Turn Out the Red Light?

II live in Nye county Nevada within a 1000 feet of two major brothels, Talk to the women who work at these establishments occasionally and they prefer the safety. I have lived in other cities where prostitution is illegal and the street hookers and drug dealers are everywhere I prefer living where it is legal and monitored. I even feel safe letting my children go outside and play. Were it is legal allows a place for MOST sexual deviants to fulfill their fantasies. The women I have talked too do not mind what they are doing they all tell me they make really good money for the little time they actually have to work. The holier than thou people need to spend more time monitoring their own lives instead of trying to build a false eutopia while their own lives are a shamble.

lilymax--I appreciate your comments and alternate perspective on this issue, especially since you've worked directly with some of these women, but I don't agree with your assessment that it's a close-minded Americanized view to think that prostitution as a profession (particularly when women are put up as window displays) is demeaning, assuming the sex is consensual, of course. If it doesn't pass the "would-you-want-your-daughter-to-do-it-test" doesn't that mean there's something wrong with it? I don't think that makes me close-minded or Americanized (whatever that means--I don't assume that all Americans think the same way and are close-minded).

Among the many sad things about this situation is that much of the animosity fostered by the RLD is a direct result of tourists wanting to exercise Amsterdam's freedoms and not their responsibility. Having been to the city a few times I'm no expert, but I did find the most unpleasant factor was obnoxious tourists, stoned and/or horny, who believe everyone should be living it up like they do. Since marijuana and prostitution are black markets in America and much of the world, people can't associate these freedoms with responsible attitudes. The sex trade is a much more cruel and dangerous situation, but I second the comment that it represents a small portion of the unionized and regulated hooking membership. Sadly the clearest way to export responsible and safe attitudea to the tourist's homelands is among the least likely; namely the recreation of these pragmatic policies towards sex and drugs in the United States and elsewhere.

I lived in Amsterdam for three years, and I first went to Amsterdam's Red Light District in 1979. Over the years I have been back there dozens of times since. As an American, I found the Dutch peoples attitude towards sex refreshing. As the Dutch Government strictly monitored the licensing and health permits of the sex workers, the Red Light District offered a safe, and exhilarating rare experience. Only a short stay in Amsterdam will enlighten people unaware of the Dutch populaces attitudes towards sex, and its sex workers. The sex workers are not ostracized by their countrymen as whores or deviants. Unfortunately, Amsterdam is going the way of other once great Cities. New York City sold its soul for the almighty dollar. Only the rich can afford the rental of apartments there now. Gone is the day of the corner Bodega's or Greek diners. London is now controlled by Middle East dollar. The last time I was in London, there wasn't a decent Fisk' N"Chip place left. My Son is only fifteen, and I was hoping to take him to the Red Light District on his eighteenth Birthday. I guess I better take him now before another flavor of life is flushed. . .

I lived in Amsterdam for three years, and I first went to Amsterdam's Red Light District in 1979. Over the years I have been back there dozens of times since. As an American, I found the Dutch peoples attitude towards sex refreshing. As the Dutch Government strictly monitored the licensing and health permits of the sex workers, the Red Light District offered a safe, and exhilarating rare experience. Only a short stay in Amsterdam will enlighten people unaware of the Dutch populaces attitudes towards sex, and its sex workers. The sex workers are not ostracized by their countrymen as whores or deviants. Unfortunately, Amsterdam is going the way of other once great Cities. New York City sold its soul for the almighty dollar. Only the rich can afford the rental of apartments there now. Gone is the day of the corner Bodega's or Greek diners. London is now controlled by Middle East dollar. The last time I was in London, there wasn't a decent Fisk' N"Chip place left. My Son is only fifteen, and I was hoping to take him to the Red Light District on his eighteenth Birthday. I guess I better take him now before another flavor of life is flushed. . .

The world is a big place. If one chooses to live in Amsterdam as an adult. That adult chooses that environment. Sure, the arguemnet always stands, "What about the children? They don't have a choice." Very true. Again, I can see the benefits for having, or not having a RLD, but financial benefits are not a valid arguement. The fact that Asscher is touting Guliani as a great leader is questionable. He rode the "911" wave until it reached the beach. I thank God for calm waters.

And the RLD is right next to my neighborhood, which makes me feel much safer because there are police safety cameras on every corner and it is the only neighborhood where this is a police presence at all, making it one of the most expensive. family-oriented neighborhoods in central Amsterdam.

To all those who believe the people of Amsterdam should put up with an RLD for tourist enjoyment. Maybe, you wouldn't mind if it were next to your neighborhood.....I didn't think so.

With all that being said, I think the city???s motives in this situation are totally disingenuous. Isn???t the theory behind regulated prostitution to eliminate pimps and sex traffickers? I don???t think regulating pimps and forcing prostitutes out into the streets without governmental assistance will do anything to help these women, especially the ones who are victims on non-consensual prostitution (or, shall I more accurately say, serial rape). If the city government were really serious about cleaning up things up, they???d either outlaw prostitution altogether a la Sweden or get more serious about really running a regulated sex industry that is free from traffickers, pimps and other criminal elements a la the Bunny Ranch in Nevada.

Sweet,
Babydoll, You need to relax. Don't you know that sexuality will always be viewed as a strength in women by men and women alike? Or haven't you been there yet? I'd love to see you be appreciated for your mind, but it's hard to get past all of the capital letters.
As for the RLD, I've never been there. I have never been a customer of a prostitute, but I certainly would not be condescending to one who has or the prostitute him/herself. Amsterdam should really take a step back and think about the the irony of a man named Asscher removing prostitution. Likewise, Americans should continue to look back at how we've permitted Dick and Bush to screw us while filling their own pockets. That is abuse!
If Amsterdam decides to replace the RLD, that's OK too. However, Asscher is completely off his rocker if he thinks this will help the city financially. Every city in the world has boutiques.
Remember folks, without a left, there is no right.

Sin. Sin, is allowing an industry that we all well know has thrived and will thrive with or without government approval, to be thrown back into the underground. Sin, is allowing sex workers to work without hiv testing or other std testing. Sin, is saying you are backed by god and trying to oppress people. Jesus was a friend to sinners (friend of the devil is a friend of mine kind of guy). Until we all become earthworms (asexual) the sex industry will have its place in society. Stop letting them blind you with bull sh** issues. There are real problems out there. Sounds to me like some one is trying to flip some good real estate. Hope the workers organize and win.

oh, and i just wanted to add that right wing neo conservatism is fascism, as is far left wing meddling. true republicans did (and still do) want smaller government and no federal fingers interfering in our lives (No, i am not a Democrat, but a traditional Republican. The kind that existed before the invasion of the religious right.)

Getting rid of the Red Light District will only drive prositution underground and generate more crime and violence. The women in the Red Light District have to be licensed; since that's the case, why not include an extensive background check and deny licenses to any women who can't prove she's not a victim of human trafficking. Next thing you know Amsterdam will be getting rid of the Brown Cafes. Big question; what impact will this have on tourism. Many folks go to Amsterdam because of the cityi's attitude toward sex and drugs. Isn't getting rid of Amsterdam's red light district and the brown cafes like closing down the casinos in Las Vegas. How many of you would go to Vegas if the US Supreme Court ruled tomorrow that all forms of gambling was unconsitutional? Besides a few Van Gogh and Rembrandt paintings, what's the incentive for tourist to visit Amsterdam? 80 percent of the folks who stroll the Red Light District aren't customers; they're just coming to look. I've been to Europe five times and I always start my trip in Amsterdam. If they shut down the Red Light District, London or Paris will be my first destination and I'll skip Amsterdam.