Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 98): The "world's oldest profession" needs to get some respect

Well...idunno about "respect" per se. I don't mind if it's legal but I can't say I can respect the profession.

Quoting Confuscius (Reply 99): IMHO, that's the most honest relationship. Both parties get what they want and go home happy.

Exactly, one could argue that a large number of marriages are really just indirect prostitute/john relationships. Why is it that the first thing a woman wants to know about a guy is "what does he do?" She's not honestly just curious, she wants to know how much money he makes and how much status she'll gain marrying somebody like him.

At least hookers are honest about it

Quoting MaverickM11 (Reply 101): Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 98): The "world's oldest profession" needs to get some respect Well...idunno about "respect" per se. I don't mind if it's legal but I can't say I can respect the profession.

Understandable. Its a red headed stepchild of industry. Kind of like porn. Porn is a huge industry no one likes to admit is not only profitable, but does $5-$10 billion a year. No one wants to talk about and they want to pretend that it doesn't and shouldn't exist.

Quoting LHMARK (Reply 21): Well, regardless of his own ethical lapses, the fact remains that he did fight for people who were being cheated. He even hauled in restaurant owners who were strongarming their staff out o their tip money!

He also took down prostitution rings while AG. What a flaming hypocrite.

Quoting Superfly (Reply 22): AndesSMF & Andrej: You can't compare business ethics with one's personal love life. Perhaps he is a great father and husband that just wanted a little fun on the side. Most who hire prostitutes are married men. Most single guys don't need to hire prostitutes.

When you are an elected public official, It is incumbent you to obey the law, even if it is an outmoded law.

So much for ethics and integrity, hey Elliot?

Quoting Superfly (Reply 28): I never read of Elliot Spitzer of being a moral crusader of family values and being a uptight prude.

Oh, prosecuting prostitution rings while AG isn't moral crusading?

Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 62): Huh? How is this a federal crime?

The Mann Act, 18 U.S.C. § 2421 et seq., sets forth several offenses including the offense of knowingly transporting any individual, male or female, in interstate or foreign commerce or in any territory or possession of the United States for the purpose of prostitution or sexual activity which is a criminal offense under the federal or state statute or local ordinance.

Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 67): My bad. The mann act does allow them to charge clients. They won't though.

Normally, yes. But given Spitzer's penchant for taking down big targets, he's made himself a big target.

Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 90): I think that alot of men in their life have done it at one time or another. Many have done it once or twice in their youth and gave it up. Many will never tell you they did it. I'm guessing that 25-40% have done it at one time or another. The Kinsey report found that 80% of men have used one. This is of course inflated, but I know it has to be over 25%.

Most people exceed the speed limit, yet its still illegal.

Your point?

Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 93): I understand. However, this is a misdemeanor. At what point does a crime require a resignation? In my mind this is not one of those crimes. It has not impacted his behavior in his role of governor. It has not hurt anyone outside of his personal life.

I see your point. Governors should be allowed to break certain crimes and still keep their jobs. In that spirit, perhaps Governor Spitzer's next press conference should be one in which he defiantly refuses to resign and then makes an official list of all crimes that governors can commit with impunity. So let's see now, I guess prostitution would go on the list. What would be some others? Possession of a controlled substance? Failure to pay taxes? Perjury? How about harboring criminals? Failure to register a hand gun? Maybe witness tampering. Perhaps interfering with an officer of the law while in the line of duty. To some people these are pretty minor things. Where do you draw the line? Perhaps Governor Spitzer should just decide for himself which laws he wishes to comply with and which are "personal matters" that don't affect anyone else.

Quoting Superfly (Reply 81): Quoting Allstarflyer (Reply 75): Are you saying that a prostitute is less a stranger than someone in the next stall? You don't get it, do you?

With the differences in the forms of solicitation, in the end, it's all solicitation.

