So I had an interesting conversation at cocktail hour today...

[WTF]

Originally Posted by Ansley

The last time I checked it was pretty much against the law to traffic people into the States.

So are drugs....what is your point in this conversation?

I will tell you mine.

I think anti sex worker groups try and overstate sex slaves in this country for moral reasons. They do not want any form of prostitution in this country or any other country for that matter.

I think it (sex slaves) is a problem in other countries. But not MY problem.

There.

[Marcus Aurelius]

Originally Posted by WTF

So are drugs....what is your point in this conversation?

I will tell you mine.

I think anti sex worker groups try and overstate sex slaves in this country for moral reasons. They do not want any form of prostitution in this country or any other country for that matter.

I think it (sex slaves) is a problem in other countries. But not MY problem.

There.

Travel much?

[WTF]

Originally Posted by Marcus Aurelius

Travel much?

LOL, yes!


As far as I know I haven't been with any sex slaves. Unless you count my rental of their time. Nothing but hot sassy chicks for me Marcus.

[charlestudor2005]

Try this site:
http://www.humantraffickingsearch.net/

However, since WTF says it's not his problem, doubt if he'll even look.

[WTF]

Originally Posted by charlestudor2005

Try this site:
http://www.humantraffickingsearch.net/

However, since WTF says it's not his problem, doubt if he'll even look.

Is it your problem charles? If so WTF are you doing about it? Looking up a site on the internet does not really count , now does it.

I looked at the site, in fact that is not the first time I have looked at that site and many other articles on this subject, it was the same old strawman arguement.

I find it strange that some on here are skeptic of oh say Global Warming yet do not as much as examine the research that goes into these studies. These agencies want money and they want to shut down ALL forms of prostitution. That is fine and dandy but don't say there is a problem when there isn't.

[charlestudor2005]

Comment verified.

[Rudyard K]

Originally Posted by WTF

Let me do my best RK impersonation..."While I'm sure that everyone wishes we could fix every problem in every country including this one.....just WHO is going to pay for it?''

Originally Posted by Ansley

Impersonate RK all you want. As much as I respect him, I still have my own opinion.

You two don't put me in the middle of your spat.

But WTF, the answer is..."I am". That is a subject where I put my money where my mouth is. You ought to try that sometime. Imagine how much good you could do in the world if you put as much money into something worthwhile, as you put your mouth into nothing worthwhile.

You unfortunately picked the one subject matter that is my pet peave. I don't know how prevelent it is...don't really care...one is too many. But organizations that combat human trafficking and organizations that combat spousal abuse are the two things I give any significant money to. All the other ills of the world can be someone else's problem. If I've got extra money I want to give to something for the good of the world...it is going to go to one of those two subject areas.

[WTF]

Originally Posted by Rudyard K

You two don't put me in the middle of your spat.

Fair enough. Sorry.

Originally Posted by Rudyard K

But WTF, the answer is..."I am". That is a subject where I put my money where my mouth is. You ought to try that sometime. Imagine how much good you could do in the world if you put as much money into something worthwhile, as you put your mouth into nothing worthwhile.

You have no idea where I put my money. On a % basis , I may (or may not ) out contribute you. So lets nip that misnomer in the bud.

Also you have missed my point. My point was that I was in a discussion where one side was adamant about the cause. My suggestion was to invest some time and money if that is their passion. That is what I do and from what you just said, that is what you do. We may differ in that I really like to know a subject matter before investing (or not) in it

Originally Posted by Rudyard K

You unfortunately picked the one subject matter that is my pet peave. I don't know how prevelent it is...don't really care...one is too many. But organizations that combat human trafficking and organizations that combat spousal abuse are the two things I give any significant money to. All the other ills of the world can be someone else's problem. If I've got extra money I want to give to something for the good of the world...it is going to go to one of those two subject areas.

''unfortunately'' Why is it unfortunate that the girl atlcomedy choose to try and screw is affiliated with that organization? See , I didn't bring up this subject. I have already apologized for bringing your name into this. But I do not feel unfortunate that you have entered the conversation. Nothing you have said has changed my mind. You give money to the cause but by your own admission , do not keep up with the cause. I just so happen to keep up with this.

Again, others pet peeves are just as important to them. Take Global Warming......some think it a crock. I am of the opinion that one should know the facts on their pet peeve. Especially before arguing how prevalent it is. But it is your money and you can give it how you see fit. Is one trafficked woman to much? How about one hungry child or one dirty drinking source or one extinct animal? So from my POV , I prioritize and assign some standard of proportionality. And the facts are...in this country the sex slave industry is minimal. That evidently does not prevent some from thinking it is or others from giving money to organizations who real goal is to shut down prostitution in all forms. Spousal abuse is a whole nother ballgame and in my readings a much larger problem than sex slaves in this country.

