Exactly why there should be laws to ban these kind of things. If people are wanting to get hooked up then they need to view a dating website, not a website that is supposed to be designed to sell and buy items. I was shocked to find such a column when I first got on craigslist and was worried that my children may accidently get on the site so I banned it which is kind of sad because craigslist is great if you are looking to buy items not a night out with a man or woman.

Ronni,

Police your children and not me. Everyone is always wanting to pass a law to ban something......

Violating the Constitution to save people from themselves is ILLEGAL. Violating the Constitution is worthy of imprisonment. Stop advocating that Craigslist be censored, instead, just don't read those ads if they offend. As to the victims of the CL Killer, sorry, but if it was LEGAL to sell sex, they'd be alive today, and better paid and better protected.

Neale, you are right. We don't violate our constitutional rights to protect people from their own idiocy. People who give up freedom for security deserve neither (Benjamin Franklin).

And to Ronni, your children should be intelligent enough to understand not to look at this section, or are too young to understand this concept and should not be on craigslist in the first place.

At this moment in time, prostitution is illegal. Considering that "adult services" usually entail prostitution, then it appropriate that his section of craigslist be taken down. It has been proven that this website promotes prostitution.

Now, that said, what the hell is wrong with us that we again tell women (and men) what they can and can not do with their own bodies.

Hell, legalize prostitution and start fixing the recession. Un-employed can always sell their services and even pay taxes on their income. NOT that I even approve of income taxes, but hell, let'em pay taxes rather than live OFF of them.

based on much of the logic I see here, it would appear that many of you would also support the free distribution of porn to school children. Honestly is their no common sense left in this world. If Craig's list wants to have an "Adults Only" site that is fine. Just label it as such and require that people be 18 or over to visit it. That way no one is being censored and there is still some semblance of protection. As it stands today, A child can go online looking for a deal on a play bunny and instead find an add for a playboy bunny. not a good thing. You should also realize that this site has already been proven as an effective tool for child predators, human traffickers, and even murder. Yet some of still feel that we should do nothing. I'm forced to ask, what kind of parents raised you people that you cannot see anything wrong with all of this.

it's not up to the government to raise your kids for you!!! if you don't want your kids to see the stuff do your job as a parent it's called internet filters ... AND THERE FREE!!!

This coming from the same beacon of moral rectitude who said:

Selling is legal, sex is legal ... why isn't selling sex legal??? i smell a new tax that could help us out of the resession ...

Yes, let's all take parenting advice from spanky. What a nimrod. And internet filters are band aid at best. May I also suggest we not take internet security advice from a guy named Spanky. He is probably one of those people who thinks that WEP key encryption and MAC filtering will protect his wireless network. When in reality, a guy like me could have complete "ponage" over him in less than 30 seconds.

What I'm asking for is companies to stand up and take responsibility for their own product. And if they don't, and it's obvious that innocent people are being hurt by the carelessness or at the very least, laws are being broken, then yes, I expect the police to step in. After all, that is what we pay them to do.

It's true. If it were legal to sell sexual favors and regulated to actual establishments that paid taxes, not only would the safety of all involved be better, but there would be better control over STD's as well, as this type of business would require clean environments, not to mention up to date bloodwork for all involved, including the clients, and it would be easier to keep track of the criminal element in our society. What's better, letting criminals get away with that or making them pay taxes? This way the women have better options, they can choose to turn a client down and be protected if the client gets out of hand. How many "working women" have been murdered because of the law? Just one change, legalize it, and the safety for these people, not to mention our own, would be dramatically improved in our cities.

Joe, what you say is true, but is it the right thing to do. Do you want your daughters joining in the flesh trade, even if it is legal. And where does it stop. Should we also legalize the sex trade for children? The argument you make is the same argument people make for the legalization of pot. It sounds like a pretty reasonable argument, until you take it to it's logical next step. Should we also legalize crystal meth, and heroin? Thankfully our law makers, for the most part appear to be better chess players than you and our friend Spanky. They are able to think more than one or two moves ahead.

Yes, it's the right thing to do. Many of these women are daughters, sisters, mothers, aunties, whatever, and they, for some reason, decide they want to support themselves this way. It will never be prevented from happening. And no, the sex trade should never be legal for children. Duh. And no, I wouldn't want my daughter to be one of these women. But she will be a woman of her own mind, and I can only hope I raise her to think for herself and make the right decisions. If she, as an adult, chooses this profession I would never be able to make her stop. These are women who have their own minds, their own view of things, their own lives. Who are we to deny them a living? The Japanese had it right with their geishas.

And yes, I support legalizing marijuana. But no, I wouldn't legalize crystal meth and heroin. There is logic and there is just people. People are just nuts. Marijuana is proven to be safer than alcohol and tobacco, period. The same couldn't be said for crystal meth or heroin, or even any of the crap people shove down their children's throat like ritalin, all that crap. That sh*t's like only three molecules different from cocaine. Where is the logic? We should not be enforcing laws just because of our emotional knee-jerk responses.

"Do you want your daughters joining in the flesh trade, even if it is legal."

