Posted on 01/11/2006 5:10:12 PM PST by elkfersupper
More than 100 strippers are expected to descend on the New Jersey State House Thursday to agitate and undulate for the instant repeal of the ban on smoking in bars that’s on track to become law by this evening.
Organized by two radio rabble-rousers and the owner of the Illusions go-go bar in Florence, the entertainers are aiming their protest at the incoming class of state lawmakers, not the legislators poised to pass the extended smoking ban today.
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Acting Gov. Richard Codey last week said he’ll sign the new law right away, saving Gov.-Elect Jon Corzine a political headache and meaning Thursday’s protest of dancers and barmaids will occur after the law is already on the books.
But Craig Carton and Ray Rossi, the radio hosts cued by a report in The Trentonian on the concerns of dancers at Illusions, think they can convince the new legislature to quickly repeal of the new ban.
The idea, said Carton, is "let them see as soon as it becomes law just how offensive it is to everyone in New Jersey.’’ He said the protest "is about small business rights being taken away’’ and cried hypocrisy like those quoted in The Trentonian article.
Growing and smoking tobacco is legal, Carton noted, "and bar owners know their clientele enjoys smoking. But now they’re not going to be able to let people do something that’s legal in their business.’’
Illusions proprietor Eleanore Travia, whose testimony before as Assembly public health committee last week got polite nods from the lawmakers, has been arguing that the new ban incorporates a double standard into state law.
It applies to all restaurants, bars and entertainment forums, except those in the casinos of Atlantic City.
"This is ridiculous! For you to enjoy a cocktail and a cigarette together in a public place, you’ll have to go to Atlantic City and put a quarter in a slot machine,’’ Travia complained.
She said the casinos "paid big money to be eliminated from that bill. They paid off, to get casinos off of that bill."
Travia and her dancers told The Trentonian their entertainment business should have the same rights as the casinos.
After their story came out in The Trentonian, the afternoon drive-time commentators of radio station 101.5 brought the fray to the Jersey airwaves.
By Friday, with help from Travia, as many as 400 strippers and dancers had called the station to express interest in the march on Trenton, Carton said.
One of the first members of the legislature the dancers will get a chance to convince to repeal will be Assemblywoman Loretta Weinberg, a sponsor of the extended smoking ban. Carton said she promised to face the protesters from the State House steps.
Whatever might work is okay in my book.
When do the prostitutes and pimps join in?
As soon as possible.
This thread is worthless without pictures!
She said the casinos "paid big money to be eliminated from that bill. They paid off, to get casinos off of that bill."
It is pretty obvious that the Casinos paid off the Jersy politicians
You don't want pictures. I saw a picture of the opposition to this bill sitting in the State House, and there was a trio of dyed blonde long-haired ladies in the front row, with hard expressions and too much make-up, who looked like their best years were twenty years or more back.
I think the veil of smoke is a sort of much-appreciated soft focus effect.
Mrs VS
Oww my eyes!
This may cause some uncomfortable "reunions" with former patrons!
You're on your own. Stuck with a dial-up tonight.
You never give up, do you?
The Government determines what you can or cannot smoke, and where you can do it.
Badda bing!
Just as a matter of fact, there was already a smoking ban in Massachusetts, several years ago. If you can guarantee to get this happy band of protesters to show, I'll work on reopening the smoking ban vote here.
I think strippers should be poled for their opinions on such issues.
Hysterical. Love it.
Poling strippers has been known to lead to a lifetime of trouble.......not that I would know anything about that.
Yes, I've heard things.
Helps to keep abreast of such matters; you know, have a leg up on the opposition.
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