930 Forums
=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: millard on January 20, 2007, 07:56:00 pm
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Minors being allowed to go to shows on a regular basis may be in jepordy. A minor patron was shot at the former club 1919 (across from DC9)last night. Looks like he'll push for no minors in establishments with liquor licences. If this went through, I'm sure we'd get an exemption for something like Fall Out Boy, but at what cost?
NBC4 (http://www.nbc4.com/news/10801188/detail.html?dl=mainclick)
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at what cost? i reckon the fact that fall out boy is playing is the cost. i'm already cringing knowing they'll be playing within a hundred or so miles of me.
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wow, talk about blame the victim!
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i'm surprised there isn't more talk about this ... what's the implication of this "emergency legislation" for places like black cat and 930?
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Washington Post (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/21/AR2007012101192.html) has an article up about this as well. Seems like this could be a problem for other clubs.
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Actually it was already acted on. My only problems with this is that I've seen far too many police officers "moonlighting" at clubs wearing their uniform and even ones just on duty spending more time flirting and being smooth with the ladies than actually patrolling. I replied to Jim Graham about this and he even mentioned that policing has been an issue as well.
The other problem is that if they have problems with minors in bars, then places like 930 Club and Black Cat could be in jeopardy if they do away with all ages. I don't think that is the case with this and the problem was they had live entertainment without that type of license.
MindCage
Mindless Faith (http://www.mindlessfaith.com)
Deep6 Productions (http://www.deep6.com)
From Graham:
Dear Friends:
Chief Lanier is acting today, under powers given her in 2005 by the DC
Council, to close a nightclub at 1919 9th Street, which was the site of
a homicide last night. Under the law, the MPD Chief can in an emergency
such as this close a liquor establishment for up to 72 hours. Chief
tells me that this bar will be closed.
At about 2:30 AM, a 17 year old girl was shot dead at Smarta Broadway,
on the second floor.
According to government information to me, a young lady was put out of
the club for smoking marijuana. It appears as though she then returned
with a male friend, who was armed with a gun.
The male friend reportedly had a scuffle with the bouncers in an effort
to get into the club. During that scuffle, the male friend's gun went
off killing the young girl. The killer fled.
I am told that the bar, which is licensed as a night club, had a band
that may have been playing Go Go.
To their credit, the Ethiopian businesses have hired cost reimbursable
officers for this block of 9th Street. They were on duty last night, but
at the time of the homicide, they were reportedly making an arrest.
There was strong police deployment in the U Street area, though I am
also told they had a very busy night.
I support Chief Lanier's action, which at this very moment is being
prepared by Commander McCoy.
I am also troubled that DC law permits the presence of a minor in a
nightclub. (Of course, the consumption of alcohol by minors is
prohibited, and we have a strong DC program on that.) But the current
DC law prohibits the presence of minors ONLY in liquor stores during
school hours. I will be considering emergency legislation on this
subject relating to night clubs and perhaps other alcohol establishments
for the next council session. I am pleased to state that I was the
author of the law strengthening the Police Chief's emergency closure
powers. And that came from the violent U Street clubs that we
closed...Kili's, Club U and Between Friends, none of which are operating
today.
This is the best information I have at this hour.
Our sympathies go out to the family of the young victim, and we do
encourage those who have intelligence on this to call police at
727-9099.
Sincerely, Councilmember Jim Graham
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I am told that the bar, which is licensed as a night club, had a band
that may have been playing Go Go.
I'm sorry, but that sentence made me laugh.
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MindCage... not quite sure what you meant by "Actually it was already acted on."
The club in question has been closed, but Graham contemplating--and might end up introducing--"emergency legislation."
Contact info on Jim Graham's website: http://www.grahamwone.com/contacts.html (http://www.grahamwone.com/contacts.html)
(Note that Jim Graham's e-mail address appears at the very bottom of that page.)
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As I've always said, all shows 18+ and nonsmoking would be great!
