|  |
| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 9 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 18 found the following review helpful:
 Scary, enlightening, riveting and sad = A GREAT READ Nov 01, 2009
By Darius Ghahary
"Rainbow Six"
Wow... after reading this book, I suppose I should be able to sleep better at night knowing that there are less escort agencies in the Orlando area. Now I can bring my children there without the fear of a hideous and scary... dare I say it... escort walking in to my hotel. Or I should I be thankful that there are less massage parlors or gambling? Please... this is so ridiculous. There are real crimes going on all over and this is what is being focused on!? What a joke.
Perhaps I'm considered liberal, but I'd much prefer law enforcement focusing on a murderer or some other violent crime than this. Hell, even if it was clearly prostitution, which it's not, where is the harm? We like to think we're so above other countries and so much more evolved, and yet places in Europe seem to have it right. Why do we care if prostitution is present? Is it so bad? The bottom line is that it's two consenting adults, of legal age. Big deal! Of course, as referenced in the book, human trafficking is completely different and I do not advocate anything like this, nor do I condone any forced acts of any nature. However, this is simply not the case here.
This woman seems to have physically lost fourteen years of her life, but in reality, not only did she most likely lose so much more mentally, but her life seems to be ruined permanently. She lost all her money, unrecoverable time, and she's plagued by a record that she shouldn't even have - and good luck trying to get it removed. I'm guessing that any attempts that she makes to clear up her name, will be met with a brick wall.
This book is an eye opener for all of you who forget how powerful the government is. We lose ourselves in thinking it's only like this in other places on the globe, but wake up and see how your rights can be taken away in an instant if you become a target - guilty or not.
For those conservatives out there who feel that prostitution, marijuana, gambling, and any other "harmful" things on your list should be punishable by death, just wait. You'll feel very differently if the tables get turned and you're on the receiving end of a witch hunt.
Face it... everything from downloading music and movies illegally, finding a hooker to get in your car on the way home from work, buying drugs, it's all going to happen no matter what. We should be focused on so many other things. I don't even need to bring up the useless war in Iraq or all the poor troops that we're losing. That's important. Our boys' lives - not this.
It is such a joke to believe that only $36,000 was spent on this particular witch hunt. I'm no math wizard, but I'm guessing that more than that was spent in less than a month, especially if you include the use of aircraft to provide surveillance. Again, what a waste. If it were my tax money paying for this, I'd move. I'd be more disgusted than I already am.
Reading this even makes me want to visit Disney in Anaheim instead of giving any of my money to such a conservative, stodgy area. I believe in freedom in the true sense, not some fake belief that we're all living under.
How can this happen and the parties responsible get away scot-free? I guess because the government can do it. Don't get me wrong... I love this country and I'm so thankful to be here as opposed to anywhere else, but when you read something like this, like I said, it's an eye opener.
When reading about the phone and Internet blocking, I was shocked. It felt like a suspense novel, but it's true. I'm in the technical field and know that this can be done very easily. However, I would never think that it would be done for this purpose. I don't know who is or was behind this, or if it was law enforcement, but either way it's creepy to know the extent of which this runs.
As for the actual read of the book, it was great. I read three-quarters of it a while ago and finally picked it back up this weekend, but decided to start again from the beginning. Once I started, I couldn't put it down and it actually caused me to fall behind in all my other tasks for the weekend. Wow, maybe the writer should be sent to prison for that? It read like a thriller, but in reality it's what can really happen to you when the government wants you. My father always warns me of this and cites actual events that have happened in our country and it's truly scary.
Aside from all the fear that sets in, the writer pulls back the veil a little on the oldest profession, and it's truly fascinating. As a regular guy, I have only used such a service once, but never knew what goes on behind the scenes. It leaves me wondering if these agency owners go through this everywhere, or is it just worst in the Orlando area.
I sit here thinking, what harm comes from this type of business? Honestly, what? I was trick or treating with my son today when a car with two young boys sped by. That to me is a crime. That driver could actually cause harm, or even kill someone. What could prostitution do? I wish someone could actually tell me. If you're going to pull the card out that it brings down the neighborhood, please. The escorts in this account were all going to nice hotels and were most likely dressed beautifully and probably acted more sophisticated than most guests. I'd place a bet on that, but uh-oh... that might be illegal! Great harm could come from a bet...
It amazes me how they can just push someone in the corner and force them to act. I think about how I have to take care of my kids - how they are my number one priority - and if I had to turn to a life of real crime, not this ridiculous stuff, I would. The writer can't get a real job because her record is destroyed. SHE SHOULDN'T EVEN HAVE A RECORD!!!! So she's forced to work in the fast food industry. If I was her and my mother became ill and I couldn't afford to pay the bills, guess what? I'd do what I had to do. They push people into exactly what they're pretending to prevent - crime.
