100 replies to this topic

[sandra]

well said!!!
No one has ever told me what to do !! I am an independant woman with a mind of my own and it is my choice to do what i do .

[vicegirl]

All the ladies at the X-lounge are british subjects, unpimped, happy and comfortable in their work and pay their taxes which helps to buy the kit-kats, fishponds and porn movies...

[Lilly B]

The bit HH seems to be missing, is that sites like PunterNet ENABLE women who want to advertise the selling of sexual services independently, WITHOUT the need for a pimp.

The view she seems to hold of us ladies is quite out of date and in no way acknowledges the great majority who work quite happily behind closed doors, marketing ourselves as a business quite willingly, and quite specifically to attract the kind of clients we WISH to see.

Do she not realise, the internet and the advertising sites such as this gives has enabled us independent ladies to be more selective on who we see, the phone rings enough that we don't HAVE to see every man who calls.

The vast majority of independent working ladies are un-found on street corners, the internet has ENABLED us to work alone, privately and LEGALLY, relatively easily and with our own precautions in place, safely.

WHY ARE WE NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED IN YOUR MISSION HH. DO WE NOT FIT INTO THE UGLY PICTURE YOU PAINT ?

You start on a mission to close PunterNet and other such websites down, and then what ?

The ladies who are able to advertise themselves freely on sites such as this, in an industry that has moved on beyond your thinking HH, where would you like us to go for the GENTLEMEN who visit us to find us easily ?

No independent lady would have the time to earn her living as well as advertise herself if websites such as this weren't available.

[Strawberry]

I have been offered drugs by a client, from someone who wanted me to extend my workday - the same one who when I said I wouldn't see him he threatened to post a bad report.

However this site is so supportive I've not had to worry about it!

[Tanya]

I think it is fair to say that quite likely the higher percentile of Ladies on this site are working for a 'pimp' of sorts. That being the tax man....? Where do some of those taxes go ? Ah yes, payment of wages to govt.

Personally speaking I would shy from calling him this as it is really more a case of those Ladies doing the right thing by law and society and him doing his bit too of course.

It's really no good trying to tar everybody with the same brush, lest some of it splash back onto oneself.

[amy of sheffield]

Harriet its blatantly obvious that either you or someone close to you has been reading/monitoring this site and are using it as a way of diverting attention away from Mr Brown and his many blunders. So as you are getting to read this site, we ladies here at Punternet would like to convey a message to you.

You said!! We know that prostitution is not work - it's exploitation of women by men - often women who have mental health problems or drug or alcohol addiction. So we're introducing a new criminal offence of having sex with a prostitute who's being controlled by a pimp. In the many years I have been working I have NEVER been offered or taken drugs so your wrong there.

You also stated recently in a well known newspaper that the women here are pimped. That is an absolutely ludicrous lie and one I personally would like to see you retract asap please.

The ladies (and note I use the word ladies as thats exactly what we are) that use this site, use it because its by far one of the most responsible escort websites on the internet today. Its long been the first port of call for many girls who find not only the advertising features, but also the warning boards and support from the forum an invaluable source.

Punternet helps keep us safe and dispite what you say about being pimped, its actually the reverse of that and means we can work without the threat of pimps hanging over us.

I personally take great exception at being told that I'm pimped simply because I have used the services of this website. I am not pimped nor have ever been pimped, nor do I know of any other girl that uses this site that is pimped either.

Girls please add your name to this thread if you are a truly independant escort, its time this woman realised that we are empowered women, not the drug addled, pimped dregs of society that she is running around painting us to be.

thankyou wellnhappy. I add my name in total agreement.

[stephanierose]

As usual these polititians who are trying to legislate and 'clean up' the sex industry have got it completly wrong and the only thing they end up doing is to make life harder for the women in the industry. Making prostitution illegal will only drive it underground thus making all of us independent ladies vulnerable. Sex trafficking and independent ladies are separate issues.

[auntiatease]

well said!!!
No one has ever told me what to do !! I am an independant woman with a mind of my own and it is my choice to do what i do .

It is well said, the sad thing being is that that's she'll take absolutely no notice of it whatsoever.
I think the technical term is 'gross ignorance'; couple that with an over abundance of arrogance and you get a politician.

