An article in the Los Angeles Times reports that they have a “john school” where guys who are arrested for soliciting prostitutes have to go to be shamed into mending their ways. It’s not gentle, the article says. They are indulging in risky behavior, it says. Some prostitutes set guys up to be beaten and robbed. The “students” are a commonplace lot, a lot of them Latino, working stiffs, some married, etc. No corporate biggies here. They can get their high-priced, elegant call girls without all this hassle and I am thinking is there no one to speak for the poor schlubs who pay for sex and have no way to do it quietly as the monied johns do?

Here is my suggestion and it is not a new one. Legalize prostitution. The pros have to file tax returns on income, they have to have a license and medical checkups periodically. They have to register as sex professionals. Perhaps they should work for the state, have a clearing no. the john calls. He states his preference, they bill his credit card, he gets a girl (her registration number goes on the request) “to order” and that can’t be all bad. Any abuse of the system, the bad girls are on record and can be weeded out. Yes, yes, I know. Married guys prefer more anonymity. Well, tough.

Of course the religious nuts are totally against such even-handling of the problem. They are far more comfortable protecting the clergy from sexual indiscretions such as pedophilia or, more wholesomely, seducing the wife of a parishioner. But, as Fredo would say, what do I know?

Sometimes women think being a pro (think a bored suburban housewife who decides to go to an elegant hotel and pick up a well-heeled guy at the bar – we have all seen these TV themes) is a glamorous occupation. Or accepting referrals from a high-caliber madame, but can you imagine getting someone who looks like Rush Limbaugh (I think of him as Lush Bimbo)? Oh, vomit.

Well, I had a hard time picking a category for this, so I chose "Jobs and Careers". Anyone want to argue with that?

xx, Teal