The World Beyond BetterMost > Anything Goes
On the subject of prostitution
x-man:
This morning I visited the site of The Great Joshua Tree Battle of 26 September 2013. I see that through judicious editing and deletion virtually nothing but wreckage remains. The thread makes little sense now, and I think this a loss--primarily of the in-context testimony by several BetterMostians that people WILL speak out against ugly, hurtful stereotyping when they see it. I thank you all. I know that many of you have long since given up on the fight here in BetterMost against a radical, right-wing minority. After the events of yesterday, I am not sure anymore if I would challenge this feeling of tiredness. I am lucky to live in my part of the world; we don't have much of that sort of thing here. It is one of our blessings. I salute you BetterMostians who manage to keep an optimistic face in spite of it all.
milomorris:
--- Quote from: x-man on September 27, 2013, 08:18:03 am ---This morning I visited the site of The Great Joshua Tree Battle of 26 September 2013. I see that through judicious editing and deletion virtually nothing but wreckage remains. The thread makes little sense now, and I think this a loss--primarily of the in-context testimony by several BetterMostians that people WILL speak out against ugly, hurtful stereotyping when they see it. I thank you all. I know that many of you have long since given up on the fight here in BetterMost against a radical, right-wing minority. After the events of yesterday, I am not sure anymore if I would challenge this feeling of tiredness. I am lucky to live in my part of the world; we don't have much of that sort of thing here. It is one of our blessings. I salute you BetterMostians who manage to keep an optimistic face in spite of it all.
--- End quote ---
...And the insults keep flying. You don't seem to understand that characterizing me as "ugly," "hurtful," etc. constitute direct personal attacks. You are not allowed to impose your leftist group-think on me, or anyone else here at Bettermost with this kind of pressure and harassment. This has to stop.
Mandy21:
--- Quote from: milomorris on January 16, 2012, 10:14:56 pm ---I think all prostitutes are scum. Being proud of it is even more reprehensible. I'm hoping that this particular angle to James Dean's story is just rumor.
--- End quote ---
FWIW, this dialogue / exchange of thoughts originally occurred almost two years ago. The last point being made, in answer to my question for further explanation, was that of Milo expressing his opinion, which he and all of us have a right to do as long as we keep it respectful of other BetterMostians. I did not, and do not agree, with his statement, BUT the only personal experience I have with prostitutes is seeing a couple on the streets of St. Louis a few times as I passed by in the car. The rest of my education regarding prostitution has come only from the big and small screen and books, which could be entirely fiction for all I know. I let Milo's statement stand because it was one based on personal experience, one or more of which must have been very traumatic in order for him to feel this way. It was none of my business to ask for further explanation or get into an argument. He is entitled to his opinion based on his real-life experiences. That's what I believe anyway.
I also believe it is the unfortunate task of the moderators here to use their learned judgment to keep things respectful between us. This is not the place to go to call people by hurtful, judgmental names. Lee was perfectly within her purview to delete judiciously so that as few people as possible get offended or insulted by disrespectful behavior.
Having said that, X-Man is new to our group and is getting adjusted and learning the particular styles of the individuals who contribute regularly to these threads. I appreciate his passion and his fresh thoughts and his articulate, educated, experienced opinions. X-Man, you should know these are all highly intelligent and passionate people, who will argue and defend their case most convincingly. The trick is to listen to ALL sides, and to add your respectful opinion when the spirit moves you.
Just wanted to get that off my chest as it seems it was my questioning years ago that started this controversy. Hope it ends civilly.
Front-Ranger:
Thanks for your thoughts, Mandy.
If this is agreeable to everyone, I would like to reinstate the deleted posts in their own separate thread called "On the Subject of Prostitution" in the Anything Goes section, which is also moderated by Roland. If there are any other posts in this thread that you would like moved over to the new thread, just let me know.
Gil, I very much appreciate you editing the personal attack out of your thread and I will put it in with the others.
Just a reminder, let's talk about ideas and not attack people or groups, or call people or groups names. Thank you.
Later: Okay, the new topic is located here: http://bettermost.net/forum/index.php/topic,50885.0.html
Front-Ranger:
I haven't thought about prostitution since the film Slumdog Millionnaire came out, but it's something that we should be thinking about.
My first thought is that prostitution is a poor way to take care of humanity's sexual needs. I mean, Jack had a rather sad look on his face when he went to El Paso and met up with a prostitute there (even though he was an award winning and brilliant cinematographer!). Prostitution robs children of their childhoods and innocence. Prostitution spreads disease and exploits poor people and vulnerable people. There ought to be a better way for poor and untrained people to make a living but sometimes there isn't.
So, I feel about prostitution somewhat the same way as I feel about soldiers. I despise what they do, but I have respect for the individuals who do it. And there is a tinge of "there but for fortune, go I" also.
Later: I agree with milo that there are very few similarities between homosexuality and prostitution. One thing that is somewhat of a similarity is the matter of choice. People don't choose to be homosexual or heterosexual or bisexual. In the same way, people don't choose to be prostitutes. Very few, anyway.
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