Of course not, but if they are ADULTS, and can make their own choices, I really can't stop them can I? Even if it stays illegal, the government really can't stop them either. All keeping it illegal does, is make it easier for criminals to profit from their misery.

"And where does it stop. Should we also legalize the sex trade for children?"

Don't be foolish. That argument is absolute poppy-cock, and you should know it.

"The argument you make is the same argument people make for the legalization of pot. It sounds like a pretty reasonable argument, until you take it to it's logical next step."

It certainly does. In a country that supposedly pushes FREEDOM above all else, what business is it of anyone's to tell someone else how to live their lives? So long as they are harming nobody but themselves, it's really NOT any of our business. Until they harm another, then we should throw the book at them. Odd idea, huh? allow people freedom, but smack them when they abuse it. Yep, meth and cocaine are bad stuff, but they are less dangerous than alcohol. And really, if people want to throw away their lives, why stop them with PRISON? All that does is make them better criminals. It does NOT rehabilitate. It's a very expensive adult daycare, where people don't become nicer people, they become bigger leeches off of society. Prison == FAIL.

Rhino- if my daughter is 18, what right do I have to deny her from working how she wants?? Do I want her doing it? NOPE. But, as an adult, I didn't let my parents pick my trade, and I don't intend to do it to my children either. IF you don't want them earning a living that way, then support them yourself. Otherwise, shut up and let THEM live THEIR lives the way THEY want to.

As to the drugs, the answer is a resounding YES we should legalize them, each and every one of the so-called "illicit" drugs would be safer, cheaper, and a revenue source for the government (UGH!) legalized. Instead, by deciding that "Ve MUST protect you from yourselves. Comply mit our regulations os go to jail!!" we have created a rich, powerful criminal class to whom violence is a way of life AND a huge, corrupt "Law enforcement" community that violates the rights of American citizens every day in order to "Protect us from ourselves". Since I don't want to live in a police state, and even police states have drug problems, I would far rather have the druggies pay taxes on their chemical joys and leave MY money in MY pocket to pay for the things MY family wants/needs. And when they get behind the wheel, charge ANY under the influence operator with capital attempted murder or murder and fry their asses. Survival of the fittest. Cruel, but the way life works best.

WOW! Neal, Fred, and Joe, all I can say is thank goodness none of you are raising my kids. This whole idea that you stop being parents the moment your kid turns 18 is ridiculous. Any one who will throw their hands up and say "well she's 18 now, there is nothing I can do" has obviously stopped being a good parent long before their child turned 18. Sorry, I know that sounds harsh but it's true. I don't know if any of you actually have children but if you do I hope they are small. Maybe there is still time to save them. Children must be taught morals and principles from the time they are very young. That is how you end up with kids who make their decisions based on principle, rather than based on what someone else decided was legal or illegal.

It is also obvious that none of you get the concepts of a slippery slope. I noticed all of you scoffed at the idea of making it legal to have children in the sex trade. I can only assume this response comes from the fact that you find the idea repulsive. (at least you have that going for you). The problem is, there are plenty of people who think sex with children is nothing more than just a life style choice. Just like being gay or straight. After all, they can't help who they are attracted to. As a society, we have already embraced homosexuality as completely natural. Now I hear all of you saying that prostitution should be next. After all people are going to do it anyway. How long before we see people making similar statements about children? 10 years, maybe 20. You all need to get off your high horse of tolerance and start realizing that you are laying the ground work for the kind of world your children and grand children will grow up in. Again, try to think a few moves ahead. Your children will thank your for it someday.

teaching morals and principle to your children is a little like teaching them to play the piano. If you make them practice every day when they are young, they will resent you for it. If you give up and don't make them practice then they will resent you for it when they are older. The point is, no matter what you do, at some point your kids will probably end up resenting you. They might as well have a talent when it's all said and done.

That's where we differ. Our principles. Based on principles, I believe prostitution should be legal. I believe the way I raise my children will lead them to a good life, and I like to believe my children will be better than pimps and prostitutes. I believe in installing a good sense of morality and teaching them better, so that this kind of lifestyle will never be a part of their lives. That said, I don't believe that prostitution should be illegal because "we're better than that." I don't believe it's a slippery slope at all. There's no way someone's gonna say, hey kids are gonna have sex anyway. Why not pimp em out? No way everyone else is gonna nod along and say, well hell, that's a bright idea! It's ridiculous. It's not even worth bringing up! Regarding homosexuality, that's been around since the beginning of time for us, as well as prostitution. It's never going to disappear, I'm reminded of the quote, "Men are not disturbed by things, but the view they take of things." Epictetus (55-135 A.D.) I'm not big on homosexuality, but I recognize enough to think it is actually natural, even though I don't like to think of it as natural. Not to diss anyone gay or lesbian, or bi for that matter! You're normal! I guess.

"WOW! Neal, Fred, and Joe, all I can say is thank goodness none of you are raising my kids."

And I'm just as glad you're not raising mine. Best of luck to you and yours, your kids will need it.

