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Ex-NFL Linebacker Lawrence Taylor Sentenced to Probation on Sex Offense

By Jeralyn, Section Crime in the News
Posted on Tue Mar 22, 2011 at 06:58:58 PM EST
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Former NY Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor was sentenced to six years of probation today for to sexual misconduct and having sex with an underage prostitute.

Attorney Gloria Allred gave a press conference after the sentence, accompanied by the underage woman, whose identity up until today was kept under wraps. Gloria, of course, was unhappy Taylor wasn't sentenced to life plus cancer.

She was even more upset the judge didn't allow the accuser to read a victim impact statement in court. The judge pointed out that it's allowed only for felonies.

Allred's presser rendered Taylor's attorney, Arthur Aidala, completely apoplectic. He then took to the mike. TMZ has the video of him excoriating Allred. Allred was present during the tirade. She laughed through the whole thing.

[More..]

Here's a video of Gloria's press conference. She opens, with the accuser standing next to her, saying she's not going to release her name, just her initials. (And of course her face so everyone who ever met her can recognize her and spread it like wildfire on FB and Twitter.)

Taylor will now have to register as a sex offender.

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    Ex-NFL Linebacker Lawrence Taylor Sentenced to Probation on Sex Offense | 72 comments (72 topical)

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    I think the saddest part is (5.00 / 2) (#9)
    by Anne on Tue Mar 22, 2011 at 08:39:22 PM EST
    "underage prostitute."

    Maybe it's because I have two daughters, but it just makes my heart hurt to think about what it means for someone that young to be reduced to prostitution.

    Whether it's drugs or just trying to get from day to day, I just can't imagine how little self-esteem someone would have to have, or how desperate someone would have to be to live that life.

    Poor parenting. (none / 0) (#16)
    by Buckeye on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 08:35:43 AM EST


    Parent
    I'm pretty sure it's not that simple, (5.00 / 2) (#22)
    by Anne on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 09:30:08 AM EST
    although, as I don't know the details of this girl's life and childhood, it likely played a role.

    Sometimes it's not so much "poor parenting" as it is people having no idea how to be a parent, because they have few examples of it in their own lives.

    Regardless, it doesn't change the fact that it's a terrible thing that a young girl is reduced to selling herself on the street.

    Parent

    Definitely not that simple.... (5.00 / 0) (#25)
    by Dr Molly on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 10:05:46 AM EST
    I mean we haven't even mentioned here the enablers and customers and exploiters, for example.

    Parent
    I agree there are other factors (none / 0) (#26)
    by Buckeye on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 10:06:36 AM EST
    and I agree there are many people that do not know how to be parents, especially if they have kids too young.  But that is still the failure.

    And I agree it is sad how many people have manipulated this young girl for sex or money.  What angers me the most is not so much those that did the manipulating, but that she obviously had no one looking out for her.  

    Parent

    Shut-Up (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 09:52:35 AM EST
    That is the laziest thinking I have read this week.

    There are millions of really bad parents that never turn out a prostitute, and plenty of really good parents that do.  I suspect bad parenting isn't helping, but then neither is growing up in a metropolis or having one of those faces all guys want.

    My point is there are hundreds of factors that need to line up just right for someone to decide that is the life they will lead, and in some cases (like this girl), the life forced upon them by scoundrels.

    Parent

    You can try to come up with any (none / 0) (#24)
    by Buckeye on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 10:02:34 AM EST
    excuse you want, but if a 16 year old girl is out turning tricks for money, her parents have failed miserably.

    Parent
    Given that she was a runaway, (5.00 / 0) (#32)
    by Anne on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 10:32:22 AM EST
    already on the street, prostitution was probably a means of survival.  Now, was she a runaway because her parents were so terrible that life on the street seemed like a better option?  I have no idea.  

    And neither do you.

    We are all products of our upbringing; we all carry with us the lessons of prior generations, because that's how people learn to parent - from their own parents, who learned it from their parents, and so on.  Doesn't mean we can't be better parents than our own, but that's not as easy as it sounds - especially when one is trying to do it under difficult social and economic conditions - or even too-easy conditions; children of the wealthy are not exempt from family problems, as we've seen.

    Yes, people figure out how to do it better, thank goodness - but sometimes, you can be doing all the right things and still have problems with your kids.  And kids raised the same way, under the same conditions, can go in completely opposite directions - so explain that one, could you?

