Disqus - Latest Comments for Timdatig

Re: TNJN - Drugs, prostitution and gambling could help save the economy

Timdatig — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:37:03 -0000

Thanks for the site, lots of truth. I agree John's are perps, but pimps are low life scumbags. My main points in any of this dialogue are that like drug prohibition and the drug war, the laws against prostitution (the cure) make it much more dangerous than it needs to be. Legalize it and it becomes safer (I point to Europe again). The pimps would be gone, as would the drug dealers if we legalized and regulated drugs. The black market and the criminal element disappear. Prostitution is the oldest occupation, it will never go away. One can be a prostitution pro-reformer and anti-prostitution at the same time. I don't condone prostitution or the use of drugs, however, I understand that people will be safer if both were legal and regulated. Hopefully the tax revenue would go a long way toward treatment of all the affected.
We must learn or re-learn lessons from alcohol prohibition - IT DIDN'T WORK.

Re: TNJN - Drugs, prostitution and gambling could help save the economy

Timdatig — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 10:57:58 -0000

Regarding prostitution, It appears that Ms Barton is a bit confused. I might agree with some of her stats if they could be documented, however, lets define crime and victim. If a prostitute is committing the crime, is she or he also the victim? If I punch myself in the face, did I commit a crime? If I did commit a crime am I the victim also? I don't think so. Victimless or consensual crime means that there is no second party as a victim.

I arrested prostitutes for ten years in NYC and they all have different stories. Sure, some were abused when they were young and some were coerced and drugged by pimps or were runaways who need to earn a buck, but the biggest problem was that they were breaking the law which landed them in jail and made them act like trash. I expect if one were to interview prostitutes in Europe where they are registered and checked for disease, you would have different stats.

The bottom line is that all these things, drugs, prostitution, gambling, are happening anyway. They will never go away. We can't arrest our way out of these social wants and needs. These laws are illegal anyway according to the constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Do people need counseling for addictions, yes. All these issues need to be treated as mental health problems, not law enforcement issues. There is no evidence that making something legal causes increased participation. Take a look at alcohol prohibition repeal. Also look at the success we had with the decrease in tobacco use after a huge educational campaign. We reduced use by 50% without firing a shot or arresting one person.
Tim Datig, LEAP speaker www.leap.cc

Re: TNJN - Drugs, prostitution and gambling could help save the economy

Timdatig — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:14:35 -0000

Well written. As a member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition I, of course agree with all the drug related comments. In addition, I want to mention that if we legalized and regulated drugs, we would have plenty of money for education and treatment of those addicted. We have people addicted to interactive games, the shopping channel and many other vices. After alcohol prohibition we didn't become a nation of stumbling drunks. Most people use alcohol responsibly. In case anyone is looking, where is all the cocaine being consumed in this nation. Right, by the middle class and up. They are running businesses, holding down jobs and raising families. Let's find one lock them up and put their kids in foster care and prevent them from voting. Way to go.