Gawker: casual encounters

Oh, Sure, Like Anyone's Going to Boycott Craigslist

Owen Thomas — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 17:46:17 EDT

Troubled by reports that accused murderer Philip Markoff found his alleged prey through Craigslist, a do-gooder has called for a boycott of the classifieds site. 61 out of a hoped-for 500,000 have signed up.

The petitioners are echoing media pressure in calling for Craigslist to shut down its Erotic Services section, thereby preventing the likes of Markoff from contacting 25-year-old "masseuses" through the site. Craigslist does charge for erotic listings, but donates the revenues from the category; Casual Encounters is free. The only way the site makes money is from job and apartment listings; Craigslist doesn't make a dime when you unload your old couch on the site. Frankly, Craig Newmark would make more money and have fewer headaches if everyone not looking for a job or a place to live went elsewhere.

And of course, if Craigslist banned Erotic Services, that's exactly what its clientele would do — buy and sell the same services elsewhere online. That's a far easier route to take, and would save Craigslist a lot of headaches complying with vice-squad subpoenas — which is why most websites ban the sex trade altogether.

"Craigslist is the largest source of prostitution in America," Cook County sheriff Tom Dart told ABC News. Nonsense. Horny, desperate men are the largest source of prostitution in America. And Dart should be happy that they're visiting a website which rolls over so easily when the police call.

What no one is saying: Laws banning prostitution, which makes women engaged in trading sex for money vulnerable to predators, are the real problem. Western Europe's boring brothels suggest that legalizing prostitution is a danger to sexual excitement but not public mores. Sure, boycott Craigslist! It's an easy move to stop spending money with a site that costs nothing — one that changes exactly nothing about the dynamic that got Julissa Brisman killed. Meanwhile, Newmark, the lazy millionaire, will keep doing his humble-nerd act all the way to the bank.

Marriage-Defending Crusaders Are 2M4M

Pareene — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:48:04 EDT

Let's see, how could the evil anti-gay group that calls itself NOM (NOM NOM) and had its hilarious commercial audition clips leaked to YouTube become even more comical? They found a way!

The "National Organization for Marriage," the group behind the briefly infuriating "gathering storm" ad, has decided to call their anti-gay campaign "2 Million for Marriage." Or, as they themselves shortened it: "2M4M."

Come on guys, is this all an elaborate hoax?

We hear NOM's next campaign, against gay adoption, is called "Parents, Not Perverts" or "PNP."

(Also we hear NOM's totally st8 but their GF is out of town and they wanna party.)

Which Political Blogger Wants A Casual Encounter in Denver?

Pareene — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:24:29 EDT

Hah. He's 40 (40-year-old blogger! sad!), 5'11", and "went to one of those selective East Coast schools." Always important when looking for anonymous tail in a strange town! Guesses? We honestly don't even want to hazard one. (If Doree's list is representative, Craigslist Denver seems to be crawling with dudes looking to "pleasure" those hot lady Obama voters.) [Craigslist via NYO]

Craiglist Sex Ads Were ID Theft Trap

Ben Popken — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:15:21 EDT

A Minneapolis area crime duo have been arrested for luring people on Craigslist to sexual encounters, then stealing their wallets. Amy Ruth Bergquist and Eric Thorsen are accused of then using the wallets' contents to steal the person's identity to forge checks and pay for their Adderal and Dexedrine addictions. Didn't momma ever tell you not to talk to strangers online and then try to have sex with them?

Eagan couple's sex ads on craigslist were a setup for ID theft [StarTribune] (Thanks to Gregg!)

"Want a Girl who reads Gawker - m4w - 29"

Sheila — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:17:23 EST

Not that anybody here scans Craiglist's "casual encounters" at 10am—but thanks for the tip, College Callgirl! At 3:42 this morning, some lonely soul posted a m4w that he was "looking for a girl who reads Gawker... eh, I figure if we have that in common, we'd probably hit it off in the sack." Well, that's assuming a lot! Our female readers are not slutty, we're sure... "Preferably before the sun comes out," he adds. OK, which one of you posted this? [Craigslist]