[LynetteMarie]

I was introduced to this website after meeting professor, author and award winning filmmaker Meredith Ralston a few months ago. This site focuses on women and sex trafficking:

main page

US Trafficking/Exploitation page

I hope at least a few of you are interested enough...

"Act Now. Hope Always."

[WTF]

Originally Posted by LynetteMarie

I was introduced to this website after meeting professor, author and award winning filmmaker Meredith Ralston a few months ago. This site focuses on women and sex trafficking:

main page

US Trafficking/Exploitation page

I hope at least a few of you are interested enough...

"Act Now. Hope Always."

Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmm

You would think they would have at least updated their web-page. Not a single case on there beyond 1998.

http://www.catwinternational.org/factbook/usa1.php

For a group of people dedicated to eradicating this problem they sure are lax in their publicity










The Philippines and Gambia are not equal to the US. Canada has more liberal laws than we do.

Meredith Ralston is Professor in the Departments of Women's Studies and Political Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her work has been in the areas of prostitution and sex tourism in the Philippines and the Gambia, women and politics, and homeless women and prostitution in Canada.



From their main page...notice they include pornography and prostitution. Like I said, their aim is to shut it ALL down.
http://www.catwinternational.org/about/index.php
Sexual exploitation includes sexual harassment, rape, incest, battering, pornography and prostitution. .

[Sa_artman]

On my travels (which is like every f**king week) I was at the checkpoint when they busted a van carrying a few women of various ages (some not of age) that were being smuggled into the country. It made the paper. It happens everyday and is probably a larger problem than we want to believe and it's probably going to get worse. I'm all for advocacy groups and they have my $ as well. I'm not going to say I get involved (or care enough to) but I admire the groups that do try and make a difference.

[LynetteMarie]

Originally Posted by WTF

Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmmm





The Philippines and Gambia are not equal to the US. Canada has more liberal laws than we do.

Meredith Ralston is Professor in the Departments of Women's Studies and Political Studies at Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her work has been in the areas of prostitution and sex tourism in the Philippines and the Gambia, women and politics, and homeless women and prostitution in Canada.



From their main page...notice they include pornography and prostitution. Like I said, their aim is to shut it ALL down.

WTF, no organized group is perfect. Look at my church--I'm a minister!

Anyhow I'm not here to debate you (you're far more witty than I, besides I spend very little/sporadic time here so no way to keep up with you!)--my main intent was to share the link with others who were interested. (I have many more links as well but I'm not here to take over the board. PM me if anyone's interested!)

Thanks for mentioning Meredith's bio. She is a wonderfully welcomed ally to, and for, sex workers and sex worker rights. She's currently working on a documentary that explores the sex trade and why prostitution is still criminalized in most areas of the world (including the US.) It focuses on moral, religious, radical feminist...basically it touches on the major hypocritical reasons for why prostitution is still illegal, so it should be an interesting watch. I'll be sure to post about it upon its release!

[Guest112113-3]

Originally Posted by LynetteMarie

WTF, no organized group is perfect. Look at my church--I'm a minister!

I'm not touching this subject Marie

[charlestudor2005]

Originally Posted by LynetteMarie

WTF, no organized group is perfect. Look at my church--I'm a minister!

Not that unusual...a lot of churches tell all their members they are ministers. It makes them all responsible for doing the good works of the church.

Most religions--expecially Christian--take a lot of heat from people in general whenever a high profile "leader" of the church commits bad acts. The fact of the matter is that we are all human, and all subject to the same temptations to commit bad acts. Being a church "leader" does not provide us with spiritual Kevlar.

Whenever someone "falls" it is easy for people in general to point a finger at the hypocrite and try and paint the whole religion with the stain of the acts of the hypocrites.

And although the Old Testament didn't distinguish between penalties for breaking different commandments (they were all punishable by death), I see a big difference in coveting my neighbor's TV and killing him/her.

[I started to use the example of "coveting my neighbor's ass" but if your neighbor is a hot guy/gal, the interpretation could have been sexual instead of materialistic. LOL]

[Doove]

Originally Posted by WTF

I think it (sex slaves) is a problem in other countries. But not MY problem.

I think this is where you got yourself into trouble WTF. Saying "it's not MY problem" relative to a matter this serious sounds so dismissive as to appear utterly crass. You keep citing the example of global warming. Global warming, if it is indeed a problem, is a problem for all mankind. And that includes all the people who don't view it as their problem. Or even as a problem. Now, if human trafficking is a problem - and for sake of argument let's assume you're right in that it's only relegated to other countries - then as with global warming, it's a problem for mankind. And if you fall in that category, then it's your problem too.