Well keeping prostitution illegal should at least keep underaged girls from being used as prostitutes.

The age of consent for women anywhere in the world to have paid sex with American men is 18, regardless of the age of consent in that country, so this applies already in the US.

In Nevada where they have legal brothels, the minimum age for women is 21, except for two counties where it is 18. In Northern Nevada the minimum age for men is 18 in Northern Nevada and 21 in Southern Nevada. (I have never been anywhere near Nevada, this is from Internet sources.)

Occasionally, very occasionally, I find myself in agreement with AKA Smith, and I do agree with her that men who use prostitutes under the age of 18 ought to be treated as pedophiles for deterrent purposes, if nothing else.

Having said that, nothing is as simple as it seems, and a few years ago I was acquainted with a young women of 14 who claimed she had about 750 paying adult sex partners. She was, as you might guess, heavily addicted to drugs, and this was how she got her supply, but if her story was not exaggerated and she had turned state's evidence, it would have been difficult to find prison accommodation for all the men concerned, many of whom may have been illegal aliens who didn't speak English and had probably not given any thought to the underage sex issues.

Money laundering and tax evasion are still crimes so people would just pay their taxes (they finally could) and still make money from this "oldest profession". Think of how soon the deficit could be paid down. Throw in some drugs and you've got health care and schools and infrastructure. But nooooo!

Let's ban another plant!

Is Salvia the Next Marijuana?

By JESSICA GRESKO – 23 hours ago

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — On Web sites touting the mind-blowing powers of Salvia divinorum, come-ons to buy the hallucinogenic herb are accompanied by warnings: "Time is running out!" and "stock up while you still can."

That's because salvia is being targeted by lawmakers concerned that the inexpensive and easy-to-obtain plant could become the next marijuana. Eight states have already placed restrictions on salvia, and 16 others, including Florida, are considering a ban or have previously.

"As soon as we make one drug illegal, kids start looking around for other drugs they can buy legally. This is just the next one," said Florida state Rep. Mary Brandenburg, who has introduced a bill to make possession of salvia a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Some say legislators are overreacting to a minor problem, but no one disputes that the plant impairs judgment and the ability to drive...

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iL07qPrDwTnT98gXva3EWcl0sxXAD8VBHBHG0

Fucking morons.

Actually, I do consume a small amount of alcoholic beverages, but little caffeine. Even if I did, those are not necessarily choices involving morality, unless I abused them. The reason I stopped drinking coffee is that I found it was bad for me. I did not need a law to make that happen, nor does anyone. I've been trying to figure out what your point is in a few posts here, but so far cannot.

I firmly advocate letting adults make choices for themselves. Hopefully, you understand that making choices for one's self automatically eliminates the false choice of forcing someone else to do something. The underlying right to freedom is the right to be left alone. I keep repeating myself about this, but there are too many people who can't seem to grasp the concept, or rational concepts in general. Why is there so much irrationality in the world? That would make for an interesting topic.

--Ron

<<lemecdutex

I think prostitution and drug use are very bad choices, so I do not engage in or advocate them.

Sigh..

I have to ask.. Do you perchance consume alcoholic beverages?

How about foods/beverages with caffeine?

Caffeine is in a tremendous number of food items these days and it chemically quite similar to cocaine and more addictive than cannabis or LSD.

Try crushing up some No-Doz and snorting it, you'll get a surprisingly strong rush.

http://www.caffeinedependence.org/caffeine_dependence.htmllemecdutex

I think prostitution and drug use are very bad choices, so I do not engage in or advocate them.

Sigh..

I have to ask.. Do you perchance consume alcoholic beverages?

How about foods/beverages with caffeine?

Caffeine is in a tremendous number of food items these days and it chemically quite similar to cocaine and more addictive than cannabis or LSD.

Try crushing up some No-Doz and snorting it, you'll get a surprisingly strong rush.

http://www.caffeinedependence.org/caffeine_dependence.html>>

She was, as you might guess, heavily addicted to drugs, and this was how she got her supply, but if her story was not exaggerated and she had turned state's evidence, it would have been difficult to find prison accommodation for all the men concerned, many of whom may have been illegal aliens who didn't speak English and had probably not given any thought to the underage sex issues.

Drugs are prohibited. This creates the lucrative market which is because it is driven underground rather than regulated and controlled.

People with ignore lists are wimps..

I read every comment when I have the time..

But then I have the self control to move on past those that I feel are worthless.

One quick question..

If I'm on your ignore list, how come you know what I'm posting?

I've been trying to figure out what your point is in a few posts here, but so far cannot.

You say drug use is a bad choice and yet use a drug yourself..

I forgot..

You also claimed that you do not use drugs..

And then you admit that you do indeed use a drug.

Put black market drug dealers out of business, you reduce the incentive and opportunity for underage consumers to become part of the market. Some kids will do it like they do with alcohol but it will be regulated and controlled and much more difficult. Harm reduction is preferable to a vibrant black market and unregulated free for all. Except on Wall Street and high finance. But when it comes to drugs and sex for the poor and middle class...

If Spitzer would have just flown to Vegas it would have been perfectly legal. I wonder how many "gamblers" just have a good excuse for coming home $2500 lighter?

I have a new found respect for William Bennett.

Is Salvia the Next Marijuana?

I'm not a drug user, having not even TRIED pot (no, didn't put a joint in my mouth and NOT inhale...haven't put one in my mouth, ever, at all - I HATE inhaling smoke of any kind) but it was because of this thing you quote that I ordered a Salvia divinorum plant online just to have. It is a sage plant with interesting "effects" from ingestion.

I'm just an asshole type that, when told I CAN'T have something or hear that something innocuous is about to be banned, I just HAVE to get it so I can say "nyah nyah nyah". $20 for one plant, $40 for 3. They don't propagate well by seed, mostly clonal through cuttings. Get 'em while their still ok.