[Inna]

I have said it before and I will say it again, PN actually enables women to work without pimps because we can make ourselves available without having to use an agency or club or whatever.

We control where and when we work and we control who we agree to see. Without PN and sites like it we would have to use systems and environments that lend themselves to abuse and exploitation.

I don't do drugs, I do drink too much champagne, I do buy too many expensive shoes. I exchange sex for money and usually enjoy it. I am not British, but I am not stupid nor am I weak.

Harriet Harman is taking advantage of our moral marginalisation to score cheap political points by using our bodies for her agenda, now that is what I call "pimping".

[Joanna Manchester]

You can add my name to this message Wellnhappy, I feel totally insulted by her remarks.

[Helen Jones]

I said you wouldnt be happy but they ignored me your Majesty.

Come and spend a week with me and learn a little about the light side of prostitution. Its not all trafficking drugs pimps and raincoats.

As a politician you have a duty to see all sides and consider every point of veiw and not impose your victoriana on everybody. For a poitician you are incredibly short sighted. Open you mind to modernity.

[MissX]

I am not an independent escort. But i am an independent woman who chooses to escort.
Everyday i wake up and decide what to do.
Nobody tells me to do it; i have no debts; no drug addiction; no child to support. I do not have to do this, i choose to because i enjoy it.

The majority of people find the idea of having sex with a traffiked woman repugnant or indeed any woman that didnt want to be there. It is.
Theres a very small minority that dont agree with that statement but i doubt very much youll find them here.
You are indeed very short sighted

[thatmtnman]

I haven't used this service or in fact an escort...(still an 'escort virgin'! LOL!) but the statement of the Minister was just so outrageous, I had to join the site, make a response and support the webmaster and the women who make personal choices. To have a Minister of the state denigrate the ladies who freely choose this work, is just offensive and on so many levels as the Minister restricting the websites freedom of speech. Even to a non escort using male.

Bravo ladies...as we Americans would say-'kick some ass!'.

[Laura Lee]

I would like to add my support to this thread too. I am a completely independent escort. I am not now, nor have I ever been pimped. I do not labour under any addictions, I am a university student and also a bloody good mother. Not quite the stereotypical prossie that you had in mind Ms Harman, but there we are.

[Jayna]

Ms Harman, thank you for your concern, but I'm not trafficked, pimped, desperate, drug/alcohol dependent, or mentally unstable.

I, like many ladies on this board, am very happy to be an independent British escort, so please offer your 'sympathies' to those who really need it. Thank you.

Yours sincerely,
Jayna.

[Mature Linda]

All the ladies at the X-lounge are british subjects, unpimped, happy and comfortable in their work and pay their taxes which helps to buy the kit-kats, fishponds and porn movies...

Don't forget the duck house.....

I am free willed, not pimped and have never taken or been offered drugs in my long life. I work and support myself instead of existing on a state pension. It is my life and I have chosen to do this

Edited by Mature Linda, 01 October 2009 - 20:13.
didn't finish

[Rae Manchester]

I have beem a lurker on this board for a while now but have worked both as an escort and more currently in parlours.

My first comment is HH you are a joke.

Whatever happened to freedom of speech?

[LouisaPSUk]

Dear Harriet (can I call you Harriet?)

I am more than able to take control of my own life. I have done so for the last 40 years.... soon to be 41.

Maybe if you actually spent a day in the life of an independent Working Girl, who does not drink or take drugs and has bought up a well balanced teenager. A woman who is proud of herself and has never sponged off society.... and never taken what does not belong to them.... then you may have different thoughts about real life than hiding behind a cabinet that really needs to sort out their own lives first.

I ask you a question.... Do you really know what the men you speak to daily... do in thier spare time and what they do with their public spending?

Maybe you could ask them.... Just out of interest.

Best wishes,

Louisa

[JJJ]

I am seriously starting to think this woman would love to be a wg. Why else does she have it in for us? And for the record, i'm not a drug addict and have never had a pimp! How very dare you! Fair enough to go after sex traffickers but thats the minority! You'll never be able to stop the oldest trade, just make it more dangerous for us ladies and our gentlemen. Does anyone other than her really think this is a big issue compared to what else is going on in this country? Its a joke...

