Al's problem is the woman's complaint was clearly performative, but there was no way for him to say that without relying on the rhetoric of rape denialists and victim blamers. If he had fought back against it, he would forever be invoked in both sides arguments.
That's the downside of being the party of empathy and human dignity.
While I don't oppose sex work it is funny that the people trying to legislate these idealized catholic values are all weirdo sex perverts who are willing to spend a lot of money for sex as entertainment.
I only skimmed the opening but it didn't appear to suggest that anyone underage / non-consensual was paid. I have no problem with selling / buying sex between consenting adults. He's a scumbag and I want him gone, but consensual sex for money shouldn't be illegal. If they're underage, that's a different story.
Yet. He paid a minor for sex. It was confirmed by his co-conspirator and the women who was a minor at the time. His co-conspirator is in prison partially for that rape/payment.
The DOJ dropped its investigation because Gaetz is a powerful ally of the former president, comes from a Florida politcal dynasty, his convicted co-conspirator has credibility issues from past lies about politicians, and because the rape victim refused to testify.
None of the above mean that he didnt rape that women, it just means the DOJ are wimps that wont take a case if its hard to win.
the DOJ are wimps that wont take a case if its hard to win
Taking on losing cases is a waste of time and resources. There isn't even a moral victory to be had in a loss. Even if the accused was actually guilty, their win will be used as vindication and often proof that they did not do the crime. It's a bad idea all around.
I agree that paying an adult for consensual sex shouldn't be illegal but, it is. So, the "party of law and order" should be held to their own shitty standards.
I'd agree the very minute they vote to legalize the drugs that they use. Until then, fuck no. Laws the law, they get it the same as everyone else. No favors.
We'll find out eventually that the real investigation is over the fact that he paid in the first place, and didn't follow their Lord and Savior's command to simply grab them by the pussy. Perhaps Gaetz wasn't famous enough at the time, so they didn't let him do it.
I did not read the article. However, the headline really makes it sound like I'm supposed to think that paying for sex is a bad thing. Don't get me wrong, Matt Geetz is a fucker and should probably be in prison, but we live in current year. It should absolutely be ok to hire someone to get your rocks off.
Hard agree, but it's a rather "progressive" view for the political party hell bent on deconstructing reproductive services and eroding privacy to access porn.
It is also still illegal I believe? The lack of any consequence just highlights its a dumb law, demonstrates it only serves as a poor tax, and exposes all their theocratic preaching as just rules for thee and not for me to strip away freedoms.
I think this is just part of the republican playbook now. They all seem as scummy as humans can possibly be. tRump was right, it is swamp....filled with conservative scum
I seem to recall that some papers took it upon themselves to publish names and pictures of "Johns" - I guess prostitution is legal for some, but not for others? Some Johns deserve to be named and shamed, but others, not so much?