Quoting Seb146 (Reply 87): What little I know about the business in Nevada, the women are interviewed and are able to give clients what they want. There is some background before the encouter ever takes place. As for a bathroom encounter, no one ever knows what is in the next stall

And from what Seb is saying, there can be a difference between the level of knowledge a solicitor has from a whore-for-hire as opposed to just "toe-tapping" the person in the next stall - ok, it would make sense for a solicitor to ensure there's not a kid or a cop in the next stall. It doesn't make sense, though, that one form of solicitation makes it excusable for his position, especially considering something like this . . .

Quoting AndesSMF (Reply 91): as a former prosecutor his job was to prosecute unethical conduct.

Quoting Superfly (Reply 92):

After quoting much of reply 91, would you reply to that, too?

Quoting Halls120 (Reply 103): Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 62): Huh? How is this a federal crime? The Mann Act, 18 U.S.C. § 2421 et seq., sets forth several offenses including the offense of knowingly transporting any individual, male or female, in interstate or foreign commerce or in any territory or possession of the United States for the purpose of prostitution or sexual activity which is a criminal offense under the federal or state statute or local ordinance.

So it states that transporting is the federal crime. Where do the "Johns" come in? They don't. How many "Johns" have been prosecuted. 0

Quoting Halls120 (Reply 103): Most people exceed the speed limit, yet its still illegal. Your point?

That is my point. The only reason why he is being pressured to resign is because it is sex. You may not have seen my posts on the speeding governor of NJ.

Quoting PacNWJet (Reply 105): Perhaps Governor Spitzer should just decide for himself which laws he wishes to comply with and which are "personal matters" that don't affect anyone else.

Perhaps you have decided for him.

Quoting VonRichtofen (Reply 102): Why is it that the first thing a woman wants to know about a guy is "what does he do?" She's not honestly just curious, she wants to know how much money he makes and how much status she'll gain marrying somebody like him.

Exhibit A:

Quoting Newark777 (Reply 51): The guys I know in the NY finance industry are loving this right now.

Many people in the industry were literally cheering when they heard the news.

Quoting Superfly (Reply 58): Do you realize how pathetic you sound at this point Jack?

Do you realise how pathetic you sound Larry?

Quoting Superfly (Reply 58): You are saying that soliciting sex from a stranger in a public restroom is equal to consensual sex between two adults in privacy?

I'm saying that dabbling in the sex trade is illegal no matter what the circumstances are. You seem to think that, "well he needs to get his kicks with a matron of the night, so it's acceptable" but if there was an R next his name, you be all up in arms.

Quoting Superfly (Reply 58): Are you upset that this sort of behavior is frowned upon more-so than the act Governor Spitzer engaged in? JetJack,74 I think your are being a bit bitter about what is acceptable and what is not. That is what's fueling your anti-Spitzer rant more than anything.

Has nothing to do with an anti-Spitzer rant. I defended him by saying he's innocent until proven guilty. The average person on the street would be arrested for soliciting sex in any form. What Larry Craig did was lookig for consensual sex with no garauntees of money, where it appaers Spitzer was whoring himself up with public money(yes his pay is public money) by buyong prostitutes. The fact you don't think anything is wrong about that speakes volumes about your character. I'm begining to think all those pictures with your Thai "friends" is something to be questioned. Don't be embarrassed, there's nothing wrong with it(according to you)

Quoting Superfly (Reply 58): Soliciting sex in a men's restroom will never be as accepted as normal behavior as a John hireing a prostitute. You need to accept that Jack.

Soliciting sex for money isn't acceptable, which is why it's against the law

Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 107): Quoting Halls120 (Reply 103): Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 62): Huh? How is this a federal crime? The Mann Act, 18 U.S.C. § 2421 et seq., sets forth several offenses including the offense of knowingly transporting any individual, male or female, in interstate or foreign commerce or in any territory or possession of the United States for the purpose of prostitution or sexual activity which is a criminal offense under the federal or state statute or local ordinance. So it states that transporting is the federal crime. Where do the "Johns" come in? They don't. How many "Johns" have been prosecuted. 0

Most Johns aren't the governor of a state, sworn to uphold the laws of that state, and aren't a former AG who was a moral crusader in that position and made powerful enemies.

Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 107): Quoting Halls120 (Reply 103): Most people exceed the speed limit, yet its still illegal. Your point? That is my point. The only reason why he is being pressured to resign is because it is sex. You may not have seen my posts on the speeding governor of NJ.

No, I did not. But it wouldn't matter how many people break the law, when the Governor of a State breaks the law, it's different.

Quoting Halls120 (Reply 103): He also took down prostitution rings while AG. What a flaming hypocrite.

Of course it's hypocritical, but it was still his job to take down prostitution rings. His own fallibility forced him into a position of hypocrisy.

Quoting Superfly (Reply 58): Do you go around tapping your toes at the restroom between your flights at MSP?

More likely at Capitol Hill in Seattle.

Quoting Jetjack74 (Reply 111): You seem to think that, "well he needs to get his kicks with a matron of the night, so it's acceptable" but if there was an R next his name, you be all up in arms.

..and you don't get it either.
You can't get pass the whole Democrat vs. Republican part can you?

Quoting Jetjack74 (Reply 111): The average person on the street would be arrested for soliciting sex in any form.

Governor Spitzer was not 'on the street' looking for a whore.

Quoting Jetjack74 (Reply 111): What Larry Craig did was lookig for consensual sex with no garauntees of money

Again you don't get it. Soliciting sex in an area where privacy is expected is not only against the law, but creappy. Privacy panels are between bathroom stalls are there for a reason.

Quoting Jetjack74 (Reply 111): The fact you don't think anything is wrong about that speakes volumes about your character.

So is this thread about Governor Spitzer or Superfly's character?
Stay on topic.

Quoting Jetjack74 (Reply 111): I'm begining to think all those pictures with your Thai "friends" is something to be questioned.

Nothing to be questioned in the first place.

Quoting Superfly (Reply 115): Again you don't get it. Soliciting sex in an area where privacy is expected is not only against the law, but creappy. Privacy panels are between bathroom stalls are there for a reason.

Says you...I could argue that laws against prostitution are there for a reason. Plus soliciting sex IS AGAINST THE LAW (unless you're in NV), regarldess of whether you're calling a prostitute or tapping your toe. We're the only organism that needs privacy dividers to go to the bathroom anyway 

Whoa, Spitzer paid the "service provider" $4300 for her services according to www.LouDobbs.com - and turned this "trick" at the Marriott Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. Apparently, hotel security was also contacted by Spitzer about how best to sneak this high priced hooker into his hotel suite because he didn't want anyone to see her (named "Christina") into the room. Since suites at the Mayflower are $500 per night, hotel security was more than happy to help the Governor "get his freak on".

Spitzer has been ineffective as NY's governor according to most press accounts, and has very few friends in the legal or political arenas due to his reputation as a heartless piranha. I believe that he will not resign on his own, but will be forced out of office due in part because of this scandal and the fact that Spitzer won the election for governor in 2006 under the promise that he was going to "clean up" the statehouse in Albany.

On a personal note, I must say that I feel very sorry for his wife and his three teenage daughters. His wife was obviously fighting back her tears as she stood next to the Governor (also known as "client number 9" at the whorehouse) in the press conference that he held earlier today

[Edited 2008-03-10 16:44:35]

[Edited 2008-03-10 16:46:05]

Quoting Superfly (Reply 28):
I never read of Elliot Spitzer of being a moral crusader of family values and being a uptight prude.



Total cop-out!

Just because Spitzer, or any individual for that matter, does not make an attempt to state they are defenders of Family values, does not warrant, nor give such people a right, and a free pass to commit adultery, or a crime! Using your logic, what you're saying is, if a person does not speak out about the ills of murder, this person has the right to commit capital murder. Yah see, your statement has no merit!

Quoting Superfly (Reply 28):
The only complainers here are those that hate Governor Spiter's politics
What about his wife and children. They do not matter? Also, Spitzer has very few friends on both sides of the political spectrum. He's one of the biggest, most arrogant pricks you'll ever meet! I'm sorry for his family, but will be glad to see him step down.

