BARBARA MEIL HOBSON, Uneasy Virtue
BANZAI7 NEWS--You can learn something about a country's culture by examining how its contingent of the "world's oldest profession" operates.
These women that are coming out of the cracks to capitalize on Tiger Woods are high priced call girls. They work the VIP rooms at pricey Vegas clubs and pro sporting events. They hook up. They get paid. What they don't do is keep their mouths shut. Kiss and tell for money.
It is interesting to compare the behavior of these "professional companions" with their counterparts around the world.
In Asia, prostitution is prevalent and in many places legal. However, it is considered too shameful to admit. Kiss and tell is virtually unheard of.
In Europe, it is also prevalent and legal in many countries. Excluding the women who are enslaved by crime syndicates, your typical European working girl is a professional who knows that confidentiality and discretion is a pillar of good business. Ever read about an Amstersdam working girl singing to the press? Kiss and tell is a serious breach of ethical conduct.
In America, prostitution is just as prevalent, but patently illegal. However, it certainly is not too shameful to admit in the tabloids. Kiss and tell is just another form of free enterprise. Business ethics? No need, talk to lawyer and agent. We don't need no stinking business ethics in capitalist America.
Lets consider NYC where a Madam is now tabloid talking about Tiger's exploits. NYC is the capital of high priced whoring. Where else but Wall Street, do Johns have $10,000-$20,000 to pay for a trick. Are the Johns paying because they think a porn actress is so hot she's worth $20,000 for 2 hours? Doubtful.
What they are paying for is hush, hush. But as we have seen time and again, that confidentiality is fleeting. Apparently, it is safe to be a banker John in NYC. Someone will pay the hush ransom when the chips are down. We never did find out who the Fat Cat clients of the Wall Street madam were.
The only fat wallet who gets nailed is Elliot Spitzer. Elliot Spitzer may have had it coming since he was NY's chief lawman, committed the high crime of hypocracy and was the nemesis of Wall Street.
But don't kid yourself, the high priced hooker business is very big business in Bonus Town USA. At least one major hedge fund manager is reported to have wired $100,000 to one of Wood's alleged paramours as a gesture of "hush" kindness. Wall Street office pools are already wagering on who this kind benefactor could be.
Business looks to be good downtown this Christmas.
Tiger has the money to pay. So why are his service providers talking in the tabloids? Because Tiger is seen as the biggest Kahuna you are ever gonna catch. They will milk it for all its worth, tabloid exclusives, text message treasure troves, phone pics, tell all books.
So where else does capitalism meet morality? In the executive suites of Tiger's commercial sponsors, that's where. As you read this Nike is wondering whether its customers buy sport shoes because Tiger is a model of virtue or because Tiger is only going to put his name on top flight sports equipment. Why do you buy Nike?
And that folks is "Living in America":
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I think the decline started when Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous came out on TV. It was at a simmer. Then you got Paris Hilton and all her hangers on. And it became a rolling boil. So this is an easy way for people to get fame and fortune, with out any real work, other than whoring oneself out.
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