Gold Dome Live

By Come On

January 29, 2009 10:37 AM | Link to this

You cannot stop an 18 year old from making a living even if it is as a stripper. Get Real!!!

By jeff

January 29, 2009 10:39 AM | Link to this

This isn’t about children this is about their fear, hate, and jealousy towards young single people and gays who occupy most of Atlanta in-town and don’t care for their lifestyles.

BTW they don’t even live in Atlanta where these clubs area… This article is TROLLING.. How pathetic to even post this, what a s** newspaper this is.

By HDB

January 29, 2009 10:42 AM | Link to this

Who are they kidding? Bad enough there’s a cover charge to get into the strip joint….but another $5 that goes to the state?? Talk about looking in the wring places….what needs to be done is CLOSE A FEW TAX LOOPHOLES!!

If the age of majority is 18….and the legal age for marriage (w/parental consent) is 13…why add another draconian level to state law?? It’s already pre-historic as is……..

By Freud

January 29, 2009 10:44 AM | Link to this

What the h** is wrong with people that live OTP?

By Vick

January 29, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this

Why does Ms. Unterman feel the need to bash the economic engine of this state? Every big city in America (Las Vegas, NYC, LA, San Francisco, etc.) has strip clubs and child abuse issues, but families still spend tons of cash visiting them. And Atlanta is no exception.

This is just a cheap shot, and one of many that rural Republicans sling at Atlanta. Whether or not Ms. Unterman is correct in advancing her myopic cause, she has no right to slam this city. Perhaps if she dug her head out of the Buford sand and spent some time at The HIgh Museum, took in a show at The Fox, or took her kids to the Aquarium, she would see that this is not a place to fear. But it is so much easier for her to bash this city and perpetuate fear and hate than it is to see the truth.

And besides, there are PLENTY of strip clubs and worse in rural communities as well as massive meth problems. But I don’t see Ms. Unterman addressing the problems in her district… she is just slamming Atlanta to get attention. How pathetic.

By chase

January 29, 2009 10:52 AM | Link to this

Now taking bets on how long it takes for Jack Murphy to get caught in some sex scandal.

By hypocrites rule

January 29, 2009 10:54 AM | Link to this

oh quit it with the high morality already! the only reason this clown isn’t introducing legislation to charge “major hotels” $5 per client admitted is that he already brokered a deal with Marriott, prolly at a strip club, while his drunk wife was playing bunko and his kids were hooking up with perverts via MySpace.

if this butmonkey really wants to support abused and exploited children, the best possible way to raise revenue to do such is to charge each church patrons $1 to walk through the doors. seriously, some of these mega churches OTP have thousands of members. think about how much money would be raised.

but to tell an adult - and in georgia an adult is 18 years old - that she can’t make a living working some place because it’s entirely possible that a 12 year old kid was prostituted on Craigslist or at a Marriott is preposterous. if you don’t like strip clubs, and cumming doesn’t, then keep them out of your neighborhood. having been to plenty in my lifetime, i can tell you no one working there is suffering.

By Strip Club Mike

January 29, 2009 10:57 AM | Link to this

Just call this an unconstitutional “pole” tax! I refuse to pay it. I’m contacting my Congressman, Senator and event the President!

By Jay

January 29, 2009 10:58 AM | Link to this

Let’s put a $5 tax on crooked politicians!

By trent

January 29, 2009 11:02 AM | Link to this

what do strip clubs have to do with abusing children???

GA has to be one of the most ignorant states in the union.

By huh?

January 29, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this

There is no connection between strip clubs and the sexual abuse of children. How do they even make that arugment?

If they really want to stop child molestation, then they should charge a surcharge to go to a park, school, or any other place kids hang out…because that’s where predators are looking for them!

By JT

January 29, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this

This is so backwards/backwoods!!!! What the heck does sexually exploited children and strip clubs have to do with each other? NOTHING! You wann do something worthwhile and SANE, pass a bill to allow liquor sales on Sundays!! For a state/city to CLAIM their finances are in the red, how could you not pass that resolution??? Back to the strip clubs, how are you going to target a specific group and not others??? Ok, the gay bars are next? Then regular night clubs?? Where would it stop??? Sen Jack Murphy, huh? Voters should make sure they remember that name….