Joe, it's funny you would site history, when it is history that proves my point. It was not only known but widely accepted in the Roman empire to have a child sex slave. In fact it was a status symbol. The thought of this makes me sick to my stomach but there you have it. Every time a society thinks they are enlightened, this is the road they travel down.

Fred, My kids are doing just fine. The older ones are happy, well adjusted and currently in college. The younger ones are not in college yet but they certainly plan on it. In the mean time, they all play instruments (including the piano). and are doing well in school. I am told by their teachers how amazing my kids are so my wife and I must be doing something right. I do know this, luck has nothing to do with it.

Neal: one last thought for you. You commented "if my daughter is 18 what right do I have to deny her from working how she wants". My answer is, you are still her Father. Did you stop loving her the moment she turned 18? If your daughter is in trouble, or making decisions that you know will end badly for her, then stand up and be a man for crying out loud. This is your daughter we are talking about. Not some stranger. Even if it means you drag her back home kicking and screaming. At least she won't end up dead in a dumpster. Where have all the real men gone?

People change. History does not have to repeat itself. I like to think we learned from it. Will you stop obsessing about the children? It's sickening, we agree on that, but I don't see how children will one day become part of the sex trade, at all. And we're nowhere near enlightened. That's why it's neccessary to REGULATE the industry and have better control and check on the unsavory aspects of society. I don't understand why you think this would the be LOGICAL next step? You one crazy dude, man, no offense. I just don't know what to say to that. Jeez, we have laws PROTECTING our children. One day, if we legalize prostitution, all that goes out the window?! Uh, what? There is no logic to your argument. I mean come on. Wow. The next logical step...please, come on now.

Also, that last part where you say you would man up and drag your daughter out by the hair as she's screaming and kicking...I totally agree with you. If it was up to me, each men who touched her would be castrated. But to do that to your daughter as she had made her decision as an adult would only net you prison time. Worth it? Where my little girl's concerned, you bet! Even as I'm forced to even consider such a situation happening, I look at her playing with her toys and, no way. No way that will happen. I'm gonna raise her right. She's going to college. She's gonna have a career, and she's gonna be a righteous woman. I know I won't just accept it if she wanted to be a prostitute. It would tear me apart and I would probably end up disowning her! That's why I gotta do the job right! Trust me, how you feel about your own daughter is coloring the issue.

Besides that, if it were legal there would be no more dead prostitutes in the ditches or gutters or dumpsters, whatever, across our country. They would be protected BY LAW. Why don't you man up and help protect these women? You'd rather fill the dumpsters to prove a point? These women are not your family, they have nothing to do with you, and they're going to keep walkin the streets regardless of the law. We need to get them off the streets where our children see them, where our children exposed to men looking for services, and some of these dudes are nuts. We need to keep an eye on them for our safety. Not to mention theirs. As unsavory as it sounds, it's a profitable business. These women know it, and not all are forced into that kind of lifestyle. Besides that, they're consenting adults, let's not lose sight of that.

"then stand up and be a man for crying out loud."

When in doubt, insult someone else's masculinity. Classic.

As an adult, I cannot stop her from doing all sorts of things. I certainly can and would attempt to find her another career, but short of kidnapping, I could NOT force one on her.

"Even if it means you drag her back home kicking and screaming. At least she won't end up dead in a dumpster."

Nope, because you'd be in jail for kidnapping. It's illegal, even when you have the best of intentions.

"I am told by their teachers how amazing my kids are so my wife and I must be doing something right"

Sounds familiar....oh but wait, you say I am not a man, so it simply cannot be.

Try a little less judgmentalism, you'll sound about 5 notches less of an @55.

Fair enough, In the interest of sincere dialogue I will take the judgment down a few notches. I am glad to see that both of you basically admitted that when it came to your own children you would indeed "man up" and do everything you could to keep your daughters from walking down such a path. But, the gist I'm getting is that neither of you believe that we should hold others to the same standard.

Joe, I'm glad to see that you and I both believe in standing for principles. This is where I see the difference:

ME: My principles basically tell me that if something is wrong then it is wrong. As a society we need to do our best to keep bad things away from our selves and our children.

Joe: There are things in this world that are bad but we should still make them legal in order to make sure they are at least safe.

Did I get that about right? feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. I don't expect to change anyone's mind in a blog like this. All I can say is that when it comes to things like this, bad always leads to worse. Things that would have horrified our grandparents are now just part of every day life. We have discussed in this thread, drug use, prostitution, and the exploitation of children. All three are illegal, yet most of you seem quite ready to make 2 of the 3 legal. I find myself scratching my head a little that you all feel that I am out of my mind for fearing that the third will follow suit. Even though I have history on my side. If you will forgive the quote, I think this about sums it up:

“Crime is of such horrible mien, to be feared needs not to be seen. Seen too often, grown familiar with its face, First we abhor, then tolerate, then embrace.”

both of you have expressed that you would do everything in your power to protect your daughters from ever falling victim to such a horrible life, and yet you would support the choice of someone Else's daughter to make the same bad decision. I think what you are failing to see is that all of these girls are someones daughter. They are all precious.

