Alan Dershowitz dismisses the claims

[question everything]

I was listening to NPR and Alan Dershowitz was all indignant about the way the "bank" blew the whistle on Spitzer. He does not believe that the bank just happened to find some transactions that went to shell corporations. He thinks that Spitzer was targeted, but did not care to elaborate by who. If they want to find out about such activities, he said, all they have to do is look at the back pages of the New Yorker and Village Voice to find how men can pay for prostitutes without leaving traces on their credit cards.

And there were several people who wonder what's the big deal. It is a personal matter between Spitzer and his wife.

But, said another guest, it is not just any other politicians found with a call girl or with an intern... Spitzer went with vengeance after corporations and after prostitution rings, with no plea or with no leniency. He created his image as MISTER MORALITY.

And this cannot help Hillary. No, not because he is a supporter but because the reports are full of images of Wilbur Mills, of Gary Hart, of Jim Bakker, of Livingston, that governor McGravy?, of Vitter and, of course of Bill Clinton. And guest women again, wonder why the wives stay with these husbands.

And my opinion is - and next May we will celebrate our 30th anniversary without any affair on any one's behalf, not that the temptations were never there - that each marriage is unique. And no one can pass judgment on other people's marriages, unless asked for it, of course.

And I think that if we were as inquisitive as we are now, FDR, and Eisenhower, and JFK would have been exposed just like the other guys.

Thus, the problem with Spitzer is not so much that he went seeking a prostitute, but that he has built his career as such a moral person who would not let anyone else at least admit weaknesses.

And while we are there, shouldn't we decriminalize prostitution, except, of course, when dealing with under age, or enslaved, and abused people?

Let's face it. Sexual drive is as basic need as hunger and fear. Sure, we would like all people to engage in sexual relations within the "sanctity" of marriage (using the missionary position only, of course) Yeah, right...

But the reality is that there are many men and women who do not have sexual partners and who do yearn for such fulfillment. So, why not? Why not let them meet their drive just as we have restaurants and motels for the ones who do not have anyone who would prepare a "home cooked meal?"

[Taverner]

1. As much as Dershowitz has gotten under my skin as of late (he's Lieberman all the way)

I agree with him here

[splat]

2. Women seldom hire hookers, though male candidates have been known to

[question everything]

3. I think that many women would love to, on occasions

however the taboo is still too strong.

I think that there was a Congresswoman from Montana or Wyoming, she was a real Gingrich loyalist and was caught, something, don't remember. Helen something?

[splat]

4. You just walk into a bar and ... bingo!

[madrchsod]

5. allen jumped the shark a long time ago....

he`s just another right wing stooge

[global1]

6. Yes Spitzer Shouldn't Have Been Doing What He Was Doing - But.....

I'm a bit suspicious of the bank as well. If there was unusual activity on his account and they (the bank) was seeing this - wouldn't the first thing they should do is contact their customer (Spitzer) and say - 'we've noticed some suspicious activity on your account and wanted to alert you on it' versus going to the Feds right away. Ask Spitzer if he could explain it away. What if he was a victim of identity theft or something even more sinister?

After all this guy is the governor of the state - and could be a target for funny stuff.

The fact that the bank went directly to the Feds - kinda smells.

[ScreamingMeemie]

11. If a banker did that a banker would go to prison.

http://www.fincen.gov/reg_bsaforms.html#SAR

[DemBones DemBones]

7. It is really silly when people ask

why Hillary didn't divorce Bill. It's a major right wing talking point, which
is odd if conservatives really believe in the sanctity of marriage. People
were sure she would divorce him once she was in the Senate and are no doubt disappointed that she didn't. Too bad. It's their marriage and they
make their own choices.

Bill's indiscretions were none of our business -- I'm sorry we ever had to
find out about him, FDR, Eisenhower, JFK, RFK, LBJ, MLK, even GHWB --
and couples have to work things out for themselves if one or both of them has been unfaithful. I don't know how they do it but many do.

We have been married for many years and I think we have been lucky
because nobody knows on their wedding day what will happen in the
future.

Elliot Spitzer's wife will have to decide if she can deal with this and I am
sorry for her, especially if she hadn't a clue what he was doing.

[question everything]

9. Sadly, many self-described feminists

have been using this excuse to not vote for her.

And you are right - no one knows how the road will twist and turn on one's wedding day.

Some people seek divorce when they cannot handle a spouse's chronic illness, or loss of job..

Heck, today a clueless woman wrote to one of those advice columnist that she wishes she were married to an athletic pro. She should look around to see how these athletes look when they turn 40 or 50.

[DemBones DemBones]

8. Interesting that Dershowitz would say

"If they want to find out about such activities, he said, all they have to do is look at the back pages of the New Yorker and Village Voice to find how men can pay for prostitutes without leaving traces on their credit cards."

I wonder if he's married and if he is what his wife will say about that?

"Alan, dear, how do you happen to know this?"

I'd love to see him get busted. :D

[question everything]

10. Yup, married. Second time (or third..) (eom)