Strippers would have to keep their distance

A House subcommittee today passed a bill that would put some distance between strip club patrons and exotic dancers. Dancers could not come within 6 feet of customers under a bill that will now go to the full House Judicial Committee.

Strip clubs and other sexually oriented businesses would not be able to operate between midnight and 6 a.m., according to the bill.

Rep. Scott Talley, R-Spartanburg, who introduced the bill, said restricting when sexually oriented businesses can operate would cut down on early morning crime -- drugs, assaults, property crimes -- he said is common at strip clubs. 

Comments

[Marian Sosebee]

Is the republican Scott Talley like the mayor of New York City? Does he frequent strip clubs and now is against them like the New York City mayor was for prosecuting prostitution until he was caught doing the same? I feel the personal life of Scott Talley needs to be investigated prior to any other legal decisions being passed regarding the operation of strip clubs.

[Al]

I am totally against this bill. Most of these girls are very good people who have a family to support and businessmen simply looking for innocent entertainment. This would only serve to harm additional businesses in SC by driving off customers.

[Al]

As a patron, I can also say that I have never seen any "assaults or property crimes" committed, simply the use of cigarettes or cigars and the sale of beer, wine and mixed drinks. Every patron is also carefully checked to prevent any underage persons from admission.

[April]

This is absolutely insane. How are the dancers supposed to work if they have to keep a 6 foot boundary? Are the politician(s) trying to shut the clubs down? If each dancer has to have a 6 foot 'moat' around them, how many patrons are going to be able to fit in the club? Come on - why not try to pass bills that we actually need?

[Larry E. Creel]

Bills like this one may be a part of the agenda of compassionate "wide stance" Republicans.

[Larry E. Creel]

Bills like this one may be a part of the agenda of compassionate "wide stance" Republicans.

[Matt Jordan]

I guess, we have all the crime, poverty and unemployment all cured, and now we have nothing else to do?

Hey, while we're at it, let's get rid of the tattooists, because they're all criminals, let's arrest everyone who goes to a bar, because they are either rapists or drunks.

Even better idea, let's bring back the death penalty for people who are caught committing adultery, not going to church, or for the worst crime of them all, HAVING A FREE THOUGHT!

This is why we are the butt of jokes around the country, and why I am ashamed to say I am from South Carolina. He should be thrown out of office for even entertaining this bill while we have worse problems.

Thank you once again for confirming why I left the Republican party.

[Bob]

I guess Mr. Talley would rather restrict business than fund police forces that are trying to stop crime. What kind of Representatives are they sending us from the Upstate??

[Katie]

As a former exotic dancer, I believe this bill is outrageous. First of all they say that they want to reduce the number of drugs, assualts, and property crimes in the morning. First of all, do they really think all these crimes were committed by people who visted these clubs? That is ridiculous in itself! Even if that were the case, passing this bill would only increase the number of crimes that occur at night! Second of all, how would these girls work with a six foot barrier? What, would men make paper airplanes out of the bills and throw them at the girls? I personally never let a person touch me inappropriately, but I would never stay no less than six feet away from them. And as for the select group of dancers who do engage in some very appaling activities, this rule would have a good chance of increasing prostitution, since that would be the only way girls could allow a man to touch her.

[bird]

If they can't get it done by midnight and from six feet away, they need more help than a stripper can give them.

[jmfh]

six feet away isn't far enough for a big bloke like me if ya know what I mean.

[Concerned Citizen]

We need to work on more worthwhile efforts like "Sunday Beer and Wine Sales" and removing prude morons from office. Support your local single moms.

[Jerry]

Mr Talley is a whacker. Rep Talleywhacker needs to trade in his brand new seerucker he bought on his first trip to Charleston and slide back into his shiny sunday Nylons. We see through his joke of an idea. Even his embarassed wife, Tammy Fae Talleywhacker, sees through his charade. Becasue it was poor Tammy Fae that busted him and his high school golf buddies stumbling back to Holiday inn in N. Myrtle with there new friends from the club. The six foot idea comes from the fact he knows he cannot catch/ grab/ snatch poor Tammy fae when she gets a six foot head start. Somebody pray for him. Gimme a big Amen and a Hallellujah! Talleywhacker is our savior!!

[jessica]

How about the single moms stop stripping and get respectable jobs? The IRS says that most strippers vastly under-report income - if they report at all. The rest of us are paying taxes on the money we make and they should as well. Strip clubs trash up our neighborhoods and make Columbia look sleezy. Go home to your wife or get a girlfriend - don't throw your money away on a dancing girl who thinks you're fat but shakes what she's got just to get your dollars.

[Lola]

I think that Mr. Talley is a fine decent man who uphold christian values!Our country is already going to pot but if we are gonna have these strippers clubs somebody has to protect those young ladies from the men. I support the six foot circle of protetcion and I further admire Mr. talley's obvious respect for women by giving us six more feet of room to dance in. Because of Mr. Talley these young ladies can dance like the wind in the six feet of personal space afforded by this bill. They can "lose themselves" in the music and not worry about the grabbing now. It will make it more artistic and fancy too. I am proud of the vision of Talley. The women of his church applaud the six foot rule because we know it matters to us. God bless america and the six foot rule!