You know every time I drive through Las Vegas or travel there for business and I see all the signs depicting various shows and clubs just full of these young girls. It makes me so sad to think how many fathers there are that have so completely failed their little girls that this is where they end up. How can any father look his little girl in the eye or kiss her on the forehead at night and not feel the same way.

Just something for you young fathers to think about.

You fail to understand. You can't hold the world up to your ideals. You can influence and shape the world as far as your children goes, but that's it. Even then, you have to live with what your children decide to do, no matter what. It's not heartless to allow prostitutes safety and cleaniness and respect. You don't get to carry the world on your shoulders, nobody does. Of the 3 issues we've debated over, two makes sense, period. Your third issue, child exploitation, has no bearing on the issue of allowing mature, adult women the rights accorded to many of us. There is a saying, and this is what I hold my life to, "Generally there is good in evil people and evil in good people. You must weed out the evil without sacrifying the good." Why allow the evil to multiply when you can control it?

And, how do you know that two people meeting in respect to each other and walking away satsified after services rendered is "wrong"? If both decide they want to fulfill each other's desire, in this case, sexual gratification and financial security, how is that harmful to everybody else? If they treat each other with respect, and nobody is getting hurt, and everyone walks away happy, why do we need to point at them and say, you little sh*ts, that's wrong!! They're just people tryin to get by. Who cares how they get by? Remember what Jesus said about casting that first stone, huh? And that was involving a prostitute, for christ's sake!

ummm what? Where do you see the good in prostitution or drug use? Then again, look who I'm talking to. the meaning of "420er" is not lost on me. Just remember Joe, whatever you do, your kids are watching, and they are amazingly fast learners.

"Where do you see the good in prostitution or drug use?"

Where do you see the good in hunting for sport? Tobacco? Bungee jumping?

It's called personal freedom, and it's supposed to be a pillar of America.

Having a sexual outlet is often a means for folks to get out tensions and frustrations. Sometimes those who don't have a willing outlet, find an unwilling one, and get their kicks that way. And whether we like it or not, prostitution happens anyway. If it's illegal, then those who practice it are ripe for exploitation because they cannot go to police for protection.

The laws actually make things WORSE.

I see the good in the control of such practices. I see the good in saving prostitutes from murderers. I don't see anything good about ignoring the issue and filling our prisons for no good reason. I'm glad you saw right through my little moniker. Scary how evil I am, huh?

I know a lost cause when I see one. At some point you just have to acknowledge that you are never going to get through.

Joe, I appreciate your desire to find the good in things, but sometimes things are just bad. There is no good in it. This question is for you to answer for yourselves. What do you really stand for?

When you die, how do you want to be remembered? Do you want to be remembered as the fun guy who loved a good doobie, or do you want to be remembered as the amazing guy who raised an amazing family. The guy who stayed faithful to his wife for 50 years and who gave to charity and worked hard to benefit the lives of all those around him and in the community.

You know my father passed away a few months ago. I'm proud to say that his funeral was much more of the latter. people went on for 2 hours with story after story of how he had gone out of his way to help others. How he was a totally honest man. And how he honored and loved my Mother her entire life. My Dad was not a wealthy man, but he was honorable and he knew what he stood for.

What will your kids think of you when you are gone. There is no implied judgment, Just something to think about.

Who are you to say I won't be both? I love a good doobie once in a while, and I'm responsible in all aspects of my life, including my children. Maybe I seem a little too lentiant on some things, but if you can't see the good in what I'm saying, I'm saying better control over STD's, better control over the criminal element, more revenue from the least disirables in our society, and no more poor dead women in a dumpster here and there all across our country. If you can't see any good in that, then you're too, I don't know what, just blind. I guess. And how can you say that automatically that I'm going to be a terrible father cuz I smoke weed? How is my smoking bud going to make people belittle me at my funeral? What, you'll personally come over to share a few words? Maybe dance a little jig? Come on, what you've read of me, that's who I am. I'm a good guy, and tryin to look out for my kids, and they know that. After everything you read that I wrote, I don't see why you would imply that I'm a loser that's going to f*ck my family up? What, just cuz of differing opinions?

I told you there was no implied judgment, just something to think about. Isn't it interesting where your thoughts went?

I would say you have plenty more to think about.

Interesting how you brought your fine, upstanding, faithful father up after asking me if I wanted to be remembered as a "fun guy who loved a good doobie, or..." And then you go citing how he gave to charity, was faithfully married for 50 years. Why are you bringing him up to comparsion of a "fun guy who loved a doobie"? So far, I've given money to some charities, not much, but 10 dollars here and there. I've been with my wife of 13 years, still faithful too. Like to think I'm pretty honest too. Like to think I'm a honorable man too. Makin sure my kids are good and happy. And they are. I have no qualms about my life. Why automatically bring in your father for comparsion? So far, I haven't seen any differences between your father and me, except I love good doobies. And yeah, you did imply, even if you tried to pull a little disclaimer there at the end. Wasn't fooled.