    Life's just not that simple that you can reduce all of its problems to poor parenting - or all of its successes to good parenting.


    Parent

    That's the ONLY conclusion you (none / 0) (#28)
    by observed on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 10:14:27 AM EST
    can draw, based on so little information?
    Maybe her she just has a god-shaped hole in her head.

    Parent
    That is not the only conclusion I can draw. (none / 0) (#30)
    by Buckeye on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 10:22:07 AM EST
    Not sure at all why you came to that conclusion with so little information.

    Parent
    Gandi's oldest son became a prostitute :) (none / 0) (#34)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 10:55:12 AM EST


    Parent
    Oops Gandhi (none / 0) (#35)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 10:55:31 AM EST


    Parent
    Stipulated that there are other factors (none / 0) (#37)
    by Buckeye on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 11:02:50 AM EST
    beyond poor parenting that lead to underage prostitution.  But that is a major factor in most cases.  For example, for every 100 teenage prostitutes on the street in a developed country like the US, how many of them do you think came from broken homes and/or very bad parents?  I would argue over 95%.

    Parent
    I tend to think that our teenagers (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by Militarytracy on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 11:24:14 AM EST
    come from a broken culture.  If you are lucky you have parents able to protect you enough from it that you can grow up to learn to protect yourself from it :)

    Parent
    Such a great comment MT! (none / 0) (#45)
    by Dr Molly on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 11:53:30 AM EST
    "Our teenagers come from a broken culture".

    So true!

    Parent

    You can argue whatever you want, (5.00 / 0) (#40)
    by Anne on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 11:25:59 AM EST
    but plucking numbers out of the air isn't the best way to support your opinion.

    How many of these "bad parents" would be better parents if they lived in a society that supported and created the conditions in which families could flourish?  Better jobs, more education, affordable housing and health care, better nutrition?

    We're apparently a society that is poised to abandon even more people at the lower end of the economic spectrum, as our esteemed leaders embark on a program of cutting out the fat - which means the kinds of programs that could help parents and families.

    Parent

    I would Argue... (5.00 / 0) (#43)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 11:31:47 AM EST
    ... the same 95% have kids or shop at Target, correlation & causation are not the same.

    I am not going to argue about something your gut tells you, show me some numbers and we can talk.  Otherwise save your sanctimony for the the CPAC convention.

    Parent

    You are embarassing yourself. (none / 0) (#46)
    by Buckeye on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 12:44:04 PM EST
    First off, it is you that sounds sanctimonious preaching at me because I have the audacity to mention that poor parenting is almost certainly a big factor in this tragedy.  I am not conservative, but you seem to know a lot about what they think.

    Second, if you are not convinced despite the massive stats available about the difference between kids in broken homes vs. stable ones, then throwing more at you will not help your problem any.

    I would argue the same 95% have kids or shop at Target, correlation & causation are not the same.

    Congratulations, you get the prize for the most ridiculous comment I have ever read on this site.

    Parent

    Nah.... (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by ks on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 12:58:49 PM EST
    Actually, yor are the one failing here by absurdly trying to reduce this instance to "bad parenting" or "broken homes" which, you seem to be using interchangably.  As others have pointed out, that's pretty lazy thinking.

    Parent
    It is only lazy if I have not read anything (none / 0) (#53)
    by Buckeye on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 01:05:06 PM EST
    about it, thought about it, or talked to anyone about it but came to that conclusion anyway.  This is not true.  I am also (if you read my posts) not blaming 100% of the problem on parenting - but I believe it is a major factor.

    A woman my brother (who is a Spanish teacher and guidance counselor) knows is a certified life coach.  Read this from her regarding teenage prostitution.  This is a really sad development in America that this kind of stuff can happen.

    Although exact numbers are not clear, it is estimated that there are more than 300,000 teenagers in the United States who are being exploited through prostitution. Many believe these numbers are much higher...There is not one single factor which makes a teenage girl vulnerable to be recruited into the life of prostitution, however, there are certain factors which are believed to increase one's risk. These include: coming from a broken home, a history of abuse, having a mother who is promiscuous, poor relationship with parents, truancy and a history of running away which is the biggest factor which can lead to one becoming involved in the life of prostitution...In short, low self esteem combined with a lack of guidance and support from adults makes girls vulnerable to being recruited into the life of prostitution."

