Today's follow-up column
Prostitution pros & cons
By LAURIE MUSTARD
Wow.
Tons of response to my "pro-prostitution and proud of it" rant yesterday. Somewhat surprisingly (as of writing this), most of the feedback has been positive, with only a couple of nays (one friendly, one not).
I'll take you through some of the pros, and wrap with a definite con:
"Laurie, loved it. Makes a lot of sense in a lot of ways. Happily married. Have not used the services of an intimate, friend, stray animal or plastic doohickey. Roger B. Frigault. Alta."
"Hello, Laurie. You make a pretty good case for the 'oldest profession'. Would certainly help relieve some of the regular Joe's tax burden if that industry could be tapped. Would also promote cleaner and safer sex for both the 'intimate' and the client. I think it works in Amsterdam, right? Sure sounds good on paper. Anne."
"Laurie, I am all for regulated and controlled 'sex parlours' (or any other acceptable name) for the protection of both parties, physically and mentally. Then I would hope the legal system would crack down hard on pimps, the greater scourge in this whole picture. Ian Mitchell, Ontario."
"Dear sir, I would like to say your article is excellent and gave me a feeling that maybe there is a silent majority out there. I have always believed in legalizing the 'intimate' trade and thus taking away the pimp's power and organized crime aspect, but when I say that, people look at me as a sinner and a fool. Thank you for making me feel like I'm not the only one out there. Sincerely, Gord, Dryden, Ont."
"Hi, Laurie. I am actually quite surprised by your take on this ... but good for you for voicing support on a very controversial topic. And while I do not disagree, legalizing it will also bring about men and possibly women who go and cheat and make the argument that the government says it is OK. There will be a ton of other issues that come up and relationships that go down, but if they do, how solid were they in the first place, right? Health issues first. Congrats, Kelly."
Probably a fact of life that cheaters are here to stay, but at least maybe this way they won't home go and infect their presumably innocent partner. Thanks for the feedback, folks. Sorry I can't fit them all in.
Here's that con I promised:
A voice message, from an older and very irate woman: "Laurie, I have a great solution for the prostitution problem. Hang all the johns by the balls."
Pardon?
"Tar and feather them -- you along with them -- and uh, throw on some gasoline. Then we would not have a prostitution problem. You men create it (clang!)."
You old sweet-talker, you. Give us a hug.
