This ad mentions that they are closing the escorts section on back page.  I had heard rumors of it long ago but nothing recently.  Any thoughts?

Not everything posted on the Internet is true. I think you should look for a much more reliable source of information then this girl.

Sounds more like she is trying to scare people.

.... that it was seriously shutting down.  BP is not going anywhere anytime soon. I doubt she just got wind of some brand new top-secret intel saying otherwise.

-- Modified on 7/20/2012 5:29:15 PM

Yikes!  Amazing what a guy can find when just browsing the posts!  Lol
Took me by surprise but a good surprise it was.  Where's the link?

Create a sense of urgency so your customer feels the need to react.....quickly

This is probably a legitimate concern.  I remember reading a story in the Strib on June 10, 2012 which discussed this at a local and national level.  I don't know if I can post link to story but just search Strib website on "backpage".

The reason I think it is legitimate is that there was another story (again using the "backpage" search) which described criminal charges being brought against a couple of guys pimping minors in a south suburban city.  I can only speak for myself but I think most of us would agree that the hobby should only be between consenting ADULTS with absolutely no coercion from either side.

It's these types of slimeballs that get everyone riled up abou shutting down Backpage...

"Minneapolis is considering a resolution asking Backpage to (shut down the adult section of its classified ads.) It's similar to one the Saint Paul City Council passed earlier this month." Posted on 7/18/12

Resolutions have no force of law and Backpage has said it won't comply, but it's the sort of thing that gets people talking.

Well.........Bp serves its purpose so its nice to have around. I have posted to eros guide… however BP is easier because you can post several times per day… idk where the women got the info but I wouldn’t be happy however its not the first I’ve heard of this matter.

without a massive legal fight.

BP is owned by a large media firm Village Voice Media out of the west coast, they also own City Pages, the alternative news publication seen around town. It has been reported the revenue from BP, in the tens of millions of dollars is the only thing keeping VVM afloat at this point. Unlike CL, BP and its parent company are motivated by different issues namely for profit.

Up until a few months ago, the investment/financial firm Goldman Sachs was a major investor in BP, word got out and GS unloaded its stake to avoid a PR nightmare. GS is also a major contributor to the campaign funds of hundreds of elected politicians. One reason there is not a massive push to shut down the escorts section.

Google:

backpage and goldman sachs

backpage and village voice media

And you are the best by far!  I enjoyed me time with you a couple weeks ago sweetie.  Review is pending.  Please let us know when you are back in town!

Many of the AGs for the various states are attempting to get rid of the BP adult section on the theory that it promote prostitution in genera and human trafficking more specifically.  Their illogical reasoning is that by shutting it down there will be less of it.  Of course, it will simply move to another site if they succeed.  Furthermore BP's owners have stated they are very willing to cooperate in any LE investigations involving human trafficking and underage prostitution.  Now, if I were LE in this situation, I would be delighted to have such people openly advertising on a site such as BP as it makes it a bit easier to track them down.  If they manage to shut down the escort section, the ads will move elsewhere, there will be just as much activity as before, and the site they move will at some point become one located overseas where the owners can tell US to go pound sand.

What it boils down to is politics; its an easy way for some LE elected officials to say to the public "look at this terrible thing and see how we are taking action against it."

-- Modified on 7/21/2012 10:59:00 AM

It's stupid how people blame backpage for their  parenting mistakes.
I'm a backpage advertiser & I've stopped using it recently because of their censorship issues and their fees that keep raising at random.
If its gonna go away it would be because they're driving customers away with their shady business tactics not so much from congress.

Agree. In an election year, LE knows they must be seen doing SOMETHING. Same with politicians. Totally willing to risk unintended consequences merely so they can have a bust or two to point at for the rubes.

It could be argued they care less about human trafficking if they're so cavalier about the possibility of driving it further underground.

If they get shut down the slack will get picked up by another website.