Entrapment Does Not Wash Here (William F. Buckley on Larry Craig)

Townhall.com ^ | 9/4/07 | William F. Buckley

[Delphinium]

What has Rush been saying about Craig. I’ve been trying to hide from the subject because its to sickening for an Idahoan.

[wideminded]

there are laws against soliciting sex in a public facility.

I guess pickups in bars and other public places are illegal too.

I think Buckley may be using "public facility" as a fancy name for public restroom.

[cinives]

I agree with you - much as railroads and bus companies are called “common carriers”.

But, if you follow the logic, bars, shops, etc are no different, really - they invite and serve the public, ie they are not by invitation only.

I’m just saying it’s a step down further into the nanny state that now the gov’t is regulating toe tapping in bathrooms.

[wideminded]

But, if you follow the logic, bars, shops, etc are no different, really - they invite and serve the public, ie they are not by invitation only.

1. Most people aren't dropping their drawers in bars and shops. Whatever laws relate to soliciting sex in public restrooms have a lot to do with people wanting to do their business without having to deal with peeping toms, sexual come-ons and homosexual activity in the next stall.

2. Another difference is that although people may be soliciting for sex in bars and shops, they are in general not attempting to carry out the act in these locations.

[cinives]

Again, you forget the point. Larry Craig was charged with soliciting sex, if you call toe tapping and hand gestures soliciting; he was not charged with engaging or exposing himself or touching or anything as blatant as explicit words. Secondly, ask any woman how they feel about intimidating come-ons by guys (or lesbos for that matter) on streets, in bars and other public places. There's threatening/intimidation, and then there's the signalling of availability. Two totally different things, in my book.