Via the Associated Press:
A handful of times in the last few years, the members of the Oregon commission charged with determining who will get a license to teach in the state's public schools have found themselves faced with an application from a former prostitute. But under state law, commissioners have had to turn down the applications, regardless of any potentially mitigating circumstances. Unlike in the neighboring states of California, Nevada, Idaho and Washington, in Oregon, it doesn't matter if the prostitution conviction came at a tender age, if the woman herself was a victim of sexual abuse or forced into prostitution, or if she has since managed to right herself and her life. Now, a bill that would have brought Oregon's policies in line with its border states has died in the state Senate, after strong signals that even if had made it past the full body of senators, it would not have survived in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. "You don't get past the headline. You just don't get past it," said Dave Mowry, an aide to Rep. Linda Flores, R-Clackamas.
It reminded me of this recent story — another "profile in courage," as Reason sarcastically put it.
Even some critics said they would not vote against the measure [to have store owners determine which video games are inappropriate for anyone under 18 and hold them legally liable for selling such fare], for fear it would be used against them politically. "I'm going to vote for this bill, but I'm voting for it for one reason — because this is a political bill," said [Illinois Democratic] Sen. Mike Jacobs. "If I vote against it, it will show up in a campaign mail piece."
Yeah, I have to agree with the honorable ladies and gentlemen from Oregon: whoring is a bad thing. Especially when it concerns legislators who'd rather prostitute themselves before headline writers and political hitmen than, heaven forfend, vote their conscience.
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