Our Opinion:Let's have a healthy debate over the future of brothels

Sen. Harry Reid certainly attracted a lot of attention with his claim that brothels are bad for business in Nevada.

You'd think from the reaction that he suggested it was time to give up on this gaming thing.

Brothels have always been a touchy subject in Nevada.

Unlike gaming, not everyplace in the state agrees that legalized prostitution is a good idea.

They've long been banned in the more populous portions of the state in Clark County by state law, and in Douglas, Washoe, Lincoln counties, as well as Carson City, by local ordinance.

On the other hand, brothels are part of the culture in Lyon, Storey, Esmeralda and Nye counties. Former madams have run for public office in Nevada, including Jesse Winchester's bid for U.S. Congress. In some rural Nevada towns, brothel denizens are sometimes community leaders.

Add to that the fact that brothels provide valuable tax dollars in communities that are short on other commercial ventures, and there are some compelling arguments to leave them alone.

But there is something to be said for having a rousing debate over legalized prostitution. We would like to hear some of the arguments both for and against continuing the practice in the state, and then make a reasoned decision about prostitution's future.