    Parenting is all over the place in her opinion.  She is no conservative and is an expert on this.  It is amazing to me that so many are simply writing this off as a major factor or calling those who state it as being sanctimonious or intellectually lazy.

    Parent

    The problem is... (5.00 / 1) (#59)
    by ks on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 01:52:30 PM EST
    Your first post on this was a blithe assertion that simply said..."poor parenting..." which is odd because you don't know what actually happened in this instance and seem to be relying, in the literal sense, on stereotypes.

    About the opinion you quoted, "poor parenting is all over the place?" Broken home = poor parenting?  Poor relationship with parents = poor parenting?  The parents of teenagers will have fun with that one.  Having a mother who is promiscuious?  What does that even mean?  Notice how low self esteem which may or may not be parental related is combined with parental factors?  Even with the litany of social probelms listed in it, your quote is still filled with hedegs and qualifiers like "...which are believed to increase one's risk..." and "...which can lead to one becoming involved..."

    IOW, even your quote doesn't blithely assert that "poor parenting" is the "cause".

    Parent

    Broken home is an example of poor parenting IMO (none / 0) (#60)
    by Buckeye on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 01:58:53 PM EST
    So is a poor relationship with parents if it is so poor it leads to a runaway.  Poor parenting also lead to low self esteem.

    Parent
    Really? (3.00 / 2) (#62)
    by ks on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 02:23:22 PM EST
    What do you mean by a "broken home"?  A lot of things can lead to poor self esteem.  You are trying to draw too many straight lines.  

    Parent
    By a broken home, I mean (none / 0) (#63)
    by Buckeye on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 02:31:45 PM EST
    illegitimacy, abuse, drug addiction, one parent leads life of crime (drug trafficing, prostitution,), etc.  Dissolved marriage can be a contributing factor to poor parenting if the parties cannot put aside differences for the kids and/or one side abandons.  Things that unfavorably impact creating the proper environment, guidance, and example needed for children.

    Parent
    Maybe, as a parent, I saw your response (none / 0) (#71)
    by Anne on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 03:29:41 PM EST
    to my original comment - "Poor parenting" - as seeming to be oblivious to how difficult it is to actually be a parent - these days or any days - even under the best of circumstances.  Some days, my husband and I marvel at how well our kids turned out, given that one thing that's clear from Day One is that you have no idea if what you are doing will be the right thing for your child - if something you did today will have your child making co-pays to a therapist 25 years from now.

    It's hard.  It's hard in a home with two parents who are (1) happily together, (2) free of drug and/or alcohol problems, (3) not abusive, (4) from a long line of intact marriages, (5) not in economic distress, (6) well-educated, (7) living in a nice home in a good area.

    We were lucky - and yes, I consider it luck - because I know plenty of people who seemed to have exactly what we had whose kids didn't turn out so well.  Were they worse parents than we were?  I don't think so.  Maybe they weren't the parents their kids needed them to be at some crucial point, but is that the same as a being a bad parent?

    The drugs are everywhere and so is the booze.  Our culture sends out an unrelenting message of sex-sex-sex.  Our kids are pressured non-stop to be better, smarter, prettier, richer - and then we blame parents when it doesn't end happily ever after: we weren't involved enough, we were involved too much, we pushed too hard, we didn't push hard enough, we didn't stay home, we did stay home - and on and on and on.

    It's hard.  And it's insulting and offensive to get "poor parenting" as a response to an expression of compassion  for this young woman.

    I don't know why this young woman ended up where she did.  I don't know where she came from or why she left.  I don't know who her parents are or what their story is.

    All I do know is that it makes me feel bad that this became her life - and that it may not get better for her than it is right now.  

    That just depresses the crap out of me.  


    Parent

    Good post Anne. (none / 0) (#73)
    by Buckeye on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 04:14:39 PM EST
    It was never my intention to insult anyone or make any judgments about different lifestyles.  Just that I have read so much and seen so much of children developing serious problems as they get older, and the environment they were raised in was terrible nearly always.  You and your husband BTW sound like great parents.

    Parent
    Alrighty Then... (5.00 / 1) (#64)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 02:36:31 PM EST
    My point was correlation doesn't equal causation, the ridiculousness of it was purposely used to show how ridiculous your claim is.

    The fact is you can't prove your point because bad parenting is subjective.  Is raising a kid in polygamy bad parenting, spanking, same sex parents, home schooled, or the other million things people disagree about when it come to parenting.  Even abuse is some circles is considered better than a single parent home, so go on about all your stats, that you have yet to provide, and make you unfounded claims, and whatever it is you need to do to convince yourself that people like you couldn't possibly produce a prostitute or a crackhead or a murder.