By tbone

January 29, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this

funny, - I visit Atlanta all the time (I currently reside in Florida) and bring my family. I have never heard of the “unfortunate slogan: “Come to Atlanta, but don’t bring your family.””

What is the relationship between a regulated business (like the strip club) to unregulated business of prostitution? If they really wanted to get rid of the problems regarding exploitation - get the problems into the light of regulation so that action can be taken against it. Right now it is criminal and they are operating under the law and around it - and making money that is not taxed and exploiting children - right?

Gee whiz - lets tax the actual activity that is causing the problems and use that tax money to solve the problems.

By Why

January 29, 2009 11:22 AM | Link to this

So these patrons leave and then go abuse children? Hmmm… I don’t think so!

By Rick in Macon

January 29, 2009 11:23 AM | Link to this

Well, Trent…you know what they say…Delta is ready when you are. If you don’t like GA, get the hell out.

By G3H

January 29, 2009 11:24 AM | Link to this

Here’s a thought: Let’s charge people from Cumming and Buford $5.00 a head to come to Atlanta. Maybe that’ll keep ‘em home.

By Randall

January 29, 2009 11:25 AM | Link to this

This is outrageous!!! Georgia is so backwards. No liquor sales on Sunday AND now charging $5 to get into a strip club? What’s next? $5 to get into Kroger? Stupid. 18 is the age of consent, you can go to Iraq and be killed but can’t dance on a pole? Silly. No wonder are kids’ test scores are last or 49 in the union. These politicans are nutts.

By Bob Ichter

January 29, 2009 11:25 AM | Link to this

Here is a WAY BETTER idea than taxing strip club patrons….let’s tax church goers. Since they feel the need to impose their superstitions on the general public, such as keeping us from being able to buy beer and liquor on Sundays, and since churches generally pay no taxes at all yet use the government to enforce their backward beliefs on the general population, let’s charge an attendance tax of 2$ for every person that attends any religious service. We can call it the “pay to pray ” tax.

By RetiredStripper

January 29, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this

Why not charge a hefty fine to the pervs that try to exploit these children when they get locked up. I really don’t see how strip clubs play a roll in abusing children. Mostly these are women working to earn a living and paying for college and taking care of their families. I just used it as a stepping stone to get through school. He is just doing this as some politcal stunt. It’s not re election time, so there is something in it for him, I’m sure……

By Test Tube Tommy

January 29, 2009 11:38 AM | Link to this

What a jack arse! How about a golfer tax instead…lol!

By art

January 29, 2009 11:38 AM | Link to this

It is a fallacious assumption that strip clubs are somehow related to sexual abuse. I agree with other posters: Make chruchgoing do-gooders pay at the door. After all, it is Protestant ministers, Catholic priests, Jewish rabbis and Muslim imams that do most of the sexual abusing. Talk about tying the tax to the cause, there you have it. These disgusting religious hypocrites need to have their gonads crushed with a vice and hot, barbed iron rods shoved up their sexual orifices to wipe out the root of all evil.

By John Repulican

January 29, 2009 11:38 AM | Link to this

Here are the two senator’s email addresses: jack.murphy@senate.ga.gov renee.unterman@senate.ga.gov

Takes just a minute to write your comments directly to them explaining how you feel!

By Terrible Idea

January 29, 2009 11:42 AM | Link to this

WHAT! Is this for real? Where is the link between a strip club and sexually exploited children? Another reason I would NEVER want to live OTP.

By Statue for CPJ

January 29, 2009 11:45 AM | Link to this

Unterman said there’s an unfortunate slogan: “Come to Atlanta, but don’t bring your family.”

The real slogan is “Don’t hold a convention in Atlanta, there’s nothing to do.”