[Claire]

Unfortunately Ms Harman has closed her mind to the possibility that any of us can be trusted to look after ourselves and our morals. We are not to be allowed to decide whether we are happy or not, because we are too feeble-minded to get it right.

I would welcome Ms Harman's views on this:

Yesterday evening I went for dinner with an entertaining, educated and attentive man. After dinner we spent two hours in his hotel room where much fun, frolicking and laughter ensued. I had more fun and gained more sexual satisfaction than I have done in the past with any boyfriend, and when we parted I was able to drive home with a smile on my face for both the reasons stated, and for the knowledge that the contents of the envelope would cover half of our monthly bills.
Because I spent those three hours enjoying myself and earning that cash, tomorrow I can have a lazy day. I can clean my home, bake something for my kids, be there when they get home from school and work and spent quality time with them. Because I am therefore a constant presence in their lives, rather than the parent I used to be, always rushing in and out; I can make sure that they are growing up into decent, caring, respectable individuals.

Would Ms Harman prefer that I worked 39 hours in a 'respectable' job to earn that same cash? That either I had no time or no energy or both to parent my children? That they fend for themselves, eat junk food, wander freely the streets with no-one to check them? And if she would, could she explain to me why?

[SaSfan]

Yesterday evening I went for dinner with an entertaining, educated and attentive man. After dinner we spent two hours in his hotel room where much fun, frolicking and laughter ensued. I had more fun and gained more sexual satisfaction than I have done in the past with any boyfriend, and when we parted I was able to drive home with a smile on my face for both the reasons stated, and for the knowledge that the contents of the envelope would cover half of our monthly bills.
Because I spent those three hours enjoying myself and earning that cash, tomorrow I can have a lazy day. I can clean my home, bake something for my kids, be there when they get home from school and work and spent quality time with them. Because I am therefore a constant presence in their lives, rather than the parent I used to be, always rushing in and out; I can make sure that they are growing up into decent, caring, respectable individuals.

Without wanting to second guess Ms Harman, or, heaven forfend, put words into her mouth; a more comprehensive and clear-cut case of exploitation I have yet to read, you have my most heartfelt commiserations and sympathy Ma'am.

[Claire]

Without wanting to second guess Ms Harman, or, heaven forfend, put words into her mouth; a more comprehensive and clear-cut case of exploitation I have yet to read, you have my most heartfelt commiserations and sympathy Ma'am.

Sas, it's too late at night for me to be clever.

[aroma]

never had a drug in my life not even a joint as i dont smoke love my job had a problem today with my dog and a lovely client came with me for support to the vet only see nice men my choice annaxx

[Dollymopp]

Dear Harriet,
Let me introduce myself... I'm Dollymopp! A Victorian word for a whore. Love the irony..?
I won't do political rant, I will just say what I feel, woman to woman.
I am an educated Scots woman of 43 yrs, drug and pimp free, and I chose this 'dreadful underground life', yes I did. CHOOSE. I had a good childhood, did very well at school, went to Uni etc.
Where did it all go..right..? In about 1990.
Next year is my 20yr anniversary of 'dollymopping', as I like to call it, for fun.
A few years ago, I joined up to this site right here, PunterNet, by choice, and it brings me the most delightful joy to be part of it. My callers from here, are pretty damn wonderful. Most of them don't post writ in public forums, here or anywhere else. Most men don't. They simply...read/research. And then, mail/call.
..I have more experience of men than you, Harriet? My callers are Your Colleagues, many of them for sure. The callers also include doctors, barristers, judges, lawyers, city profs, et al. They agree with me, and we discuss You, at length.
That must seem odd to you, as you have never met anyone like me?
If you could see my eyes up close Harriet, if you could see...my eyes.
Dare you? My number is easy to find.
No one forced me to be here, I actually went looking for it, and not by neccessity at all. You can't understand, but maybe if you spoke to the
1000's of women like me, maybe you would.
I won't go quietly and let you ruin my life with your one sided half proof stories, Harriet. I know you mean well, but you insist on kangaroo courts, and I can't allow the injustice of this. It's utterly medieval.
I had many avenues to choose from, and I chose this. I'm also paid handsomely in other professional sectors, more befitting to your acceptable rules. I did not fail there, so as to choose 'this' to 'tide me over' till 'something better' came along. And neither do many other women.
I am a PROSTITUTE, amongst other things, and I am very happy to be one. It's so honest, pure and honourable, a gift. To be so intimate and share myself, my earthly mind and body, for the happiness of others, it makes me happy. I'm even happier that I am compensated for the time too! It's a very special feeling, when you know that you can do this properly. I knew that it was a calling, a vocation, if you will. I do have real orgasms. Bonus!
Why charge then? Well, we all need to pay to live, (what's your weekly spend..?) and who knows how much freedom time I have given just for that joy, and I do. I have the freedom to give freedom, and I will fight you for my human rights, along side 1000's of other free thinking women.
You think we are brainwashed by some kind of 'Matrix', but as you have not experienced both sides of the coin, and we have, how can you tell? Maybe you are living in the Matrix...?
I don't know what kind of woman oppresses other women's educated choices.
In the past, my history based education helped me to accept many types of human nature, and thus, I feel that I help some make the transition, to become the men that they want to be. It can be pretty profound sometimes, and when you know you have made progress, the reward..well, Harriet, you can't ever know how that feels.
I'm not grand, by all means, but I knew in my heart, that I had the right mindset to be here, and for the right reasons. I smile in the mirror, I know myself. It feels good.
The things you single out here for your 'proof' is far flung from the 5,000+ men and boys that I have met 'this' way.

