Letters to the Editor
SandraTheSane
Published Letters: 6
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Nothing much to say about the subject at hand
[Read the article: Salon's new letters registration policy]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Mostly I'm just staking claim to my net ID. Perhaps y'all will hear from me later, if indeed the new policy results in more interesting and productive discussion. I'm hopeful.
Be well ~STS
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When prostitution is outlawed, only outlaws will have/be prostitutes
[Read the article: The Anti-Prostitution Pledge]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Prostitution, like abortion, is something that some humans DO. It has always been so, and always will be, like it or not.
The problem with the criminalization of prostitution is that it pushes otherwise law abiding humans who choose it as their best vocational option into the criminal sector. As such, they are more likely to be subject to abuse. By forcing them to go undercover, they are more likely to be abused by customers, business managers (i.e., pimps and traffickers) and law enforcement than they would be as a legitimized work group. Note that prostitutes are far more likely to be prosecuted under existing laws than are their customers. Further, there are no worker protections in place, i.e., OSHA, workers comp, labor unions, etc. Forget about sick leave, vacation pay, or other fairly standard employee benefits.
I wouldn't want to be a prostitute myself, but I also wouldn't want to be a fast-food slave, telemarketer or in some other dead end occupation. On the other hand, some people wouldn't like or approve of my job at all.
I can see lots of good reasons why prostitution could be a good vocational choice, given the limited options that are available. There is the possibility of a decent hourly wage, flexible schedule, and ability to be one's own boss.
Until we can offer up better choices, I think we have to legitimize the choices that people make.
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Depends on her job ....
[Read the article: Her sexy T-shirt says "Kitty Not Happy" -- is that OK at work?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]From reading the letter, I don't see any indication that the woman in question is in a public, customer service, front desk kind of situation. If she were, I might have objections, but in a real live office, with real live adults? Let her have some space. Chances are she'll tire of the shirt within a month or so and it will no longer be an issue. As to the LW's suggestion that wearing such a shirt would make a husband want to slap her around, errr, sounds like he should be getting some counseling re: his proclivity towards domestic violence. ~ STS
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Word
[Read the article: Maureen Dowd slurs the Clintons and the Obamas]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]"God, I miss Molly Ivins." ~ Anonymous
I used to like Mo-Do. I want to like her now. But she's lost whatever attention of mine she used to have. Too many cutesy-wootsy puns, not enough content. Shallow thought processes and inept writing skills. I'm offended by her assumption that she is speaking for this here Left-Wing Liberal Feminist American and that her big fancy-ass job at the NYT means she is due a certain modicum of credibility somehow.
RIP, Molly, but please come back soon.
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NSFW Anonymous?
[Read the article: Meet Moaning Lisa, the orgasmic mannequin]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I would suggest that a good general practice at your workplace would be to NOT open any link entitled 'Meet Moaning Lisa, the orgasmic mannequin.' Just a thought.
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Similar experience
[Read the article: I'm wasting my semester abroad watching TV in my apartment]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I lived overseas for a number of years and initially found myself in a similar predicament. The weariness of travel, taking in the new culture, learning a new language; it all wore me out and I stayed in my room. I understand that, perfectly.
It wasn't until I actively involved myself in my new environs that I started making friends and really feeling comfortable.
For me, it was doing volunteer work with a human rights organization that set me free. For you, it might be something else - tutoring English at the university, maybe?
Pull out your list of all the reasons why you wanted to study overseas in the first place and all the things you intended to do, post it in a place you can't miss, and take pleasure in ticking each item off.
Don't waste time you'll regret later on. Pick up one foot and put down the other, even when you're tired and/or overwhelmed. Make good choices and stick by them. Keep a journal and make sure you write a damn interesting one. You may not get this chance again.
Best of Luck - STS