3 Feet
Metro Nashville’s war on consentual nude grinding continued apace this week. A court order was issued instructing two local strip clubs to close down: Club Platinum and the Brass Stables. The latter is an institution in Printer’s Alley. A relatively dirty, slightly scary institution, but an institution nonetheless. Printer’s Alley wouldn’t be the same without it. Surprisingly, this court order apparently has nothing to do with the “3-foot rule” decreed last year that essentially bans lap-dances in Davidson County.
Instead, the order comes because neither of the organizations obtained the necessary permit to operate from the “Sexually Oriented Business Licensing Board”. Yes, Metro actually has a board called the “Sexually Oriented Business Licensing Board”. I think they should have named it the “Department of Morally Righteous Busybodies” to avoid confusion.
Aren’t we, as a city ostensibly comprised of grown adults, a little above this? Interestingly, there’s a poll on the Tennessean’s article, which currently shows 61% support for “The dancers should be able to dance nude, like before”. Is this an accurate reflection of the city’s view? Is the council’s work here catering to a moral anachronism, or does the majority really still see lap-dances as a danger to society?
Save the Brass Stables! Or else the karaoke hostesses at Lonnie’s will inevitably just get even sluttier, and no one wants that. Well, almost no one.
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Welcome to Nashville, Chris. Home of all things Jesus. And Jesus doesn’t like naked ladies dancing. Unless approved by his new disciples.
If I sound particularly pissy, it’s because I just found out that the Sounds have a “Faith Night.” Right. “Faith Night.” I think we all know what that means.
Melissa has a funny story about an appearance by Brad About You there: http://uhohlissa.livejournal.com/352904.html
Awesome.
First… It isn’t only Nashville that has a board monitoring Sexually Oriented Businesses(or SOBs as they called in short in most cities). That SOB permit essentially serves the same purpose as a wine, liquor, or beer license, to uphold standards. While there are many reasons for their presence, I am doubtful that ruining Chris’s lap-dance is at the top of them. In Houston, where I once lived, SOBs were popping up EVERYWHERE, so much to the point that they were negatively impacting commerce at other already present family oriented businesses. I’m sure you can understand a parent’s concern when the McDonald’s she had taken her kids to for years suddenly had a business next door flashing TOTALLY NUDE GIRLS on a sign prompting questions from her 5 year old. While that doesn’t apply to Brass Stables or Club Platinum, I find it funny that you would be so quick to point out the “Morally Righteous Busybodies”. Whether you think so or not, sexually oriented businesses aren’t always good for the community and commerce, no matter how long they’ve been there. Again, I’m not saying this is the case… but give me a break! You can’t blame EVERYTHING on religion. Sometimes people just break the law.
And regardless, of Lesley’s assumption of Nashville being home to “all things Jesus”, maybe she should look at MLB and NBA teams’ schedules to reflect that the majority of other cities hold similar “Faith Nights”. Do I want to go to a baseball game and hear all about Jesus. Not particularly. I also don’t care to happen into Disney on the wrong day and have to hear a sermon on Gay Day. I don’t anticipate an entire month of advertising about Black History each year. For the record, I’m not against gay people, or black people, or purple people for that matter. I’m just saying… who gives a crap? Let them have their “Faith Night”! One day I might want to host “Charlie Daniels’ Mammy Doll Night” at the Sounds game. I think in the end, folks who gripe about the religious folks being intolerant aren’t very tolerant themselves.
Mr. Nashville said: I’m sure you can understand a parent’s concern when the McDonald’s she had taken her kids to for years suddenly had a business next door flashing TOTALLY NUDE GIRLS on a sign prompting questions from her 5 year old.
Well, as a parent, I’d rather just answer the question than force someone else to close down their business. Frankly, I’d be a little more concerned about taking my daughter to McDonalds than with her seeing a racy sign.
But hey, if it’s the sign that bothers you, why can’t they just pass regulations on signage? Really, if you think there’s no religious component to this, you must be pretty dim.
So in other words, Mr. Ortiz, you think it would be a better option to explain to your five year old daughter the process of how men pay money to see women take off their clothes, that this is an acceptable thing to do, and that somehow this is better than getting a Happy Meal. And you call me dim? I guess I’m not surprised that someone with your views would also, as an adult and a parent, resort to calling people childish names.