The tragedy of the DC Madam case - 130 women's lives ruined...

[XOKCowboy]

The thousands of rich and powerful clients? Vitter is still in the Senate and the rest will likely get a pass. Dana Milbank wrote a pointed column in WaPo about the double standard and what the women went through.

Sen. David Vitter of Louisiana and other powerful men appear likely to get a pass. Less lucky: the 15 terrified women being hauled by prosecutors into court to recount in graphic detail their past work as prostitutes -- and more than 100 other former prostitutes whose names prosecutors are trying to make public.

Wednesday, prosecutors forced a 63-year-old retired PhD -- her name, like those of other witnesses, now a matter of public record -- to testify about inducing orgasms in her client; the government's lawyers had similar questions for a mother of three who worked briefly for the escort service nearly 15 years ago.

Yesterday, it was the turn of a young naval officer to take the stand; the case will almost certainly end her career. The prosecutor, Daniel Butler, had the woman spell her name slowly and clearly, then had her talk about when she was "aggressive" with a client, when she was "more submissive," when she had a difficult client ("he tried to remove the condom") and how often she got "intimate."

"What do you mean by 'intimate'? "

Much more at the link. It's pretty sick.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/10/AR2008041003486.html

[BOSSHOG]

1. Its a darn good thing vitter has conservative values

[Warpy]

2. The whole thing is revolting and illustrates

why "victimless crime" is an oxymoron. Prostitution should be legalized and regulated, just like all other nanny state crimes.

[XOKCowboy]

4. Thank you. Exactly my sentiments

Why should these women be humiliated and ostracized for having consensual sex while the men involved will get a wink and a nod because hey they're men and it's expected of them. Our society hasn't evolved much from our Puritan roots.

[SpiralHawk]

3. Republicon hero David "Diaper Sex" Vitter (R) is about as phony as they come

He should resign from the US Senate -- one less deviant republicon hypocrite.

[riverdeep]

6. Republicans don't resign.

They don't apologize either. Look at Tom DeLay, giving the justice system a big 'fuck you' by smiling in his mug shot. Still free. Libby, still free. Even Craig didn't resign.

[riverdeep]

5. As I mentioned on another thread,

I don't understand why the Johns aren't the ones on trial. I'll admit I'm conflicted about the wholesale legalization of prostitution, but the model of not busting the prostitutes (female or male), and going after the Johns seems like a better strategy. Because what we're doing now isn't working.

However, if you ARE going to go after the prostitutes themselves as we do, you should go after their clients as well. Vitter didn't even have to testify.

"...more than 100 other former prostitutes whose names prosecutors are trying to make public"

-why?

"The Navy has put the Madam's former employee on leave."

-how about the sailors on shore leave that utilize pros?

Everything about this case says to me, people in power wanted her gone. They got their wish.

[mitchleary]

7. When they are testifying

They should throw in the names of ther client. i.e. "Then I removed Sen. David Vitter's diaper...."

[Quantess]

18. David Vitter is the best punchline evah!

:rofl:

[OwnedByFerrets]

8. Absolutely sickening!!

[XOKCowboy]

11. Another telling quote from the article...

Prosecutors say the prostitution ring generated all of $2 million over 13 years -- small potatoes for a federal racketeering and money-laundering case that could ruin the lives of 132 women.

[Ghost in the Machine]

9. Tragedy?? No, a tragedy would have been if the women were *forced* into prostitution..

As it stands, they knowingly & willingly participated in illegal activity. It's just consequences of their actions, is all. You roll the dice and take your chances..

For the record, I think prostitution *should* be legal, but it's not. That's the simple fact of the matter. I also think that every john should be exposed, also... no matter who they are... since they're doing it to the women.

[XOKCowboy]

10. No the tragedy is that it's still a crime and taboo only for women

Two women are dead and over 100 more have been outed and face recriminations for having consensual sex with rich, powerful men. It happens all the time but these women took money for it. In our society that can ruin them. The guys? A little punch in the ribs, a wink and a smile.

[Ghost in the Machine]

13. I understand, and can agree with, your position....

I was just pointing out the fact that the women aren't "innocents" or "victims" in this case... it's a *shame* what's happening to them, but it's happening because of their own choices and decisions. They weren't innocent bystanders so there's no need to try to make them look like victims now. The blame lies within them, not anyone else..

[XOKCowboy]

24. The point is there should be no blame..

They are victims of a society that only punishes women when money is exchanged for consensual sex.

[otohara]

15. Who's The Other Woman

I think that woman yesterday was murdered by Cheney's goons.

[XOKCowboy]

20. Brandy Britton

ABC reported that she once worked for Palfrey.

[Rageneau]

12. What's the problem with making these women talk about their work?

It is very, very common for prosecutors to ask witnesses what they do for a living and, when that occupation is germane to the case, to testify as to the details of that work. The only difference here is that the work is sex work. But even so, it should not be embarrassing for these women to talk about what they did -- unless they are ashamed and embarrassed to have been caught doing something wrong.

