It really depends upon who they are, but likely there is a serious element of hypocrisy on the part of who(m)ever released Spitzer's name. If the names are all people who are not public figures, there's no real justification for releasing their names. A case could be made that it's Spitzer's hypocrisy that justifies his name being released, since he (I understand, but don't know first-hand) vigorously prosecuted prostitution cases, similar to that of congressmen supporting or introducing homophobic legislation secretly being gay themselves. Without knowing the facts, it's hard to know if there's hypocrisy or not. That said, it's quite likely you are right that some high-powered people were involved, considering the alleged price range involved.

--Ron

<<Glenn hits most of the issues I have recognized about this particular case. What no one seems to be asking is: name Clients 1-8 and 10-n. If it is fair to identify one who committed a crime, then it is fair to name them all. It, no doubt, would create some international incidents. Since the customer base of the Emperor's Club probably includes some of the wealthiest men in the world, some of whom hold high political office, the repercussions would be resounding.

>>

Part of the problem we face is the fact that we cannot separate our notions of justice from the emotional machinery that drives them. Fear and vengeance are a part of the human psyche and they aren't going away anytime soon.

As you suggest, there are many smarter ways we could be dealing with the issue of justice than are currently in vogue but there is no single solution we can point to and declare it to be the rational choice.

To illustrate:

A: What provides the greatest good to the greatest number of people.

B: Whatever's best for me and F^(# everybody else.

Both of these goals are equally rational.

Which is more desirable is a matter of intense debate and is one of the core questions that separate liberals and conservatives. Hard core conservatives actually beleive that unfettered B: leads directly to A: by an astounding process called the marketplace.

Liberals on the other hand take it on faith that A can be imposed by an engineering process.

Needless to say, they're all wrong.

Why the emotional difference?

Because it is almost impossible to completely eradicate deeply ingrained cultural prejudices from ones emotions.

The emotion?

Distaste perhaps..

But then I find many things that most people have no problem with far more distasteful than sucking the boss' dick.

Like cheering huge explosions killing innocent people, as long as they have a lot of melanin in their skin and are on the other side of the world.

I took a great deal of abuse during Gulf War I for reacting negatively and publicly to the gleeful watching of deliberate slaughter.

I took even more abuse during "Shock 'n Awe" for the same reason.

To illustrate:

A: What provides the greatest good to the greatest number of people.

B: Whatever's best for me and F^(# everybody else.

Both of these goals are equally rational.

Which is more desirable is a matter of intense debate and is one of the core questions that separate liberals and conservatives. Hard core conservatives actually beleive that unfettered B: leads directly to A: by an astounding process called the marketplace.

Liberals on the other hand take it on faith that A can be imposed by an engineering process.

Needless to say, they're all wrong.

-- Paul Dirks

This is a bit of a simplification and not quite accurate but I know what you are driving at. I'd go with the "extreme case of central planning" on one hand and "total market anarchy" on the other. In fact, many liberals and conservatives do meet in the sensible and practical middle and just quibble about details and degrees.

Mona, I did see your letter the other day at the tail end of that first thread. I left you a response there, in case you missed it.

In brief: I wuv you too.

;-)

I read the responses to blog posts only intermittently, though I have been following this one more closely, as it brings up fundamental issues on the nature of government. I agree with you about the drug wars. I'm not sure it's the ultimate denial of individual freedom, I thought that was when we had the draft. Since that's no longer the law, perhaps the drug war is now the ultimate denial of individual freedom. One of the most offensive things I remember being proposed some years back was the death penalty for drug dealers, and I'm not sure it was limited to just drug dealers.

--Ron

<<I rub practically everyone on this blog the wrong way by constantly harping on the drug war. But I see the drug war as the ultimate hypocrisy and the ultimate denial of individual freedom.>>

Slightly OT . I haven't had time to read all the comments so sorry if this is duplication. Did you catch this latest self-righteous bs in TWOD ?

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/legislature/sfl-flfmagicmint0312sbmar12,0,1101825.story?track=rss

Needless to say, they're all wrong.

Which is why I despise conservatives and no longer consider myself a liberal after a lifetime of self identifying that way.

The liberal failure to face up to what they have wrought in the drug war, even here on this blog, has made me even more cynical than I was.. Something I didn't really think was possible a few years ago.

This is far from the only liberal site I have visited and gotten the same reaction at..They all give perfunctory lip service to ending the drug war but it really isn't on their agenda. The liberal list of things which they find more important than freedom is virtually endless.

Disillusionment is a powerful emotion and I am disillusioned to my very core.

I bought the swill I was taught in Civics class and now I know it was complete bovine guano. I knew it a couple of decades ago actually but recent events have rubbed it in with a steam hammer.

There were other quotes than in that article , but don't remember where I saw 'em .

I took a great deal of abuse during Gulf War I for reacting negatively and publicly to the gleeful watching of deliberate slaughter.

I took even more abuse during "Shock 'n Awe" for the same reason.

With ya there . Hard to get happy period, but especially knowing that former neighbors or classmates, and their friends,family etc might be on the receiving end of all our "fun" toys. ( They were here. I wasn't there) . Not "abuse " for me , mostly blank looks, and sometimes comments after I was out of earshot. (So I was told by a silent agree-er)