[Ghenghis]

Bravo Dollymopp!

Harriet?? Care to comment??

We have ladies here who could wipe the floor with you in an open debate, are you not oh so glad they did not decide to become politicians?

[MissCupcakesx]

Harriet its blatantly obvious that either you or someone close to you has been reading/monitoring this site and are using it as a way of diverting attention away from Mr Brown and his many blunders. So as you are getting to read this site, we ladies here at Punternet would like to convey a message to you.

You said!! We know that prostitution is not work - it's exploitation of women by men - often women who have mental health problems or drug or alcohol addiction. So we're introducing a new criminal offence of having sex with a prostitute who's being controlled by a pimp. In the many years I have been working I have NEVER been offered or taken drugs so your wrong there.

You also stated recently in a well known newspaper that the women here are pimped. That is an absolutely ludicrous lie and one I personally would like to see you retract asap please.

The ladies (and note I use the word ladies as thats exactly what we are) that use this site, use it because its by far one of the most responsible escort websites on the internet today. Its long been the first port of call for many girls who find not only the advertising features, but also the warning boards and support from the forum an invaluable source.

Punternet helps keep us safe and dispite what you say about being pimped, its actually the reverse of that and means we can work without the threat of pimps hanging over us.

I personally take great exception at being told that I'm pimped simply because I have used the services of this website. I am not pimped nor have ever been pimped, nor do I know of any other girl that uses this site that is pimped either.

Girls please add your name to this thread if you are a truly independant escort, its time this woman realised that we are empowered women, not the drug addled, pimped dregs of society that she is running around painting us to be.

Wellnhappy- I 100% agree with what you say, irelevant of being independant escort- i'm an independant woman.

[Jimmyredcab]

We have ladies here who could wipe the floor with you in an open debate, are you not oh so glad they did not decide to become politicians?

I am sure you are right.
Harriet is a pretty useless politician who probably only got her job because she is a woman ------- no one should be given a job because of their gender or race, the best person should always get the job.
Until a couple of days ago less than 1% of the general population would have been aware of Punternet ------- Harriet has given the site free publicity that would have cost many thousands of pounds, the thread "open letter to Harriet" has received 26,873 views in 36 hours ------- many of those must be people logging on for the first time.

Harriet should leave the prostitution industry alone and concentrate on the muggers and drug dealers in her own constituency.

[Lara Brooks]

Thanks Wellnhappy for starting this thread As I'm a bit short of time right now I'll just do a copy and paste job from my blog (from June) which sums up my feelings...


"Prejudices regarding prostitutes.

I find one of the most difficult things to deal with in this industry are the prejudices of people who’s only experience of prostitutes is what they’ve seen on “The Bill” or US crime dramas, or from reading what some ignorant journalist has written. So, to balance things a little, here’s a bit about me:

Although I appreciate there are women who are forced into prostitution, it should not be overlooked that there are many who, like myself, are in this profession of our own free will.