By Sexyslim

January 29, 2009 11:48 AM | Link to this

This is crazy. A lot of young girls in college pay there living expenses while dancing. There ages starting at 18, just don’t let them drink or be bartenders. Also, you already have to pay anywhere between $10 to $30 to get in a strip club depending on the time. Why increase it for $5 more dollars, like you said Retired Stripper what roll does a strip club play in abusing children.

By SOS

January 29, 2009 11:50 AM | Link to this

Thanks John Republican for the email addresses.

Here is another person who might be interested in Ms. Unterman’s unfortunate comments:

Sam Williams at the Chamber of Commerce — samwilliams@macoc.com

This city needs to stand up to bashings like this.

By woodie

January 29, 2009 11:53 AM | Link to this

Preposterous. Big government is always an ugly thing. It’s annoying we have to continuously fight for our freedom and the constitution against well meaning but ignorant individuals. Taxing industries you don’t like isn’t an acceptable approach. Try working with the children and the existing legal system if you want to help. Quit trying to come up with creative ways to tax people.

By 74Dawg

January 29, 2009 11:55 AM | Link to this

This is the kind of stuff that gives Republicans a bad name. Next some republican who votes for this in committee will get into some kind of scandal and they will ALL be labeled hipocrits.Republicans need to get their noses out of other peoples’bedrooms and address the REAL problems that exist in the state of Georgia,like the looming deficit and struggling economy. Otherwise they will face the same fate as national Republicans. People are so sick and tired of out of touch politicians. Any child abuse is a problem,but this ain’t about children.

By la

January 29, 2009 12:00 PM | Link to this

what state agency is going to monitor and collect the fees? How will they determine the amount of fees that a club owes? Will the state hire someone to sit at the door of every club, at every hour with a counter so they will know how much to collect? This is crazy and I don’t even go to strip clubs!!! Is this legal???

By Thinking

January 29, 2009 12:01 PM | Link to this

This is dumb. The strippers will ultimately pay this $5 since the patron will likely use the tip money for that.

By gttim

January 29, 2009 12:04 PM | Link to this

Your GOP at work! Keep voting for them! They will keep finding ways involve themselves with your entertainment. They want a nanny state that tells you what you can watch and listen to, and if they cannot get rid of it, they will tax you to do it!

By Bryant

January 29, 2009 12:08 PM | Link to this

Good Lord, this state is soooo backwards it doesn’t make any sense. We’ve got a governor who once compared Sunday alcohol sales to legalized prostitution, and now this nonsense. Who the hell is running the show under the Gold Dome? I will definitely be sending a couple of e-mails to the appropriate people.

These moral zealots really need to get a clue and join the rest of us in the 21st century.

By Mike D

January 29, 2009 12:09 PM | Link to this

The biggest problem with this other than it is an unfair tax is that strip clubs will under report the number of visitors and pocket most of this. A smaller problem that follows the law of unintended consequences(sp?), is there is nothing to do in Atlanta if you are here on a convention. The strip club industry is the only thing keeping some conventions coming here.

By Villa Rica DAWG

January 29, 2009 12:14 PM | Link to this

Idiots…

By MakeItRain

January 29, 2009 12:17 PM | Link to this

Can I apply for the job of going around the club and collecting the $5 from each patron? Also, as part of my duties, can I get a few lap dances thrown in—-I’ll be willing to cut my salary (a little) in return.

By A Mom's perspective

January 29, 2009 12:20 PM | Link to this

I’m a Republican and a mother and I think this is a stupid idea. You cannot tax and legislate morality and this is a thinly veiled attempt at both!

I do, however, think that young women who aren’t even old enough to buy a drink should not be allowed to dance in these clubs where they are the object of much older men lusting after them.

Honestly if you frequent these clubs how would you honestly feel about YOUR daughter working there?

