sarahImportant Story
To the Editor:
You out-did yourselves with an outstanding piece of journalism (“Massage Shops Under Scrutiny,” March 18–31), in both your investigative work and your writing.
Who knew any of this? Thanks for telling this important story lurking under the belly of our little city.
Giovanna Peebles, Montpelier
Massage Therapy is Different than Massage Parlor
To the Editor:
As a massage and bodywork therapist in Montpelier for over 40 years, I would like to acknowledge with great pride and esteem the bodywork practitioners in our central Vermont community. We have exceptionally talented, highly educated, experienced bodywork therapists in our midst. It must be noted that the current abomination of women being trafficked and enslaved has nothing to do with our highly regarded professionalism.
“Massage parlor” is a slang term for a brothel. It is misleading and inappropriate to use the term massage or massage therapy in the same context.
Throughout our long history worldwide, women have been the victims of prostitution and sex trafficking. In Vermont, prostitution is currently illegal for both the person selling and the person paying for it. Women are the ones criminalized and targeted. What about the men who patronize these brothels? Are they being held accountable?
Kayla Becker, Worcester
H.355 Deserves a Hearing
To the Editor:
Vermonters deserve a say when our National Guard is sent into combat. The Vermont Defend the Guard Act (H.355) prohibits the deployment of the Vermont National Guard to combat without federal congressional authorization. H.355 has been blocked from having a hearing in the House Committee chaired by Rep. Matt Birong. Refusing to hold a hearing shuts down democratic debate on one of the most serious decisions our government can make.
This is about checks and balances, rule of law, and bringing decision-making closer to the people. Contact your Vermont representatives and let them know we need a hearing on H.355. Let the public be heard.
Carolyn Shapiro, Montpelier
Letters to the editor represent the opinions of the authors and do not reflect the opinions of The Bridge. Submit your letter by email to editor@montpelierbridge.com. Preference is given to submissions by those who live in central Vermont, should not exceed 300 words in length, and may be edited for brevity and accuracy.