I work as an Independent Escort, i.e. I work alone, am in control of my fees, working hours, advertising, website (which incidentally I designed and built from scratch myself after completing an HTML course at college), and the bookings I accept. If I dislike someone I will refuse to see them. I pay tax (I’m registered as an Escort with HMRC) and National Insurance. I don’t claim benefits, don’t take drugs, don’t smoke, am careful not to drink too much alcohol, take my sexual health seriously, wasn’t abused as a child, have never been in an abusive relationship, have never had problems with clients, and am not working to pay off debt. I am also against kiss and tell stories.

Nobody suggested I become a prostitute; it was my idea because I knew, getting on better with men than women and being passionate about good customer service, it would suit me and I’d be good at it. I am proud to have quietly built a good reputation in this business, and it seems ironic that my living, and that of other prostitutes, is now compromised by the “Minister for Women” (Harriet Harman)…but that’s another story. I find my work empowering; I’m in control. I am not a victim and I don’t want to be “rescued”, or forced to leave this business. Not exactly the stereotypical whore eh?!

I will probably never change the minds of people who, for moral reasons, are anti paid sex, but I hope to enlighten those who were not aware there are many independent women like me out there, trying to make an honest living. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog".

[WykeTyke]

We have ladies here who could wipe the floor with you in an open debate, are you not oh so glad they did not decide to become politicians?

I've met a few politicians from all parties over the years and one thing I've noticed about them all, is they don't actually debate or discuss something in a reasonable way.

They all talk a good monologue, don't follow the normal etiquette of civilised discussion by giving way when somebody wants to interject. If you manage to get a chance to speak they interrupt you at the first opportunity and just talk over you without listening to anything you've said.

[WykeTyke]

Harriet has given the site free publicity that would have cost many thousands of pounds, the thread "open letter to Harriet" has received 26,873 views in 36 hours ------- many of those must be people logging on for the first time.

The plight of punternet and G's open letter has also been widely reproduced across the web on blogs.

Internet Geeks actually have a name for this phenomenon, we call it the Streisand effect. When an attempt is made to censor or silence something on the internet it typically backfires. The internet treats censorship like damage and routes around it, the effect is remarkable and very real.

[thestyro]

Hi all,

My name is Jerome Taylor and I am a reporter at The Independent newspaper. I wrote a report and a commentary earlier this week on Harman's rather silly suggestion to shut down Punter Net.

How closing down a website that allows both WGs and punters to self-regulate, stay safer and warn each other of potential dangers is somewhat beyond me. But there you go.

This'll give you an overview of my thoughts...

http://community.liv...i_mr/14643.html

Suffice to we're chasing up Harman today to see what she has to say about these very vibrant threads that have been sparked by her comments.

I've been particularly amused by those WGs who say traffic to their websites has increased massively thanks to her comments. And similarly interested in the large number of you who want to make it clear that you are happy with your chosen profession and want to emphasise that Punter Net actually helps you go about your work in a safer manner.

I've been contacting a few people today who have posted on this thread to ask whether they'd be willing to speak to me about their work and their thoughts on Harman.

I know - and understand fully - that people in your profession are naturally wary of journalists. But I'd like to emphasise that we're not interested in the tabloid style poking fun at our outing anybody. We do believe, however, that both WGs and punters have just as much right to have their voices heard in the mainstream media as anyone else.

So if any of you would be prepared to talk to me today, please feel free to contact me on the details below - you'll see from my email that I am a staff writer and not a freelancer, that works from the Indy's office on Derry Street, London.

