As I write an over-size mobile billboard advertising the Chicken Ranch Brothel is cruising our Las Vegas streets.  Las Vegans don’t condemn consensual sex which is what is legally practiced at the Chicken Ranch.  Las Vegans do condone arresting unlicensed prostitutes, but prefer to let the Johns go free.

Is the rational for the use of police entrapment in public restrooms to prevent sexual activity from being visually imposed on those visiting for another reason.  That, of course, would constitute public lewdness, a crime.  But does the mere invitation to consentual sex constitute leudness? Does invitation to participate in sexual activity that never takes place a criminal act?

The trumpeted event in the Minneapolis restroom invites a comparison.  A social critic writing about the laxity of morality in late 19th century London pithily commented that people could do anything they liked, so long as they didn’t do it in the street and frighten the horses.  Not so unlike present day society, no?

Just what exactly was the purpose of the trap set in the Minneapolis restroom?  Was it basically for the purpose of clearing the street, so to speak, of visible unseemly behavior that might offend someone?  But in a restoom the behavior in question doesn’t take place within view, but behind a locked door.  Then, is the entrapment for the purpose of protecting the sensibilityof that rare person inquisitive enough to squint through the crack of a locked door?

If it’s the latter, surely the benefit does not outweigh the gargantuan cost paid by the Idaho Republican senator--branded a criminal, stripped of his career and future life enjoyment.  Senator Craig may well be contemplating suicide.  Did that event in the restroom so harm another as to warrent demonization and soul-shattering humiliation?  And what about the cruel impact on his family?  Does the punishment fit the crime? 

In the opinion of this heterosexual Democrat the answer is no.  Can’t we find a fairer, more humaine--for that matter, less hypocritical--means of monitoring our public restrooms?

Elinor Holcomb