Letters to the Editor
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$5500 an hour!
That is one high class ... call girl! Was he using state money for this or his own?
But really, why are we such prudes in this country? It is the world's oldest profession after all. If these were human trafficking victims that would be one thing. But I suspect that is not the case if these girls were charging so much money.
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Any lawyers can answer a few questions?
First, even though it clearly violates the Mann act, does the FBI typically get involved in prostitution stings? Is that really the highest priority right now?
Second, if this is a rarely used statute, then doesn't it seem a bit odd that they'd manage to hit the prostitutes he was using?
Now, I'm no conspiracy theorist, but watching the DOJ take down crusading Dems when the FBI just said they were a bit over zealous with their wiretapping...
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Repeal the Mann Act
If you've ever gone on an out of state trip with a lover and you weren't married, you can be prosecuted for violations of this antiquated law. It doesn't just apply to prostitution, but to any actions considered "immoral". So if you're dating someone and go on what you think is a romantic trip, you can be arrested and prosecuted whether you're male or female.
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Client #9
The Times nails him with a hypocrisy quotation. Ouch. He's toast.
Maybe he'll resign and lead a campaign to legalize prostitution and regulate it to protect the health and safety of prostitutes, and provide them with alternatives.
Or maybe not.
He was client #9, wonder when we hear about 1-8, 10+. Also politicians?
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this is what gets attention
the lists of crimes committed by Bush (destroying this country BTW)and others scarcely gets any media attention, but this is the kind of thing they love and which will destroy Spitzer. This sucks.
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He's a Consumer
He bought services; he didn't create the ring. Why should he resign? Vitter didn't. Spitzer, like many prosecutors, is a hypocrite. yawn.
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A Closet Republican?
Spitzer??? Sex scandal!?!?!?!?
It can't be. He's not a Republican!
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Democrats, Republicans, what is the diff?
All of them corrupted by power, elitist, feel the rules don't apply to them.
When the "reformer," and the "router of corruption," is corrupt himself you know the river runs deep.
I'll be interested to hear the soft responses from the two democrat candidates. They'll probably thank him for his service, and suggest it is a trying time for him and his family, and refuse to put a statement down with any teeth. Probably defer any statements "until the investigation is over."
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Timing is everything....
Setting aside the "crime" for the moment, it is interesting that the Democrats were poised to re-take the NY State Legislature for the first time in four decades...
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Maybe he was spending his economic stimulus check early
I mean, there aren't any limitations on what you "buy" to give that economy a lift...er...pump up the economy...oh...nevermind
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ooops, I meant to say....
NY State Senate, not NY State Legislature...
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Spitzer and the prostitute
Big deal! Good for Spitzer. When is America's media ever going to get over its sexual hangups and prurient interest in the sexual lives and foibles of public figures? When there are hints of hypocrisy, yes; otherwise; a very LOUD mind your own business. Spitzer should not resign!
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I wonder...
Spitzer is pushing a bill to keep abortion legal in NY even if the NY S-Court decides it isn't a constitutional right. The NY clergy is furious and the pope is coming to Yankee Stadium on April 21 to attack him. Nice timing for the sting.
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/3/10/new_york_bill_to_declare_abortion
I'm not defending lawbreaking, especially by an elected official, but $5,000/hr prostitution is a victimless crime and Spitzer didn't get elected on the promise to wage a war on sex.
He was a good crusader for justice, at least in a professional capacity. It will be a loss for progressives.
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Mann Act Trap
Repeal the Mann Act
If you've ever gone on an out of state trip with a lover and you weren't married, you can be prosecuted for violations of this antiquated law. It doesn't just apply to prostitution, but to any actions considered "immoral". So if you're dating someone and go on what you think is a romantic trip, you can be arrested and prosecuted whether you're male or female.
-- Lynx
Monday, March 10, 2008 12:47 PM
Not to mention the Mann Act's century-long history of being used almost exclusively to bring down political opponents and other politically inconvenient people.
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I can't wait for the excuses to start coming
My money's on "sex addict." Seriously, though, I have never liked Spitzer--he has always seemed kind of sanctimonius. I also don't like his shake downs of companies as AG--if you can prosecute, prosecute, but it makes me uncomfortable someone just threatens companies and gets them to settle.
Anyway, I think this is similar to what might be McCain's undoing--someone who is so certain of their superiority that they don't bother with restraining themselves. They are moral, so anything they do is moral by definiton...
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He should go down for this.
If only for the blatant hypocrisy of it. Not only has Spitzer established a public persona as a squeaky-clean moral reformer, but he himself has prosecuted prostitution rings. Now, I personally don't think prostitution is all that much of a sin, and should even be decriminalized, if ways can be found to protect the women involved and to stop things like human trafficking. But, then again, I haven't built a career on being morally sanctimonious and putting people in jail for indiscretions I've also enjoyed.
Let David Paterson have some run. (Don't worry, Clinton supporters -- he's pro-Clinton too.)
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Abortion in NY
As abortion was legal in NY before Roe vs. Wade, I don't see why it would be illegal if it were struck down...
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He should have known better.
What an idiot. He used to be a prosecutor! Doesn't he at least know how not to get caught?
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You people are kidding, right?
Sometimes I really understand why most of the world thinks Americans have no morals. It appears we don't. "Big deal" is the response to this? I am personally extremely disappointed in him and absolutely think he should step down. He broke the law, no? Or am I misreading this? (Aside from the fact that he betrayed his wife and pur her at huge risk for STDs. What an asshole) I also can't help but wonder what they put in the water that all the politicians drink. It really seems like an outrageous proportion of them are pervs. How disappointing.