Rep. Speier asks Craigslist to delete adult services section:

U.S. Representative Jackie Speier, a Democrat who represents California’s 12th congressional district, has urged craigslist to remove the adult services section or possibly face congressional action.

“I strongly urge you to eliminate this section from your Web site,” Speier said in a letter addressed to Craigslist Chief Executive Officer Jim Buckmaster. “Now is a time to set a renewed example of zero tolerance and 100 percent vigilance.”

Speier also said she will ask U.S. Attorney Joseph Russoniello to help San Francisco’s Craigslist in “identifying additional methods that you may use to avoid the facilitation of prostitution and human trafficking.”

And Speier also said she was calling the House Judiciary Committee to hold a hearing on “how Web sites such as yours and others are being used to facilitate criminal activity.”

Jimmy B, craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster took his sweet time in responding but eventually did…

“I’m confident you will soon realize shutting down portions of Craigslist is no answer, and in fact would be a big step in the wrong direction with respect to the very issues you have raised,” Buckmaster wrote.

“Trafficking and child exploitation are despicable, and while exceedingly rare on Craigslist, any ad facilitating crime is utterly unacceptable, and we work tirelessly with law enforcement to ensure any such victim receives the assistance they deserve and anyone responsible is prosecuted.”

“With 50 million Americans engaging in billions of human interactions each month, the overwhelming majority of which are well-intentioned, the incidence of crime on Craigslist is exceptionally low. However, our tolerance for crime is zero, and we welcome suggestions from US Attorney Russoneillo, and any other concerned party, for further preventing misuse.”

Sorry, I can’t read anything that Jimmy B says without seeing this picture…

If I had photoshop skills I would put Jimmy’s head on Bob’s body.

Anyway, I’ve never seen a bigger pack of lies. Human trafficking and child prostitution are not exceedingly rare on craigslist as it happens every day. The only time that craigslist works with law enforcement is after a crime has been committed. They are not active in stopping trafficking but they are only reactive. And if their tolerance for crime really was zero not only would they remove adult services but they would remove casual encounters as well.

And not to flog a deceased equine but while Rep. Speier’s intentions are good she’s not going far enough as she should also be looking to take action against the Village Voice Media-owned Backpage as well.