I brought my father up as an example of how I want to be remembered and as an illustration of the impact one good man can have on his community. It was not intended to belittle you. I'm sorry for that. I think it's wonderful that you have been married for 13 years. I think it's great that you give money to charity, even if it's not very much. These are good aspects of your life and things you should certainly build on. This is how you create a legacy for your children. What is interesting is that you feel such a strong need to defend the other aspects of your life. I try to live my life in such a way that I do not need to defend it. As did my father.

Joe, in all honesty, do I think you are a good man? Yes I do. But I believe you could be a great man. Don't let little things like an occasional indulgence get in the way of you being someone who is truly great. If it's an aspect of your life you feel the need to defend, it probably is something you don't really need. Not to dredge up any more quotes but this is one that I think about all the time.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn't serve the world. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Marianne Williamson

You should know that my Dad could have made all the wrong choices. His father died when he was 12. He left home to live on his own at 14 because his mother could not feed him anymore. In spite of his rather un-auspicious start in life, my Father lived a truly remarkable life and in so doing, gave me permission to live one as well. You have a chance to do the same for your children and for generations to come.

Such an opportunity is a true gift, don't waste it.

IF I feel the strong need to defend myself? Jesus christ man, I'm going to jail if there's a cop at my door! And I just smoke it up. That is it, period. I don't do anything criminal. I don't believe it should be illegal, and it's a hell of a lot more than just an occasional indulgence! I don't need to defend myself! I need you guys to get the hell off my back and leave me alone, come on! WTF? Why do you need to bust my door in when I'm not doing anything worse than drinkin a stiff drink? What if I was an alcoholic? So I can't drink or smoke bud? And alcohol's legal? You know all the problems with alcohol, we don't need to beat that dead horse. (FYI, that's just an example, I don't have problems with alcohol.)

Joe, you are free to do whatever you want. You are just not free to choose the consequences. (that little pearl of wisdom actually came from my Mother) You can justify it anyway you like but you cannot keep your kids from paying attention, and if heaven forbid you should be arrested, well you can't erase that memory either.

For the record, I don't drink, smoke, I have never taken any drug that was not prescribed by a Dr. (shattered my collar bone while Mt. Biking so I needed pain killers for a while) and I have never been to a strip club. I don't say this to so show what a great guy I am. I just wanted you to know that such a life is possible. And believe it or not. It's a very happy life. There is no aspect of my life that I feel the need to defend or justify and I never have to worry about being carted off to jail. Those are just two of the perks. They feel better than you might think.

Alright alright, let's just call it a draw and agree to disagree! No hard feelings. And I wouldn't feel the need to get defensive if it was legalized, which it deserves to be. Believe me, that's a happy life and it's coming beginning in California. Support tax cannabis 2010.

It is very interesting how Rhino NEVER ONCE acknowledges the positive benefits of legalizing prostitution. He doesn't say he disagrees. He doesn't bring it up because it would undermine his belief that prostitution is completely bad, that there is no positive.

The problem with Rhinos argument is that he lives a very sheltered life where things have fallen into place? Has he faced desperation, desperate impossible circumstances? Poverty without being able to get hired, homelessness, children that need more but there isn't any money or any help for them? Sounds like Mr. Rhino has lived a very nice life, and if all the women who became prostitutes had a life like he has, growing up and onwards, maybe less of them would choose prostitution.

The reality is, a lot of people don't have nice lives, nice parents, opportunities. They have broken families and abuse and rotten jokes of school systems that fail to educate children well or prepare them for life as an adult. They have poverty, and struggles finding and keeping jobs for a variety of reasons. They have desperate circumstances where there is no help and dire consequences if they cannot come up with money. This is a society where you are in grave danger if you do not have money coming in each month and supports from others. I know, personally. I have experienced all of these things. Family reluctant or unwilling to help in any way, ect. If there was a market for men I probably would have prostituted myself if the opportunity presented itself. I was having no luck getting hired, was homeless, running out of money, at risk of losing all my meager possessions and vehicle.

I can see many reasons why women would get into prostitution. Some actually like it. Some live very nice lifestyles they might otherwise not be able to. Median income in America is about 50,000. That means half the people make less than that. When faced with jobs like making $7 an hour at McDonalds or cleaning floors, or have sex with some people and make the same amount in a day, what you would in a month working a bottom level job - the choice becomes clear.

People who hate prostitution, think it's evil and immoral, are fighting the symptoms, not the causes. The causes are POVERTY, LOW WAGES, HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT and DIFFICULTY GETTING HIRED in a more and more demanding job market. YOU HAVE TO HAVE MONEY COMING IN TO SURVIVE IN THIS SOCIETY, TO HAVE ANY QUALITY OF LIFE! It's easier for the holier than thou crowd to fight the symptoms and prostitution itself than the root causes. And until those root causes are improved, prostitution will thrive and increase.

Rhino is case in point.

Having all prostitutes in an actual workplace, sanctioned and watched over by government regulators and law enforcement, taxed, everyone tested, condoms used 100% of the time, security guards. This would improve peoples lives so much, make it so much safer. This would decrease trafficking and child abuse. Not lead directly to it, the claim of which makes no sense, it's just some straw man Rhino kept throwing out there.

