we should.

The immigration is a separate issue from the Violence Act. Immigrants will legally immigrate regardless. That's a moot point. Throwing the baby out with the bath water.

However, once they legally immigrate, they have all the legal rights as us US citizens, including the right NOT to be killed by a homicidal husband.

I am still waiting for that one article that mentions women in ANY sense that isn't followed by a ranting hate-filled screed against all women by A Single Man.

Dude, you got some SERIOUS issues.

I hope you don't have any pet kittens.

Apparently Russia is such a mess that there are Russian women who are so desperate to escape that they are willing to marry some complete stranger in America, and that there are enough of these women that an entire industry has been developed around them.

This same country that these women are so desperate to escape from is the also the proud owner of about half the world's supply of nuclear weapons...

Makes you sleep easy at night doesn't it?

"And these are particularly vulnerable men who have few other options ."

They are particularly vulnerable . . . why?

Because they are intimidated why grown-up women who want to be equal partners rather than submissive decorations?

Get a clue. Single women outnumber single men in the U.S.

If a single man has "few other options" than to buy a desperate bride from another country, maybe he'd better look to his own issues.

why "Mr. A Single Man Speaks" is single.

Obviously, the entire four billion dollars would not used for background checks. As is stated in the article, the new provisions of VAWA would require the match-making agency to do background checks on potential husbands. It does not appear that this new law would require any significant governmental funding. The match-making agencies realize a profit from each "match." Doesn't it make sense to have them check out potential husbands to ensure the safety of the women coming from another country? It seems to me that this should actually limit the strain on taxpayers by hopefully screening out the abusers and thereby reducing the number of women who will need to go to the police and the courts to obtain protection.

The four billion dollars that will be spent under the VAWA will go largely towards providing grants to local shelters, agencies, police departments, and family courts. One new program that has been developed by the Office on Violence Against Women gives grants to battered spouses to seek transitional housing.

Finally, I question A Single Man's characterization of men who utilize mail-order brides as "vulnerable." While these men may be lonely and indeed "have few other options," buying a wife off of the internet does not seem to be a particularly vulnerable act. If these men wish to protect themselves from the mercenaries from afar, I would suggest unplugging the computer and trying to meet some local women.

How can society tolerate such injustice! It must be stopped now!!!!!(or don't you believe in equality/androgny)

ordered a bride from overseas. He was morbidly obese and despaired of ever having a relationship. Yes, he tried dating online and off, but couldn't attract a mate. His bride was from the orient, and she was a good woman. He was also a good husband, kind, generous, and (according to her) didn't make any sexual demands. I believe he really loved his wife, but she didn't want the marriage, never did, and it wasn't long before she left him. She wanted a green card, et al, and every other advantage she could get out of the situation. He was very hurt.

Well, at least we know why "A Single Man" is single... no mystery there.

He's the proverbial "I'd rather be alone than date him" guy!!

And another mystery solved -- at least we now know what sort of guy IS trolling the mail order internet wife sites for entertainment value...

>> I knew a man who...ordered a bride from overseas. He was morbidly obese ... He was very hurt>>>

I'm sorry, but I'm not going to feel sorry for the guy just 'cause he's obese. He traded in a human being like cattle, so he gets no sympathy from me.

He treated her like a commodity, so why should he get mad when she does the same to him?