    And I will stick with my original claim:
    "there are hundreds of factors that need to line up just right for someone to decide that is the life they will lead, and in some cases (like this girl), the life forced upon them by scoundrels."

    Parent

    Italics, not Underline Above (none / 0) (#65)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 02:37:11 PM EST


    Parent
    If you want to hang onto your mistaken (none / 0) (#66)
    by Buckeye on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 02:49:44 PM EST
    certainty that "poor parenting" is so subjective that only santimonious puritanical CPAC intellectually lazy bigots would say it, go ahead.  But you living in a bubble.  It is very widely known by people who work on social services that broken homes (by that they do not mean things like same sex marriages but things like illegitimacy, domestic violence, paretal drug abuse, criminal lifestyles of parents, abandonment - anything that creates an unfavorable environment to raising children) is the cheif culprit to these types of problems with children.

    Parent
    And attached is just one (none / 0) (#67)
    by Buckeye on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 02:54:51 PM EST
    study that was done in the UK I read about just a few days ago as an example.  I could post the other studies I have read showing the link between broken homes and failing children but I would clog this side.

    Parent
    Gandhi (none / 0) (#55)
    by Buckeye on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 01:33:56 PM EST
    is widely held as a great man, and I don't undertake to dispute that. That doesn't tell us anything about his parenting skills.


    Parent
    Quit Digging (none / 0) (#68)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 03:01:02 PM EST
    Good gravy, we know Gandhi was a bad parent, because you told us that prostitutes are a result of bad parenting.

    Quit trying to walk this back, they're your words and I think either you have some mental deficiency or more likely, you realize how absurd your original claim was, but are just too damn proud to admit it was flawed.

    So now you are backed into a corner questioning the Mahatma's parenting skills.  I literally can not stop laughing.

    Parent

    Jeez, talk about (none / 0) (#69)
    by Buckeye on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 03:10:08 PM EST
    intellectually lazy sanctimony.  I am not trying to walk back anything I said, not sure what you mean (and I am sure you do either).

    The problem with sanctimony is you.  It is you on the high horse, lecturing, not me.  I simply stated that I believe bad parenting is a major factor and you have responded telling me to shut up and delivered ad hominem attacks.  I am now starting to believe I struck a nerve with you close to home.  I do not know obviously, but I am done debating this topic.

    Parent

    Last Post (none / 0) (#70)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 03:14:03 PM EST
    Your link,"Broken home children are 'five times more likely to suffer mental troubles".

    The shell game, from bad parenting behind underage prostitution, to broken homes more likely to cause mental troubles.  I don't dispute the latter, I dispute your claim only.

    Bro, if you walk back your original comment any faster, time will reverse and I can have the past half day back.  So please, pick up the pace.

    You spent about 8 posts insisting their are mountains of data and statistics proving your point and you whipped out one article about a study in England from 2007.

    And for the record, the article, which isn't actually the report, doesn't mention bad parenting once.

    Parent

    That was (none / 0) (#17)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 08:39:10 AM EST
    the same thing that stuck out to me too.

    I didn't read the whole story but that phrase is really strange. Is it because she's underage or because she's a prostitute or both? Since prostitution isn't legal is she going to be convicted too? Or does the fact that she's underage change that?

    Parent

    This is a pretty interesting topic. (none / 0) (#56)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 01:35:44 PM EST
    I just googled "Why I Am a Prostitute" and got a lot of hits, like this one:

    Why I Became a Prostitute...Posted September 20th, 2008 at 1:51PM

      My mum was a hooker before I was born and she worked as one when I was younger. When my parents split up, due to dad finding out that mum was 'on the game' I stayed with him whilst she continued with her career...

       When I was 11 or maybe 12 my mum, who was still a prostitute, used to get in touch with other girls and help to educate them into prostitution. Discuss the pitfalls and all that stuff. One of her friends was a hooker called Tracy...she was 13 and loving it. When I used to read the emails I found it all quite exciting...so I wanted my mum to show me.

        Obviously she wouldn't...but I gave her grief for about a year or two and she gave in. I became a prostitute when I was 14 and, being 24 now, I've been in the business for 10 years. A good achievement I feel.

