Efforts in Washington DC to Decriminalized Sex Work

[ShyMan]

Although i agree with decriminalization, there should be an exception for Honey Traps set by foreign governments where the consideration for sex is political or military intelligence or information rather than cash.

Good point EB. But as long as the purchase of sex is tabooed by society at large, Honey Traps will still exist, even though it's an open secret that government officials and diplomats and wealthy dudes entertain themselves and guests with escorts.

I doubt any German politician would want to be known publicly as someone who purchases sex even though prostitution is perfectly legal in Germany.

Based on the insightful comments and suggestions from the learned Merbits like Patron, hungry101, Valcazar, CaptRenault, CLOUD 500, (and many others who are way smarter than me), I've come to conclude that there's really no perfect solution that would protect sex workers and their clients from the law, "society", opportunistic politicians, and hypocrites.

 

[Valcazar]

I don't understand why you would think honey traps wouldn't be illegal if there was decrim. Honey traps break other laws, those laws would still exist.

 

[EagerBeaver]

I don't understand why you would think honey traps wouldn't be illegal if there was decrim. Honey traps break other laws, those laws would still exist.

Of course they would, and Maria Butina was in fact charged with and pled guilty to violating other laws, but she only got 1.5 years. Making a honey trap an illegal act of consideration (political/military/ intelligence secrets/influence) in exchange for sexual favors will enable the prosecutor to add charges and length to the sentence, and then a trained concubine like Butina does not walk after a wrist slap prison sentence. This is a woman who actually infiltrated a presidential press conference and was permitted to address and question the POTUS. If you do not find that disturbing in light of the conduct she pled guilty to and other conduct she was never charged with and we know she did, then I am disturbed.

I also think all of the NRA/Republican operatives she blew should be criminally charged with 3rd degree treason or something like that. Set up a charge for them within that law. If you let a Russian spy suck your dick and you pillow talk things you shouldn't say or discuss, there has to be some criminal charge consequence. These guys could have let her suck some dick and clammed up afterwards.

 

[Valcazar]

I'm not convinced she only got as little as she did because they couldn't charge her with prostitution.

Adding charges because of the method used makes little sense to me. I don't care if she bribed them for secrets or sucked their dick. That they talked is the issue, not the dick sucking.

 

[ShyMan]

That they talked is the issue, not the dick sucking.

No disagreement. There are as many types of honey traps as there are pussy cats. Some honey traps are more deadly as well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJFlaSQNz1w Every spy agency, including the CIA, has used them.


That's why men and women everywhere should have access to the types of escorts that grace lovely Montreal. Let consenting adults pay to play -- the world will be happier and safer

Remember those US secrete service agents who were recalled from Columbia for allegedly hiring prostitutes. https://www.washingtonian.com/2013/03/25/secret-service-prostitution-scandal-one-year-later/ The dudes should have been allowed to pay some local SW's to suck their dicks, return to their base of operation, get up the next day and get ready to take a bullet, if necessary, for President Obama.

 

[EagerBeaver]

The Secret Service agents were recalled because this type of behavior off campus invites ways to compromise the security of the nation. They are supposed to be on duty their entire time spent in a foreign country. If it is known by foreign assassins that they consort with prostitutes, the prostitutes can be used as tools to drug them as a prelude to an assassination attempt. It's making the job of any foreign assassin that much easier if the ground intelligence is that the the agents protecting the president are consorting with prostitutes of any kind. That's why those guys got recalled, it was for not doing their jobs.

 

[Valcazar]

What EB said. Those agents lost their jobs as security risks.

 

[CaptRenault]

Elizabeth Nolan Brown's excellent report in Reason.com on the DC decriminalization bill:

https://reason.com/2019/10/18/this-...raws-14-hours-of-passionate-public-testimony/

 

[Valcazar]

While I am on her side of this, I would like to read a report from the other side as well, since Brown admits she is heavily biased on the issue.
It makes it hard to know how hard she is spinning the opposing side's presentation. (Probably not much, since I have definitely seen people like that.)

 

[EagerBeaver]

The article interestingly analyzes the battle having developed along racial lines with the decriminalization movement largely coming from younger people in the black and minority community in the DC area, while criticizing the hypocrisy of the opposition which attempts to portray the sponsor's endeavors as being on behalf of older, rich white male constituents. It seems like some national level opposition groups got involved because they perceived that this bill has much better organized support than the prior failed bill in 2017. It will be interesting to see what happens.

 

[Harcourt Mudd]

It would be political suicide for any politician to back this issue. Only public consensus will effect change in this matter.

 

[EagerBeaver]

It would be political suicide for any politician to back this issue. Only public consensus will effect change in this matter.

Not in the District of Columbia, where the decriminalization movement is largely made up of young African Americans, and the demographics of the District are that blacks are the majority (51%) and whites are a minority (38%). The white politician sponsoring the bill has to have black votes to get re-elected; his position is hearing a voice in that constituency.

 

[ShyMan]

If decriminalization passes, it would appear that Congress can fuck everyone over and nullify the new law.

That's my fear, those bastards! Leave us alone! Let consenting adults be adults behind closed doors.

 

[Valcazar]

Pressley seems pretty solid on this stuff. I'm surprised you didn't mention she put restricting civil asset forfeiture in there as well.

 

[Valcazar]

She is one, though. Just not running for President yet. Would not be surprised to see her in the mix next time.

On forfeiture, Warren and Sanders are your leading candidates, I think.

 

[ShyMan]

Thanks for the article Patron.

“Sex work is work and should not be criminalized by the state,” state Sen. Julia Salazar (D), a co-sponsor of the bill, said in June.


“Our current policies only empower traffickers and others who benefit from keeping sex work in the shadows,” Salazar added. “New York state needs to listen to sex workers and make these common-sense reforms to keep sex workers safe and empower sex workers in their workplaces.”

I know I'm preaching to the choir, but I agree with this statement 100%. Let's hope more lawmakers and LE discharge their official duties guided by such facts and realities.