Letters to the editor: Trafficking, MSTI, BSU sports
Sex trafficking
Thousands of children fall victim to domestic minor sex trafficking every year in the U.S., thousands unnoticed. Sex trafficking occurs when commercial sex is induced by force. Any minor who is involved in commercial sex is federally defined as a victim of sex trafficking.
Without demand, there would be no supply. Each state has different laws on how they prosecute the buyer. A study of 134 cases from Seattle, Phoenix, Baltimore and Portland resulted in 15 going free, six are dropped or dismissed. Leaving 113, all charged as guilty, 26% of that served no jail time. Even then, they usually only stay in jail for half of their sentence. For an issue this serious that is fueled by demand, the law needs to be treated as such. Studies show that over 80% of men would be deterred from soliciting prostitution if they would have to file as a sex offender. That proves the need for harsher penalties on the buyer, then demand for prostitution would decrease heavily. In Idaho, soliciting a prostitute is a misdemeanor until the third offense. Idaho received a “C” grade on its fight against domestic minor sex trafficking, which is unacceptable. For more information, go to sharedhope.org.
Camille Jones, Boise
BSU sports
During the past many months there has been much conversation and questions posed over coffee or beer, regarding whether the appointment of the first “progressive female” to lead a major Idaho public university would have an effect on that institution’s athletic future. Now, we have an answer. Sadly, President Tromp has answered this important question in the affirmative. BSU’s future athletic success is in jeopardy! Ms. Tromp has given away millions and millions of dollars in guaranteed contractual payments for no reason at all other than evidently, to curry the favor of BSU’s athletic adversaries in the hope that this expensive gift will make them all thankful for her liberal magnanimity. Idaho’s new pro-feminist oriented Board of Education should be required to make up the difference! To Ms. Tromp and Athletic Director Apsey, you don’t need to worry too much about filling the proposed expanded football stadium. We can make our Mountain West adversaries happy by simply agreeing to lose 50% of our games against them. No need for citizen support. This should make Ms. Tromp even more popular.
Jim C. Harris, Boise
MSTI
Early last month, Mountain States Tumor Institute celebrated 50 years of service to the community, and St. Luke’s announced that the name of this highly respected organization would be changed to St. Luke’s Cancer Institute. Few are aware of the very unique history of MSTI. In the mid-1960s dedicated and visionary physicians and business leaders began to plan the development of a center specializing in the treatment of cancer by bringing together specialty trained physicians and support personnel to focus on and ease the burden a cancer diagnosis creates. Similar centers had previously been established but only in major metropolitan areas and never in a community of 40,000, which was the approximate population of Boise in the mid-60’s. This concept received broad, generous and enthusiastic community support. Initial planning was highly successful and MSTI soon extended support to many Idaho communities and has gained both regional and national recognition. The organization has grown dramatically, and the scope of treatments has kept pace with those available in major centers. It is difficult to determine how the current name change will best serve a respected reputation and the many patients and individuals who have contributed to it for over 50 years.
Thomas M. Beck, Boise
This story was originally published January 16, 2020 at 2:04 PM.