         I enjoy sex and I enjoy the money...what could be better than combining the two?




    Parent
    jb, I watched both video links, (none / 0) (#2)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Mar 22, 2011 at 07:37:39 PM EST
    and there was a lot of information given, such as he didn't have sex with her, according to her, and she lied to him about her age, and she still received $300. I couldn't hear everything Allred said, but I'd say what actually happened isn't even clear right now, except for Taylor pleading guilty to the charges...

    I wonder if the case was pled out because of the weakness of the prosecution's case, or because of strong negotiotiations... my experience with plea deals comes from "Law and Order," so it isn't real.

    Troubling.

    Gloria Allred (none / 0) (#3)
    by jbindc on Tue Mar 22, 2011 at 07:46:37 PM EST
    is a media hound. She never met a microphone she didn't like.

    But my point is, just because she is advocating zealously for her client (like she's supposed to do) doesn't mean that she wanted LT to get "life plus cancer".

    And if the prosecution's case was so weak, I don't think he would have pled. The criminal lawyers in the house can better speak to this, but this isn't some poor defendant who some can claim was railroaded into pleading guilty.  No, this is a rich defendant who can afford the best lawyers, so if the state had nothing, the defense would have been all over this.

    I think it's the opposite - I think the state had something else on him, or had him dead to rights (maybe video?)  This plea avoids the embarrassment of a trial and he gets probation. Win-win for him.  Maybe in return for a plea, the girl will get a nice quiet settlement as well to go away.

    Parent

    Could a speech like Allred's (none / 0) (#4)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Mar 22, 2011 at 07:49:23 PM EST
    backfire? I would have expected a settlement before... admittedly, a criminal defense attorney isn't necessarily a tort defense attorney.

    Lawyer stuff can confuse and confound me.

    Parent

    Oh, and for the record, (none / 0) (#5)
    by jeffinalabama on Tue Mar 22, 2011 at 07:51:06 PM EST
    I don't support Lawrence Taylor, ex-football players, the NFL, or any other group like that... He pled guilty, he's guilty.

    Parent
    for the record, (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by cpinva on Tue Mar 22, 2011 at 09:27:15 PM EST
    pleading guilt and being guilty aren't, by definition, mutually inclusive events. there could be many reasons a defendant chooses to plead guilty to a lesser offense, rather than face the hazards of litigation. according to the accuser, mr. taylor did not rape her, or even have sex with her, so that kind of kills that theory. he pled guilty.................to something, rather than face a jury, most likely on his attorney's advice.

    ms. allred is a lawyer, always in search of the next famous victim or criminal, and the attendant publicity. this makes her neither a good or bad attorney, simply a very shrewd self-marketer.

    Parent

    his lawyer said he's broke (none / 0) (#6)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Mar 22, 2011 at 07:53:50 PM EST


    Parent
    Yup. That was his last $300. (none / 0) (#44)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 11:50:43 AM EST


    Parent
    The girl (none / 0) (#7)
    by jbindc on Tue Mar 22, 2011 at 07:58:51 PM EST
    would be a plaintiff and have a plaintiff's attorney to sue.

    Sure, Gloria's comments could backfire. Jurors could just look at the fact that he's a famous athlete and think the girl has this high priced, off-putting (to some) attorney and is just out for money, and give her nothing.

    But they could also help. I believe they can introduce LT's guilty plea at a trial (although I don't actually see this going to trial), and many jurors would probably look at this as another rich athlete getting off with a slap on the wrist and taking advantage of a young girl and nail him hard.

    But if there is a civil suit, I predict it gets settled out of court and goes away quietly.

    Parent

    jbinc's comment (none / 0) (#13)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Mar 22, 2011 at 11:22:27 PM EST
    was deleted for falsely stating the facts and as potentially libelous comments against Mr. Taylor.

    JBinc is limited to four comments a day on my threads. She's repeatedly been warned and I think is now just playing games. In any event, her views aren't welcome, her false comments won't be tolerated and she's free to post on another blog or on BTD's threads.

    Parent

    What was false? (5.00 / 2) (#20)
    by jbindc on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 08:49:10 AM EST
    You said "his lawyer said he was broke".  My response was "Of course he did."  That is a factual statement - his lawyer said he was broke. I think yiou're stretching to say it's false and possibly libelous - silly.

    His lawyer, in doing his job, would say that to 1) possibly ward off a future civil lawsuit, and 2) to put that out there for any future jurors.

