You know he's a Democrat...

[dsrtao]

...because when Governor Spitzer was accused of and has admitted to hiring prostitutes, the prostitutes in question are not his gender and are legal adults. Makes for an interesting contrast to the last two-dozen Republican sex scandals.

For the record, I think that the problem here is largely between Spitzer and his wife, plus whatever degree of hypocrisy is exposed by the ex-Attorney General's previous prosecution of the same statutes. (It wouldn't surprise me if no prostitution cases ever came to his personal attention, but he did supervise the office which handled those cases.) It might be a good idea for NYS to overhaul their prostitution laws. As with illegal drugs, I suspect that a great deal of the crime and social turmoil associated with the issue is the result of the laws, rather than of the actions.

Comments

[dlevey.livejournal.com]

This isn't a NY law issue - it's federal. He brought her across state lines (NY to DC) for "immoral" purposes. That's why the FBI got involved.

[alexx-kay.livejournal.com]

I hear that he made part of his rep by busting prostitution rings, so hypocrisy is a significant factor here. (I do agree with you on the other points.)

[dsrtao]

Read http://osewalrus.livejournal.com/272776.html -- the prostitution rings in question were sex tourism operations, specializing in children and other slaves.

[alexx-kay.livejournal.com]

Heh. I just now read that exact post, and was about to amend my comment with a link to it.

[liamstliam.livejournal.com]

The governor of the state committed a crime.

It may be a silly thing that it's a crime, but it's a crime.

As I said to Justin, Spitzer was elected on a "White Knight" campaign.

He's also has several other issues that have sent his approval rating plumetting.

[dsrtao]

Bogus argument, Liam. Apart from trivial cases -- babies, perhaps some kids up through their teens -- it is my contention that everyone in the US has committed some kind of crime. It can't be used as a reasonable basis for condemnation alone -- you also have to say that the crime in question *should be a crime*, and *should be one in these circumstances*. Otherwise you're handing over your ethics to the state, which is not in my opinion a good thing.

As is probably clear from my original post, I think that prostitution qua prostitution should not be a crime. (Rape, sexual abuse, nonconsentual acts, abuse of a minor -- all of those, yes. Paying money for sex, no.)

[liamstliam.livejournal.com]

I would politely disagree.

He committed a crime, a feral crime, and really it does not matter what it is.

He also embarrassed himself and the people who support him.

You just cannot have a governor doing that. (My opinion).

I don't think we can argue that prostitution shouldn't be a crime and that makes it better, because it *is* a crime.

Yes, this is a button for me, and I have stated my opinion.

You have to remember, I think Bill Clinton should have resigned when the Monica Lewinsky stuff came out. Not for any crime, but just for what he did and where he did it.

And, yes, I have done some things that would have gotten me suspended or fired from my teaching job (DWI comes to mind), but fortunately, I was never arrested.

I have also done things that were not crimes, but could have gotten me suspended/fired.

Teachers are held to a higher standard.

Governors, even higher.

(Though I have to admit, this would be event more amusing had it been former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney).

[dsrtao]

I can't bring myself to idolize any politician that way. He did commit a federal crime, but it does matter what it is and what the circumstances were. Kindly remember the source of most civil rights in the USA - civil disobedience.

(Am I suggesting that Spitzer proudly took a stand for the right to hook? No. I'm suggesting that in twenty years, this may look as stupid as making a fuss over what color the governor or president's skin is, or whether she's a Catholic, or whether he sold beer out the back of a general store during Prohibition.)

You seem to be saying that I should judge Spitzer on the basis of being caught, whereas you were not caught. I don't think that being caught bears any relationship to the ethics of the situation -- do you?

[be-well-lowell.livejournal.com]

a feral crime?

Typo of the week, that is.

[its-just-me.livejournal.com]

Here here!

[be-well-lowell.livejournal.com]

Spitzer disagrees with you. Far more than I do, at least: he said that what he did "violates my, or any, sense of right and wrong."