As always, and especially on this board, there will be people advocating the decriminalization of prostitution in Texas. There are places in the country where it is legal (Nevada, but not in the big cities), though it is the exception. I would say Texas tends to look the other way much of the time (except perhaps with streetwalkers), but I doubt there is much of any significant support for getting rid of the laws. As for where cops spend their time, all our laws should be enforced, not just the ones against violent crime. Besides the inherent issue of Justice in that, I think the prosecution of crimes like prostitution falls well into the Broken Windows theory of crime prevention (the idea that minor infractions committed with impunity encourages more serious crime thorugh its lack of deterrence and its contributions to a perception of a lawless, neglected, broken environment). Add that to the fact that many people mixed up in prostitution are also mixed up in other illegal activities like drug use, drug trade, exploitation (sexual and otherwise), molestation, abuse, money laundering and so on, and I really don't have any problems with our police resources going to cracking down on these things.
Cuz de ladies is so fiiiiiine dere! "Shake it, Natasha! Shake it like you're on the tractor assembly line!"
Saule ZHUNUSOVA Kazakhstan Saule was born in northern Kazakhstan into a big family. She is a student at ‘Kazakh Specialized School, her favourite subjects are Russian Literature, history and chemistry, her future ambition is to be a Lawyer. Saule enjoys cooking, dancing, folk music and working out. She is very much looking forward to meeting all the other national winners and going to China. Languages: Kazakh, Russian and English I've seen better...but I've also seen worse...
== Houston Chronicle, 11/18 Many of the female workers arrested were not charged with prostitution in exchange for giving statements about the nature of the organizations, Jett said. Owners and operators charged with one count each of engaging in organized criminal activities. Jett said investigators seized business records, more than $57,000 in cash and three vehicles used for business. Two bank accounts believed to contain more than $150,000 also have been frozen, he said. == Sounds like they used RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) laws on the owners.
I can't believe Texas had a legit brothel (like in Europe) in La Grange until Marvin f'ing Zindler shut it down in the 80's. I heard the Sheriff pimp slapped Marvin too.
I know decriminalization is a lost cause in Texas, but most of the people against it either refuse to face the facts or are hypocritical. The sex trade will not go away because of laws or task forces. Why not spend money to help those in the trade, instead of persecuting them? All of the points that Isabel brought up could be improved by legalization and regulation. For example, if you want to be a sex worker, you need to get a biweekly doctor's exam. The women involved would probably make more money per client, and some of the shadiness would go away because the business itself is above board. The only valid argument against prostitution is the moral one. But is it right to legislate morality? I would argue that the government's primary role should be to protect and minimize harm to it's citizens. In this case, the government took both a workplace and a job away from these women. I'm sure that they are happy to be out of those dens of iniquity and back on welfare or washing dishes or on the streets.
I remember once finding a message board for people who frequent these places. I wish I could remember where it was just to read how many of them might be crapping their pants for paying with a credit card.