To the writer, I'm sorry for everything that's happened to you. I'm sorry about everything that was lost, everything that was stolen, and for everything that you cannot get back. I wish you the best of luck in rebuilding your life, but if I were you, I would pack up my mother and son and RUN - FAR AWAY! I understand your reasons for staying, but you stated that you felt you would die in a Florida prison if things had gone differently, but to me, it sounds like that's exactly what you'll do if you don't leave. Someone clearly has it out for you and I wouldn't wait around to give them another chance.
14 of 21 found the following review helpful:
Vicky Gallas Tells it Like it is! Oct 22, 2009
By Alex the Great
I live in Orlando and I know Vicky and of course I have read the book. Anyone that has read about the MBI's attacks over the years on thousands of people in any adult or gambling type of business would know what the agency was really about. The MBI did everything stated in the book and much more that she couldn't include because the only witnesses are dead, still on probation from the case, or are informants. Lots of leftover MBI informants walking around! But the book isn't all about the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation (sometimes called Morality Board Inc.) and it's more about her fight over the telephone line blocks in Disney and International Drive resorts.
Vicky Gallas talks about a list of other MBI cases in "Memoirs of an Accused Madam: The War on Adult Business in Orlando," and one of the cases she discusses was my friend's. He was in a band, lost most of his earnings to an unscrupulous promoter, and opened a novelty and pipe shop in Orlando. He was threatened with 10 years in prison if he didn't close, and the MBI took all his merch from the store and sold it on eBay! The guy freaked when he saw his own merchandise for sale and then tracked it down to the MBI. Unbelievable!
I gave this book 5 stars because I know it's all real and Vicky Gallas is an excellent writer. I did consider 4 stars because I felt like she didn't finish the story. I want to know more about the telephone stuff. Who did it or is currently doing it? I read her blog and she gets going on the subject and then changes to a new one. What is going on with that? I wish she would just go ahead and expose them!
13 of 20 found the following review helpful:
I think this book is a must read. Apr 18, 2009
By Mom Two
"Caring"
I think this book is a must read.
Memoirs of an Accused Madam by Vicky Gallas was such an eye opener for me.
How can any law enforcement group take the power that is entrusted to them and use it against the very people that they were sworn to protect in the first place.
This is far more than a tragedy, to think of all the lives that have been lost, ruined, and destroyed by the Metropolitan Bureau of Investigation.
The book really shows you the heart and soul of Orlando's law enforcement behind the scenes.
This is truly a fascinating book with many unanswered questions just screaming at you.. Like why Vicky Gallas' name has never been officially cleared ... It's truly a War!
Can't wait to see what happens next.
17 of 27 found the following review helpful:
 Engrossing Jul 14, 2009
By Lynn ODell
"Red Adept Reviews - A Blog"
The Good Stuff:
This is a well-written work filled with facts about the "Escort" business.
Throughout, I was amazed to learn of the laws regarding escorts and how law enforcement used them to harrass the owners of these types of business, whether they were within the laws or not.
Imagine every time you got in your car having a police officer follow you around in hopes that you would do something wrong. Then, when he can't catch you doing something, he tries to make you do something, like riding your bumper to get you to speed.
That's what life seemed to be like for this author. I applaud her stamina.
The Bad Stuff:
The author spends too much time, especially in the beginning, trying to 'justify' herself and her business. I wasn't certain if she really felt like she was not promoting prostitution with her escort business or was just trying to make herself more palatable for the reader.
As a person who believes that prostitution should be legalized, I found her 'denials' to be a bit tedious, at times.
Overall:
This was an extremely well-written book. I do suggest that if you have a moral standing against prostitution that you don't bother with it, or at least keep an open mind while reading. It could quite possibly change your stance.
Rating: PG-13 - Yes, the subject matter is adult, but this author handles it with tact.
10 of 17 found the following review helpful:
A must read Apr 17, 2009
By Montgomery Sibley
In "Memoirs of an Accused Madam", Vicky Gallas has written a stunning account of the police-state our country is evolving into. Clearly describing the shadow government that operates to whatever ends those in control direct it without regard for the constraints of law, Vicky bravely describes the years of intimidation and illegal tactics that she suffered. Just as chilling is the aftermath of her "not guilty" verdict and the continued abuse the so-called criminal justice system continues to heap upon those accused of a crime even when they are exonerated. I recommend this book for every citizen who recognizes a duty to be aware of the direction our Republic is heading.
See all 9 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
| | |
|
|
