NY Gov Spitzer Caught in Prostitution Ring?

[DanMcQ]

Spitzer Skates

[Boz]

In a statement to the media today, Mr. Spitzer expressed his gratitude about the verdict and announced he would be forming a blue ribbon commission to search for the "real john."

[Elvado]

Somewhere Hank Greenberg is still laughing his ass off.

[Filo]

I'll be honest... for a minute there, I was trying to figure out how Hank Greenberg of Detroit Tigers fame was involved in this mess.

[rosslynhoya]

I'm not a kool aid-drinking libertarian or anything, but

"Authorities could have charged Spitzer with violating the Mann Act, a federal law that bans carrying women or girls across state lines for "prostitution or debauchery, or for any other immoral purpose." But the legal experts say the law is rarely used to prosecute johns."

Regardless of how you feel about soliciting prostitutes, why don't we then purge these laws that are allegedly rarely enforced? Allowing everything to devolve to some lawyer's "discretion" makes a mockery of equal protection and rule of law.

[DanMcQ]

The people speak:

www.theonion.com/content/amvo/spitzer_not_charged

[AustinHoya03]

Nov 7, 2008 10:16:59 GMT -5 rosslynhoya said:

Allowing everything to devolve to some lawyer's "discretion" makes a mockery of equal protection and rule of law.

While I agree systematic non-prosecution stinks, it should be pointed out that it's always within a prosecutor's discretion whether or not to pursue criminal charges. Not all the decisions are good ones.

[hifigator]

Maybe it's just the libertarian in me, but I think prostitution should be legal and licensed. The licenses could serve as a revenue generator and obvioulsy the requried testing would make society a better place. I understand that the religious zealots will oppose prostitution as sex outside of marriage is taboo to them and I understand that many would oppose prostitution in their neighborhood. For that reason, I would suggest a red light district with specified boundaries. I realize that I will be met with a lot of opposition, but that is my opinion.

Now as for elected officials, I don't think they should have a different set of rules, but I would hope that they would understand that engaging in such questionable activities could severely affect their viability as a candidate.

[Elvado]

Maybe it's a bit more than the libertarian in you...

[Boz]

I think prostitution should not only be legal, but managed by the government and subsidized with taxpayer dollars. Why should only those with a few hundred to a few thousand dollars to spend get to take advantage of those services and no one else, huh? Why are the rest of us denied?

We can call it Hoochicare.

(Bringing new meaning to the phrase "when you spread it around, it's good for everybody.")

[hifigator]

Elvado, I'm not sure what you mean. All I meant was that in general I tend to lean strongly to the government leaving people alone. It's hard for me to say whether this issue is just another example of that ideology or whether it is a calculated opinion on the specific subject matter. Either way that's my opinion. And no, I don't have a dog in the fight. I've never experienced any "professionals," if you will. I have glanced through some of those flyers that they pass out all over Vegas though.

[hifigator]

Nov 13, 2008 15:42:37 GMT -5 Boz said:

I think prostitution should not only be legal, but managed by the government and subsidized with taxpayer dollars. Why should only those with a few hundred to a few thousand dollars to spend get to take advantage of those services and no one else, huh? Why are the rest of us denied?

We can call it Hoochicare.

(Bringing new meaning to the phrase "when you spread it around, it's good for everybody.")

Boz, do I detect a note of sarcasm?

In all seriousness, you are against prostitution in general, or just that it needs to be restricted to very specific areas?

[Bando]

Nov 13, 2008 15:42:37 GMT -5 Boz said:

(Bringing new meaning to the phrase "when you spread it around, it's good for everybody.")

BAM!