LEGALIZE MARIJUANA AND PROSTITUTION

[NotNow]

Schwaz, how are prostitutes "victims" of police?

I'm not saying it's common place but I'm sure many prostitutes have been beaten raped an/ or robbed by police through out history.

Really?  Where did you read that?  Try rewriting your statement but insert "black" or "mexicans" in where you wrote "police".  Now, how does that sound to you?  I'll bet I can find more reported rapes and beatings of prostitutes by black or latino men than you will ever find of police, does that make this statement correct or accurate?  Or un-biased?

[NotNow]

I think that most of you should talk to a few prostitutes before you get all giddy about legalizing prostitution.  I forget the name of the organization of former prostitutes, Ock?  Based on my life experience, I cannot support legalization of prostitution. 

Although at this point I am not personally against legalizing pot and taxing the living snot out of it just like we do alcohol and cigarettes, I would bet that within ten years most Americans would want it outlawed again.  Just my opinion.  And for you younger folks that want to change the world, try to remember that 2 or 3 thousand years of societal rules are usually there for a reason.  It is good to question, but good intentions almost always carry unintended consequences.

[macbeth25]

I imagine they could be, especially if an officer threatened to arrest one unless she did what he wanted. 

This says more about your own bias than it does about any realistic "problem". 

What bias?  What possible reason have I given you that I might be biased one way or another?  Do you really believe that no police officer, anywhere, at any time, has ever taken advantage of their position?

[fatcat]

to claim prostitutes are victim of police is to claim:
1:  all men want "job" from prostitute
2:  all police are corrupt
3:  prostitute never offer "job" in exchange of favor instead of cash

[macbeth25]

An old saying which may fit here is "People who live in glass houses should never cast stones."  I will try not to respond to any further comments along the lines you have begun.  It is simply not worth the trouble to bother with them or with you.  Bye.

[Deuce]

the thing that will keep weed from being legal is they dont have a way like in alcohol to tell how much is in your system

That won't keep it from being legalized, but once it is a great deal of money will be spent developing a technology that will. I think there is already a device similar to a breathalyzer that can measure cannabinoids in a person's breath. Don't quote me on that, I just remember reading something once.

If states start legalizing marijuana, wouldn't that cause a clash between federal laws and state laws?

Yes it will. I think once this happens there will be a challenge of the laws at the Federal level and the marijuana prohibition laws will change and I think that a majority will support it.

To me it's not about what harm may come from a substance or activity.  It's about respecting the ability of our fellow adults to decide for themselves what substances they ingest and what activities they engage in with other adults without violence, coercion or fraud and letting them bear the responsibility for the consequences.

I wouldn't have expected any other comment coming from a libertarian.

I didn't realize prostitution is legal in Rhode Island.

[Shwaz]

I imagine they could be, especially if an officer threatened to arrest one unless she did what he wanted. 

This says more about your own bias than it does about any realistic "problem". 

What bias?  What possible reason have I given you that I might be biased one way or another?  Do you really believe that no police officer, anywhere, at any time, has ever taken advantage of their position?

Exactly. What bias do I have? Claiming a cop has never abused a prostitute is outlandish... are you saying their has never been corrupt police officer though out any period of time? Not a one has taken money from some teens after busting up their dice game? How about a little cash just to look the other way. Or maybe even beat a man down with a group of his colleagues after a traffic stop.

to claim prostitutes are victim of police is to claim:
1:  all men want "job" from prostitute
2:  all police are corrupt
3:  prostitute never offer "job" in exchange of favor instead of cash

Even more outlandish

[NotNow]

McB, (and Schwaz) It is not my intention to insult you.  Although I take offense to your statement.  You are classifying an entire (non-criminal) group of people without evidence.  Review your list of people that "hurt" prostitutes:

1. violent johns
2. pimps
3. POLICE
4. serial killers
5. STD's (not really a person, but listed)

Now, if you really think that the Police belong on that list of criminals, then I think that you are prejudiced against the Police.  See the definition below:

Main Entry: 1prej·u·dice 
Pronunciation: \ˈpre-jə-dəs\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin praejudicium previous judgment, damage, from prae- + judicium judgment â€" more at judicial
Date: 13th century
1: injury or damage resulting from some judgment or action of another in disregard of one's rights ; especially : detriment to one's legal rights or claims
2 a (1): preconceived judgment or opinion (2): an adverse opinion or leaning formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge b: an instance of such judgment or opinion c: an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics
synonyms see predilection

I am not trying to insult you.  In fact, I am insulted that you would include me in your list.  Has any Police Officer ever done this crime?  I don't know, maybe...what group would you pick that has not done this....maybe, possibly, in all of history?  The clergy?  Politicians?  Computer salesmen?  Bloggers?  Do you see where your logic here might be wrong?

[Shwaz]

Not now... I believe you are naïve if you don't think there is enough record of corrupt police abusing prostitutes. You could even be called prejudice for saying police are incapable of these crimes... Like if I said "no. He couldn't have stolen your car... He's white.

[NotNow]

What I am saying is that you are characterizing an entire group of people as criminal.  I understand pimps and serial killers, as they are criminal classifications in themselves, but to include Police as a profession on your list of who hurts prostitutes is simply wrong.  The proper comparison is (as I said before) to replace the word "police" with "african-american" or "latino".  While I can produce a number of reports dated 2009 from Jacksonville that would verify that prostitutes have been raped or beaten by individuals of these racial groups, to say that these racial groups "hurt" prostitutes would be just wrong.  And biased.  And prejudiced.  While I am sure that some Officer may have committed such a crime somewhere at some time in the past, to say "Police" are a group that hurt prostitutes is just as inaccurate and hurtful.  and biased.  And prejudiced.  I am sure that you didn't mean to offend, but again, look at what you are saying.  You are saying that I beat and rape prostitutes.  I am not saying that Police Officers are incapable of committing such a crime, any human being is.  i am saying that to characterize a profession is wrong.  It's like saying all Judges take bribes, or all casino owners are organized crime.

Who are the thieves in my neighborhood?

1.  professional thieves
2.  unlicensed contractors who take old folks down payments and run.
3.  Garbage collectors

What is wrong with the above list?  Has a garbage collector ever stolen anything?  Probably.  Does that make the list valid?  No. 

Again, I do not mean to be argumentative or offend anyone,  but I believe that my point is valid. 

[Tripoli1711]

Im with you on this one NotNow.

[Shwaz]

Notnow police deal with prostitutes daily on the beats they patrol. As a group they're trusted to up hold the law but unfortunately many have abused this power and because of that made my all important list of danger to prostitutes. 

[NotNow]

Again, no evidence of such other than hearsay or TV shows. Your opinion is yours to have, but see my comparison above about garbage collectors.  I think it applies.  I'll leave it be.

[Shwaz]

I understand you're point... Just disagree. Again i'm not saying all police are hooker beaters just like all teachers aren't child molesters... but the fact remains they're caught with students week in and week out.

[Sportmotor]

I understand you're point... Just disagree. Again i'm not saying all police are hooker beaters just like all teachers aren't child molesters... but the fact remains they're caught with students week in and week out.

Which bring me to a question...
WHERE WERE THESE TEACHERS WHEN I WAS IN HIGHSCHOOL?