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.
Advertisement
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.
And I'll bet they look TWENTY times better than Assemblywoman Weinberg. Any takers?
They already have. Who do you think backed and supports these ridiculous bans ;)
Smoked or cured, makes good bacon.
Excellent!!!!
Honestly, I belong to a Knights of Columbus in NJ and this law is going to hurt our bar receipts.
You mean to say the Jersey ban includes private clubs, fraternal and veterans orgainzations?
Yes it does. You will hear on the show today Carton speaking on how the soldiers are fighting for freedom overseas, yet when they come home, they won't be able to smoke at their own American Legion halls.
I will give Carton credit where credit is due.
My Eyes! MY EYES!
OMG.............as onerous as the Delaware ban is (no smoking in tobacco shops) even they had the sense to leave private clubs alone. membership in the Moose, Elks, Legion and VFW skyrocketed.
You, my friend, are evil.
That would have made sense.. in NJ, that means it can't be done. Our politicians are walking brain donors.
Holy Cow.
Listen live to the stripper protest
http://nick8.surfernetwork.com/media/wkxw.asx
On the Air Now
Police have blocked the streets and a lot of people are having trouble getting to the State House
The protest is live and has an on air link if anyone from your ping list is interested.
Miss Jersey is on the steps of the state house.
Is that Rosie O'Donnell???
Ray Rossi said there are Veteran Groups there.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.