[firebrand]

The wave of the future, so it's time to regulate it and probably tax it.

[Support Free Republic]

Hi mom!

[firebrand]

Politicians using the "not in my backyard" ploy to get attention before the election. And a burgeoning business might get halted in its tracks. Too bad.

[firebrand]

When I first started coming to this cafe, it was empty, and the hours were shorter than they are now. In a year and a half it has started to thrive. I would hate to see these hardworking people get crippled by our low-IQ, self-serving City Council.

[Husker24]

I smell a pricy new "permit" on its way.

[firebrand]

Our City Council and State Legislature at work--for our good, of course.

[Clemenza]

This happens to hit very close to home for me, as Marty Golden is my State Senator and this cafe is right near my local movie theatre. The cafe in question tends to attract a mix of Chinese and Puerto Rican kids, who often get into fights over computer space to play their idiotic video games. Even worse is these little punks have the gall to loiter on the stoops of neighboring houses, many of which are occupied by the elderly.

I am opposed to many of these proposals, but suggest a few ideas of my own: 1. Send officers to these cafes throughout the day to enforce truancy laws, 2. Immediately arrest the juveniles in question for loitering and 3. Warn the cafe owners to keep their "clients" in line and ticket them for not cracking down on unruly patrons.

I also wish the cafe owners would create "quiet zones" in the cafe for adults. I had to leave another cafe close to my apartment do to a gang of obnoxious, foul mouthed Arab kids who took it over to play games and mouth off at eachother.

[adam_az]

In a down economy, Internet cafes seem to be one of the only types of business proliferating in the outer boroughs.

I guess the author never heard of the other type of business flourishing in the outer boroughs, prostitution?

[jd777]

Yeah, kids going into use the computers is dangerous. Let's get them back out on the street!

[Plutarch]

If it moves-- tax it.
If it is still moving-- regulate it.
If it stops moving-- subsidize it.

[weegee]

...defines an Internet cafe as: "any commercial establishment that provides access to computers to the public through which said public may connect with the Internet or World Wide Web."

So libraries would be exempted from the reach of government (the ALA will be glad to hear this) but coffee shops and waiting rooms will be regulated. Non-profit arts organizations that sell beer and wine would be permitted to run unsupervised cyber cafes though.

There are a lot of RINOs in NY with that (R) by their names. How do I know this guy is a conservative?

[Rome2000]

This business is the hottest thing going right now.

Sucessful places can gross $5,000 a week, its no wonder that greedy NYC bloodsucker rat politicains are eager to license and collect their cut.

[unixfox]

Internet cafes are thriving BIG time in Mexico. The reason? Because they have zero regulation !!

Hello Amerika !!

[Rebelbase]

"The complaint that some children may be cutting class to play computer games in these cafes may be a valid one."

CLOSE THESE CAFES, ITS FOR THE CHILDREN!

[metalboy]

I don`t care what they do, but as far as I`m concerned this city council can go straight to hell following their fantastic 'support' of the Iraq invasion. Hey it was only about three guys with Iraqi passports who first came into this city and blew up the WTC the first time, then these mutts finally bring it down on 911 killing 3k people and this city council has the GALL to pass this demented resolution. And by the way, why is the city coucil just about made up of 95% minorities? I saw a group picture of this council and Gifford Miller was the only white guy in the whole thing. Is this "affirmative action" at work here? Is everyone in the city black and hispanic? Last time I checked it wasn`t.

Wednesday, March 12, 2003 (AP) New York City Council Approves Resolution Opposing Iraq War The City Council in the place hit hardest by the Sept. 11 attacks approved a resolution Wednesday opposing war with Iraq except as a last resort. The 31-17 vote came after months of debate over whether New York should stake out a position. "If we're going to be looking for a fight, let's fight poverty, let's fight firehouse closures, let's fight racism and sexism," said Yvette Clarke, a Democrat who supported the resolution. Democrat Alan Jennings said that after losing one of his closest friends in the World Trade Center attack, he was in no mood to vote for an anti-war measure. "Our troops are in the Middle East at this time to fight for our democracy," Jennings said. "I think this resolution sends the wrong message to our men and women in uniform." The resolution backed war only if "other options for achieving compliance with United Nations resolutions calling for the elimination of weapons of mass destruction and the means of their development have failed." Last month, 100,000 to 350,000 people took part in an anti-war protest near the United Nations. Recent polls show that 75 percent of New Yorkers oppose a war without the support of the United Nations. Since September, anti-war resolutions have been approved in such cities as Los Angeles; Kalamazoo, Mich.; Chicago; Portland, Maine; and Milwaukee. © 2003 The Associated Press