The 'Junk Science' behind the Craigslist witchhunt

[marmar]

from the Village Voice:




ATTORNEYS REPRESENTING CRAIGSLIST told Congress on September 15 that the ubiquitous Web classifieds site was closing its adult section.

.....(snip).....

During the same September hearing of a subcommittee of the House Judiciary, members of Congress listened to vivid and chilling accounts regarding underage prostitution.

The congressmen heard testimony from half a dozen nonprofit executives and law enforcement officials. But the most alarming words of the day came from Deborah Richardson, the chief program officer of the Women's Funding Network. She told legislators that juvenile prostitution is exploding at an astronomical rate.

.....(snip).....

None of the media that published Richardson's astonishing numbers bothered to examine the study at the heart of her claim. If they had, they would have found what we did after asking independent experts to examine the research: It's junk science. ...... The data are based merely on looking at photos on the Internet. There is no science. ...............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.villagevoice.com/2011-03-23/news/women-s-funding-network-sex-trafficking-study-is-junk-science/

[FreakinDJ]

1. The researchers are tied to the American Chamber of Commerce

kind a says it all

[Merlot]

2. Because if there was no Craigslist, there would be no prostitution.

Actually, they hate CL because it's free.

[iemitsu]

3. not only is the service free

but it allows individuals to resell stuff that corporations view as their intellectual property.
they believe they should profit each time there is a transaction involving one of their products.

[Merlot]

4. Gives us a small amount of autonomy which the corporations hate.

By enabling people to purchase and trade things they need and want, instead of throwing something away and buying something new from the store.

[iemitsu]

5. i'm all for this sort of shopping.

i almost never buy anything new that isn't food.

[Enthusiast]

6. Me too.

Welcome to DU.

[iemitsu]

7. thanks,

i've been lurking for some time.
just found a voice.

[Sherman A1]

8. Welcome Aboard

:hi:

[formercia]

9. Exactly

Why would you buy a used, but well made item that might have been made in the USA, when you can go to the Big Box store and buy a new item for many times the price, made in China and is a worthless hunk of crap that won't last long enough to resell?

Freecycle must really drive them nuts.

You're supposed to be a 'Consumer', not a recycler.