It didn't long for Spitzer to abuse his power!

http://www.nysun.com/article/57915

The state Senate majority leader, Joseph Bruno, yesterday accused Governor Spitzer of committing "political espionage," alleging that Mr. Spitzer directed state police to monitor his movements during his recent trips to New York City.

[Edited 2008-03-10 16:55:39]

Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 107): The only reason why he is being pressured to resign is because it is sex.

No, the only reason he is being pressured to resign is because as an officer of the court and someone sworn to uphold the law (and as a former attorney general who prosecuted crimes of this nature) he can't be exempt from the law and, in fact, is held to a higher standard than individuals who have not sworn such an oath because that is what is required of office-holders and members of the Bar. Like it or not, officers of the court can lose their jobs if they violate their oaths.

"It wasn't the sex, it was the suspicious money transfers."

It looks like this wasn't a one time deal, and that it was Spitzer who led the feds to investigate the prostitution ring.

Quote: the federal investigation of a New York prostitution ring was triggered by Gov. Eliot Spitzer's suspicious money transfers, initially leading agents to believe Spitzer was hiding bribes, according to federal officials. It was only months later that the IRS and the FBI determined that Spitzer wasn't hiding bribes but payments to a company called QAT, what prosecutors say is a prostitution operation operating under the name of the Emperors Club. As recently as this past Valentine's Day, Feb. 13, Spitzer, who officials say is identified in a federal complaint as "Client 9," arranged for a prostitute "Kristen" to meet him in Washington, D.C. The suspicious financial activity was initially reported by a bank to the IRS which, under direction from the Justice Department, brought kin the FBI's Public Corruption Squad. "We had no interest at all in the prostitution ring until the thing with Spitzer led us to learn about it," said one Justice Department official. Spitzer, who made his name by bringing high-profile cases against many of New York's financial giants, is likely to be prosecuted under a relatively obscure statute called "structuring," according to a Justice Department official.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4424507&page=1

If this is true, he's toast.

Quoting StasisLAX (Reply 117): Spitzer has been ineffective as NY's governor according to most press accounts, and has very few friends in the legal or political arenas due to his reputation as a heartless piranha.

The only way this could be sweeter is if it weren't true, yet still ruined his career. I think everyone that Spitzer has done that too is toasting his a$$ right now.

If he goes out now, I'll be grateful for the justice he brought to other heartless piranhas.

Where prostitution can be a problem for a politician or government employee could be that a third party looking for influence is paying for it. That is something that has gone on for years as a form or bribery or influence although to a much lower degree in recent times. We don't know how the prostitutes he went to were paid for, if it was from his own or family funds or from a 3rd party. If any or all was from a 3rd party, then the it makes is even more illegal, as a bribe.

I have seen Spitzer's work up front as a paralegal working several cases including defending clients I worked on including for the NY Stock Exchange with the Grosso pay scandal as well as as to a major insurance-finance company. I know he has helped to protect citizens in NY State, throughout the country and the world by going after such business scandals with good effect. Who knows, maybe some in the business community set him up to get him for his costly actions against them.

It's a shame that he showed a dark side and chose to commit adultery, go to a prostitute, and thought he could get away with it. He knows the law, he knew the risk and the penalties if caught or if he got an STD (yes, you can get them from a $1000/hr hooker as from a $10 street BJ whore). He will also lose a lot of trust from the states voters, already of course the Republican leader in Albany has said he should resign.

I think he should resign otherwise he brings shame and unwanted attention to the Democrats in his state and nationwide. All the Democrats need now is a sex related scandal. I bet already the Republicans in NY State are having their own orgazism over the chance to beat up on Spitzer and the Democrats. Unlike NJ, NY State has a Lt. Governor, Mr. Paterson. He would be the first African-American governor in NYS as well as the 2nd handicapped governor as he is legally blind (FDR before President was a 2 term governor of NY State).

No sympathy for scumbag Spitzer - it's not about the sex really, just the arrogant hypocrisy this guy has built a now-failed career on. Another one bites the dust!

Quoting Andrej (Reply 19): My problem with him is his behavior. It is unethical to cheat on your wife

This is another important angle as well...the sight of that destroyed woman by his side at the podium today was just awful.
Hence further comments below...