The other thing that gets me. You ask a girl out, take her to dinner and a movie, spend about $100 on it all, take her home, have sex. This is called DATING.

You ask a girl over, skip dinner and the movie, give her the $100 and have sex. This is called PROSTITUTION.

Jeez, millions of women are 'promiscuous', they do it for free frequently with lots of guys, is that going to become a crime too? I think it already is, in the eyes of the self-appointed morality police. They don't make any money, they just enjoy themselves. Heh. I wonder if prostitutes could say "Oh, officer, I'm doing it for free because I love sex. I'm not a prostitute, just promiscuous." and get away with it.

In this situation, supposed morality from questionable religious institutions has gotten tangled with the law, and makes the problem worse. What happens between consenting adults should be up to them. Law Enforcement resources can be better spent on real crime, serious crime, instead of entrapping regular men who just need some closeness, affection, physical release, time with a woman. And saddling them with criminal status. Is that really necessary?

Live and let live.

Michael, you are correct, I have had a blessed life. I was raised by 2 parents who loved me and taught me how to work hard and to live by principles. You are also correct that their are many promiscuous women who "do it for free". And yes, you are correct, that if things are legal, than some measure of physical safety can be accorded.

But what you and many other people don't seem to realize is that legal or not, things like prostitution, and yes promiscuity in general do come with a heavy cost. It has already been proven that there are serious psychological issues associated with people who become sexually active at a young age. They are simply not ready to mentally cope with that level of physical intimacy and it creates emotional scars that can last a life time. This is just the mental cost. Then there are the more tangible aspects to consider. Today roughly 60% of all children born in the US are born to single parent homes. And there are well over 1,000,000 abortions in this country every year. Think of the emotional scar that leaves on a young girl. To know that she had a living being inside of them and they chose to have it killed. I will not debate the legality or even the morality of abortion with you. But you must acknowledge that for most woman, having an abortion is a very traumatizing experience and one that they would have preferred not to go through, and one that they will never forget.

The result of all this promiscuity, whether for free or for fee, is broken families and shattered lives. The numbers don't lie.

You said that I grew up in a perfect life where all the pieces fell into place. I won't argue. I did, I had an absolutely wonderful child hood. So good in fact that I didn't even know we were living well below the poverty line until I was well into my teens. Of course by then I was already used to spending my summers working for farmers in order to earn money for my own school clothes, but again, I didn't mind. In fact I took great pride in it. I was very lucky indeed to have a father that chose to stick around and I was lucky to have a mother that loved both me and my father. But the reality is luck had nothing to do with it. All of this was a result of choices made by my parents and my life now is the result of choices made by me. Now you are correct, I probably have never really been desperate, but my father was. Yet, he still found a way to make his life work. That is the beauty of the country we live in. No matter what station in life you were born into, you can make choices that will allow you to become whomever you want. Case in point, our current President.

Michael, you can spend all your time blaming your problems on others, and lamenting the hardships you have endured and it won't make a bit of difference. The only thing that will is the choices you make. If you want to have a happy marriage, then you must live like a good husband and father. If you want to make a good living then you need to invest the time and effort into learning a valuable skill or trade that will pay well. If this means working a full time job and going to school at night, or even living off welfare for a while and going to school on grants and loans, the point is you can still do it if you will make the effort.

What you can't do is blame me or anyone else for your life. It's up to you. But I can tell you this, if your biggest goal is to just get laid one more time. You are never going anywhere.

rhino, you can't wave a magic fairy wand and magically will the world to follow your advice. If there was better control on prostitutes, there would be a lot less unwanted pregencies. About teenage pregencies, what can you do about that except control your own family? It has nothing to do with prostitution. You have already seen the "control" of the law prohibiting prostitution. From my standpoint, that's not control. That's letting the inmates take over the asylum.

Rhino, let me start by saying I think you're a good, decent, upstanding person with a good head on your shoulders. I also think, where you start to veer off course, is where you want to take choices and freedom away from others. Where it seems you indicate a desire to continue or expand upon having a nanny-state government with laws and policies designed to get into peoples personal lives deeply, a new kind of parenting for adults. You mentioned, yourself, the slippery slope. Where does the nanny state end? Will skateboarding be outlawed? Kids do get injured... The hypocrisy of it is amazing, the whole experiment of prohibition of alcohol is case in point. Try to stop something that is part of human nature, it won't work.

So you want to abolish prostitution? You know you can't, right? It will be around for a long, long time. Perhaps in the future, with robots so realistic you can't tell the difference, that will replace it. Or computers directly linked to our brain creating the experience with electrical signals and chemicals - could get even better than reality. BUT for the forseeable future, our lifetimes, prostitution is here to stay. You can't stop it, can't make it go away.

