Goodtimes wrote:
What does this mean for the future of this site? Certainly CR authorities could argue CRT promotes the Industry, no? And I'm not only referring to the members only VIP section. The public areas of this site also make it quite clear what it's all about. Perhaps Admin should consider making the entire site private. Thoughts?
Wow, have I been out of the loop! I had no idea all of this has been going on! WOW. I was thinking the same exact thing. If CD if prosecuted for this, how can the owners/admin of this site not become targets? I mean there are discounts to monger hotels, Zona 2, maps, etc., etc. There really is no defense to this vague law. I knew of CD but had no real opinion either way of the man. Had never met him. Hearing what BangBang has to say regarding his experience, he certainly was a less than honorable person. Sounds like BB was personally harmed by this guy as well as people he knew.
However, with that being said, I think the bigger picture is what does this mean in the long run? If one of us posts a trip report on the internet are we guilty of the sin of promoting sex tourism? I haven't uploaded any pics to this site THANK GOD. What does this mean for CRT and the entire hobby down there? From what BB says there are powerful forces that would like to end this mongering tourism. This may have LONG lasting effects and they may just start arresting gringos off this vague law to send a message we're not wanted there anymore. They could effectively outlaw prostitution without actually passing the law to do it. US politicians do it all the time when they don't have the votes to outright change a law or ban something. An analogy could be cigarettes, where the states make them so damn expensive with taxes, they are close to outlawing them without ever having to pass a law banning them. Arrest enough dumb gringos on "promoting sex tourism" then watch the industry dry up. Prostitution would still be legal, technically, but nobody wants to pay that price (possibility in a CR jail). What slippery slope does this go down? Example: You tell a buddy at a bar, "hey I had a great time with chica X at place Y", does that not promote sex tourism? If Tico/Tica bartender overhears you and reports you to the authorities could they not possibly arrest you?....I know it sounds ridiculous, but is it?
I'm not here to defend or support CD but I DON'T think the man should rot in a Costa Rican prison. Give the man a nice sized fine, deport, and ban him for life. Done. Seriously, he doesn't sound like a great guy but freaking PRISON??? All of us fellas aren't probably on any morale high ground and I'm not going to bash anybody when it could easily be any of us one day. Just some thoughts my friends. We don't have to support Cuba Dave, but damn we should all be against this shitty law.