Quoting Superfly (Reply 22): Perhaps he is a great father and husband that just wanted a little fun on the side.

This is often the case, but a real man can tell communicate with his wife when their relationship reaches a point where it's necessary to reexamine the notion of being exclusive. It's the cowards who throw everything to the wind by doing everything in secret, which only makes it all worse for everyone.

Quoting AndesSMF (Reply 91): Then you don't know how to 'persuade' your girlfriend/wife.

Sometimes one's wife admittedly has either lost her usual desire or (in my case) has cultural and familial obligations that take regular marital sexuality out of the equation. After many heart-to-heart conversations, we eventually arrived at an open relationship arrangement that benefits us both without jeopardizing our relationship or family unit. It's guys like Spitzer who can't even conceive of the type of emotional honesty that would be necessary to even get that ball rolling.

Quoting Andrej (Thread starter): so here is a shocker of the day

Quoting Andrej (Reply 1): I am shocked!

This does not shock me in anyway ... especially for a US politician.  

Quoting Superfly (Reply 6): So what did he do wrong?

He opened himself up for blackmail by committing crimes and involving himself in embarrassing situations.

Quoting Superfly (Reply 24): This should only be left between Mr & Mrs. Spitzer. The rest is none of our business.

Except that as Attorney General he put guys in jail for the same crime.

I don't care about things consenting adults to, but his hypocrisy knows few bounds. HIs fights for the people of NY were fights for him to get his name out there and push forward his career. Fairly blatantly. His later actions in blaming staff for the efforts to misappropriate state funds and assets to try and embarrass political enemies was cowardly, and the press seemed to give him a pass.

Quoting LTBEWR (Reply 123): Where prostitution can be a problem for a politician or government employee could be that a third party looking for influence is paying for it.

Quoting DL021 (Reply 126): His later actions in blaming staff for the efforts to misappropriate state funds and assets to try and embarrass political enemies was cowardly, and the press seemed to give him a pass.

He didn't get a pass in Upstate. The Buffalo News, Democrat and Chronicle, and Syracuse Post-Standard were up his ass about it every day.

Quoting LHMARK (Reply 122): If he goes out now, I'll be grateful for the justice he brought to other heartless piranhas.

All those defense attorneys for all the cases are going to be reviewing the cases quite deeply. Theres a huge amount of legal implications after the turn of events today.

Anyway, with that being said, i feel really sorry for his family. He has betrayed not only them but the people he represents.

He must be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law. There is no excuse for something like this, especially a head of state.

And to all of you who say " maybe he wanted a little fun on the side", you need to grow up. This is inexcusable behavior for a grown man, ever more so with a family.

Quoting Superfly (Reply 47): Quoting Andrej (Reply 27): He is under spotlight and he should behave better then an ordinary man. Ordinary men don't spend $5,000.00 on a hooker.

I wouldn't have the first clue what they cost. You seem to imply that you do though - have you been comparison shopping?  

Quoting Superfly (Reply 60): I would certainly pounce on any Republican in this situation IF they were of the religious 'moral crusader' types.

Religious or not, he's made a name for himself as a moral crusader. The fact that he has been considered a rising star in the Democratic Party is what's making it difficult for you to be objective.

Quoting Superfly (Reply 85): It's because he is not a religious moral crusader / family man.

Larry, I respect the hell out of you buddy, but this is one case where I think you're the one who doesn't get it - and it's because you're choosing not to. He's sold the people of New York a bill of goods, portraying himself as someone who upholds and believes in the law, no matter what.

And after today, it's all a sham. Governor Spitzer's situation is more than just a lapse in judgment, but an ongoing, serious ethical breach and a violation of his commitment to his family.

And if he cannot be trusted to uphold his commitment to his family, how can he be trusted to uphold his commitment to the citizens of the State of New York?

Quoting MaverickM11 (Reply 41): Prostitution, outside of Nevada, is illegal n'est-ce pas?

isn't gay sex illegal where you are? or did we conveniently forget that?  