Many thanks in advance for any help y'all can offer,

Best wishes,

Jerome Taylor

Reporter/Social Affairs Correspondent
The Independent


+44 (0) 207 005 2541 (direct)


Independent Blog Minority Report: www.independent.co.uk/minorityreport

[Bristol Ebony Escort]

Dear Harriet

first of i would like to say a big thank you - due to your insane comments in the papers i have been even busier than ever the past few days giving me even less time to ponder on my sins as a professional escort and even less time to smoke all the drugs and drink all the alchol that you so wrongly assume that all escorts must have to take in order to get through the day

(by the way my pimp is kindly letting me use his laptop to write this but i have to be quick otherwise i will get a beating and not be able to work for a few hours ..... )

but before you tar all Escorts with the same brush by assuming that the majority of escorts are forced and trafficked into being a prositute and are all drug induced crack smoking pimped out whores, who have nothing better to do than have sex with men all day long while watching Jeremy kyle and cashing there benefit cheques and drinking cans of special brew larger to help us get through the oh such awfull stigma of being a prostitute why dont you have a think about what you will really be doing by trying to shut down such a website as punternet

Punternet has been around for over 10 years Its a perfect exchange of information for both women and men who have a legitimate interest in the paid for sex business

Yes sometime on the boards members argue with each other off and shock horror some of us even get banned for infractions however we as a group of individual like minded ADULTS enjoy what Punternet offers and provides for us all which is an exchange of information that is invaulable to both sides
In fact i think its ran a damm site better than your government as least the owner listens to what the members say and do rather than run roughshod over all of us and treating us like naughty kids who need to be supervised

By trying to shut it down you will be doing the very women ( who you say you want to help) a great diservice an invaluble resource will have gone and women in this business will be even more vunerable to pimps and human trafficking and dangerous clients
As a member of the board i have met many friends from this site who I can call and message if i have problems with anything, not just releated to my work

As a grown up women over the age of 18 and capable of driving drinking smoking getting married having sex paid or not and VOTING I would never require your help M.S Harman and i dont think that many others would either

As an independent Escort who really dose not have a pimp ever, who deals with all her own marketing and is over the age of 18 years old and is perfectly able of deciding how to live her life. I find it quite offensive that YOU of all people should take it on board to tell me how to live my life who i should have sex with and if i should charge for it or not .

I am a prositute and i am happy to be one I made an informed choice to enter this work and not once have I ever felt that i am being abused or degraded or being forced.
I have thankfully more experience of men than you will ever have and i have yet to come across a client who has been anything but respectfull and treated me as i wish to be treated

So Harriet why dont you and your goverment concentrate on far more pressing issues that our country has such as
the amount of debt we are in
the state of our schools
the state of our hospitals
The state of our police
the amount of illegal immigrants that we have in the uk
24 hour binge drinking problems
Sink estates and there problems

Do I need to go any futher just these few alone should keep you so busy us prostitutes will be able to carry on our trade unhinderd


Now I Have to get back to work and shake that money maker

[AdorableAmy]

I'm having a lovely time in Edinburgh and a bit short of time too, but I would like to refer Ms H, should she be reading, to my posts here and here, as well as cordially inviting her to contact me personally if she is in any doubt at all about why I work as an independent prostitute instead of breaking my back 40+ hours a week for less than £200.

Harriet, I'm not telling you what you ought to do for a living, and I'll thank you to stay out of my business - my taxes pay your wages and I will not be patronised and judged by you and your ignorant, ill-informed ilk whilst this is still the case. YOU work for US, in case you'd forgotten .

[saskia]

maybe she was an escort herself. now that would be funny if that was found out LOL. Really what was she doing looking at the site in the first place?

Strange! I would not think someone of that caliber would ever type escort keywords in to google? Would you ?

[thestyro]

Jerome Taylor at The Independent again here.

Thank you for all those who phoned in - sorry I couldn't answer them all, was rushing to complete the piece for today's deadline.

Here's the finished product. Enjoy

http://www.independe...st-1796759.html

[akanostromo]

I very much doubt that she has looked at the site. More likely that an eager beaver researcher has and totally mis-described it and it seemed a good idea to the speech writers.

[Josephine]

Dear Ms. Harman,
I am a woman in my mid forties who happily began escorting four years ago through my own choice, I like what I do, and do what I like, no one is pimping or forcing me and I am not a drug addled or abused woman.
I am pleased to be a member of Punternet and many other adult directories too.
Many thanks for the publicity to us ladies too, here's just a couple of snippets from two emails out of eight from gents who have found me through Punternet because of your recent, misguided opinions.