By Lets Get Real

January 29, 2009 12:35 PM | Link to this

Its no wonder that Georgia has one of the lowest graduation rates in the country noting the type of elected officals we have. I have never heard of anyone leaving a strip club and going out to murder someone or molest someone. Maybe if we concentrate on the high use of Meth in Georgia we could help those children who are directly affected by the parents use of that drug

By The Common Sensor

January 29, 2009 12:37 PM | Link to this

Perhaps there should also be a $5 fee to enter church. There have been so many cases of abuse that have come from churches in the past few years. Following their logic, we must tax those attending church.

By Gobbledeegook

January 29, 2009 12:38 PM | Link to this

Would this fee apply to Jonesboro High School basketball games where the dance troop performs, too?

By Randall

January 29, 2009 12:41 PM | Link to this

” A Mom’s perspective ” You can not tell grown women what to do with their bodies. Again, I say, they can join the military, go to war and come home in a wooden box but you CAN NOT dance on a pole? The legal drinking age should be 18 anyway. You can not justify a grown azz man or women putting their life on the line for this country and then being prosecuted for having a beer when their 20?

By COME ON

January 29, 2009 12:42 PM | Link to this

SOME OF THE STATE SENATORS GO TO STRIP CLUBS; WILL THEY BE CHARGED THE SAME FEE? I DOUBT IT. MY BEST CUSTOMER IS A STATE SENATOR.

By Geezer

January 29, 2009 12:43 PM | Link to this

This is just another attempt at a sin tax by conservative Christians.

I’ve never understood how someone under the age of 21 can get a job in an establishment where the patrons are required to be 21 or older, it makes no sense.

Let’s either lower the drinking age to 18, or consider those under 21 as minors. While we’re at it, if you are considered a minor until age 21, you can be covered under your parents medical insurance, can’t be prosecuted as an adult, and can’t join the military.

By NICK

January 29, 2009 12:45 PM | Link to this

Tax TAx Tax…It’s bad enough “Barrack The Magic Negro” is going to make us all (the ones that work and pay taxes) pay more taxes, so why in the hell are the Republicans wanting to do this?

Strip Clubs have nothing to do with “child explotation”. Everyone in there is an adult.

If the Republicans want to keep their “power” in the state of Georgia, they should not pass this bill.

They are acting like “Liberal Democrats”…

By Atlanta Native

January 29, 2009 12:46 PM | Link to this

Ok I get it now….you can vote at 18, you can enlist at 18 and you can go to Iraq and die at 18…but you can’t take your clothes off in a club for money?….All right now everyone….let’s all grab the Ga. Legislators and drag them into the 21st Century…Come on now…we can do it.

By The Common Sensor

January 29, 2009 12:53 PM | Link to this

Let me get this straight…

Women get men to go into clubs and pay the women hundreds or thousands of dollars to do nothing but stand there and jiggle for a few minutes. The woman controls how long this will go on, where it will stop, and how much money the man will need to fork over, and someone construes this as the woman being taken advantage of by a man??

Obviously the people making this assumption have never spoken to a woman who works in one of these places. Nowadays most strippers are savvy businesswomen preying on drunk, stupid men.

By Jill

January 29, 2009 1:02 PM | Link to this

What is going on with our state government? What a bunch of idiots. We are in a crisis and they are wasting out time with this crap. This is why we must vote all the time.. primaries, municipal,run-offs etc. We let these jackasses get in office. This bill is so unconstitutional. What a bad joke!

By RR

January 29, 2009 1:10 PM | Link to this

So, according to Jack Murphy, by entering a strip club, I am helping to exploit girls ages 12 to 14, and therefore should pay to combat that exploitation?

By Sheila

January 29, 2009 1:13 PM | Link to this

Wow…based on the Senators corelations, shouldn’t the taxes be for Priests in Catholic Churches? How about some of our Congressmen? Or people who tap their feet under stalls at the airport. This is why the only lists GA can rank high in is the 7th most religious state in the Union. Good grief.

By Anonymous

January 29, 2009 1:16 PM | Link to this

It’s about time.

By U-Dubb

January 29, 2009 1:24 PM | Link to this

This is why this is pointless.

There’s ALREADY an Atlanta city ordinance that was introduced by Councilwoman Cleta Winslow in place to prevent this.

