PeaceLoving Sex Fiends
08-01-2005, 13:13
International efforts are racing to Southeast Asia to repair damages, care for the homeless and bury the dead in a natural disaster of almost unparalleled proportions. Such actions are termed humanitarian, and indeed they exemplify the highest nature of our better selves. However, one must wonder what truly lasting effect it will have on an ongoing humanitarian disaster.
Consider Phuket, Thailand, for example. The U.S. Department of State's Feb. 25, 2004 report on Thailand reads in part, "Sex tourism was a problem. Trafficking in children, including for commercial sexual exploitation, remained a serious problem. Pedophilia, both by citizens and by foreign sex tourists, continued." Writer Greg Cruey on the website about.com wrote of Phuket that, "The bars and pub of Patong Beach are [a] popular night time destination for most visitors. But most of them contribute to Thailand's somewhat tarnished image as the sex sewer of Asia."
And amidst the ongoing relief efforts, international news reports indicate that orphaned children are even now being spirited away to enslavement for sex tourism and other nefarious purposes.
The U.S. federal government denies their citizens the right to freely travel to Cuba. Should they should also deny travel to and property ownership in nations with such well-documented and morally reprehensible human rights track records?
Should international relief efforts have strings attached?
Consider Phuket, Thailand, for example. The U.S. Department of State's Feb. 25, 2004 report on Thailand reads in part, "Sex tourism was a problem. Trafficking in children, including for commercial sexual exploitation, remained a serious problem. Pedophilia, both by citizens and by foreign sex tourists, continued." Writer Greg Cruey on the website about.com wrote of Phuket that, "The bars and pub of Patong Beach are [a] popular night time destination for most visitors. But most of them contribute to Thailand's somewhat tarnished image as the sex sewer of Asia."
And amidst the ongoing relief efforts, international news reports indicate that orphaned children are even now being spirited away to enslavement for sex tourism and other nefarious purposes.
The U.S. federal government denies their citizens the right to freely travel to Cuba. Should they should also deny travel to and property ownership in nations with such well-documented and morally reprehensible human rights track records?
Should international relief efforts have strings attached?