I'm with all the folks who say that Palfrey's sui[homi?]cide is a tragic example of how the criminalization of prostitution in America is inequitably leveraged against women.

Having said that, my inner cynic smells a Law & Order episode coming out of this.

I agree. I had no mention of Palfrey in my blog until reading this article, and I started thinking: this woman faced 50 years for doing the same thing that thousands of male employers who hire illegal immigrants do every day. Racketeering, money laundering, tax evasion, etc. It's a blatant example of sexism thriving, and it makes me sick.

I agree with each of you. I am just sickened by the unfairness of it, and repulsed that people like David Vitter continue blithely forward without consequence.

Perhaps D.P. should have been penalized for tax evasion, but that's about as far as it should go, I think. Everyone knows this stuff goes on 24/7, just look in the back of any weekly newspaper, or in the phone book under escort. In NYC there are more ads for escorts than for lawyers.

I feel terrible for this poor woman, and particularly for her mother. I can't think of anything worse than discovering one's child after they've succumbed in such an awful and sordid way. It makes me sick. I hope Deborah will find peace. I feel awful for her Mom.