Quoting EA CO AS (Reply 129): And after today, it's all a sham. Governor Spitzer's situation is more than just a lapse in judgment, but an ongoing, serious ethical breach and a violation of his commitment to his family. And if he cannot be trusted to uphold his commitment to his family, how can he be trusted to uphold his commitment to the citizens of the State of New York?

Brilliantly put!   

Quoting Aaron747 (Reply 124): After many heart-to-heart conversations, we eventually arrived at an open relationship arrangement that benefits us both without jeopardizing our relationship or family unit.

Wow, that is extremely brave of both of you! I commend you for the honesty.

Quoting Flanker (Reply 128): And to all of you who say " maybe he wanted a little fun on the side", you need to grow up. This is inexcusable behavior for a grown man, ever more so with a family.

  

People seem to think prostitution is harmless, but it is actually a very, very degrading thing for a woman, even for a woman who "wants to" be a prostitute. (or says she wants to.) Usually there are deep emotional and psychological scars that led to that choice of career, and then it never gets better due to the degradation. It is sort of like being cruel to a person who cannot defend themselves. One wouldn't advocating being mean to a disabled person, would they?

Quoting Halls120 (Reply 120): The suspicious financial activity was initially reported by a bank

I wonder if it was Citi or one of the other banks that he prosecuted. Now that would be great.

Quoting Aaron747 (Reply 124): After many heart-to-heart conversations, we eventually arrived at an open relationship arrangement that benefits us both without jeopardizing our relationship or family unit.

I wonder how many American women would go along with an "open relationship arrangement."

Quoting 767Lover (Reply 132): ne wouldn't advocating being mean to a disabled person, would they?

I don't know If I'd call $500/hr+ call girls "disabled." Cold and calculating, maybe. Taking advantage of their own assets? maybe. I dunno. We're not talking about defenseless runaways when things get to that level. It's more like a lucrative alternative to a traditional career.

Quoting Halls120 (Reply 112): Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 107): Quoting Halls120 (Reply 103): Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 62): Huh? How is this a federal crime? The Mann Act, 18 U.S.C. § 2421 et seq., sets forth several offenses including the offense of knowingly transporting any individual, male or female, in interstate or foreign commerce or in any territory or possession of the United States for the purpose of prostitution or sexual activity which is a criminal offense under the federal or state statute or local ordinance. So it states that transporting is the federal crime. Where do the "Johns" come in? They don't. How many "Johns" have been prosecuted. 0 Most Johns aren't the governor of a state, sworn to uphold the laws of that state, and aren't a former AG who was a moral crusader in that position and made powerful enemies.

I was mentioning that the Mann Act does NOT give prosecutors the ability to charge "Johns" with federal charges as the article and others have stated. Nowhere in the act is that a possibility nor has any "John" ever been charged.

Quoting Fumanchewd (Reply 135): I was mentioning that the Mann Act does NOT give prosecutors the ability to charge "Johns" with federal charges as the article and others have stated. Nowhere in the act is that a possibility nor has any "John" ever been charged.

Got it.

However, if you go up to post 120, ABC News is now reporting that Spitzer is likely to be prosecuted under a relatively obscure statute called "structuring," according to a Justice Department official.

From the IRS web site:

31 USC 5324 prohibits certain actions by any person who acts with the purpose of evading:
1. The reporting requirements of Section 5313 (Currency Transaction Reports), or
2. The reporting requirements of Section 5325 (reports required to be made upon the request of the Secretary respecting information required to be recorded upon the sale of certain monetary instruments), or
3. The reporting requirements of Section 5316 (Report on Exporting & Importing Currency and Monetary Instruments), or
4. The reporting or recordkeeping requirements imposed by any order issued under section 5326 (Targeting Orders), or
5. The recordkeeping requirements under Section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Section 123 of Public Law 91-508 relating to funds transfers. See 31 CFR 103.33.