'Hi Josephine

Just been on your website (via Harriet Harmans promotion of punternet website (LOL).'

and

'Dear Josephine,
Due to recent media attention to a certain 'do-gooding' woman I was fortunate enough to discover PunterNet, I honestly had no idea that such a useful site existed and was thrilled to discover your listing you are just the sort of lady that I am looking for and thanks to this certain lady I have found you!'

[Claire]

maybe she was an escort herself. now that would be funny if that was found out LOL. Really what was she doing looking at the site in the first place?

Strange! I would not think someone of that caliber would ever type escort keywords in to google? Would you ?

OF THAT CALIBRE?????????

Better than the rest of us, you mean?

[Melanieabz]

Dear Harriet,

I wonder whether it really is concern on your part, or whether your restrictive religious upbringing and sexual hang-ups haven't left you just a little bit envious of us 'bad girls' ? (I use the term 'girls' loosely as many of us on here are anything but girls. Infact, many became prostitutes when into late twenties, thirties and forties).
You're probably more than aware that prostitution allows us to earn more than men ever could, we need to have little by way of academic qualifications, though contrary to popular belief many are highly educated. Prostitution actually gives us oodles of time to spend on the more important things in life, like being able to attend every parents evening, sports day, being there when the children aren't feeling to well.
I've always accepted the fact that I was destined to be a 'bad girl' and I'm happy to say I've loved it. Sex has always been an important part of who I am. I'm not sexually abused and would like to confess to liking to partake of the odd spliff (I inhale too).
The fantasy I had for years and years was having sex in exchange for money and when I got to my thirties I decided to fulfil it. It was amazing. And several years on I'm still enjoying it, and the benefits it brings. From late thirties I thought when I reached forty l'd retire but just couldn't cut off my nose to spite my face. I've continued. I'm not pimped/coerced and find PN a good place to hang-oot (though you could keep an eye on Jimmyredcab for us). My clients are lovely, and range from those working off-shore to those working as, well I'm not going to go into it but suffice to say I enjoy them.
If you ever fancy a 'day in the life', or even a bit of a 21st Century Cyberwhore shindig give me a shout and I'll see if I can arrange something.

Regards,

Melanie HG

[cleo]

Harriet,

I left the civil service to become a prostitute. Shock horror! There, I felt at risk of becoming an institutionalised, bored paper-pusher, and I was not able to express my opinions or beliefs due to the red tape involved in modern day democracy. I was oppressed.

As a prostitute, I am free, independent, and consider myself a successful businesswoman. I am happy with the path I chose, and I would be very interested to see a man try to become my pimp. The only man who demands a cut of my wages is your beloved Gordon.

Please ensure that your research team supply you with correct facts before you speak publicly about issues you do not seem to fully understand.

Kindest of regards

Cleo

[youveryniceman]

from the independent:





http://www.independe...st-1796759.html

[Biggus Dickus]

Hi all,

My name is Jerome Taylor and I am a reporter at The Independent newspaper. I wrote a report and a commentary earlier this week on Harman's rather silly suggestion to shut down Punter Net.

How closing down a website that allows both WGs and punters to self-regulate, stay safer and warn each other of potential dangers is somewhat beyond me. But there you go.

This'll give you an overview of my thoughts...

http://community.liv...i_mr/14643.html

Suffice to we're chasing up Harman today to see what she has to say about these very vibrant threads that have been sparked by her comments.......

I've been contacting a few people today who have posted on this thread to ask whether they'd be willing to speak to me about their work and their thoughts on Harman.....

I read your article yesterday Jerome, as someone published a link higher up this thread. I thought it was great. It's also good to see that you are pursuing this further.

Sadly, even if you are able to demonstrate clearly to Ms Harman the reality of an independent working girl's life, plus the role Punternet has in encouraging good behaviour by punters I fear it will have little effect. The woman is impervious to facts. Radical feminists "know" as a matter of principle that all paid sex = abuse (Indeed some are on record as defining all sex between a man & a woman as intrinsically abusive, regardless of whether money changes hands). If you "know" something as a matter of principle then the facts are just tools to be manipulated, misrepresented or ignored in pursuit of the higher good. It's just amazing that such a zealot has reached such a position of power.

Minister for Equality? If she had talked about a racial group in the ignorant, prejudiced way she has talked about the women who use Punternet she would have been out of her job within hours.

