I'm always amazed when cities like Detroit, that are already plagued by murder, armed robbery, and burglary choose to crack down on the worlds oldest profession.

Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick says the city's serving notice to johns that "we'll tow your car and charge you 900 dollars to get it back, we'll arrest you and fingerprint you and put your face on TV."

Prostitution has been around as long as the institution of marriage. The idea that you cannot charge someone money for something it is perfectly legal to give away, is a bit odd in my opinion. Cracking down on it, will never eliminate prostitution, and will simply divert police resources away from real crime.

I also wonder what consequences the city might face for putting John's faces on TV? Shows like COPS must get permission from criminals, otherwise they are required to blur out their face. This is regardless of a conviction, and is presumably done to prevent a defamation lawsuit. Why does making defamation state sponsored, make it more legitimate?

Pundits will give the Rudy Guliani argument that prostitution and other minor crimes lead to bigger crimes, and in fact it does. Just as the illicit drug market leads to more violent crime. Legalization of both activities, coupled with smart regulation, will pretty much nip that in the bud. Sure, you'll still have some illegal street prostitutes on the street, but the numbers will be vastly reduced, and easier to police.

I think that people sometimes forget that prostitution, quite simply is a vice. (It is even handled by police on the 'Vice Squad'.) Vices, in my opinion, whether they be prostitution, gambling, overeating, or drinking, are personal demons that people must fight on their own. They can draw their inspiration from God and family to help them resist temptation, or they can embrace their weakness and choose to live in sin. Either way, as long as their behavior doesn't deny anyone else of a right to life, liberty, or property, as a libertarian I feel that it should not be prohibited.