2. The actions prohibited by 31 USC 5324 include:
1. Structuring or assisting in structuring, or attempting to structure or assist in structuring, any transaction with one or more domestic financial institutions
2. Causing or attempting to cause a domestic financial institution to fail to file a report required under section 5313(a) or 5325 or any regulation prescribed under any such section or to fail to file a report or to maintain a record required under section 5326 (targeting order) or to fail to maintain a record required pursuant to any regulation prescribed under section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or section 123 of Public Law 91-508 (the funds transfer recordkeeping regulations found at 31 CFR 103.33)
3. Causing or attempting to cause a domestic financial institution to file a report required under section 5313(a) or 5325 or any regulation prescribed under any such section or to file a report or to maintain a record required under section 5326 (targeting order) or to maintain a record required pursuant to any regulation prescribed under section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or Section 123 of Public Law 91-508 (the funds transfer recordkeeping regulations found at 31 CFR 103.33) that contains a material omission or misstatement of fact.

All of this is well out of my lane, but if the feds are looking here Elliott's got a real problem.

Quoting STLGph (Reply 130): isn't gay sex illegal where you are?

I'm not the governor. Plus the anti sodomy law was struck down in 2003.

Quoting 767Lover (Reply 132): People seem to think prostitution is harmless, but it is actually a very, very degrading thing for a woman, even for a woman who "wants to" be a prostitute.

Whether he likes it or not, hes in the public eye. by choosing to be a head of state you have moral obligations. you have to be a role model for one. what kind of example does this set for young people? its okay to get married, have kids and be part of an illegal prostitution ring? heck no, justice must be served.

Sadly theres a huge double standard when it comes to dem/rep.

Quoting Allstarflyer (Reply 106): It doesn't make sense, though, that one form of solicitation makes it excusable for his position, especially considering something like this . . .

It does not excuse him. Soliciting a call girl/guy is less bad than soliciting a total stranger in a public restroom, but they are both bad.

I just heard some evidence was gained by wiretaps. I thought American citizens within the United States were not wiretapped. Just an observation...

...anyone notice just how ~dead~ these women look when "standing by their man" during these hilarious wrist-slaps?

Probably the best would be Wendy Vitter.

And so it begins with the comedians ... here's David Letterman's Top Ten from this evening's show.

"Top Ten Eliot Spitzer Excuses"

10. "Oh come on, like you were never involved in a prostitution ring."
9. "Hookers is fun."
8. "Just trying to help the economy."
7. "Have you ever been to Albany?"
6."It's part of my new MTV prank show, 'Spitz'd.'"
5."Haven't been myself since Roy Scheider died."
4. "Uh, tainted beef?"
3."Whether it's a hooker or your wife, you're always paying for it--you married fellas know what I'm talking about."
2."Wanted to be known as the Charlie Sheen of politics."
1."I thought Bill Clinton legalized this years ago."


        

Quoting MaverickM11 (Reply 137): Plus the anti sodomy law was struck down in 2003.

sodomy, sure.
conduct? no.
but of course, as we've all learned from Lynn Cheney novels, when homosexual erotica is outlawed ... outlaws will continue to enjoy homosexual erotica.

Quoting MaverickM11 (Reply 137): I'm not the governor.

ah, yes ... "of course"
special exemptions for you as a private citizen, i mean, outlaw, i forgot.

A few excerpts from an excellent Wall Street Journal editorial this morning.