This pending legislation would affect the state of GA more than it would Atlanta.

It’s nice to know our elected officals are morons that don’t research anything.

By kendallmeeks

January 29, 2009 1:29 PM | Link to this

what has stripping and child abuse has to do with each other, why not charge the church they seem too have all the money and not giving back to the community or helping out where needed.you already have a cover charge why charge even more.its the poltician and teachers that are involved in more child abuse than strip clubs, charge them

By art

January 29, 2009 1:32 PM | Link to this

Renee Unterman, one of the sponsors of this proposal, is certifiably insane. She apparently becme so crazy, her cardiologist husband had to divorce her. I vaguely recall some newspaper articles in the AJC a few years ago about how crazy she was. Can anybody resurrect that so she is so embarassed as to crawl back under her rock?

By dolla bill

January 29, 2009 1:33 PM | Link to this

Calm down people! There is nothing wrong with a $5 “pole” tax!!

By Anonymous

January 29, 2009 1:38 PM | Link to this

It’s funny to me that when people hear something they don’t like, they automatically get mad at the state. If you don’t like GA then you have the option to MOVE.

By dolla bill

January 29, 2009 1:40 PM | Link to this

They shouldn’t raise the age to 21!!! What will the Jonesboro dance team members do for the 3 years after graduation when they turn 21 and can finally go work at Magic City!!!

By jonj

January 29, 2009 1:47 PM | Link to this

first off, NICK the Barack the magic negro comment is un called for- I’m shocked by the number of racist a*******holes that live in the Atlanta metro area- c’mon people its 2009! Shame on you nick- I hope your wife/girlfriend leaves you for a black guy or a Mexican or better yet a half black/half Hispanic lesbian! That would certainly cover all bases as I’m sure you hate Hispanics and gays as well. oh and I’m sooo for the church tax- there’s a church on every corner. Claiming non profit status and ducking taxes left and right. A strip club tax is ridiculous and I agree strippers have nothing to do with child abuse. It’s funny how the GOP seems so uptight when it comes to sex but they are always the ones getting caught in the freaky deaky scandal ala’ Daniel Craig, ted haggard @ mark Foley! Do republicans think b4 they speak?

By dolla bill

January 29, 2009 1:59 PM | Link to this

Well said jonj!!! I’m sure Nick has probably tapped his feet in a public restroom plenty of times!!

By jonj

January 29, 2009 2:16 PM | Link to this

lol…right. These guys are unbelievable we can’t even debate the issues of the day without some bigot making a reference to race or president Obama etc. I grew up in a mixed community and I socialize with all races and for the life of me I just don’t get why southern whites feel as if minorities are the reason they are unsuccessful or unhappy etc. if it rains outside its a black persons fault, it doesn’t rain its b/c the Hispanics are taking all of the jobs - I mean really its to the point where this is getting really old. the truth of the matter is that upper class white men run the republican party and they use poor whites for more numbers at the polls that’s it!…they have no respect or regard for a southern, kissing cousin, meth head, Lynyrd Skynyrd loving, hillbilly, back of truck riding, confederate war reenacting Nazi wanna be…ok im done unless nick wants to come out and play :)

By Bonaphone

January 29, 2009 2:17 PM | Link to this

Good Deal! I like the idea! The young sluts who work there are mostly abused children anyhoo…

By Bonaphone

January 29, 2009 2:21 PM | Link to this

JONJ: Nick was just pointing out that Barrack only won because of the blind voting of the ENTIRE BLACK POPULATION! Even though he represents them in no way shape or form. He’s a socialist that associates with amoral people. So do you really think he won for any other reason than he’s a black man? Duh…

By Bonaphone

January 29, 2009 2:28 PM | Link to this

Jonj and dollabill are bun-a-bung buddies! hehe

By rightofcenter

January 29, 2009 2:33 PM | Link to this

Gee, some of you leftwingnuts need to take a chill pill. First of all, this is a bill introduced by 2 legislators. Don’t throw the entire Republican Party under the bus based on two legislators. Crazy bills get introduced all the time - they seldom make it through the process to become law. Secondly, it amazes me how so many of you can be fiercely, bitterly anti-religion. What happened to tolerance as a virtue? Thirdly, Renee Untermann is Jewish - so tell me again why Conservative Christians are so evil?

