Posted on 06/01/2005 4:05:37 PM PDT by Dashing Dasher
In a civilized and progressive country, buying sex from a prostitute would be no different than buying meat from a butcher. Indeed, most Western countries have reasonable laws regarding prostitution, in the U.S. we are faced with Christian fundamentalists imposing their values on the rest of us. If they can't browbeat us into joining their moral crusade, then they will enact laws to prevent us from doing what they secretly wish they could.
Buy sex from a hooker in liberal Oakland, Ca and you many lose your vehicle and see your mug shot plastered on a billboard or bus shelter.
Oakland police initiated a new "shaming campaign" to crack down on the oldest profession. The program will include surveillance cameras erected along busy streets. Videotapes of those soliciting ladies of pleasure will be handed over to Oakland police and Alameda County prosecutors. Customers convicted of soliciting prostitution could see their visages featured prominently on billboards and at bus stops. In addition to enduring 15 minutes of infamy, johns will also have their automobiles seized by the police.
The role of law enforcement should be to prevent crime, protect citizens and apprehend criminals -- it should not be to shame, ridicule or humiliate lawbreakers.
In a theocracy like Saudi Arabia, police officers acting in their capacity as moral guardians, sometimes publicly flog transgressors. But in a secular democracy, cops should enforce the law of the land and not attempt to shame citizens into being "morally pure."
When I lived and worked in Oakland , my biggest fear was not being solicited by a lady of the evening. I was more worried about having my home broken into or being hit upside the head by a crack addict.
Instead of implementing a "shaming campaign" to deal with the issue of prostitution, the city of Oakland should legalize it. There are many benefits to legalized prostitution. The benefits include (1) allowing law enforcement agencies to allocate their resources to more serious crimes, (2) freeing the criminal justice system from nuisance cases, (3) helping women who are trapped by prostitution, and (4) preventing children from being ensnared into streetwalking, and (5) enabling trysts to happen within controlled environments that bring about safety for both the customers and the working girls.
Trying to shame citizens into being morally upright should be relegated to the dustbin of history. What's next, if a husband wins his divorce case against his wife, will she be forced to sew a "Scarlet A" on all her outfits?
I think prostitution should be legal.
Can anyone give me a reason why it shouldn't, other than your personal opinion that it's "icky"?
Prostitution has been around since the beginning of time. If I am a moron, and my skills would allow me nothing better than frying up cheeseburgers at McDonalds for five bucks an hour, shouldn't I be able to make a living off of my personal product?
I don't approve of it, I think the men who buy it are pathetic, and I think the women who do it are whores. But I still think it should be legal.
And personally, I would rather have my tax dollars going to something a little more important than trying to embarrass some guy who can't get any without having to pay for it.
sorry for all the words
Damn Libertarians!
;-)
I took BART home from a dinner in OAK the other day. All was fine until the Warrior and A's Games let out at the same time.
I was... nervous... and I don't get nervous often.
I know, I'm pathetic. I just think we need fewer laws. And the fewer laws we have, the fewer tax dollars will be spent futilely enforcing them.
My opinion boils down to I want lower taxes. Across the board. Eliminating stupid laws is a great way to accomplish that, IMO.
Or if the city wanted to make some money, in addition to marriage licenses, they could also offer short-term marriage permits.
; )
Yep... I agree...
I just wonder if we need to have laws to protect people from themselves? Or do we just let them rot...
There is an argument for both, I'm sure.
PS... I read everything you write... don't always agree - but value your opinion.
You gotta read this. Very funny.
Once again today teeny, we are on the same page.
I have always said it should be legal. It's a stupid law. It is two willing parties and a person chooses to use his/her own money to pay for a little hoochy, big deal. It may not be neccessarily moral, but that's up to them and God to decide.
It's like going to a yard sale and buying someone elses crap. One party is selling, one party is buying.
I like it. Smitty boy, I think you might be on to something.
Should I have pinged you to this?
prostitution ping
I forgot to add.. for those who would disagree with my analogy. No, it isn't the same as drugs because drugs clearly can kill people. Not that sex can't, but you can die from sex whether it's a prostitute or just some hooch you pick up in a bar one night for free.
Nah. My mug's well-known enough. I have already appeared in a national print ad. But at least I know what to do now if I need some more publicity. :)
lol
That's funny. Good troll tool.
Here's another...
Thank you. I put it on my page for future reference.
Glad you found us!
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