Prostitution... Who is responsible? (an actual case)

Let me preface this by saying that, in my opinion, prostitution should be legal and regulated and safe. That being said.... This is a case that is going on here in Casper, Wyoming at this time. And I think it's totally fucked up and unfair. I wondered what others might think...

Tokoyo Massage.... A "questionable" business for some 30 years here. It sat on the outskirts of town, had a HUGE covered garage for it's patrons to park in anonymously and EVERYONE in town over the age of 16 knew what it was... For 30+ years... 20+ years ago, I worked at KMart and everytime we had a bubble bath sale, this Asian gentleman would come in and buy ALL of it, every last drop. I mean, really, we all knew that Tokoyo Massage had the most expensive and "thorough" massages in town. And nobody did a thing about it. Not a soul. I think no one really cared too much, frankly.

THEN about 3-4 months ago, the cops bust the place. It was a very public trial, humiliating of course. The "johns" were given immunity, one a VERY prominent Cardiologist here in town, to testify against these poor, aging Asian women, one of whom is being deported back to Korea now... These women were in their 50s and up! They had been in the states for 20 some years!(I like to joke that at 48, I'm too young to be a hooker in Wyoming! LOL)

Anyway, my irritation and questions regarding this matter.... WHO is responsible for this "alleged" crime? The authorities who let it go on for 30+ years, therefore lending it tacit credibility? Should the "johns" have gotten off when these poor women's lives are now ruined, one (an actual prostitute, not the "madam") being sent back to Korea to.... what will her life be like there? Is our police department just totally inept and "slow", manned by total fucktards who had NO idea what was going on there for 30 years? Did it actually take them THAT long to figure it all out?? GODS, if that's the case, the poor people of this town are in deep shit!

This just burns me up! Rumor has it that one of the "johns" gave his wife the clap after a visit to the ol' massage parlor and she went there, raised a ruckus and the police were called, thereby resulting in the arrests. A case for my contention that it should be legal, regualted and safe.

So what do a think??

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Robert Chapman on May 16, 2009 at 9:12am: I think every area has a place like this...lol There's one local to me called that's called "Spa 61", as it's on route 61. Run by asians, offers massages, and local kids go there for, well, you can only imagine.

Anyhow, as for your story, the rumor about the wife getting an STD may very well be why the police went in. If you look at it from that angle you see that it went unchallenged for many years because it was never a problem. Now, all of a sudden, a woman who has nothing to do with the place is affected by it. Therefore it is now having a negative effect on the community.

If prostitution is illegal, then it should be enforced by the law and not overlooked for years and years, no matter what. Just like any other illegal activity. To let it go sends the wrong message. So the authorities should bear some of the responsibility here.

Personally, I think it should just be legal, since people are doing it anyway, but I know that's a pretty weak argument, open for dispute. lol After all, they don't call it the oldest profession for nothing.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Alice on May 16, 2009 at 9:20am: It's just so sad that things have to go on like this ... I feel sorry for the poor women that have to work there and being in their 50's "good grief".. But the little girls they are bringing here to do such a deed is really sick ...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by peace lily on May 16, 2009 at 9:30am: The women here were doing it of their own free will. Though the madam has said she was broke, abandoned by her husband with no family and no where to go. Hungry and on the streets, this is what she did. And made a lot of money too!

The young girls being brought in and forced into prostitution is despicable, deplorable and down-right horrifying. AND, a good argument for making it all legal and therefore, regulated. This sort of thing could be better policed and stopped if it was not an "underground" business.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Xoc on June 1, 2009 at 9:42pm: I don't understand that.

Its ok in Nevada but not the rest of the states! WTF?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Gone Baby Gone on June 1, 2009 at 11:45pm: Ditto that.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by SalixKat on June 2, 2009 at 1:53am: I don't even think it's all of Nevada...just some parts.

There's no federal law prohibiting prostitution, so that leaves it to the States or local governments to regulate (or not).; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Azraelwitch on May 16, 2009 at 11:10am: I think it sucks that the johns got off. That's where I'm at with it. Bless you have a magick day!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jen on May 16, 2009 at 12:01pm: I can't say I support prostitution being legalized. The issue of why people pay for sex and why people sell sex is very complex and is the result of separation and crazy values that have warped our sexuality in general. I do want women who choose this profession to be safe but the underlying issues and the sex slave trade will still go on whether it is legalized or not. Guns are legal and that hasn't stopped the trade of illegal firearms.
This specific case is an example of sexism and racism. These woman didn't see other options for staying in the U.S besides working at this place. The men get a get out of jail free card, probably because they "knew" some important people and were white. Who knows some of the cops may have made a visit here and there as well.
I do not believe that women who work in the sex trade are victims necessarily because that is judging them and their choices but it makes me sad that our sexualilty as humans is so messed up.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by ShadowDancer on May 19, 2009 at 8:27am: Once again its a supply and demand situation. I have a friend that frequents places like this in Houston. His reasoning is that it is cheaper than trying to seduce someone that gives it away and that there are no strings or complications.

I am amazed by the rumor. The woman had to be truly pissed. Most people I think would not air their dirty laundry like that. They would be embarrassed and humiliated to think that their spouse needed something they werent getting at home. Especially in smaller communities (I dont know how big Casper is) Houston is the 4th largest city so pretty much anything can happen here.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Xoc on June 1, 2009 at 9:43pm: "I do not believe that women who work in the sex trade are victims necessarily because that is judging them and their choices but it makes me sad that our sexualilty as humans is so messed up."

I want to add not everyone in that sort of thing is there by choice. Some are forced into it. Usually by gangsters. And the Japanese government in WWII.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rose on May 16, 2009 at 12:27pm: I've always wondered how we reconcile this: It's legal to pay 2 strangers to have sex on film so we can watch. It's illegal for one stranger to pay another to have sex when we can't watch.

Legalize, tax, and regulate. Drugs and prostitution alike.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Exeter on May 16, 2009 at 7:05pm: I believe that prostitution should be legal and I agree with everything Celtic Goldenheart wrote. It seems strange to me that a woman has the right to an abortion because it is HER body. Wouldn't the same logic apply to prostitution? It's her body and if she chooses to use it to make money, that should be her own business.

Btw Peace Lily, I understand the "johns" in this case got away this time but the "Johns" are not always granted immunity to prosecution. Watch any of the police shows that are on tv now like COPS and you will see many times that police sting units are set up just to arrest these "Johns."; ▶ Reply to This