By dolla bill

January 29, 2009 2:41 PM | Link to this

you were probably in the stall next to nick when he tapped his feet..also what about the 43% of white americans that voted for YOUR president..did they blindly vote for him? It sounds like you and nick are both miserable… and PRESIDENT OBAMA won 96% of the black vote so thats not the ENTIRE BLACK POPULATION as you so ignorantly stated..furthermore that 96% of the black vote only made up a mere 13% of the electorate he needed to win…so where do you think the other 87% came from Cletus i mean bonaphone!!! Ask your cousin whose probably also your wife for help

By Anonymous

January 29, 2009 2:47 PM | Link to this

Right on rightofcenter.

By nicole

January 29, 2009 2:47 PM | Link to this

Georgia has a horrible record on preventing child abuse. I used to voluteer as a Court Appointed Special Advocate, and I was appalled by Georgia’s antiquated system of monitoring, tracking, and preventing child exploitation. I strongly believe that there is a link between Atlanta’s large number of strip clubs (and underground sex scene that no one wants to talk about) and child sexual exploitation in this city. I used to see girls who looked as young as 10 walking down Boulevard in platform shoes getting in cars with men. The strip clubs here only mar Atlanta’s image. It’s time to clean it up. I think it’s a great idea to have these men-owned and operated strip clubs give money back to the girls who may some day group to work in strip clubs and make men rich because they were sexually abused. BTW, I’m in my 20s, female, liberal turned moderate, and I live ITP…

By jonj

January 29, 2009 2:54 PM | Link to this

Bonaphone- Where do I begin? Given the choices that were presented to the American people- you can honestly sit here and say that the mccain/palin ticket was more qualified then the Obama Biden ticket? Sarah palin went to 5 different schools in order to get an undergrad degree in journalism, she is the mayor of a town that’s as big as my coat closet…and her husband is part of an organization that wants Alaska to secede from the USA. John McCain is like 100 years old for starters, he should have been sent to jail in the 80’s due to his role in the S&L scandal, and he finished 5th from the bottom of his class in the naval academy which he was accepted into b/c of his father. President Obama graduated “magna cum laude” from Harvard Law (top 1%). As a senator Mr. Obama sponsored or co-sponsored 570 bills in the 109th and 110th Congress incl. 15 bills that have become LAW. Let’s see V.P Biden graduated from the University of Delaware dude DOUBLE-majored in history and political science AND He went on to receive his J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law in 1968. Now given the choices…Americans (not blacks) but AMERICANS voted for the most qualified ticket. You are almost as bad Nick- again blaming blacks when the black vote wouldn’t have been enough for the enough to cause the upset we saw on Nov. 4th. Sadly, all of the blacks in the US DIDN’T VOTE! And furthermore blacks make up like what 13% of the total population. C’mon man take the loss and hope that our commander in chief can bring us out of the crap that Bush and the GOP got us into in the first place. Now back to those sexy strippers!

By I know you are...

January 29, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this

“so tell me again why Conservative Christians are so evil?”

Because you try and force your extremely narrow and prejudiced opinions on everyone else and try and make those opinions law. Because you spend so much of your time worrying about what other people do in the privacy of their own home and want to legislate morality. Because you work to undermine groups and organizations working in lower income areas that are trying to control birth rates and STD rates. Because you think you know what is best for everyone else and by golly we’d better follow you right off that cliff. Because it is either your way or the highway. Because you have an intense disdain for science and believe that the Bible is the only book we should read. Because you are 1/8th of a step away from being the Taliban. THAT (and so much more) is why you are evil.