Quote: Spitzer's Rise and Fall March 11, 2008; Page A20 ………. In our system, citizens agree to invest one of their own with the power of public prosecution. We call this a public trust. The ability to bring the full weight of state power against private individuals or entities has been recognized since the Magna Carta as a power with limits. At nearly every turn, Eliot Spitzer has refused to admit that he was subject to those limits. The stupendously deluded belief that the sitting Governor of New York could purchase the services of prostitutes was merely the last act of a man unable to admit either the existence of, or need for, limits. At the least, he put himself at risk of blackmail, and in turn the possible distortion of his public duties. Mr. Spitzer's recklessness with the state's highest elected office, though, is of a piece with his consistent excesses as Attorney General from 1999 to 2006. He routinely used the extraordinary threat of indicting entire firms, a financial death sentence, to force the dismissal of executives, such as AIG's Maurice "Hank" Greenberg. He routinely leaked to the press emails obtained with subpoena power to build public animosity against companies and executives. In the case of Mr. Greenberg, he went on national television to accuse the AIG founder of "illegal" behavior. Within the confines of the law itself, though, he never indicted Mr. Greenberg. Nor did he apologize. ……………………. There really is nothing very satisfying about the rough justice being meted out to Eliot Spitzer. He came to embody a system that revels in the entertainment value of roguish figures who rise to power by destroying the careers of others, many of them innocent. Better still, when the targets are as presumably unsympathetic as Wall Street bankers and brokers. Acts of crime deserve prosecution by the state. The people, in turn, deserve prosecutors and officials who understand the difference between the needs of the public good and the needs of unrestrained personalities who are given the honor of high office.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1205...7125705.html?mod=djemEditorialPage

Quoting LHMARK (Reply 127): He didn't get a pass in Upstate. The Buffalo News, Democrat and Chronicle, and Syracuse Post-Standard were up his ass about it every day.

Well, that's good, but the national media and the NYC press didn't seem to be that interested.

Quoting Andrej (Thread starter): Hey all, so here is a shocker of the day: according to the Bloomberg, Eliot Spitzer admitted to his senior team members that he was involved in a prostitution ring. I will post more as I get more info. Wow.....totally shocked and quite it is ironic of him. I have expected a lot, but not that from a guy who was 'fighting' other unethical behavior! I guess that NY and NJ governors have something special in their diet to admit to their scandals while in the office. Cheers, Andrej EDIT: Spelling error

It's really sad to see his wife standing behind him .. sure this are hard times for the family .

I don't want to relativize what he has done , rather the contrary it such an egoist behavior , mainly to his family !
sad !

Constantin

Quoting Superfly (Reply 14): At $5,000 a pop, they better be.

I heard that the prices ranged from $1000-$5000 an hour. I wonder what the difference was between the $1000 hooker and the $5000 variety?

Quoting Superfly (Reply 6): So what did he do wrong?

Nothing really. A lot of people hire call girls. That doesn't make them bad people. He broke the law, but we all break the law from time to time. Everyone wants politicians to be held to a higher standard, but I say lets hold them to a lower standard. Nobody likes politicians anyway.

Quoting Superfly (Reply 24): Quoting ShyFlyer (Reply 20): he will be charged with a violation of the Mann Act What a funny name for such an act.

"Do you want to add the Mann Act to your collection? "

" The Mann Act is for 18 year olds not for someone who has seen the best side of 30"

From the 1978 film "Convoy".

Quoting Superfly (Reply 115): Soliciting sex in an area where privacy is expected is not only against the law, but creappy. Privacy panels are between bathroom stalls are there for a reason.

I don't understand wanting to have sex in a public restroom. It is nasty in there. If they wanted privacy at MSP they should have gone to the observation deck, there are rarely people there.

Quoting STLGph (Reply 142): but of course, as we've all learned from Lynn Cheney novels, when homosexual erotica is outlawed ... outlaws will continue to enjoy homosexual erotica.

Nope...that was changed recently as well. You can sell "novelty oblong glassware" and call it what it really is now.

Quoting STLGph (Reply 142): special exemptions for you as a private citizen, i mean, outlaw, i forgot.

Nope, but I don't have to worry about voters.

Quoting Falstaff (Reply 146): A lot of people hire call girls.

Really interesting to see which circles you guys associate with.

On ABC's Nightline last nite, they had (I believe it was) Heidi Fleiss (the former madam) who said he'd not had any problems had he been like normal guys and gone to a ranch in Nevada...it would not have cost that much and thus not caused the money transfer problems...plus, it's legal so he'd not had any issues that way...the only thing would have been the moral/wife issues, which would have been bad enough but not any laws broken that way at least.

Quoting StasisLAX (Reply 141): And so it begins with the comedians ... David Letterman

Anyone else see something wrong with that statement?  

[Edited 2008-03-11 08:27:39]