Re “FBI rescues children working as prostitutes,” Feb. 5: I am extremely disappointed with the wire-service article about the FBI rescuing women and children used as sex slaves in support of attendees at the Super Bowl. The article referred to them as prostitutes, which is extraordinarily incorrect. The term prostitute implies a consensual activity in which both parties gain something of value. In reality, sex slaves are forced to engage in sexual acts with no personal benefit. The article also referred to the slave traffickers as pimps, another term implying a consensual business relationship. The individuals who control the girls and women are slave owners and traffickers. This is most definitely not a business relationship.
Would you refer to the slaves in the United States’ past as farmers or domestic workers? I think not. They were slaves, forced to work against their will.
Please do not minimize the evil perpetrated on these girls and women by calling them prostitutes rather than sex slaves. And please do not minimize the evil committed by the slave traffickers by calling them pimps. MELINDA MARSH, SPRINGFIELD
Stop the mass surveillance of the American people
The mass surveillance of the American people must stop.
The National Security Agency (NSA) is spying on us, Congress, and the leaders of our allies. Regardless of his motives, NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden let some light into the dark secrets where democracy dies. Our own government yanked his passport stranding him in Russia instead of owning up to the NSA's Fourth Amendment abuses as they continued to lie. We have no proof this has made us safer, but dozens of cases where they misused the spying for fear and intimidation of citizens. Stop domestic spying before they show up at your door. DION DUCKETT, FRANKLIN
Speak Up
Re "Why did we forget key lessons on the economy?," Feb. 12: Regarding Robert Reich's statement, "Strong labor unions ensured that American workers got a fair share of the economy gains," somebody clue him in what happened to Dayton: Master Electric, NCR, GM, etc.
Amazing! After shutting down the government last year the Republicans are now acting reasonable by passing a budget and a straight debt ceiling increase. Oh yeah, it's an election year. They're merely acting reasonable hoping that voters have short memories. If they're still in office after November they'll be back to their old bag of tricks: obstruction, sabotage and insanity.
About the Author