Let's say Spitzer had been caught speeding 80 mph. Lets say also

that he was against dangerous and reckless driving. If he would

get caught he would be subject to the law, of course. But would

people demand he resign as a hypocrite?

I would..

Seriously, if you publicly relish prosecuting people for something and then go and and knowingly and deliberately do that very thing, you are a hypocrite.

There are times when I think speeding is bad, particularly in neighborhoods where children might be very likely to run out in the road in front of you.

On the other hand, speeding on the interstate can actually be safer than going the speed limit if the great majority of traffic is speeding, as is often the case.

On the interstate highway it is more the *difference* in speed that is dangerous.. Keep your speed close to that of the general traffic flow and you are driving more safely than those who go significantly faster or slower than the traffic flow.

Spitzer's a freekin scumbag. Personally, I always found it tough to watch the guy for more than about 30 seconds without becoming revolted.

His crime deserves prosecution, and considering the nature of the offense, and his duties as a prosecutor, it's hypocritical and all, but the revelation of the crime isn't enough to sink the guy. (re: Vitter)

No matter how smart and motivated he is by whatever moral calculus he tricks himself into calling "values," Spitzer is just creepy and wrong. A curious product of his environment, too, I think.

I mean, unless you're going to read (and believe) the handful of national puff pieces that stoked his profile over the past 5 years...

ugh

I think the most compelling reason for the illegality of prostitution is that, even when legal, it is an activity that seems to attract some unpleasant ancillary ills. Not two weeks ago, the nytimes had an article on Amsterdam's efforts to reduce the size of its red light district through the purchase of whore houses ( I am not sure what else to call them ) and letting them out to other businesses. An increase in drug use, human trafficking, and general crime had turned what was once a family-oriented, legal red light district into something more akin to a rambling Bangkok brothel.

Advocates of drug or prostitution legalization often qualify their position by stating that these activities should be regulated, thus presumably made safe. I wonder how many people would want to live or raise children in a neighborhood where drugs and prostitutes, however legal and regulated or high-class, were freely available. From the periodic articles I have read on the availability of medical marijuana in San Francisco, it appears that many folks who advocated legalization were none-too-pleased when pot shops opened in their neighborhoods or on the touristy Wharf. NIMBY. Marijuana is innocuous; others pack a bit more of a punch.

On Spitzer...the fury around him isn't just because of his hypocrisy, which is damning enough, but generally forgiven in time. Being a scumbag, though, leaves a bad long-lasting taste in everyone's mouth.

Finally, I agree with other posters who argue against the idea that Spitzer's situation should be overlooked or is any way mitigated because the Current Occupant is waging a war leading to countless deaths and untold treasure lost. That is completely irrelevant to the issue at hand. I learned at the age of 8 that pointing out others' failings was not an acceptable defense when I was called to task for my own misdeeds.

There was a story in Newsday today which gave some parallel info. He may have thought that he busted down the money into chunks to small to detect...but then thought better about it. Though it was too late.

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/ny-stspitzerbank0312,0,1525951.story

"But Spitzer had the money broken down into several smaller amounts of under $10,000 each, apparently to avoid getting around federal regulations requiring the reporting of the transfer of $10,000 or more, the sources said. The regulations are aimed at helping spot possible illegal business activities, such as frauds or drug deals.

Apparently, having second thoughts about even sending the total amount in this manner because it still might reveal what he was doing, Spitzer then asked that the bank to take his name off the wires, the sources said.

Bank officials declined, however, saying that it was improper to do so and in any event, it was too late to do so, because the money already had been sent, the sources said."

I wonder how many people would want to live or raise children in a neighborhood where drugs and prostitutes, however legal and regulated or high-class, were freely available.

Alcohol is a drug, a drug which is in fact worse than many illegal ones.

Given that alcohol is sold in convenience stores in the great majority of jurisdictions across America, are there really that many neighborhoods where at least one drug is not "freely available"?

A serious and sincere post consigned to the ether by misdirected digitation.

My reputation is secure.

Shucks, Mona, and thank you. I appreciate that more than you know. And, well... don't make me say it...

Now I want to find out the details of Spitzers so called "sex ring" prosecutions. I don't know what was involved but my suspicions tend to comport with Mona's.

WT was right, Anonymust. Thank you for providing a sensitive and wise counterpoint to the thread.

For everyone else (including men):

Woman's Christian Temperance Union

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woman%27s_Christian_Temperance_Union

Yes. They accept men now, if only as honorary members.

Damn, it was a good post.

There was a story in Newsday today which gave some parallel info. He may have thought that he busted down the money into chunks to small to detect...but then thought better about it. Though it was too late.

Apparently. Seems odd though that he didn't know about the red flags that this "bundling" would raise -- him, the big shot financial investigator. Maybe the pressure of his job was getting to him and he couldn't resist shooting himself in the foot.

There's at least one other person out there who's sweating bricks over this. One of the other clients listed in the FBI affadavit questioned the prostitution ring personnel about the payments and the dummy corporation, saying, that that's how people get caught. He was reassured. Falsely, as it turns out!

I have to say that it doesn't seem fair to "out" Spitzer and not the other 8 clients.