By jonj

January 29, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this

Nicole - I have seen the underage girls as well and it’s sad. it was far worse in the 90’s than it is now- prior to the Olympics you’d see young girls up and down metropolitan pkwy but I’m just not sure that taxing adult entertainment will curb the pervs- tougher laws on the books aimed at the criminal pimps and the truckers and pervs that ride thru the urban areas looking for young girls its what’s needed and I’m all for it!

By CVC

January 29, 2009 3:02 PM | Link to this

Wow jonj…. you’re good t this.

By Gandalf, the White!

January 29, 2009 3:04 PM | Link to this

so the socialist and his lackey did good in school? How much money has Biden saved? What is his net worth? How much did either give to charity? Both these men are amoral asshats, and dolla bill, that was you on your knees in from of nick, doing what you do best, sucking rooster! You are pathetic!

By Stinky Sullivan

January 29, 2009 3:07 PM | Link to this

Strip clubs are for losers!

However, women often pay me to “be their private dancer” if you know what I mean.

But then again, if you looked as GOOD as I did for my age, women of ALL ages and nationalities would come FLOCKING!

SS

By Bonaphone

January 29, 2009 3:12 PM | Link to this

GTW: Thanks for the help, but I don’t need it, jonj go with your boy dolla down to the strip club and meet each other in one of the stalls! Suck Rooster! That is funny! More black folks than ever voted for this half white looney toon. Watch and see how bad he screws up out wonderful country! He sucks rooster! hehe I like that GTW!

By Bonaphone

January 29, 2009 3:14 PM | Link to this

Stinky you would know! L is you!

By jsc3

January 29, 2009 3:24 PM | Link to this

jonj, surely you jest?

Republicans and Christians certainly don’t have a monopoly on sex scandals; the main difference is that Republicans and Christians will usually fire some one for doing it, unlike the Democrats (e.g. Bill Clinton or Barney Frank). I’m Libertarian, so personally as long as its between consenting adults, and not on company time, I generally just don’t care.

I gotta say that all the Liberals whining about Republican and Christian intolerance are generally just as intolerant, but with different targets - many can’t stand Republicans, Christians, successful businessmen, OTP, etc. Just as self-righteous as any Bible-thumping Christian, in my opinion.

And for Democrats to complain that Republicans want a “nanny state”? Hah, again, Democrats same thing, they just want to micromanage different things. A pox on both their houses (Republicans and Democrats), as far as I am concerned. We’re on our way to Idiocracy, no matter which party of clowns is currently in charge.

That said, this whole $5 tax on strip club patrons is stupid. So is a drinking age of 21, yet otherwise considered adult at 18 (including going to war). Not to mention no liquor sales on Sunday.

However, blaming all Republicans, or everybody OTP, is just so stupid. I live OTP now, I lived ITP for 10 years. I have voted for Republicans, I have voted for Democrats, and been disappointed by both in most cases. Pull your head out and get a breath of fresh air…

By Andy in the Mtns

January 29, 2009 3:25 PM | Link to this

Why not tax the 100’s if not 1000’s of under 18 yo kids in GA who exploit themselves by sending naked pictures of themselves via text message to their desired breeding mates?

According to the news its the latest rage. Heck, apparently it’s so problematic they even have a PSA commercial running now about the matter.

I say leave ATL’s all but terrible strip clubs and their patrons out of this one.

By jonj

January 29, 2009 3:59 PM | Link to this

jsc3 - I can take what ya said on the chin’ - touché’ and I’m no bleeding heart liberal - I’m actually middle of the road and I kinda dig Ron Paul but his association with Regan bothered me a bit. I respect your opinion…I kinda like you in fact- you’re a thinker and that’s cool. What sent me on my rant was this racist mumbo jumbo. I’m not going to even respond to what I’m assuming is a grown man calling himself Gandalf- dude lord of the rings. Wow

By MyDaughterDances

January 29, 2009 4:00 PM | Link to this

My daughter has been dancing for years, I don’t like it but she is grown. I prefer her to be in school, but life doesn’t always go according to plan. I see why the rest of the Country thinks we are a bunch of hillbillies. So many ignorant politicians creating laws that has nothing to do about nothing. Let’s focus on education & getting these kids to stay in school and out of jail. America give you choices in life & most politicians have forgotten about that. They want to put their laws into everybody’s homes.