[Martin]

There are several points that need to be made here. First, why is Scott Bergthold, a lawer from TENNESSEE, working to have laws passed in South Carolina? Is there no one in South Carolina that can or wants to present this anti stripper position? Why should we allow outsiders to come in and dictate to us what we should do. What is, if you will excuss the phrase, 'his dog in the fight'? If it passes, he will go back to Tennessee, if he looses, he will go back to Tennessee. Is he just here to save the soul of sinful South Carolina because he and Tennessee hold the moral high ground over South Carolina. Exactly what is his motivation, other than the fame, resume boost, and of course cash.
Secondly remember our history, for those that do not will be doomed to repeat it. In a word prohibition. Prohibition was the greatest thing to ever happen to organized crime. We made alcoholic beverages illegal and by doing so more popular. People that were not criminals, leading upstanding lives suddenly became criminals for their vice. What those people, who tout their success in closing or resticting strip clubs in other jurisdictions fail to mention is the fallout. Do they mention the underground 'private' or 'member only' strip clubs that popped up. The clubs that are harder to access but once inside, one finds a sea of debauchery. Operated by the very definition of organized crime, these lawless clubs offer open use of drugs, open prostitution, robbery, assaults, etc. Hidden from law enforcement, these clubs,often fire traps and health hazard, become the speakeasy of the present, full of criminals, many of which were law abiding citizens prior to the new law or restriction pushed by some short minded individuals that perhaps slept through their history class. It is a fact that once a person crosses the boundary of law abiding citizen to commit one small crime, the damage is done, thereby making the next step to a more serious crime easier for them to justify to themselves.
Thirdly, what about our already repressed economy. Ask a stripper what they do with the money and most answer in a similar fashion; college, single mom buying a house, trying to pay off debt, paying off a home to prevent foreclosure, single mom tring to support my kids, husband laid off and trying to suppot our family, etc. The nerve of these women trying to support their families and better themselves. A little investigation finds that these girls average $300 to $800 per night. That money is put right back into our local economy, not sent to some latin american country. In most clubs, it is the money of the tourist that is collected, such as the lawyers from Tennessee or engineers from Texas. These people spend hundreds and somtimes thousands in our strip clubs. They arrive in a taxi cab around 10 pm and leave at 2 am via the front door where a bouncer is posted. They are not mugged, they are not buying or selling drugs. They are, for the most part, drunk and happy with all intentions of returning to spend more money on their next visit. How will this new law change our economy? If the state wants to do something, add an extra tax, but don't kill the business.
Lastly,the drug issue. How do you associate a lap dance with drug dealing. Have these people ever seen a lap dance or stripper costume? Where do they keep the drugs? I dare any of these people to wak into to a strip club and fire up what looks like a joint or toss some powdered sugar out on a table and begin to snort it. Count how many seconds it takes to be removed by one of those hulking bouncers milling about. These clubs, while maybe not respectable in everyones eyes have some very strict rules. They have a business and want to keep it. They don't put up with drug use or other activities. If you want to get tossed out quick, touch a girl in anyway you are not suppose to. These clubs have rules and most are very strict. Go after the bad ones, the known drug dens, the dealers on the street, not the club where the dealers are not allowed and not the industry as a whole. The arguments are weak for why this industry should be restricted and the truth for some groups agenda shines through.
Stand up and say what is on you mind. What is the real reason for this? I want the vote of the so called moral majority so I want to close the strip clubs. Don't dance around the truth. This is America and one thing will always be true; You can't legislate morality. Leave the clubs alone.

[bird]

With good counsel, we can certainly legislate SANITY. One's penchant for dancing around the truth, or watching while others do so -- will not make the sad realities of this industry go away.

"Strip clubs, or 'gentlemen's clubs' as they are called in a pathetic attempt to lend an air of respectability, are where men view women as sex objects meant to be ogled, fondled and humiliated. In a store, the rule is 'if you break it, you buy it'. In the world of prostitution, trafficking and pornography, the rule is 'if you buy it, you can break it'. "

Brenda Zurita, Research Fellow for Concerned Women of America
Family Voice March-April 2008 Vol.6 No.2

Please read the disturbing story of a 12-year-old runaway in a Dallas strip club:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/032708dnmetclubs.10bdd5.html

The "adult entertainment" industry is not a victimless one -- nor are all its victims even adults yet. All this attorney is asking for are limitations -- limitations which could only be for the greater good.

[bob]

I believe this is the same group of politicians that can't seem to find time to raise cigarette taxes or work out a healthcare plan and usually can't get the budget done before the deadline, but some how they have time to debate if lap dances are legal or not and what time the bar has to close. What's next, black and mexican clubs have to close at midnight because they have more problems after that time? May seem racist, but I fail to see the difference. Either way, you are discrimnating against a specific group of people based on your beliefs and not the facts. What's next, no Waffle House after 12 because eating late makes people fat?

