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Friday, May 16, 2008
Free Temeka Rachelle Lewis
Temeka Rachelle Lewis is the first real victim in the Eliot Spitzer prostitution scandal. Temeka Lewis plead guilty today to charges of money laundering and promoting prostitution for her role in booking clients like former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer with high-priced call girls like Ashley Alexandra Dupre.
Why is Lewis a victim? Because prostitution, however offensive to some, is a consensual act and, therefore, not a real crime. Spitzer was willing to pay for sex; Dupre was willing to be paid for sex; and Lewis was willing to be paid to take care of the sordid details. No harm done. So why should Lewis spend as long as 16 months, after her plea bargain, in prison?
If Lewis is a victim of unjust laws, what about Spitzer? I don't think so. Spitzer was a dangerous crusader who built a career as a prosecutor-turned-governor on ruthless, public campaigns against prostitution rings and so-called white-collar financial crimes. In the end, he was hoisted by his own petard -- and that seems like justice to me.
Now I just need to make a “Free Temeka Rachelle Lewis” t-shirt to add to my collection of political prisoner attire. (My “Free Michael Vick” t-shirt never goes over well.)
Posted by Matthew Johnston on May 16, 2008 | Permalink
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Comments
'Free Western Grain Farmers'
Big munney maker. heh
Posted by: rockyt | 16-May-08 6:26:59 PM
Prostitution is certainly a "real" crime, Matthew. Whether it ought to be is another matter, but the fact of consensuality does not make an otherwise illegal act legal. An unlicensed peddler and his customer engage in a consensual transaction, but the peddler is still breaking the law.
In any case, prostitution and living off the avails of prostitution--particularly other people's prostitution--is currently against the law, and this woman chose to break that law for her own gain. So no sympathy. If the person charged were a male pimp, everyone would be dancing for joy. But the fact that the profiteer is female seems to change the whole dynamic for some.
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 16-May-08 6:48:54 PM
Yes Shane, she stopped being a victim when she began feeding off the victimhood of other girls.
Posted by: dp | 16-May-08 9:19:30 PM
Bravo for your comments. Consensual prostitution is absolutely not a real crime. Too many people, such as the previous commentators, can't tell the difference between it and human trafficking for the purpose of prostitution. It is precisely this mentality that makes sure that prostitution will continue to be illegal and ensures that sex slavery wil continue to be a viable business.
Posted by: Gilda | 18-May-08 5:56:00 AM
How do you suppose legalizing prostitution will eliminate sex slavery Gilda? As long as "customers" are able to use someones boby as a "toy" this industry will continue to degrade women. It doesn't matter whether the pimps are gangsters, business people, or government agencies. The "job" is still dirty, degrading, and dangerous. Society will always treat prostitutes as outcasts.
At least now prostitutes can always fall back on the victim excuse. If they had rights and choices they'd bear the full brunt of public scorn.
Posted by: dp | 18-May-08 10:28:17 AM
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