    Of course, in saying that, the first thing any first year law student, let alone lawyer for the young woman will say is "Show me your books."

    I know you only like facts that support defendants around here, but those don't tell the whole story.

    I'm not playing any games, but I won't comment.  It seems you just want one side of the story ever told, so fine, I'll honor that.


    Parent

    In this case, Ms. Allred seems to be (none / 0) (#11)
    by Harry Saxon on Tue Mar 22, 2011 at 09:35:42 PM EST
    on the side of the underdog here, which makes your attitude towards her seem puzzling, at best, Ms. Merritt.

    This site supports the rights (5.00 / 2) (#12)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Mar 22, 2011 at 11:19:49 PM EST
    of those accused of crime. They are the underdog. The accuser with the high powered motor-mouth lawyer who will file a civil suit in hopes of making money is hardly the underdog. If you watched Allred's repeating the charges that were dismissed and hyperventilating over him being allowed to plead to such a minor crime, clearly Lawrence Taylor, is the underdog. If you see it differently, feel free to start your own blog or visit a "victims' rights" blog.


    Parent
    I guess I thought (5.00 / 1) (#72)
    by smott on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 04:08:25 PM EST
    That an underage prostitute was pretty much a de facto underdog in the game of life.

    And a highly paid professional athlete, kind of the opposite.

    If she gets a teensy bit of a lift from a fast talking lawyer, I say, You Go, Underdog.

    In this case anyway.

    Parent

    Atttempting to paint Ms. Allred in shades of black (none / 0) (#14)
    by Harry Saxon on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 07:48:13 AM EST
    only makes you look bad, not her, IMHO.

    Parent
    Ms. Allred has a reputation that paints (none / 0) (#15)
    by Buckeye on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 08:29:45 AM EST
    her black.  Her past behavior cannot simply be ignored when judging her conduct in these matters.

    Parent
    If fighting for ones' clients is wrong (none / 0) (#18)
    by Harry Saxon on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 08:44:02 AM EST
    then I don't want a lawyer who is 'right'.

    Parent
    Come on dude. (none / 0) (#19)
    by Buckeye on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 08:48:36 AM EST
    Allred's reputation goes beyond 'fighting for her clients' and you know that.  Its about pushing her agenda and self promotion.

    Parent
    And what is wrong with having (none / 0) (#21)
    by Harry Saxon on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 09:07:34 AM EST
    an agenda, or being self-promoting?

    You could plausibly accuse Donald Trump of the latter, but he engendered none of the wrath you seem willing to unleash on Ms. Allred.

    Perhaps as some have here in the past when writing about Charles Sheen, you could blame it her faults on mental illness.

    Parent

    Making your case for Allred by comparing (none / 0) (#27)
    by Buckeye on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 10:10:40 AM EST
    her to Donald Trump?  Because you do not think people have criticized Trump as much as Allred?  Not a strong case.  

    And besides, I don't agree that Trump has not faced as much criticism as Allred.  In fact, he has faced more, especially considering more people know him.  I know many have ripped apart his "pagents" his personal life, etc.

    Parent

    Donald Trumps' self-promotion (none / 0) (#29)
    by Harry Saxon on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 10:16:22 AM EST
    isn't and hasn't been used to bash him the way it has with Ms. Allred, for one thing.

    Because you do not think people have criticized Trump as much as Allred?

    In this one area, yes.

    And besides, I don't agree that Trump has not faced as much criticism as Allred.

    HEADDESK!

    Parent

    Headdesk indeed (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by ks on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 01:24:59 PM EST
    The Trump diversion is a bad comparison.  Why would people criticized Trump as much as Allred "in this one area"?  That doesn't make any sense.  All self promotion is not the same. Trump is only representing himself and is promoting his personal brand and businesses.  OTOH, Allred is supposedly representing her clients as she grabs for the mic and the attention.  

    The idea that Allred is some sort of heroine who "comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable" is rather ridiculous.  The reality is that she's a legal tic who attaches herself to high profile "sensational" cases/situations for fame and profit. Notice how she is never the primary or lead attorney on any of these cases?  The case gets going and if it gets big enough along comes Allred for the ride.

    Parent

    Re: (1.00 / 1) (#57)
    by Harry Saxon on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 01:47:52 PM EST
    Notice how she is never the primary or lead attorney on any of these cases?

    A link or two to substantiated your claim would be nice.

