Paypal has become a national disaster. First, they messed with free speech by going after Bill Quick's blog (I don't know if they're calling him a "hate site," but I've already threatened to close my account -- as if they'd care!).

And now they've announced a Mutaween-style crackdown:

Beginning Friday, PayPal will begin penalizing users who buy things it doesn't want them to: prescription drugs from unverified pharmacies, material with even a whiff of sex and gambling or lottery services. . . .

Its policy on adult materials is especially stringent, banning not only any material or services suggesting sexual activity but also "non-adult services whose Web site marketing can be reasonably misconstrued as allowing adult material or services to be purchased using PayPal."

I'm not an expert on the competition, but here are some alternatives for people who are disgusted with Paypal.

And there's always e-gold.