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I heard a piece on WTOP Sat that said the club was closed because it violated the curfew law for allowing the person in... To have been admitted they would had to been in procession of a note indicated they were allowed to be there when they were.
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if they have hearings on this issue, i wonder if the famous co-owner of the Black Cat will be on hand to testify against it :D
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i could see this whole issue erupting with a lot of simmering racial tension in the neighborhood
correct me if i'm wrong, but most (all?) of these outbursts of club violence that are leading to this "emergency legislation" have occurred in clubs that cater to predominantly black customers, many of them go-go clubs ... if/when they try to pass legislation like this, i could see rock clubs like 930 and BC (that cater to a predominantly white customer base in a traditionally black neighborhood) arguing that they should be excluded because they haven't had serious violence issues in their clubs and take necessary security measures to maintain safety
maybe i'm overstating things, but i could see a lot of simmering frustration with gentrification and the like spilling over at any kind of public hearing on this issue
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Curfew laws that force underagers out by 11. Alot of other cities have that and it works just fine.
And the rest of us would benefit by not having to worry about catching the metro on weeknights.
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While it is sad that this happened, it seems that Graham is more concerned that an underage kid was shot, than the fact that a shooting occurred in the first place. Taking kids out of venues where alcohol is served isn't going to prevent shootings. So what's next, will he introduce legislation to bar the underage from other"adult situations" where alchol is served: sporting events, restaurants?
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Based on his logic, than we should also keep anyone under 17 out of the schools, considering all of the shootings, stabbings, etc., that go on there. Trust me, from one who has been there and knows, many of them are never brought to the public's attention.
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Graham is being a total politician... going against the non-voters (teens) to score points with the voters by looking like he is taking strong action, while meanwhile nobody is any safer than they were before.
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FUCK...
Okay. Heard about the shooting - yes, my mom was freaking out, and yes, this was bad timing because I am supposed to go to a show at the Black Cat this weekend... She told me to come back to her later in the week or it would be a flat out no. I'm very concerned about the whole situation with the violence, obviously, because I started going to shows in DC when I was 12, it is a big part of my life, and frankly it worries me when my parents are RIGHTFULLY concerned about my safety (in certain situations).
But no offense to Graham...I appreciate the concern...yes, it is sickening that a 17 year old girl was shot.
What I'm getting at though, is what will keeping minors out of the clubs change for the shooter? Okay, if there's no 17 year old to shoot, what will keep them from shooting a 21 year old? Is that not similarly disturbing?
If legislators truly wanted to change this, they'd work on more gun control and demand more patrolling of the people entering and exiting the clubs. And who even knows if that would work.
There are plenty of 17 year olds in DC who live in even more violent areas and who experience this on a daily basis. Keeping them out of the clubs will NOT stop the violence. And furthermore, shielding them from situations like this (where the girl was also at fault for bringing illegal substance into an establishment) will only breed ignorance. If they really want to fix this, they need to focus efforts on the other aspects of the shooting.
...And I'd really hope they don't drag the 9:30 or the Cat into this (but if they go all out, they will) because they don't have problems and they don't need to start. And they remain safe establishments for minors either because a) they have really good security and check bags upon entrance, or b) we are entirely fucked up culturally.
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Betty, the girl who was killed didn't bring any illegal substances to the club from what I've read. She was just a bystander.
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Actually, from what I've read, she was shot by the guy she brought back to the club after she was kicked out for smoking weed. This was a teen "go-go" event with a cash bar.
Graham is holding a "round table" this Thursday for those interested about minors in clubs and wanting to voice your opinions on the subject matter.
"On Thursday, January 25, 2007, at 2:00 p.m., I will hold a roundtable to
discuss the current D.C. law that permits minors and underage persons in
district nightclubs and taverns, despite the fact that consumption of
alcohol by minors is prohibited. Current DC law ONLY prohibits the presence
of minors in liquor stores during school hours.
The roundtable will be held at the Council Chamber of the John A. Wilson
Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20004."
