There are an estimated 153,000 full-time providers in the US who have an estimated 68 million engagements per year.

68 million terrorist actions in the US next year?



Note: This is in no way a slam against Kerry, just thought it was interesting

but it is refreshing to see a politician running for such a high office even refer to prostitution as lightly as a "nuisance".

However, while street action is clearly a nuisance, off-street is NOT a nuisance nor does it harm or impact ANYONE!

Some would disagree with you on your last point.

However, my point regarding his statement is that for him to say something so mild in public, his real opinion is likely even milder, which, given the "morality" issue with elections and electability, is refreshing.

How does it feel to see a potential President refer to terrorism in such soft terms? He`s getting raked over the coals for that statement everywhere today, as well he should.

Well maybe that is what he ment today, but tomorrow he will mean something different and the day after it will be different again and so on......He speaks with forked tongue,
Thank You

> Some would disagree with you on your last point.

Um, on what basis?


>However, my point regarding his statement is that for him to say something so mild in public, his real opinion is likely even milder, which, given the "morality" issue with elections and electability, is refreshing.

Good point.

Weapon Of Mass Destruction???? and costing 200 billions and more. Pick you poison.

Responses are becoming politicized.  Too bad.  Politics board is full of enough rancor as it is.

but also off-street action and also hunt us down due to our participation on sites like this.  
    Words can be deceptive if re-stated improperly.  My sense of what Mr.Kerry meant is that terrorism can be minimized to the point where we hardly notice it and when it does happen, the effect will not devastate our psyche or economy or even come remotely close.

even many providers...who would say that it impacts the ladies in this business...in one way or another.  I have seen some examples of it myself...but I hope they are the minority.

"My sense of what Mr.Kerry meant is that terrorism can be minimized to the point where we hardly notice it and when it does happen, the effect will not devastate our psyche or economy or even come remotely close".

Unless it`s your kids scattered down the block. Sorry to be so descriptive but in case you don`t realize it...that`s what happens.
Any terrorism is enough to effect my psyche and demand my presidents full attention. I don`t see any way the word could be used in the same sentence with gambling and prostitution.
Do you seriously believe that if that`s what he meant it`s something you can stand for?

I'd forgotten the politics board even existed...

It has been interesting how many times I've heard the word prostitution on national news in the past 24 hours though...

Among indy's and most agencies and massage they are the minority.  On the street they are, unfortunately, not.  From the survey we did this summer about 20% of providers said that they believed they had been emotionally harmed in some way by their involvement.  Only slightly less than 3% though said that they wished they'd never gotten involved in the business.

In any case though, specific to our discussion, you have to seperate those who choose this business and those who don't.  Someone who has to clean up condoms in their yard or alley is a victim, while someone who chooses to become a provider is not (as a victim is someone who is harmed by another without their consent).  I know a number of social workers who readily admit that they are emotionally harmed by constantly dealing with the problems that they do.  They'll tell you that they didn't sign up to be emotionally harmed but know that it is a part of the job and accept it.

The social workers watch out for each other and if someone is getting screwed up will push them to change jobs.  The same is done in other occupations where emotional or physical harm is common.  There was an article in JAMA a couple of years ago about people who'd retired from dentistry and other medical professions because of the psychological impact.  I know that many providers are acutely aware of this and watch out for themselves and others.  This does need to be expanded though so that ALL providers have access to the same facilities as those in other professions.  St. James Infirmery and similar organizations are starting to do this, but it won't really happen until the industry is decriminalized.

Sorry about going so OT.