By ToBonaphone

January 29, 2009 4:06 PM | Link to this

Evidently, your head must have been stuck in the sand these last 8 years. The world hates us, the economy is the worst it has been since the recession years & years ago, we are in a war we shouldn’t be in, the price of gas, food, clothing, etc. is high as ever and the unemployment rate in the State of Georgia is higher than in the Country. I would vote for anybody, but these Republicans. It’s not about color which you people seem to not be able to get over, but getting out of this mess Your President Bush created. He is the dumbest president we ever had. No Country respected him.

By dolla bill

January 29, 2009 4:08 PM | Link to this

Gandalf, the White? R u 12 years old? R u typing this in your mothers basement in between ur game of dungeons and dragons and touching yourself while looking at a picture of Frodo….

By jonj

January 29, 2009 4:20 PM | Link to this

ToBonaphone- that’s what I don’t understand. Why would I or anyone else for that matter NOT vote for the best man/woman for the job, regardless of skin color? As soon as President Obama was considered a serious candidate all the “socialist” chatter began. I mean give me break! He’s no more socialist then GW Bush was fascist- well wait a minute let me re-think that one. But I mean seriously folks. I thought we were beyond racial hatred but I was mistaken and I’m scared for my kids to grow up in this kind of environment.

By jonj

January 29, 2009 4:25 PM | Link to this

ToBonaphone- that’s what I don’t understand. Why would I or anyone else for that matter NOT vote for the best man/woman for the job, regardless of skin color? As soon as President Obama was considered a serious candidate all the “socialist” chatter began. I mean give me break! He’s no more socialist then GW Bush was fascist- well wait a minute let me re-think that one. But I mean seriously folks. I thought we were beyond racial hatred but I was mistaken and I’m scared for my kids to grow up in this kind of environment.

By Jessica

January 29, 2009 4:31 PM | Link to this

What a bunch of idiots we have under the Dome, can they come into the 21st Century? What does going to a strip club have to do with sexually exploited children??? If you gave the kids and families in GA something to do other than sit around and think of nonsense, then there may not be a problem. There is to much free time for children, because there is nothing to do in this state or than eat and watch TV, which is another problem. What a waste of Jack Murphy’s mind…nothing to do.

By deezanutz

January 29, 2009 4:44 PM | Link to this

for the first time in my life, im ashamed to say im from georgia!!

By jonj

January 29, 2009 4:57 PM | Link to this

It’s funny how the politicians attempt to politicize things that have no significance. what about more funding for our schools educating these young ladies so they have other option if they so choose what about keep our jobs in the usa and making it illegal to send our jobs overseas - I called direct TV on tues and I got Bangladesh! how about investigating the oil companies for price manipulation, the list goes on and on but nooo they’d rather bring up a strip club tax or have us vote of rather two men or two women should marry each other.

By thought

January 30, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this

I think people should be aware that children are sold for sex every day in Atlanta (and before you fight me on it go to [www.afuturenotapast.org]- there is defendable research that proves this). There are only services available for 12 a year to get services, and there is no funding for law enforcement to actually prevent this from happening. The fact of the matter is these children need our support and in these hard economic times no one has the money to help pull them out of slavery.

And before you get on your high horse about sex clubs and freedom take into consideration this- there has been academic research through Emory that directly links adult entertainment industries to child prostitution both through geography and because many documented cases have proven children are both recruited and sold through adult entertainment industies.

So when put in the context of this fee as an inovative initiative that will help vulnerable children who will fall through the cracks because no one will stand up and help them, maybe you should be less harsh with your critisms. I live ITP, and I go to strip clubs, and I give money to non-profits who serve children that have suffered this abuse. Until you can come up with a better idea I fully support this fee and am thankful legislators are brave enough to address the issue.