And now we're talking about making it safer for men and women, and gaining much needed tax revenue from something that will continue either way. Yet you stubbornly refuse, you want to stop something you can't stop. I bet you s#!t a brick when medical marijuana started getting legalized. There are many who opposed it, but enough people came to their senses and realized all the positives - it was thoroughly debated by state governments, with testimony from individuals, all sides heard. Taking money away from the cartels, and giving Americans jobs, creating huge amounts of tax revenue, relieving the suffering of individuals who have medical issues, ect. Parallels from all this can be drawn to prostitution. People smoke dope legally and the sky hasn't fallen, chicken little was wrong. I don't use marijuana but I support others right to. I don't use prostitutes but I support others right to do so. Neither issue affects me directly, but the larger issue is freedom.

You talk about emotional scarring of young women - that's another debate, teenage sex. We're talking about adult women. I will say, that if teenagers choose to have sex with their fellow teenagers and are treated fairly, with respect, they will not get emotionally scarred from it. If sex was as traumatizing and awful as you seem to indicate our population would be declining. I looked at some of the profiles on backpage site and a number of the women have regular jobs and sell sex on the side for extra money. If they had a boyfriend and the guy took them out for dinner or helped them pay for rent, it would be legal and ok?

As for me, I'm not all about getting laid, trust me. I've had relationships where the sex was good but there wasn't much else, and so I moved on. Blaming others for my hardships? In some cases, where it is reasonable and deserved. I don't live in the past, I've got my plans and opportunities to pursue. The only reason I brought up my life is to demonstrate that I understand why some women choose prostitution - it's all about the money in a world where that is hard to come by. If all of them had other, better opportunities they would take them, but in many cases they do not. You can't afford to live on your own making minimum wage. Not everyone can pass college classes or even get in. In a more and more competitive job market, lots of people are left in no mans land, and slip through the cracks. You still have to make money to support yourself though. You do what you have to do. Or you suffer and die, first emotionally, then physically.

I had a girlfriend, years ago who failed out of college, said it was too much for her, and went to work at a nursing home for minimum wage. Couldn't afford to live on her own, or even have a car, didn't have much money to spare, stayed with her mom. Compare that to a prostitute who has a nice apartment full of nice things, money in the bank, can go shopping, go on vacation, makes more money in a single day than my ex would in an entire month. You tell me who is happier, who has the better life.

You say the result of promiscuity and prostitution is broken families and shattered lives. You've got it all wrong, those are some of the CAUSES. The awful part of prostitution is the prostitutes owned by pimps who take most or all of their money and abuse them. That's one of the reasons myself and others advocate legalization, to save them from this, take it out of the shadows with checks and balances and protections. They wouldn't need the pimps anymore, couldn't be owned. By fighting legalization, you're keeping them in the streets, in dark alleys, in slavery. If you've got a plan to rescue them all and put them on the path to good paying legal jobs, by all means... but if not, it's like that Army saying "Lead, follow, or get out of the way."

So what's your plan, Rhino man? Status Quo? No reform, illegal yet unstoppable...

I will try and keep this one short. Mike, Joe, it is not all about the money. Nice apartments and big screen TVs have nothing to do with real happiness. This is one of the biggest fallacies in the world and I would wager that you both know it. Personally, I would rather go home and live with my mother making minimum wage but going to bed at night knowing that I had spent my day helping people and that the work I did was honest then to go to bed in a fancy apartment with no fiber of self respect. No one who allows complete strangers to completely penetrate their bodies for a fee has any self respect.

I do have an answer for prostitution but the problem is that it is not a one man solution. It requires all of us to stand up and say I'm am better than this. Is my solution feasable, probably not. Sadly their are simply to many men in this world who have completely forgotten what it means to be a real man. But in the mean time, I will also never support a law that legalizes the exploitation of woman, and ruins families, just because other people don't see the harm in it.

Bottom line, I have my principles and I intend to live by them.

Status Quo it is. Rhino has spoken. Suffer and stagnate for principles. Also, from atop his high horse, with his great wisdom, he has been kind enough to tell us all who are real men and who are not. Those who do not choose to live as he does are inferior and fake. Very interesting. There you have it folks, that's the plan. With a 'solution' that isn't feasible, we're going to save women from somehow mysteriously ruining their families, assuming they weren't already completely ruined before the prostitution began thus leading to it.

With policy brilliance like this we need to send Rhino to Washington, and make new morality laws to forcibly clean up these unreal men. He can institute religious police like they have in Saudi Arabia to roam the streets looking for men and women who have lost their way and deal with them, harshly.

I haven't checked this thread for a while but I feel like responding anyway. Yes Michael, a real man is faithful to his wife and does not stick his wick in anything that moves. As to morality laws, first of all, I said nothing about punishing the girls. Personally I think of them as the victims not the criminals, but make no mistake prostitution is and should be a crime. It's the clients that should be punished not the women. Which by the way is exactly the opposite of what happens in Saudi Arabia.

