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 can catch a plane within the hour and be there by about midnight your time.
;-)
Somehow, I don't believe that the People's Republic of Oakland, CA., (home of the Black Panthers, and Governor Moonbeam) is being dictated to by "Christian Fundamentalists".
Got a date tonight, B...
I'm gone for the weekend - back Sunday Night... Let's look at next week.
;^)
*sniffle* :(
I just created it tonight - trying to keep track...
I did ping you though!!!
I'm editing now...
Much better. :o)
uh, I plan on keeping my naivete in that area intact.
Hey, man, I would die 4 U.
Here I am, patiently waiting for my royalties.
This is comparable to law enforcement not prosecuting criminals who got caught in the background check trying to buy guns over the counter.
Excuuuse me?
You find an article on prostitution and...WHAM!...Bloody Sam Roberts pops into yer head?
Not that I'm a prude mind you. Nor do I mind the thought being 'pinged' by you darlin'....but let's be a little more delicate, shall we?
"Oh, I say, Sam old boy. Found this ghaaaastly article on the world's second oldest profession. Have a look-see will you? See if it piques your interest."
Stupid libertarians...now just why in the hell wouldn't you want to meddle into other people's private business? Just ridiculous...
Wise!!!
I remember when one of my country buddies came to SF with me...
She walked up to a "pro" and was telling "her" what great "gams" she had... I had to practically drag her away from the MAN in DRAG!!!
Geez....
Dang.... If that's true - we should have met by now!!!
Teeny - you never introduced me to Sam!!!
Actually - I've never been able to kill someone with a stripper.
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