Friday, April 24, 2009

"does [craigslist] promote prostitution and endanger the safety of its users?"

Twitter: answered Frank Morano's questions (http://tiny.cc/cvlqF) ~Delia

MORE:

thanks! it's up to you if you want to mention it or not -- I'm just glad I could help. you are welcome! D.

----- Original message -----

Sent: 2009/04/24 22:02:07
Subject: Re: RE: RE: Re: Radio Appearance tonight

This is great. Do you want us to mention your website on the air or the fact that you provided this info. Let me know if you chang your mind about coming on the air.

Thanks again.

Frank


STILL MORE:

You are welcome! Here is how I see it:

1). What's wrong with Craigslist?

while claiming to be "non-commercial," appears to be a cash cow (estimated huge annual profits and apparently extremely limited expenses most evident in nowhere adequate customer service -- ridiculously low number of employees given user base -- and site development -- hopelessly antiquated)

2) Does Craigslist turn a blind eye to illegal activities like prostitution?

it certainly looks like it... by all indication it self handicaps itself by refusing to allocate reasonable resources (given their profits) to combating the problem and refusing to at least modify its "erotic services" (the name itself makes posters believe the category is intended for prostitution! no such thing as legal "erotic service" -- massages and legal escorts are non-sexual)

3) What could they and what should they be doing differently to police this type of activity?

I don't think "policing" is the right word here -- they need to spend adequate resources (*given their profits*) to address the problem -- this may well be a legal question clarified by one of the ongoing law suits (how much should they be spending on this, given their profits?) nobody could reasonably ask them to go bankrupt doing this... -- these problems can never be *completely* eradicated -- but in the same time craigslist should not be allowed to spend close to nothing and walk away with huge profits every year...

4) How dangerous is it to meet someone on craigslist, be it a prostitute or just a regular date?

the risk appears to go up sharply as time passes -- you hear more and more complaints even for regular dates -- , due at least in part to craigslist's refusing to really address the problems (basically just saying they are sorry about what happened but vowing not to change)

5) If you do meet someone on craigslist, what steps should you take to guarantee your safety?

You can never guarantee your safety. However, craigslist could do a lot to help people screen out obviously dubious people; e.g. provide links to sex offenders' list, known criminals etc. I am pretty sure that much more sophisticated ways of fighting crime on the site exist or can be developed. However, it would take significant resources that craigslist apparently has but it not willing to dedicate to addressing these problems.

6) How could the recent series of craigslist murders have been avoided?

I don't believe they could have *absolutely* been avoided. I do believe crime in general would be significantly reduced on craigslist if they allocated reasonable resources to fighting it and that decisions made today determine to a large extent the magnitude of tomorrow's crimes.

Delia

P.S. let me know if you need me to clarify anything or you want me to answer anything else! D.


---- Original message -----
Sent: 2009/04/24 20:41:45
Subject: Re: RE: Re: Radio Appearance tonight

Okay thanks very much. Here are a few questions, but please feel free to throw in anything else you'd like to.


1) What's wrong with Craigslist?
2) Does Craigslist turn a blind eye to illegal activities like prostitution?
3) What could they and what should they be doing differently to police this type of activity?
4) How dangerous is it to meet someone on craigslist, be it a prostitute or just a regular date?
5) If you do meet someone on craigslist, what steps should you take to guarantee your safety?
6) How could the recent series of craigslist murders have been avoided?
....

MORE: Twitter: "does [craigslist] promote prostitution and endanger the safety of its users?" WABC Radio with Curtis Sliwa invitation: http://tiny.cc/cvlqF
....
Sorry, I can't... but feel free to ask me anything you'd like! I'd do my best to explain my opinions and address whatever questions there might be. Whether you choose to use it on your show (now or later) or not doesn't really matter to me... I'd be glad to help in any way I can, I just can't be on the show.

Delia

----- Original message -----
Sent: 2009/04/24 19:50:44
Subject: Re: Re: Radio Appearance tonight

Sure. You can post whatever you'd like. Would you be willing to come on with assumed name? I appreciate the offer of reading your posts, but on radio it just works so much better if there's someone on to explain it and maybe take calls.



From: dperiod
To: Frank Morano
Sent: Fri Apr 24 16:43:49 2009
Subject: Re: Radio Appearance tonight


Hi, Frank!

I do appreciate your interest but I value my privacy a lot! So an appearance on any radio show is not my choice...

I'd be glad to post my opinions on my craigslist criticism blog (like I have done for a long time) and you have my permission to use the info any way you'd like.

I could just go ahead and answer your question "does [craigslist] promote prostitution and endanger the safety of its users?" in a new entry on my blog. If you'd like to refine the question or ask further questions after I get the initial response posted, just let me know.

Delia

P.S. could I post your email/emails on my blog? thanks! D.


----- Original message -----
Sent: 2009/04/24 19:05:53
Subject: Re: Radio Appearance tonight

Hello,

I produce Curtis Sliwa’s nationally syndicated show and we were wondering if you’d like to come on with Curtis at 11:30 PM EST tonight to discuss craigslist. Does it promote prostitution and endanger the safety of its users? It would be by phone and last about ten minutes.



Thanks,

Frank



Frank Morano
Executive Producer

WABC Radio
(212) 268-5730

(212) 613-3849
frank.morano@citcomm.com (Please note new e-mail address)
2 Penn Plaza, 17th Fl
New York, NY 10121

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