Wednesday Friday links

1. A really awesome story about a brave woman who turned a vandalized car into a movie and book deal. H/t Feministing.

2. Pointedly funny op-ed by The Guy Who’s Where He Is Only Because He’s Black. You know, that one. (PostBourgie tells me that he even has a blog.)

3. I really like this blog. The Apostate.

4. Is Obama flipping Clinton the bird? It looks like it to me. Not cool.

5. A new set of DVDs looks at early movies by women filmmakers.

6. Just when you think they can't shock you any more: Missouri's trying to pass a law that would require women seeking abortions to undergo psychological evaluations first. For their own good, you know.

Before the physician recommends or performs an abortion, a licensed physician, licensed psychologist, licensed social worker, or licensed registered nurse has evaluated the woman to identify any pressures to consent to the abortion and the presence of any risk factors

. Did you catch that? The *presumption* here is that women are not capable of freely consenting to abortion *without being professionally evaluated* as to whether or not she is telling the truth. Because she might be lying. About being pressured to have an abortion.

And if she is, then it's in her interest not to let her have one. Because . . . women who are undergoing surgery because someone is pressuring them into it will be better off if you tell them no. Somehow. No, really, dear, you'll thank me later.

7. DC Madam Commits Suicide:

Palfrey was convicted April 15 by a federaljury of money laundering, using the mail system for illegal purposes and racketeering. She was free pending sentencing on July 24, when she could have received a maximum sentence of six years in prison.

Prosecutors said Palfrey operated the prostitution service for 13 years, earning more than $2 million. She had insisted that if women engaged in sex for money, it was without her consent.

One of the famous clients who was accused of using the service was Sen. David Vitter (R-Louisiana). He apologized in July 2007, after his telephone number appeared among those connected to Palfrey.

"This was a very serious sin in my past for which I am, of course, completely responsible," Vitter said in a statement at the time. "Several years ago, I asked for and received forgiveness from God and my wife in confession and marriage counseling. Out of respect for my family, I will keep my discussion of the matter there -- with God and them. But I certainly offer my deep and sincere apologies to all I have disappointed and let down in any way."

Vitter was elected to the Senate in 2004. He represented Louisiana in the House from 1999 to 2004. Vitter and his wife, Wendy, live in Metairie, La., with their four children.

One of the woman who worked for the escort service was identified as former University of Maryland professor Brandy Britton, who was arrested on prostitution charges in 2006. She committed suicide in January before she was scheduled to go to trial.