Sex and Slavery: Hillary Clinton backs "voluntary" prostitution

Opinion Journal ^ | 11/15/2002 | editorial board

[Pokey78]

Irving Kristol once joked that, confronted with an 18-year-old girl having sex on stage, a liberal's only question would be whether she was being paid the minimum wage. Mr. Kristol was being facetious. But the mindset he lampooned is all too real, and today it threatens to undermine an encouraging effort targeting perhaps the most egregious scandal of our day: the global sex trade in women and children.

[attagirl]

This is all in CEDAW!

[Tribune7]

Sex and Slavery: Hillary Clinton backs "voluntary" prostitution

Why wouldn't she?

[xm177e2]

Like so many voices at this conference, though, Mrs. Clinton's anti-trafficking rhetoric is belied by an ideological disposition--pushed during her husband's administration--to try to exempt from prosecution pimps and handlers of women who have "voluntarily" chosen prostitution.

Is the WSJ implying that none of the prostitutes choose their profession? That they're all actually enslaved? No woman ever chose to sell her services to make a little cash? That people are incapable of making their own choices?

One very good reason to legalize prostitution is that government could regulate it and crack down on the slavers and the evil side of the business.

a remarkable coalition of Christian evangelicals and feminists

BARF!

[Coto]

Hitlery is only jealous of the 18 year olds.....because no one has offered her anything in more than 18 years.....

[alex]

bump

[Paleo Conservative]

Not even Janet?

[NautiNurse]

Hitlery is just priming the industry for her next career after she loses her next election.

[FITZ]

Why wouldn't she?

I'm sure it was Hillary who had Monica brought into the Whitehouse to "entertain" Bill at home so Hillary wouldn't have to worry about him interfering with her running things.

[John Locke]

One very good reason to legalize prostitution is that government could regulate it and crack down on the slavers and the evil side of the business.

That is exactly the stance taken by the Government of Singapore. It works. And we deport Christian evangelicals who meddle in politics.

[spyone]

Very interesting thesis. I hadn't thought of that before. I think you are right!

[arielb]

but chewing gum is illegal...

[RAT Patrol]

What about public health?

[RAT Patrol]

Why do you think Christian evangelicals should not be allowed to participate in politics?

[Red Jones]

if it's good enough for hillary, then it's good enough for the rest of us.

[Howlin]

My thoughts EXACTLY.

[John Locke]

They should - in their own country. But Singapore had some very bad experiences with foreigners who try to make trouble in the name of religion. Last month, it was Moslems from across the causeway (surprise, surprise). A couple of years ago, it was a Catholic priest from the US getting air time denouncing our telephone dating services. Before that, it was the Jehovah's Witnesses with their familiar "push technology".

In a country with no majority religion, a certain reticence is adviseable - and, if necessary, enforced.

[RAT Patrol]

Does Singapore not believe in free speech?

[John Locke]

For anyone in private, yes. For citizens in public forums, where the right of reply is available, yes. Such as soc.culture.singapore or talkingcock.com. For foreigners who want to impose their values, no.

Which means I can't chew gum and I can't go around saying "the Lord Osiris demands an end to prostitution". On the other hand, I can leave my doors and windows unlocked, I can walk anywhere in the island at any time day or night, and I don't get missionaries knocking on my door trying to sell me salvation. A good bargain, from my perspective.

[RAT Patrol]

Interesting. Thanks for the explanation. (I prefer it the American way...but then I'm used to it.) :)