[What will they think of next?]

Has the legislation taken into consideration how this law would effect the small business owners and the local economy?
6% sales tax
1% local tax
5% admissions tax
2% hospitality tax
5% excise tax
This money adds up for the state of SC.

And for these bible belt, God fearing people...Give me a break! "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

Who are you to judge?

There are STRICT laws to make sure women are a legitimate age of 18 to dance or even visit adult establishments. Law enforcement does a great job of following up to ensure laws are not being broken. Women in this business are working women and mostly single moms. Closing at midnight or keeping patrons six feet away is not going to detour women from dancing or prevent crime. Just another useless law enacted in the state of South Carolina.

"The "adult entertainment" industry is not a victimless one -- nor are all its victims even adults yet. All this attorney is asking for are limitations -- limitations which could only be for the greater good."

Give me a break! Victims? Maybe somewhere else, but not here in SC. These women entertain because they want to entertain.This is not a third world country. Entertaining allows these girls the flexibility of going to work when they can and making a substantial income for thier families. The gentlemen that run these clubs are business owners same as anywhere else. They abide by the laws and make these clubs a safe place for these working women.

[Dan]

Apparently, it's election year fever that causes our local legislators to put the 'ass' in asinine. I am referring to the bill (H. 3679) introduced by Rep. Scott Talley to require the dancers and the patrons at adult businesses and sexually oriented businesses to keep a six-foot distance from each other. This would in effect take away all the illegal drug use, prostitution, and a host of other crimes "to prevent the deleterious secondary effects of adult businesses and sexually oriented businesses." Last big drug bust I remember involved our former State Treasurer, Mr. Thomas Ravenal, having had on his person about 500 grams or less of cocaine. Now, I don't know Mr. Ravenel personally, nor do I know his comings and goings, but I'm pretty sure he was not at any strip clubs getting his cocaine.

How does Mr. Talley propose to enforce this six-foot rule? Will the dancers to have wear six-foot hula hoops? Will patrons be given six- foot carpenter's rulers when they walk in the door? From the looks of things recently it's hard enough to get good, properly trained Highway Patrol personnel on the road and now we're going to form a strip-club police force?!! I don't whether to laugh or cry!

But wait it gets better. Mr. Talley is also concerned about the state of the flaccidity or turgidity of your tally whacker! In the proposed legislation it would be a crime to be in an "adult business" or "sexually-oriented business and have your "covered human male genitals in a discernibly turgid state." So, as an example, let's say Mr. Brown is shopping for his lovely wife Mrs. Brown at the local Victoria's Secret. While in the store, imagining all the pretty lingerie and expensive perfumes on his wife causes Mr. Brown's biology to kick in and oops, he is now in a "discernibly turgid state." Call the turgid police. If convicted, Mr. Brown will pay a $1000 fine and spend a year in jail.

Folks, you can't make this stuff up. Please tell your local Senators and Representatives to pass some real legislation and not engage in political grandstanding.

[Chris]

One thing that is really, really good here in South Carolina is the lack of government involvement in a lot of things that other states baby sit. I feel that it is NO place for government to intervene in private businesses. Politicians need to get it out of there greasy heads that they "know all". Government should keep it only to the essentials when it comes to involvement... not create reasons to get involved in everything!

[Jai]

Foremost, I do not attend strip clubs, but why does Rep. Talley feel a need to try to legislate morality? Laws are already in place to address prostitution and drug dealing. If this is occuring at some of these establishments, law enforcement needs to do their job and arrest the parties involved, instead of enacting legislation for the moral reasons of a christian conservative organization. This is slippery slope that is being treaded. Don't ban an adults right to enjoy adult activities.

[clif judy]

To all the naysayers, why don't we copy Nevada and have a whorehouse on each designated corner.....so lonesome broken women and men can have some "freedom" and be good for "business" as well.

[Joe]

There's an easy answer to this: vote Libertarian!!!! The only political party that still cares about personal freedom and the Constitution.

If you don't like the idea of lap dances, simply do not go to a strip club.

Stay out of my life and my morality or I will be forced to get into yours.

[bird]

Jai,

Good grief -- you are the only "Jay" I know that can't even spell your own name. This sounds like you and looks like your grammar.

Christian [definitely] and Conservative [if you know what's good for you] should always be capitalized.

[Rob Stevenson]

This is the dumbest thing that I have ever heard. It is completely unenforceable. Are we going to put police officers in all the strip clubs? I should say on duty police officers. This representative is pandering and wasting time on a non-issue.

[Dave]

1:Make the patrons wear electric shock collars when they enter the clubs... when they get within six feet of a dancer.. ZZZZZappp.... THAT would be exciting entertainment..

2: Most of the girls work for tips... how will they get them from 6 feet away