Legalized brothels: pros and cons
Re Where to put the brothel? March 28 This week two newsmakers provided readers with sharply contrasting styles (and results) in their efforts to achieve stated goals.
The self-described dominatrix used personal knowledge and research of an issue. She rallied favour from the public by adroit use of the media, sought and achieved support from groups in related fields, assembled legal expertise and then pursued her goal through the established system. She was successful.
In contrast, Mayor Rob Ford’s weapons in his battle to win support for his views on public transit were bluster and bombast. He alienated and denigrated his co-workers, had no concrete plan, offered sarcasm to questioning media and was contemptuous of the established system.
Far be it from me to suggest that we might be better served if the dominatrix sat in the mayor’s office, but one cannot help but wonder. Ed Shannon, Toronto If we act quickly we can replace racetrack slot machines with brothels and save thousands of jobs. Imagine border racetracks inundated with Americans unable to legally obtain this service at home. We could make racetrack brothels destinations aimed at family entertainment.
Think of the spinoff businesses. Barber shops and haberdashers so the shopper could look his or her best for their visit. Day spas and golf courses to cater to spouses who aren’t interested in the main activity. Splash pads and rides for the kids. Weekend packages could be marketed so there would be demand for hotels and restaurants. And retail stores for shopping.
The taxation potential is there as well. We know our governments make billions from booze, tobacco and gambling. Why not from prostitution as well? Another opportunity for our governments to gain from the things that can help to ruin Canadian lives. Ken Caudle, Brampton The court has now legalized prostitution and removed most of the penalties so that police will be unable to restrict this anti-social behaviour. While many advocates of this perverse behaviour cheer the decision, some like myself grieve that we are moving away from our Christian foundations in Ontario and Canada. What next? Legalization of child pornography and child molestation in the name of “freedom.” Jim Tomlinson, North York Perhaps we need another law that allows brothels only in neighbourhoods that support their presence. Do you suppose any one of the appeals courts justices would agree to support the presence of a brothel on their own streets? If it comes to pass, they will exist in neighbourhoods that are already marginalized and where bringing up a family is already a struggle. This ruling is an invitation to real social problems. Alice Mawhinney, Toronto The ruling marks an end to violence against sex workers. It allows for legal brothels that allow the workers to protect themselves. It goes a very long way to ensure we may not see anymore posters of missing women, and demon- strations calling for governments to act.
The murders committed by Robert Pickton are a horrifying chapter in a long history of violence against sex workers. Had brothels existed then, likely no woman would have fallen pray to that sick individual.
These women deserve the same rights and protections afforded to any mother, daughter and sister in our society. It is time all levels of government wake up to that simple notion. William Perry, Victoria, B.C. Canada is like Alice in Wonderland. Up is down and down is up. Saints are sinners and sinners saints. The real prostitutes are not the hookers but the politicians, lawyers and judges who have gladly sold their souls for a pilfering of vain glory and illusory fame. Paul Kokoski, Hamilton Here’s a way to kill two birds with one stone: By putting enough brothels in Scarborough, the mayor could have the traffic flow that would justify his beloved subway. Richard Horenblas, Toronto