    The idea that Allred is some sort of heroine who "comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable" is rather ridiculous.

    The idea that she doesn't believe in anything besides her own self-promotion hasn't been documented yet, but nice try at poisoning the well.

    Thanks as always for the feedback.  

    Parent

    A link? (1.00 / 1) (#61)
    by ks on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 02:04:24 PM EST
    Haha..good one.  Off the top of my head, let's see was she the main attorney in this case or the Tiger Woods case, such as it was, or the Scott Perterson case or the Michael Jackson case, the Robert Blake case (I think) and on and on....?

    Gee, I wonder what all those very different cases have in common?  Hmmmm....all were very high profile cases that Allred attached herself to and started the sideshow.

    Parent

    Then finding the links should (none / 0) (#75)
    by Harry Saxon on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 09:09:38 PM EST
    be easy for you with so many cases at your fingertips.

    You forgot Meg Whitmans' former housekeeper, I noticed.

    Why is that?

    Parent

    Exactly. (none / 0) (#58)
    by Buckeye on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 01:50:36 PM EST


    Parent
    You are not going to convince anyone (none / 0) (#31)
    by Buckeye on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 10:24:00 AM EST
    that it is wrong to criticize one person if a different person who you think is similar is insufficiently criticized.  Sorry.

    Parent
    It is clear you do not (none / 0) (#36)
    by Buckeye on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 10:59:48 AM EST
    understand the point, that is why you think I am missing it.

    She comforts the afflicted and afflicts (none / 0) (#48)
    by Harry Saxon on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 12:49:11 PM EST
    the comfortable, which is always unpopular in our society.

    That's my final word to you, Buckeye.

    Parent

    Thats a relief. (none / 0) (#51)
    by Buckeye on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 12:57:31 PM EST


    Parent
    Taylor (none / 0) (#38)
    by ScottW714 on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 11:07:27 AM EST
    Here is a guy that had screwed up about as much as one can.

    But in this case, what is his crime ?  Not checking the ID of a prostitute ?  He certainly doesn't deserve to be on the sex offender registry.

    Slap him with soliciting charge and go after the people who put her out there.

    "Deserving".... (none / 0) (#41)
    by kdog on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 11:31:24 AM EST
    does not enter the equation...this is the law we're talking about.  We care about the collars, not the problems.

    I can't help but wonder if legalizing prostitution wouldn't help alleviate this particular societal ill, and lessen its occurence.  

    Parent

    As I understand it, underage prostitution (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by tigercourse on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 12:44:57 PM EST
    thrives in places where prostitution is legal. Amsterdam for example.

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    That may be true (none / 0) (#49)
    by nyjets on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 12:49:56 PM EST
    However, that might be the case of the local police turing a blind eye to the situtation.
    Legalizing prostitution would make it easier to go after the pimps that use underage people assumign the police go after them.

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    I think... (none / 0) (#50)
    by kdog on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 12:51:23 PM EST
    there will always be sickos who desire the underage, and ruthless profiteers who will provide in evil ways...don't get me wrong.

    But we could reduce if not eliminate this type of thing...where the prohibition pushes everything underground, and a john in search of a legal age consenting sex worker gets an exploited minor.  And it would make it easier to apprehend those who exploit minors imo.

    Parent

    That is true (none / 0) (#42)
    by nyjets on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 11:31:31 AM EST
    If Taylor did not know she was underage, he is only guilty of soliciting and the people (pimps, etc) who put her in that situation are the real criminals in this case.

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    I might think that except that so very often (none / 0) (#74)
    by caseyOR on Wed Mar 23, 2011 at 06:39:33 PM EST
    the first thing out of an arrested john's mouth is "Officer, I thought she was 18," even in cases where the girl is so obviously not 18. It's such a frequent claim that it's become a cliche.

    I have come to the conclusion that the vast majority of men who buy sex from girls do so knowingly, that those men wanted sex with a child. I don't see why these men should be treated any differently than the uncle who molests his 15 year old niece or the guy who grabs a 13 year old girl off the street or the coach who has sex with his teen-age basketball player.

    If a man is soliciting prostitution he should make d@mn sure the the prostitute he gets is not under-age, or he should face criminal sex crime charges. The "I thought she was 18," claim should no longer be a defense.

    Parent

    Ex-NFL Linebacker Lawrence Taylor Sentenced to Probation on Sex Offense | 72 comments (72 topical)

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