According to Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz, speaking on Anderson Cooper's CNN show Monday night, Eliot Spitzer should not resign nor should he be prosecuted because prostitution is a "victimless crime."
Dershowitz gave us the usual nonsense about how Europeans would regard all this as no big deal, but what does this prove other than the fact that many Europeans have reached the nadir of moral debauchery? Yes, we all know that in France the discovery that a politician has a mistress or even patronizes prostitutes can raise their poll ratings. Is this really an area in which we wish to emulate French degeneracy?
I'm more interested in Dershowitz's claim that Spitzer is guilty of a crime that doesn't have any victims. Is this really true? Let's make a list of all of Spitzer's victims.
His wife: Spitzer's wife of 20 years not only has to cope with the public knowledge that her high-profile husband frequents prostitutes, but she also has to stand alongside him while Spitzer makes a press statement on his sexual and legal offenses. Converting your wife into a political prop--what could be more humiliating?
His daughters: For years the girls could think of their dad as a champion of legal and moral rectitude, fighting Wall Street crooks, shutting down prostitution dens, and so on. Now these innocent children must endure the knowledge that their father is far from what he portrayed himself to be. Spitzer has made shipwreck of his family and disgraced his children in public. What are his daughters going to say when they next see their friends?
New York citizens: Isn't there something outrageous when a high public official, and in this case a former attorney general, somehow gets the idea that he is above the law? That he can break the law with impunity? Why should other New Yorkers be held accountable to the law but not Spitzer? Spitzer of all people has worked to emphasize the idea that no one is above the law. So if Spitzer gets away with this, he will have screwed more than the $4000 hooker.
Alan Dershowitz: There is something about Democratic malfeasance (Barney Frank's relationship with a male prostitute, Clinton sex scandals, the latest Spitzer prostitution scandal) that causes liberal Harvard professors who agree with the politics of the culprits to lose their normal good sense. Whether Dershowitz thinks the law in question is a good one or a bad one is irrelevant here. Laws are made to be followed, and it's odd when law professors think that this doesn't apply to laws about sex. Clearly Alan Dershowitz's legal and moral intelligence has become the latest victim.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 25)
1. Most assuredly Spitzer has proven himself a hypocrite, should someone decide to prosecute him I say go for it. The the rule of law applies to everyone, and when you break the rule you pay the price plain and simple. Now should you Mr. Spitzer have some morals are some honor you should step down and forego the circus, but your a politician so I'll just have to watch. Should no one decide to prosecute my opinion that you resign means nothing the choice is yours. I don't think I'll hold my breath on the situation considering that we still have Larry Craig and David Vitter still holding their jobs. So yet again the ole Logan has been proven right, being and Independent is the best thing nowadays
Logan at 3:52AM on Mar 11th 2008
2. All very true. There's a lot of talk about how anything someone does regarding sex is none of our business, but i think that's an erroneous conclusion. Sex can be a powerful force in a persons life, and what people do sexually matters to the people and the community they impact. This "victimless crime" talk is sometimes used to promote legalizing narcotics too, but i think anyone who considers drug use victimless has never seen what it can do to a family.
Michael at 3:58AM on Mar 11th 2008
3. DD: "Yes, we all know that in France the discovery that a politician has a mistress or even patronizes prostitutes can raise their poll ratings".
No we don't "all know that". The former would probably have no effect upon poll ratings, the latter might cause them to drop. But more importantly, it would be considered much less of an issue than, say, starting a war on false pretenses.
DD, haven't you heard? French bashing is so passé. Sarkozy and George W Bush are big pals. You can eat "French fries" again, and drink Bordeaux with your hot dog.
Joe Bob at 4:33AM on Mar 11th 2008
4. As always, Dinesh is comparing apples and oranges, by lumping mistresses and prostitiutes into one category. The issue here is that Spitzer broke the law, even if it's a stupid law. His government prosecuted people for engaging with prostitutes, so he's a hypocrite.
If he'd just had a mistress, this would be no one's business but his, his wife's and his daughters.
Ryan Anderson at 6:55AM on Mar 11th 2008
5. In my book, America's Most Gangsta, I discuss this topic further, and debunk the myths that d'souza and his ilk have perpetrated for so long. In addition, there may be juicy details of a sex scandal in my book as well, possibly involving a clueless, Indian, Jesuit-schooled, conservative blogger.