But something tells me these women (PhDs and naval officers) were not ashamed of what they were doing until they were caught.

I have no sympathy for the clients or the prostitutes here. I do not condemn them, but I do not think they are being singled out for special punishment. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.

[sammythecat]

19. I think the point is that there may be some good reasons it shouldn't be a crime.

I don't know the details, but just for the sake of argument, let's say 20 years ago this (now) naval officer sold her body for sex and some guy paid the agreed upon price. Now she's forced to recount what NONE (as in 0) of us has any business hearing. She is publicly shamed and her career is apparently over. All because money was exchanged. Other than that one fact, the situation is absolutely the same as any other one night stand.

Where is the justice here? This is insane and it is outrageous. It's monstrously wrong, that's the problem with making these women talk about their work. They had a sexual transaction with a customer that apparently was satisfactory for both and it is none of my fucking business.

[lildreamer316]

25. Read the post again. They *USED* to be prostitutes.

Probably the PHD did it in school so SHE COULD AFFORD SCHOOL.DUH.It seems from the statement that she IS NOT ONE NOW. Same thing with the naval officer. They were not 'caught doing something wrong'(present tense). This is in their past.

I suppose they need to apologize to you for being ashamed that they did what they had to do to ensure themselves, and probably their families a better life. They are ashamed because it is illegal and they are going to be punished for it - but they shouldn't be; because it should be legal. It is, however, a very stigmatized position to be in. Being ashamed is the best way they can handle it to BE ABLE TO SURVIVE.


--says the adult entertainer who is NOT ashamed of what she does.

[XOKCowboy]

26. Well said..

Nor should you be ashamed of what you do. In today's society you can make more than most women with a PhD. To me that's a little fucked up that the one of the only ways a woman can make as much as a man is to sell sex. I was just at a sales convention. There were some very successful women sales reps there. Women making 6 figure incomes. All of them were model types. I'm not saying that they slept with their clients and they may have been very competent sales reps but it shows the stereotype of what it takes to be successful in today's culture.

Prostitution has been with us forever yet we still ostracize the women who, as you point out, did what they had to do to feed their families. That's the shameful part.

[femrap]

14. The only war that is going well for W

is his War Against Women. He hates them....and it shows.

[sammythecat]

16. This really sucks

This makes no sense at all. Is there anyplace in the whole god damned world where prostitution has been eradicated? Ever? One would think that after several thousand years of futile, and useless, persecution we'd get the message.

[XOKCowboy]

17. Ahhhh someone who finally gets the point

There is a lot of truth to the expression "the worlds oldest profession". It's driven by huMAN biology. It's been condemned by all religions and most governements and still exists. It's always the women who pay the price though.

[DS1]

21. These guys are all asking these questions with raging wood

because they're getting off on it.

Assholes

[XOKCowboy]

22. I wonder how much money was spent prosecuting these women..

The story says that even the prosecution alleged that Palfrey grossed about 2 Million over 14 years. I'd bet anything the Justice Department spent 10X that (of our tax money) prosecuting the case.

[Uncle Joe]

23. And this thread is the kicker, I believe the judge denied Palfrey's right to an adequate defense

in order to protect powerful clientele.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3232625

"DC Judge Appoints Lewinsky Lawyer to Defend Palfrey! Former Lawyer Banned!"

And read post 7

'D.C. Madam' Attorney Says He Won't Call Sen. Vitter to the Stand

[girl gone mad]

27. I agree the men should be on trial..

But these women chose their profession. They knew it was against the law, for good reason.

Most women pay their way through college legitimately. I think it's bogus to argue that these were poor college students, because the hookers I've worked with have been either drug addicts paying for their habit or materialistic young women who wanted nicer cars and clothes.

Prostitution is a relic of bygone times when women had no rights and were considered little more than property. There are plenty of options for legal, free sex in this society. No one needs to hire a prostitute and no woman needs to sell her body to survive.

[High Plains]

28. I disagree. Nobody should be on trial.

It was a business transaction between consenting adults. The state should fuck off.

[XOKCowboy]

30. There are plenty of option for legal, free sex yet...

prostitution is still thriving. It always has and always will.

I know former prostitutes who never have been either drug addicts or materialistic beyond using the profession to pay for their education and buy things like real estate or to open their own businesses. What they did for that money was no different than what other women do except they got paid up front.

I'm sorry but I don't look down on sex workers. They are taking advantage of human nature and making more money than they might ever make after 10 years as a token junior VP of Marketing in a major corporation. I don't fault them for trying to play the system. I fault the system for making consensual sex a crime.

Edited for grammar...

[ismnotwasm]

29. Sick bastards

That is completely vile.