Posted on 01/30/2002 5:57:14 AM PST by Valin
JANESVILLE, Wis. -- Patrons who were videotaped entering a strip club complained about invasion of privacy but were told the group, People Advocating Decency, has a legal right to tape them.
An employee of Screamin' MeeMees nude juice bar called police Friday night when patrons asked a worker why a stranger was taping them as they walked into the club.
Bill Sodemann said he stood on the sidewalk in front of the juice bar for about 1 hours Friday night to "apply positive peer pressure." Police told him he was allowed to stay there as long as he didn't bother anyone.
"We just wanted to make people think twice before they go in," Sodemann said. "They might think, 'I don't want the world to know about this."'
Screamin' MeeMees owner Jim Halbach said Sodemann's right to videotape on public property is protected by the First Amendment, as is his right to run the juice bar.
A few of his customers were upset because they didn't know what Sodemann intended to do with the pictures, Halbach said.
Sodemann's wife, Kay, formed the group after Screamin' MeeMees opened in December. On Monday she urged the Janesville City Council to pass strict regulations on sexually oriented businesses so "the City of Parks doesn't become the City of Porn."
The group wants to prevent suggestive magazines from being displayed in grocery stores, ban loud, "offensive" music from car stereos, and get rid of rude bumper stickers.
© 2002 PioneerPlanet / St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press / TwinCities.com- All Rights Reserved copyright information
Just out of curiosity, why?
Shalom.
Pray for GW and the Truth
You were doing good right up until you made that shameful and tactless request.
Don't you understand that it's all about ME? Nobody should ever be allowed to even suggest that I limit myself in any form or fashion. If they want me to they are just a Nazi or a prude or a homophobe or something.
Shalom.
When the City Council tried to have it closed down, he testified on behalf of the club, and stated that it was "necessary to his work," and that he could not conduct his research without it. The club was allowed to remain.
More importantly: Did his wife buy it?
I wish that I lived closer, because I would have gone up to him and hugged him and in a loud voice asked him if he enjoyed last night and can we do it again later. I guarantee he would have freaked out because I'm a guy.
Or do you think the State should imprison people for videotaping?
Trust me, the Libertarians will be siding with this guy because he isn't directly infringing on anyone's rights. We don't want the State to start stomping on the right to videotape.
That would violate property laws. If you were to do that with what is under my bed you would likely get a sinus infection.
Hmm, prudish little busybodies need to be exposed...
Actually, he was doing what he was doing in a public place and was so exposed they wrote a news piece about it. He is exposed. What are you referring to, and why does it need to happen to him?
Shalom.
I'm not suggesting that the State should stop him from from videotaping. That is something that ought to be left to the private sector. BTW, in my state, the guy's conduct could very well constitute "harrassment" under the Penal Law if the person is making the videotape with intent to harrass, aggravate or annoy the people he is videotaping.
I make a point to "shoot the bird" and stick out my tounge to every camera I catch taping me, if they no objection to seeing my middle finger or nasty tounge, by all means, let the cameras roll.
Pray for GW and the Truth
Will this group of fine citizens next be telling people what to wear, when to mow their lawns, how many plastic flamingos they can have on their property, how many times today they should be taking a sh!t, etc?
I volunteer to serve as "Kommissar of Yard Gnomes"...
That's already being done. But it's easier to ignore the obvious in favor of a good fantasy.
Honestly, you can videotape me going in and out of any porn shop or strip club. I don't care. Not going to stop me.
But kiss my ass if you want to tell me what to put on my car.
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