It has come to the point in New York City where a prosperous strip club cannot get any respect. The owners of Scandals, a strip club in Long Island City, said they are being squeezed out of their present location by new city zoning laws.
Lawyers for Scandals argue the new zoning laws are intended to drive the adult entertainment industry in New York City out of business.
From our point of view, the new zoning laws are nothing more than common sense. Just as it makes sense not to allow a landfill or a dangerous industry next to a hospital or grade school, it makes sense strip clubs should not be allowed to operate near a church, synagogue, school, hospital or any other place where children and families gather.
The lawsuit filed by Scandals charges that the zoning changes will shrink the 21 districts where strip clubs are currently allowed to operate. “This would absolutely shutter them,” said their lawyer.
Good. These clubs exploit and degrade women. If adult women want to participate in pole dancing, lap dancing and other forms of degradation, that is their constitutional right. It is likewise the right of the city to help families protect their children from exposure to this business.
The Nightmare Is Over
The nightmare that began Dec. 19, 2008, is over. The voters have said it is time for former state Sen. Hiram Monserrate to go. State Assemblyman Jose Peralta defeated Monserrate last week in a special election.
Monserrate was arrested for slashing his girlfriend’s face with a broken glass while a city councilman weeks before he was to be sworn in as a senator. After nearly a year, the Senate summoned the courage to expel Monserrate. But Monserrate insisted he was still the man of the people. Last week showed how wrong he was.
In his acceptance speech, Peralta declared, “Our nightmare is over. A new day has begun. We finally have our community back — our honor, our dignity, our verguenza.”
We congratulate Peralta and wish him success as he fights in Albany for the interests of his district in one of the most difficult times this state has ever faced.
