Aloha

Well now, here’s a surprise. A small coalition of state lawmakers in Hawaii are taking a serious look at legalization.

Don’t expect any breakthroughs, though. At least not this year. A pair of bills are working their way through the committee process but are not expected to make it to the floor for a vote. That’s OK, this isn’t the sort of thing that is likely to pass the first time around anyway. These things take time, and this is not an issue that many politicians are likely to jump on without being certain of solid support from their constituents.

However, given that the economy in Hawaii is driven by tourism, it’s not so much of a long-shot as it would be in, oh, say… Utah.

So far the only naysayers are, predictably, the thought police vice detectives (who would be out of work if the bill passes). Oh, and of course the story has a token voice of dissent from the moralist camp:

These women should be helped out of their situation, but legitimizing them is not the answer, said Kelly Rosati, a spokeswoman for the Hawaii Catholic Church and executive director for the Hawaii Family Forum.

“Oftentimes, the point at which a woman is arrested is where help begins,” Rosati said. “This is exploitation, and the woman deserves to be helped out of this industry.”

Some day, I hope someone can explain that whole ‘we have to save them by putting them in jail’ argument. I just don’t get it.