Is the average American really this lame brained??

Question

Yesterday, my fiancee and I went out to breakfast at the local greasy spoon (and yes, Im still feeling the effects, thanks very much...) We were reading the newspaper...

I came across an article regarding the Washington DC Madam that was recently brought up on charges, who was planning on selling her list of client names to fund her defense - however the judge blocked her sale of the names and phone numbers of over 15K people - most of whom are high powered politicians and people inside our Govt.

I remarked to my fiancee that it was a shame that the judged blocked the sale, and it was, in my opinion, unfair to the defendant.
From out of nowhere, so 55+ year old coot shouts at us: "She is a criminal who deserves the full punishment of the law! She broke the law, and now she must pay!" I asked what that has to do with the sale of her property for a defense fund, and the guy replied "She has $2M in the bank. She can use that."

I had to remind this guy that in America 1) you are innocent until proven guilty, 2) the crime of prostitution requires two people to engage in - the persona soliciting sex for money, and the PERSON PAYING FOR SEX... so, every erson on her list is just as guilty as she is - and they run our Govt!! 3) When the Feds prosecute you for a business crime, they will freeze your assets - so she CANT use the $2M in her bank that is beleived to come from illegal sources!!!

Why are my Fellow Americans so short sighted??

Answer 1

Sorry. It has nothing to do with bias or preference or saving your good ol' boys buddies or because he is wealthy or influential or both. Those names are protected, as is yours, under the Constitution of the United States of America. These people are entitled to a right of privacy under the Constitution of our country. It doesn't matter who they are or what they've done. But, aside from the Son of Sam law, which also is an arguable issue in and of itself, legally, this woman does not have the authority to make public these names without their prior consent, which I'm pretty certain we all know they would not give. This is a legal issue. You cannot approach the law from an emotional standpoint. Decisions are based on our Constitution,our legislative statutes and case law.

Answer 2

I find this to be yet another ridiculous law that Americans have to abide by. Couple of things here. Sex is legal...Selling is legal...So why isn't selling sex legal? I find it absurd that prostitution is illegal in the first place. And I know what the arguments are. Little girls are selling their bodies and the women are all diseased. Well if it were legal and under some sort of oversight, then guess what, the little girls would not be involved and the women would be clean. But instead men and women who want to find a good time and are willing to pay good money for it are now criminals because the oldest profession in the world is illegal in our backward-*** country. Where in the Constitution does it say one cannot sell his/her body? It doesn't. Why this woman is even being prosecuted is beyond me.

Now as far as the selling of the names, I think she should do it any-damn-way. It is obviously not illegal to sell the names you get through business, how do you think credit cards get your names and tellemarketers, too? The judge is probably on the list and this is why he doesn't want her to do it, that or he has friends on that list. Its stupid and she should be able to provide for her own defense. And as you said, those who participated also committed this so-called crime and should probably be punished if she is going to be punished.

Also, not all Americans are that limited in their intelligence. However an fairly high number are. Think of it this way... Think of the most average person you know as far as intelligence and then remember that half the people are dumber than him. Its unfortunate but its true. Thanks and have a nice day.

Answer 3

So, she should be able to sell the names and numbers, profit even further from her illegal activities (which, by the way, profiting from criminal activity in that manner is illegal in some cases and certainly blocked by many other judges in many other cases) AND compromise the legal case against her (evidence that may be used for a trial is often kept under wraps to ensure the integrity of the information) and any future legal cases that may be brought against those who are found to have been her "clients".

Now, I get your whole "innocent until proven guilty" argument. BUT. How is she going to make an argument for her innocence on one hand and, on the other, be offering to sell her "client" list to make a few thousand?? Sorry, but I think that the S.S. Innocence has already left port.

Answer 4

Wow...lotsa meat in this one!

Firstly, I agree that prostitution is a two way street...and those that solicit the business share 50% of the blame. Using that thinking, however, you will have to include the children who are purchasing drugs from a schoolyard dealer in the prosecution process. Fair is fair.

The blocking of the list would not have happened if she had not stated the profile of the names...that should have been kept quiet, and she should have followed through with her plans.

And finally, yes, your fellow Americans are that shortsighted. It appears that people take a stand on issues, and block out any opposition to that stand. They don't listen to any further discussion or evidence once they have made up their minds. Makes you think about the validity of the American jury system, doesn't it???

Answer 5

There are too many people that don't seem to deserve to be alive. I keep saying "Someone please get me off this planet."
However, be advised of the "Son of Sam" law, which prevents a person from profiting by their crimes - meaning book deals, movies, and sale of a list of Johns.
And besides, you can contaminate witnesses that way. THEY could get immunity or reduced or suspended sentences, but if SHE gives them up, they could choose not to cooperate at ALL, deny the whole thing - it can complicate matters.
And while it's innocent until proven guilty, people are still remanded without bail at times because they are a flight risk, passports are revoked, etc. even though they are still innocent, or at least not guilty.

Answer 6

I ask myself the same question everyday. Chances are you won't get any real responses. Just a lot of name calling and twisted accusations.

I think the information in the little black book should be made known and each name should be prosecuted as a John. Isn't that what would happen in any other city with any other prostitute?

But money and power rule in Washington. There is no room for American laws let alone moral law/ethics.

Answer 7

Prostitution is a victimless crime that will NEVER be stopped. It should be legal in every state.

Look at the uproar over Janet Jackson's breast for 1/millionth of a second. There wasn't even a nipple shown. Lewis Black said a breast without a nipple is only a shoulder without a bone. Yes, America can be very lame brained.

Answer 8

I don't know if it is lame-brained.

But it is short-sided and near sighted.

He is concerned with her being a hooker. That is the worst crime in his mind. Men who visit hookers are not criminals in his mind - at least I am willing to bet. All the other issues take second place to charging her for being a pimp and a hooker. Old folks are like that.

I think the DC madam should just publish the book for free. That would REALLY shut some mouths.

Personally, I don't care if every elected politician and bureaucrat in DC went to her brothel...and it would not suprise me if they did. But I would like to see the list public. I think it would be fun next election cycle. THen, I would like to be in the Divorice lawyer business in DC!

Answer 9

Beware... of lame brains during election times of the US, or any other Government. It's called MASSIVE MUD SLINGING, and expect a lot more, and some really good dirt rise to the surface.
That's Show-biz Politics !
I just love the smell of dirt & gossip in the morning. Ha

Answer 10

One of the men I have adored most in the world is American. He is brilliant. I have loads of American friends who are funny, smart and deep. But, that said, the 'average' American kinda freaks me out. The average Joe apparently voted in Bush. Twice. Here in London, England, where I live now, the neighbours downstairs (transferred by CNN) keep inviting me to church...yikes! They also never, ever recycle anything even after I begged them, cos they say 'there's enough room in the ocean to bury it all.'....etc. You seem pretty cool, though, and I am sure lots of Americans are, but generally, I take the 'lame brained until proven otherwise' route.......