When in Rome (or Columbia)????
Electronman
Too much of a good thing is never enough
Any opinions on the secret service scandal involving prostitutes in Columbia?
When abroad, US citizens are expected to abide by the laws of a foreign country. Should they also be allowed to engage in activities that are legal in the foreign country even if those activities are illegal back in their home country??
Admittedly, all bets are off if the activities could in any way compromise their ability to perform their job (e.g., have a hangover, disclose secret information to a prostitute)?
When abroad, US citizens are expected to abide by the laws of a foreign country. Should they also be allowed to engage in activities that are legal in the foreign country even if those activities are illegal back in their home country??
Admittedly, all bets are off if the activities could in any way compromise their ability to perform their job (e.g., have a hangover, disclose secret information to a prostitute)?
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18 comments
US tourists are not held to such a high standard. But they can be prosecuted under US sex tourism laws if they engage in sex with children.
I agree that the Secret Service should have resisted the temptation to have fun. But damn, those Columbian girls look very delicious.
It is a good idea to obey the laws in foreign countries because there is little help if you are detained and charged with a crime.
Obama has not been a great president by a long shot, but I'm sure there were the occasional secret service guys who indulged in local hookers under previous administrations. Wouldn't have been Bush's (or Clinton's etc) fault either.
On another note I try to keep within the laws when I travel abroad. Not worth the hassle to break them. Guys who travel abroad (or anywhere) to have sex with kids should be prosecuted, either by the country they visit or by the US, so I'm cool with that.
Obama has not been a great president by a long shot, but I'm sure there were the occasional secret service guys who indulged in local hookers under previous administrations. Wouldn't have been Bush's (or Clinton's etc) fault either.
On another note I try to keep within the laws when I travel abroad. Not worth the hassle to break them. Guys who travel abroad (or anywhere) to have sex with kids should be prosecuted, either by the country they visit or by the US, so I'm cool with that.
The US is a bit unusual in claiming that it has jurisdiction over its citizens even when they are outside the country. But this isn't a criminal case. Soliciting a prostitute isn't even a Federal crime. The issue is that the agents compromised their security clearances. While I defend their right to blow off some steam, in this case they were on the clock and I must reluctantly agree that it was inappropriate.
I'm surprise someone like Rush hasn't suggested that they were just doing advance work to clear hookers for Obama.
I'm sure everyone remembers this story http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/columns/vi… well the secret service guys deserve whatever result they get more than this guy's wife did.
Like she says in the story, "“Civil servants have very limited civil rights,†she continues. “We are bound by unwritten norms and practices, and we have to pay the price if we violate them.†"
This stuff has been going on for decades. Probably since teh US government came into being and started sending missions overseas. Further evidence, actually just one more pebble in the mountain of evidence why that diarrhea hole Palin is unfit to serve in any public service capacity.
Since they are always on duty, then they violated their job requirements. It is not "fair," but that's the commitment they made by accepting the job. They compromised the security of their assignment.
However, I agree with others that 11 guys all out for tail at the same time doesn't add up. What are the odd of 11 secret services agent all going AWOL at the same time on the same assignment???
Everybody (in several posts) keeps referring to that country as Columbia (as in the U.S. district) - it is ColOmbia (COLO) not ColUmbia (COLU)!!!
This isn't the Cold War, random prostitutes are not sleeper agents. I'm still not even totally sure how directly involved these guys were with Obama's security.
Had the guy just paid her, the issue would be moot.
Good point Papi (and better retort Ermita)-- surely Colombia has better strip clubs than the relatively lame strip club scene in Columbia (as in the District of).