What about the women who DECIDE to do it THEMSELVES? There will always be clients, from the gutters to the highest political office. The laws punish the women. There ARE women out there operating on their own without a pimp behind them. There ARE men who don't want to hurt anyone, they just want to be with someone for a night, especially if they don't have anyone in their lives. Awful lot of loners out there. Awful lot of serial killers and rapists out there. I'd wager alot of them turned out to be loners. We can prevent that when there is some measure of relief to turn to in a clean, controlled environment where nobody is harmed and we can help our infrastructure with the taxes made from such legal businessess, including police force, education, better roads, whatever. Why should it be a crime? Because it's morally wrong? Makes no sense to me. What's morally wrong with it? Two consenting adults, no matter how you want to put it. It's the same as every relationship out there, a little give or take between two consenting adults. Not everyone builds a relationship just for love...even if you say they're wrong for not doing it right in the first place.

very true!

I disagree because we have a duty to keep people safe, this is by far one of the most dangerous types of websites out there. There are a lot of sick people out there who are very dangerous and will use this type of website to find victims. People may want to see this as unconstitutional and a violation of peoples rights, but what right do we have to let a woman be murdered or a child become a victim of pedophilia? Someone has to step in and protect citizens somehow. Believe me if this would happen to someone close to you I am sure you would see things differently.

Ronni- Those who trade liberties for security soon find they neither have nor deserve either.

How can you guarantee that only adults are seeing, exposed to, or even responding to these ads? The argument exists that we should allow the freedom of speech at all costs and allow the postings, and than police sting operations should weed out the illegal activities. But, extra police activities aren't free, and I certainly don't want to pay any additional state or municipal taxes to support this when it could've easily been taken care of for free by not allowing the ads - just like someone can no longer sell your kidneys or other organs on eBay anymore...

Amen!

100% on trac as i have said legalize it all. if it only harms oneself, who cares, millions SMOKE CIGARETTS with hundred of thousands dieing every year, not to mention the alcohol problem, where are you do gooders? TAX, the sins as with the other legal drugs and let the poor fool who wants to kill himself die, bye the way no medical will be provided... Happy? hope you're not fat, have diebietes, or any other self induced condition, and you are worried about government control? hang on i think we are in for for a ride...

Amen to that! Too many repressed conservatives out there, get a life!

How would you know about this? You were looking for it, weren't you? You like it that way, yeah you do, you dirty dirty boy.

Not one person that I can see states matter of factly that they support this site. You seem to be the only one here who has a problem with it and you are entitled to your opinion but I find it highly immature to make the assumption that we are all just as sick as those who post on the Craigslist site. All we are saying is the world is full of grown adults and last time I checked we spent all of our childhood trying to get out from underneath our parents telling us what we can and can't do so that we can live our own lives and make our own choices whether they be right or wrong just to find out that there are people like you waiting in the wings trying to be our parents too. I am sure your opinion changes drastically when someone else tries to tell you what to do when they have no right to do so. I have 3 teenage girls of my own that don't even go on Craigslist, why because I tell them not too...period. It is called parenting. It is my job to teach my children what they need to know to keep them safe not someone else's. The only people who should be telling my children what to do when they grow up are their bosses and their spouses if they let them get away with it. The law is supposed to be based on a sincere threat to all of our security not on someone's opinion of moral issues. The majority is supposed to rule yet in the last few years I haven't seen the majority get asked anything when it comes to making new laws that are completely ridiculous and I also find it highly unlikely that you will have to worry about a pedophile nabbing your child over the internet unless you are not keeping a closer eye on what they are doing. Please stop pushing the hysteria and educate yourself completely before stating an opinion and trying to convince others think like you by being rude.

Okay, here's ONE person who fully supports the site. Consenting adults have the right to screw whomever they so desire, and to be paid for it if they want to, free from governmental restraint, restriction, or registration.

It's these arrogant, self-righteous, self appointed morality police called State Attorney Generals using the media hysteria over one womans death to push their nanny state agenda. I've never seen a bunch of rich white men care so much about a dead whore before. Oh wait, they don't. They're just using it as an excuse to make themselves look good as they try to improve their profile among prudish old voters.

However, this article was about addressing the issue of child trafficking, not whether prostitution should be legal, so this one, I think, is a toss-up. Perhaps it is good to censor the ads, however that does not confront the issue of prostitution which is the underlying problem with these ads. As for child prostitution on CL, that is shameful, just really messed up. If prostitution was legal it wouldn't be neccessary for such ads in the first place, and the subculture of pedophiles around prostitution wouldn't be trolling around CL as well!

That will get the attention of the local authorities and put out of business fast. Selling crack is one thing - it's a dangerous, highly addictive drug that can degrade your health and kill you.

Sex is a normal, natural thing that is good for you, as long as you're safe and responsible. These "streetwalkers" you saw were probably just skimpily dressed teenagers who don't have cars strolling over to visit their friends. Fashion is trending that way these days. The women who are prostitutes have guys come to their place or drive to the guys place. They don't walk around Suburbia, lol. That's asinine. Men in suburbia don't pay for sex, they just cheat on their wives.

Cute, amusing story btw. "Craigslist Ruined Our Neighborhood!" AHAHAHAHAHA

i call shenanigans. If 'a little detective work' showed it was a crack and whorehouse, the police would have no problems shutting it down.

"What about the CHHIIIIILLLLDDREEEENNN?!?!?!?"