[LouisaPSUk]

I am sure you are right.
Harriet is a pretty useless politician who probably only got her job because she is a woman ------- no one should be given a job because of their gender or race, the best person should always get the job.
Until a couple of days ago less than 1% of the general population would have been aware of Punternet ------- Harriet has given the site free publicity that would have cost many thousands of pounds, the thread "open letter to Harriet" has received 26,873 views in 36 hours ------- many of those must be people logging on for the first time.

Harriet should leave the prostitution industry alone and concentrate on the muggers and drug dealers in her own constituency.

Jimmy you have actually hit the nail right on the head... well done

[Melanieabz]

I am sure you are right.
Harriet is a pretty useless politician who probably only got her job because she is a woman ------- no one should be given a job because of their gender or race, the best person should always get the job.
Until a couple of days ago less than 1% of the general population would have been aware of Punternet ------- Harriet has given the site free publicity that would have cost many thousands of pounds, the thread "open letter to Harriet" has received 26,873 views in 36 hours ------- many of those must be people logging on for the first time.

Harriet should leave the prostitution industry alone and concentrate on the muggers and drug dealers in her own constituency.

One of the clients I've had was seeing one of the 'Blairbabes' in non paid sexual encounters - 'lovely girl, but not the brightest button in the box' was how he described her. Studying them over the years has brought me to the conclusion he was actually right. Then again I can imagine after the damage Maggie did it would take a long time to ever risk promoting a future female leader. Brings paying lip service to a whole new meaning.

[Danish Pia]

Just like everybody else I am independent, drugs and pimp free - and I hardly ever drink.

I seriously feel desparation must be a horrible place to be Harriet - it is difficult to come up with ideas to get the headlines is it not? especially when you are on a sinking ship.

'I am going to ask the terminator to terminate Punternet' is truly kids speak and it is extremely depressing that you currently hold the position of deputy prime minister.

[Ghenghis]

Hi all,

My name is Jerome Taylor and I am a reporter at The Independent newspaper. I wrote a report and a commentary earlier this week on Harman's rather silly suggestion to shut down Punter Net.

How closing down a website that allows both WGs and punters to self-regulate, stay safer and warn each other of potential dangers is somewhat beyond me. But there you go.

This'll give you an overview of my thoughts...

http://community.liv...i_mr/14643.html

Suffice to we're chasing up Harman today to see what she has to say about these very vibrant threads that have been sparked by her comments.

I've been particularly amused by those WGs who say traffic to their websites has increased massively thanks to her comments. And similarly interested in the large number of you who want to make it clear that you are happy with your chosen profession and want to emphasise that Punter Net actually helps you go about your work in a safer manner.

I've been contacting a few people today who have posted on this thread to ask whether they'd be willing to speak to me about their work and their thoughts on Harman.

I know - and understand fully - that people in your profession are naturally wary of journalists. But I'd like to emphasise that we're not interested in the tabloid style poking fun at our outing anybody. We do believe, however, that both WGs and punters have just as much right to have their voices heard in the mainstream media as anyone else.

So if any of you would be prepared to talk to me today, please feel free to contact me on the details below - you'll see from my email that I am a staff writer and not a freelancer, that works from the Indy's office on Derry Street, London.

Many thanks in advance for any help y'all can offer,

Best wishes,

Jerome Taylor

Reporter/Social Affairs Correspondent
The Independent


+44 (0) 207 005 2541 (direct)


Independent Blog Minority Report: www.independent.co.uk/minorityreport

Well done Jerome and welcome.

[soldierx]

http://www.punternet...ead.php?t=22611

A perfect example of why this site MUST continue. (Not that I'm in any doubt it's going anywhere)

[robbiede1]

I am now truely shocked for the first time about something I have just read on Punternet and believe me their have been some way out things on here!!

A fair journalist! Well done Jerome it is nice to see there is at least one guy who can write a balanced piece in a paper.

I hope you get all the assistance you need.

[TheVicar]

http://www.punternet...ead.php?t=22611

A perfect example of why this site MUST continue. (Not that I'm in any doubt it's going anywhere)

I would just add, that there is an unseen element, which is the Private Messaging that goes on behind the scenes.