The Spitzer Double Standard And How To Solve It
The former New York Governor writes in Sunday’s Washington Post about how to deal with the economic crisis going forward, and how his own actions prevent him from participating as he did in the past.
And, while he won’t be charged in connection with his use of prostitutes–
Justice Department guidelines disfavor indictments against clients of prostitution rings, even those who transport women across state lines to have sex in violation of the Mann Act. Spitzer acknowledged making payments to the service, which amounted to “acceptance of responsibility for his conduct,” said Michael J. Garcia, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.
–women who service Spitzer and men like him are continually arrested. Natalie McLennan was dating and working for the pimp who recruited Spitzer’s call-girl, Ashley Dupre. When McLennan’s agency was busted she wound up in jail, but none of her clients faced the legal consequences she did.
Clearly, there is a double standard at work. Spitzer may have lost the governorship in a humiliating public scandal, but I can assure the former governor that that doesn’t compare to the private pain of having your mother visit you in jail, where you’re clad in a standard-issue uniform and not allowed to hug her.
Three years later, I still struggle with the fallout from my arrest.
Why is it that escorts, bookers and escort-agency owners are consistently punished and made examples of - and the same isn’t true for the clients of these agencies?
Clients who, like Spitzer, have full knowledge of the laws they’re breaking but don’t hesitate to do so over and over again?
It’s obvious that when Spitzer participated in his illegal activities, he was acting under the assumption the so-called “sheriff” was above the law.
Apparently, he was correct.
There’s no question that Spitzer is a hypocrite. As a prosecutor, he went after the the kinds of enterprises he utilized. If government didn’t worry so much about adults who choose to engage in mutual pleasure with or without the exchange of money, then both those who offer adult services and their clients could go about life in peace. How about we stop this charade of chasing after pleasure-givers and pleasure-seekers. In fact, in such a bad economy, there’s a wonderful tax base that legalization could provide.
When, oh when are we as a nation going to realize we are not going to eliminate prostitution at all and simply legalize it and regulate it so its not a disease/drug spreading industry that offers no taxes, no community regulation, and no benefits.
Prostitution will never go away. I think its high time people in America stop sniffing glue while reading the bible and understand that. If its approached correctly, we could have a very professional air about the whole business of this mostly victimless crime. We are a country that legalizes pornography, so you can watch women getting paid to have sex, but you yourself cannot partake in what hollywood does daily.
be nice when society stops their knuckle-dragging mindsets.
I never prejudge any felon of any crime whatsoever until I hear their side of the story. America arrests people on the absurd and slaps the F tag on people quickly.
November 16th, 2008 at 11:19 am
I acknowledge we should legalize and regulate prostitution, but I hate the practice, especially since many of the women and men are not willing participants but deceived by false promises, and are raped time and time again by Johns that know nothing, or usually want to know nothing, of these sexual slaves circumstances.
November 16th, 2008 at 11:57 am
“Johns” should pay the same price as the prostitute…in fact, we should make the Johns pay the prostitute’s fine for her…(or him). One of the best ways to change a law is to enforce it strictly by the letter of the law…..
Enhance the enforcement by starting a national DNA data bank of all “Johns”, too. That will allow even more public scrutiny in the future if the clients go elsewhere….he he he…..
Nail Them!!!
November 16th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Legalization needs to be addressed. However, the priority before that is addressing the hypocrisy and corruption of people like Spitzer. And like McLellan writes above, everyone that is a part of the illegal activity should face consequences, not just the pimps and prostitutes. Every person who seeks out their services knows full well that they’re engaging in something that is illegal.
Case in point- a Secret Service agent was arrested last week in DC for seeking out a prostitute. What’s more, he was driving his SS vehicle!
November 16th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
“Justice Department guidelines disfavor indictments against clients of prostitution rings…”
But if you’re “little people”, then maybe the guidelines don’t “disfavor” indictments so much.
November 16th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Legalize prostitution!
November 16th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Once again we have a situation in which the logical solution is legalization but due to religious convictions of some the many must tolerate unjust or unsound laws. I never plan to use the ladies of the night but I also am blessed to know many attractive women I might try to date. So I’m not chomping at the bit like some unforunate individuals.
November 16th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Prostitution weill remain illegal as long as prostitutes are frequented by hypocrital men who want the service but reserve the right to preach against others who do the same thing. In other words - it will always be illegal. Prostitution may be the oldest profession but politics is the second oldest.
November 16th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Being caught with high price ‘escorts’ like Spitzer and Dick Morris were are an aberration.
It’s generally the street walker level hooker or the ‘house’ hooker that are caught and prosecuted.
The lower levels are also the ones that have drug or criminal connections.
Just an observation.
November 17th, 2008 at 1:57 am
Uh….Prostitution, legal or illegal, hurts women. Porn hurts women, as well.
Sexual addiction is skyrocketing. Making prostitution legal is like throwing gasoline on the fire.
If we were a relatively homogenous (and sane!) society like, say, the Scandinavian countries, it probably wouldn’t be a problem.
But we’re not. And it would be a problem.
November 17th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Kind of ironic this was posted right before the puppy mill thing, by the way.
November 17th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
I feel sorry for those poor BMW driving Hooters Girls that make $400 night in tips and the Topless Dancers that drive Mercedes Benz and clear $1500 a day.The way they are exploited is shameful.
I’ll be back after supper—I am going to eat $20 worth of oysters and leave a $10 tip to that poor girl in the orange shorts.
November 17th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Bryan: “I feel sorry for those poor BMW driving Hooters Girls that make $400 night in tips and the Topless Dancers that drive Mercedes Benz and clear $1500 a day.The way they are exploited is shameful.
I’ll be back after supper—I am going to eat $20 worth of oysters and leave a $10 tip to that poor girl in the orange shorts.”
Nice to hear your wife’s doing so well peddling the flesh, Bryan. Tell your daughter to pull her orange shorts up a bit higher in the crack, and maybe her tips will rise to $20. Then again, she can always nip out to some guy’s camaro for an extra $50, if prostitution becomes legal. How long did your mom dance topless, anyway?
November 17th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Sarah—name calling and suggesting my family is into the prostituition business—you are a litle more bent than I thought.Have I ever said you are a whore? That anyone in your family was was?(the family you want to strike a match too you said).
A 12 step progam may help you through your troubles Sarah.Medication or counseling may be needed to help you overcome your deep rooted anger and self hatred.Or you can just sit on your butt and blame the rest of the world for yor troubles—it seems to have worked so far.
November 17th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
Bryan, you were the one lauding the benefits of prostitution, not I. If it’s so great and lucrative, why wouldn’t you welcome your female family members to enter the oldest profession, eh?
Clearly I touched a nerve. Or more clearly, you didn’t think out the ramifications of the way those women “earned” their BMWs.
The fact is, those women who use their bodies for money are someone’s mother, daughter or future grandmother.
That’s the point I was making.
(P.S.– I know you wish I hated myself, but actually, I have a great life! Lots of loved ones, friends and volunteer opportunities. Sorry to disappoint you….)
November 17th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Sarah—I never mentioned prostitution.
Hooters Girls and Topless Dancers.Or in your mind is that prostitution? Now please tell us all how prostitution and porn hurts women who freely partcipate in prostitution and porn.
Does it bother you those women make money the way they do? If it does please tell us all why.Is it jealousy or envy? Again Sarah–I never mentioned prostitution so once again—-you lied.But the ones that see here ae used to it.No Worries
November 17th, 2008 at 11:44 pm