What's in a word? How entertaining...

Accomplished today: Two workshop proposals, the beginnings of a new query, a long phone interview and web updates.

Music mood: Fighter, by Christina Aguilera

What's in a word?

Like many news junkies around the country, I've been watching and shaking my head at the recent revelations that New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer has been implicated as a customer of an elite prostitution ring. While no charges have been filed, Spitzer resigned today after apologizing for 'personal failings' that he failed to elaborate on.

I won't get into how disgusted I am over the whole thing. Instead, let me just comment on the funny and at times ridiculous lengths that journalists go to in order to describe prostitution, and how the women who are victimized by this crime have little -- if any -- voice in the story.

From the New York Times...
...on the night of Feb. 13, when, law enforcement officials say, Mr. Spitzer was entertained by a high-priced prostitute...

Entertained by? Makes it sound like she put on a Cabaret act for him and then went on her merry way. And whatever it is he paid her for, while he might have enjoyed it, I doubt she was entertained one bit.

From CNN.com
It was revealed Wednesday by sources familiar with the investigation that Spitzer allegedly began patronizing the prostitution outfit, known as the Emperors Club, eight months ago and had used its services on at least eight occasions.

Patronized? Used its SERVICES? I patronize Starbucks and use the services of Kinko's on a regular basis. Somehow those words don't quite measure up to what Spitzer was allegedly doing.

From the Washington Post:
"The people charging $50 an hour on Route 1 and those charging $300 are probably for the same acts," said Capt. Ron Lantz of the Fairfax County vice unit. "You're just getting charged more at Tysons [hotels] for women who consider themselves a higher quality."

That promise of quality often includes good looks, a clean bill of health and the ability to serve as a charming conversationalist and elegant companion at social functions.

This just makes me sad. It's a prostitution ring! Just because they got away with charging thousands of dollars an hour doesn't make them any better than the sleaze-ball pimp on the corner. And does anyone really believe that women who go into prostitution do it for the love of conversation? You ask me, the only people who believe that are the men who get caught with their pants down.