DISCLAIMER - This blog is an assignment for CMP 272 Summer 2008 to allow students an opportunity to present a valid argument, generate feedback (pro and con), post responses, and practice moderating skills in a technological environment.

Stop the Wars on Whores!

In order to free up millions of tax dollars spent on prosecuting and jailing "offenders", control the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and generate money in a dying economy, prostitution should be decriminalized.

Think prostitution is a big city problem? Check your local newspaper and think again.

After a three year federal and state investigation, Donna Darlene Duelley, "Morgantown Madam" and owner of Fascinations Escort & Entertainment Service Inc., was convicted of conspiracy and racketeering this month by a West Virginia jury. She faces a prison sentence of up to four years. Consider the amount of manpower and tax dollars that must have been spent to pursue and prosecute this case, not to mention the cost of housing the now convicted "Morgantown Madam" in prison for the next four years. Is this really a "crime" that West Virginians want to foot the bill for?

According to San Francisco's 1996 Prostitution Task Force Report, over 3 million dollars is spent annually to run the Tenderloin Task Force, which is in charge of enforcing the prostitution laws. In addition to the 3 million dollars, another $4,425,098 is spent on court costs and in processing, booking and incarcerating the accused. This means a total of more than 7 million dollars is spent annually to enforce laws against an illegal act, which if done for free is legal.

It is a common misconception that prostitutes contribute a high number to the STD population. Statistics show that only 3% of prostitutes have a sexually transmitted disease, while 30-35% of sexually active teenagers have an STD. In the early 1900's, when the Texas brothel was closed, the rate of venereal disease in the town actually increased. Currently the spread of STDs in brothels in the United States is not a big problem. The women are tested every one to three months, the brothels are stocked with condoms, and clients and workers are protected.

Although prostitution has been decriminalized in the Netherlands, an individual must be 18 years of age or older to be a sex worker. At last report, Parliament was expected to legalize brothels in the Netherlands, thus making the brothels taxable. It was projected that taxing the sex industry could create more than 500 million dollars in revenue.

Decriminalizing prostitution would allow the millions of tax dollars spent on punishing this "crime" to be allocated to more important areas, such as education or health care. It would create a safer environment for both worker and client and create revenue for the United States' flagging economy. Don't misunderstand our position - decriminalizing prostitution would NOT mean "working girls" would appear on every neighborhood street corner. Much like the Red Light District in Amsterdam, designated areas could be set up where prostitution was allowed, workers would be regularly tested for STDs, and taxes could be collected on the money paid for services.

Sex itself is not a crime. If people want to pay for it, why should the U.S. government criminalize them and use your hard-earned tax dollars to pay for it?

Do you feel that prostitution should be decriminalized?

If prostitution were decriminalized, would you personally consider prostitution as a career opportunity for yourself?

If prostitution were decriminalized, would you personally use the services of a prostitute?

Do you agree with the prosecution and conviction of the "Morgantown Madam"?

Friday, September 19, 2008

You all did a great job with your blogs. I still like mine the best but everyone did great. I hope things are going well for everyone and continue to go well. Good luck in all your classes. I miss you.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

How i feel about hoes...i love them hahahaha

This is a pretty sweet blog. I wish my group would have gotten this topic. Anyway I belive if a woman wants to do that then let her. If she starts spreading around STD's oh well. Population control. That might sound cold hearted but, who cares. Personally I wouldn't do it because, i dont want to die of an STDizzel. I want to go down doing something cool; like a high speed police chase or something.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Britches and Hose

I personally feel that even if you take the proper precautions to stop spreading STD's prostitution is just gross. I know that it goes on and I also understand that sometimes people don't get to make the choice to be a prostitute but I want no part of it. Prostitution is not any way to make a living. It is degrading and disgusting!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

prostitution should be legal
prostitution should be legal for real
what someoone does with her body is her business.
Prostitution should not be legal. But then again porn is legal. And its prettty much the same thing. But in the case of porn both people are getting paid to have sex.

Prostitutes!

I feel that prostitution is their pesonal choice but i personally don't approve and i certainly would not like too see it were i live!

My opinions

I'm on the fence for decriminalizing prostitution. If there is a way of testing for STD's on a regular basis, then I could see where people would think it's OK. I personally think it will still cause many problems for relationships. Most people will not go to a prostitute now because it's illegal and they have the fear of getting caught and arrested. I think there would be a higher divorce rate if prostitution were to be legalized. I don't think we need anything else to help with that.

Disagree

I have already posted on this... someone must of deleted it. I disagree 100% i think that its nasty and regardless of STD's it's not right thats like saying its okay for someone's husband to go out and sleep with a whore. I woiuld rather my husband do it behind my back and have a huge chance of gettin caught and goin to jail, so then i can laugh in his face. I think it should be illegal all the way and should never be legalized.
I don't neccessarily think that prostitution is a good thing but i do agree that we have a dying economy. We do spend alot of money jailing offenders so maybe it would be a good thing. Our economy needs something or we are headed for a depression , so i say go for it.
You all did a great job. Awesome blog. I'm not really sure how I feel about it. But just like everything else something good and bad can come out of it.

Lol war on Whores

It dosent matter to me if its legal or not.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

my opinion

Sorry, but all I have to say is I think it should continue to be illegal. Im weird like that I guess lol

Monday, September 8, 2008

Missy's Thoughts

I agree with decriminalizing prostitution. People are going to do it whether it is legal or not, so why not find a way to make everyone happy so to speak. I personally do not understand how someone could be a prostitute, or utilize the services of one, but to each there own!

Sunday, August 31, 2008

I say to each their own. If someone wants to pay for sex or get paid for it, that should be their right, but I do believe that prostitutes should have to get checked every month or so to stop the spread of STD's.

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Crystal's Feelings on Prostitution

If someone wants to go and sell their body to some stranger that's their business. Myself I think it's wrong, but we are wasting too much money worrying about these women when there's plenty of other issues that need to be dealt with.
August 27, 2008 9:31 AM

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Undecided

i'm undecided because it could increase the spread of STD's, but if there were some way to ensure that protect was used i might consident it.

Decrimimalizing Prostitution

I feel the same way. The money they waste taking these girls to court could really be used for other things like education.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Blog Complete

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Monday, July 28, 2008

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