This week, Melissa
Farley and Norma Ramos wrote an op-ed saying it was unjust that former
New York Governor Eliot Spitzer wasn't criminally charged for
prostitution. In writing, Farley (who is the founder of the
nonprofit group Prostitution Research and Education) and Ramos (the
coexecutive director of the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women)
argue that "U.S. Attorney Michael J. Garcia's decision not to pursue
criminal charges against Mr. Spitzer for buying women in prostitution
is a stunning betrayal of the public trust."
It is a statement that many readers agreed with, most pulling the card that if Spitzer were a "normal citizen," he would be behind bars: "I guess we argue that he should get a break because of his position and public service," wrote one reader, "But I sure hope I can get the same break if I make a similar mistake."
Others pointed out that law enforcement and prostitution have always
played against each other precariously; as cops continue to clean the
streets, the business of prostitution continues to thrive. "Law
enforcement has typically prosecuted the women involved in prostitution
while turning a blind eye to the johns who buy them," observes one commenter. "Just another glaring example of sexism in America."
Regardless of how the law handles prostitution or sexism, many agreed that Spitzer knew what he was getting
into. "Whether you think prostitution should be illegal or not is not the question," says JenDee. "The fact is that he was quite aware of the law and chose to break it. He should be prosecuted as such."
On the flipside, many commenters argued that the prostitute
Spitzer hired, Ashley Dupre, may be considered less of a victim because
of the money she earned while working. So maybe she
deserves less protection from the law? "I am sure that there are women (and men) who are forced into prostitution against their will," says one reader. "But I am also virtually certain that none of the women whom the former Governor solicited are in that group." Others agreed: "Ashley became a pro to support a glamorous lifestyle and didn't have the money to pay for it," argued one reader. "She
was NOT destitute and did not need the money so badly like so many
other young women. She used him and he used her. She's not a victim and
therefore no prosecution is necessary because of equal protection under
the law."
The argument that this specific case was "victimless" is one that many readers brought up in support of the former Governor. "They are both willfully breaking the law," said one reader of the situation, followed by another reader adding, " if people in high places can not behave orderly, why should they expect others to behave?" Good question. Perhaps there's a solution to be found in one of the first comments on the piece: "At the least, Mr. Spitzer should be required to perform community service," the comment begins. "He
should be ordered to work for one of the numerous agencies that try to
rebuild the lives of the women involved in prostitution. Maybe some
firsthand experience with women whose lives were destroyed by
prostitution would rehabilitate Mr. Spitzer."
What do you think of that solution? And should Ashley have similar
responsibilities? Is she a victim, or is this a "victimless crime"?
Sound off below.
(And a note from your blogger: Sorry it has been
a few days since the last post. We've been at work on a commemorative
Obama issue. That's all I'll say for now, but look for it on newstands
later this week.)
