Eloit Spitzer, the FBI, and prostitution
March 11th 2008 02:47
I'm sure most people have heard the news by now. Eliot Spitzer, the governor of New York, was caught in a sting busting an expensive call girl ring. Not the type of behavior a married man should be doing, for sure. He should be ashamed of himself and what he has done to his family. But one has to ask, just what are the priorities at the FBI?
If you listen to the White House there are terrorists lurking around every corner waiting to pounce on poor Americans not protected by the Bush Administration and their civil liberty violations. We are in a "war" for our very survival, if you believe the hype. So why is the FBI wasting valuable time and resources investigating call girls?
Don't get me wrong, I'm not rising to Spitzer's defense here. I'm sure some will accuse me of defending him because he is a Democrat, but that's not the case. His actions speak for themselves. And for that matter, I don't think a law enforcement agency should waste it's valuable time staking out men's rooms waiting for wayward conservative Senators to widen their stance. How would you like to be the cop that got that duty?
Prostitution is legal in some countries and is far less of a problem where it is. It is essentially a victimless crime when done under the light of regulation, like in most of Nevada. Of course it is an unsavory career choice for most, but for those who choose it openly it can work for them. The problems - like drug abuse, physical abuse from customers and pimps, and robbery come when the "oldest profession" takes place in the shadows. Only an idiot will try to say it doesn't take place, so why not operate it above board?
What the Eliot Spitzer affair does show is that a person's behavior can indeed bring shame to himself and his family. And because the "relationship" was set up in New York and the act occurred in another state, the penalties can be many years in prison because it violates federal law. The Mann act sets some hard time down for interstate prostitution.
That aside, I return to my original question. Why is the FBI wasting it's time and resources pursuing what is in effect a consenting act between adults? Eliot Spitzer apologized to his family and his constituents. Whether either group decides to accept it is up to them. And about that wiretap - was it obtained through a court order, or is this some fallout from warrant less wiretapping?
If you listen to the White House there are terrorists lurking around every corner waiting to pounce on poor Americans not protected by the Bush Administration and their civil liberty violations. We are in a "war" for our very survival, if you believe the hype. So why is the FBI wasting valuable time and resources investigating call girls?
Don't get me wrong, I'm not rising to Spitzer's defense here. I'm sure some will accuse me of defending him because he is a Democrat, but that's not the case. His actions speak for themselves. And for that matter, I don't think a law enforcement agency should waste it's valuable time staking out men's rooms waiting for wayward conservative Senators to widen their stance. How would you like to be the cop that got that duty?
Prostitution is legal in some countries and is far less of a problem where it is. It is essentially a victimless crime when done under the light of regulation, like in most of Nevada. Of course it is an unsavory career choice for most, but for those who choose it openly it can work for them. The problems - like drug abuse, physical abuse from customers and pimps, and robbery come when the "oldest profession" takes place in the shadows. Only an idiot will try to say it doesn't take place, so why not operate it above board?
What the Eliot Spitzer affair does show is that a person's behavior can indeed bring shame to himself and his family. And because the "relationship" was set up in New York and the act occurred in another state, the penalties can be many years in prison because it violates federal law. The Mann act sets some hard time down for interstate prostitution.
That aside, I return to my original question. Why is the FBI wasting it's time and resources pursuing what is in effect a consenting act between adults? Eliot Spitzer apologized to his family and his constituents. Whether either group decides to accept it is up to them. And about that wiretap - was it obtained through a court order, or is this some fallout from warrant less wiretapping?
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