Stuart Joshua at 7:46AM on Mar 11th 2008
6. "Yes, we all know that in France the discovery that a politician has a mistress or even patronizes prostitutes can raise their poll ratings."
Have you actually followed any news about France lately? Sarkozy's approval ratings have plummeted; in part because of his divorce, and later because of his relationship with Carla Bruni.
Arvid at 8:17AM on Mar 11th 2008
7. Contrary to Dershowitz's statement, Europeans apparently DO consider this a BIG deal. CNN actually reported it was the lead story in at least 5 Euro. papars; not buried on page 26 as Dersh. suspected. Too bad for Spitz it hadn't just been a gay affair. He could have simply moved on with his political career, his resume somewhat enhanced.
fanmanaf1 at 8:21AM on Mar 11th 2008
8. It's sad that Dinesh would need to take a story like this, which is ripe with possible issues to discuss, but instead, unsubtly use it as a French bashing peice.
French degeneracy? F you, Dinesh!
Ryan Anderson at 8:25AM on Mar 11th 2008
9. Unfortunately, since the Democrats see breaking traditional and moral law as a noble and courageous act, especially in the name of vice, this only adds favorably to Eliot Spitzer's resume' among liberal Democrats.
Rev 3:16 at 8:33AM on Mar 11th 2008
10. Every time I read about a politician who cheats on their spouse, I can't help wondering: if they are willing, for a few moment's pleasure, to break their most solemn vows to the most important person in their life, how can we, the voters, expect to be treated? When, in addition to the betrayal of their spouse--and let's be honest, it's usually the husband cheating on the wife--the politician (especially a former Atty General!) engages in illegal activity with a prostitute, they have forfeited the right to lead and should resign. And for the record---I'm a registered Democrat.
Greg Landingham at 8:46AM on Mar 11th 2008
11. Your right Greg; though for the record, it was more than a "moment's pleasure". Reports say this last tryst was approx. 2 hours and, for 4 grand of taxpayer (alleged) funds, you'd expect more than a moment.
fanmanaf1 at 8:53AM on Mar 11th 2008
12. well now lets think,
the man lied, so the issue of personal trust is broken, the issue of public trust is broken. BUT, in a sin-free moral free lifestyle we americans so enjoy, who cares? and to wit, the man AND his wife may possibly write a book!! and get on the talk shows,ie. ophra and possibly dr. spill, i mean phil. we in america actually glorify such behavior and we wonder why the family is in such shambles.
used to society frowned on adultery,frowned on sex before marrigae,frowned on being gay,we did not glorify decrepid behavior as we do now. this is why we need more truly conservative idealogy to save the family because society as a whle does not give ones rats ass about immorality. we have been inundated with trash through the media, the television, the tabloids. its a wonder the fundamentalist muslims hate us so much. our immoral decadent lifestyle is an affront to theirs.
society needs to wake up!! we have an enemy and he walks the street of america. looking for prey and an unsuspecting soul to devour-his name LIBERALISM.
as michael savage said rightly,"liberalism is a mental disorder". no truer words spoken. society needs to rise up and frown on things it once did or we will be a nation no longer. we are imploding in moral decadence and the signs are everywhere.
our country is slipping into the abyss of moral decay. bill"i did not have sex with that woman"clinton should be the poster boy for the left. and stand by your man hilary the cheer-leader/
lets wake up america!! the hour is late and we are sliding fast
brian at 9:06AM on Mar 11th 2008
13. Poor Dinesh! A member in good standing of the Republican "toe tapping" Republican club. I have wondered for a very long time why, when sex is involved (especially the sex lives of others)that they become so incensed? Could it be that, having no such life of their own, and having way too much time on their hands, that they can afford to stick their noses in the lives of others? Maybe they are really obsessed with the subject and, by covering themselves in a mantle of superiority, they are then able to wallow in it while deluding themselves into believing that they are "virtuous."
Anyway, Dinesh is still good of a chuckle.
Robert I. Laitres at 9:08AM on Mar 11th 2008
14. brian; you can't swing a stick without hitting a gay closeted hypocritical conservative who has betrayed his family.
So let's not make this about Liberalism. OK?
Ryan Anderson at 9:12AM on Mar 11th 2008
15. brian; it no suprise to me that you would like Michael Savage.
It was his type of talk radio that in Rawanda called the Hutu out against the Tutsi.
Ryan Anderson at 9:18AM on Mar 11th 2008