MindCage
Mindless Faith (http://www.mindlessfaith.com)
Deep6 Productions (http://www.deep6.com)
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This whole situation sounds fucked up. To me, it didn't sound like this was alcohol related, but it was drug related. I agree with the fear of what stops a shooter from getting someone else.
If the 9:30 club ever gets dragged into this, I'll gladly testify about how they're safe for minors. I grew up in Western Maryland. I am from a small town. I've been coming to the club since I was 13 years old. (i'm 21 now by the way) My parents would not have taken my sister and me here (which is a 3 hour drive from their house) if they felt it was unsafe.
Might I add that my mother is a social worker and was very overprotective of me and my sister. So for her to let us go to shows at the club with friends when I was in high school was a pretty huge deal. She never said no to me going to a show at the 930 club. But when it came to Nation, she was a bit different. In fact, I only went to four shows there and that was after high school, because I was 18 or older.
The Black Cat and 9:30 club are positive places for teens. I couldn't imagine high school without going to shows at either place.
I think the issue lies with kids not being raised with manners and parents who don't seem to know what their kids are doing when they go out. Also, I'd like to know what on earth the security/door staff at that club were thinking. I mean if I were security, I would have called the cops and waited for them to pick her up.
I once saw this girl being arrested for underage drinking here at the 930 club. I was walking into the club right as someone from door staff was escorting this girl to a DC police car, which I felt was pretty appropriate.
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I agree with the fear of what stops a shooter from getting someone else.
i might be wrong here, but i suspect that Graham's position isn't that this will stop shootings, but it'll prevent youngins from getting shot. "if someone takes a bullet, let's make sure its not a child". "give kids a chance to grow up safe, they can take risks as adults".
i don't agree with this approach, the real issue is how to ensure that venues such as this one are safe in the first place. the 930, BC and others seem to be able to pull it off. what's the difference here - better staff? different clientele? unless there is a clear-cut delineation between the two - one that can be legislated and enforced - knee-jerk politicians have an easy reaso to keep under-18s out of all of them. only takes one bad apple...
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I was pondering the difference in my earlier post. Either the 9:30 and Black Cat have excellent (or good enough) security-type checks, or it's some sort of cultural thing. You know, not to stereotype, but a sort of nerdy white indie guys being less likely to go gunning places up than big black rap guys...
I'd actually like to go to that round table. But I just love how they hold it when it is obvious I am still in school. I get out at 2:10 and could get down there by 2:30 or 2:45...would it be over? Would I lose credibility arriving horrifically late?
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Some of my fondest memories are of attending shows as a minor at the old 9:30 Club and Capital Ballroom among others. To think that anyone under 18 would not be able to go to a venue like 9:30 or Black Cat is just sad. Graham knows that most of these kids are from the Burbs and won't be DC voters anytime soon or at all. It's political grandstanding at it's ugliest.
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Mary J.Bilge
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Originally posted by Surly Bonds:
How will this affect the food at The Birchmere?
Chicken fingers sales will go down.
Btw, why is it that they want to kick 17 year olds out of nightclubs but the very same people have no problems whatsoever giving those very same 17 year olds a government issued gun and sending them off to some foriegn land to have to dodge all kinds of bullets, bombs and depleted uranium?
Send the sons and daughters of the politcally privileged off first! Then maybe I'll think about your assinine legislations. :mad:
And Shadrach, what you said! I missed out on so many good shows when I was a teen. To this very day, I believe that most clubs, when run properly, should be able to allow in all ages. Especially the clubs that are concert venues. It's a win/win for both the teens wanting to see a few bands and the bands wanting to fill the house.
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MIndcage, you are misinformed. The girl who was shot was not the one who was thrown out of the club for allegedly smoking weed. That girl, identity unknown, is still at large.
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I'd actually like to go to that round table. But I just love how they hold it when it is obvious I am still in school.
not to discourage your participation in a democratic process, but i wonder if folks at the roundtable will give much time or attention to non-voters (i.e. minors). their whole approach is paternalistic, "we know better so let us decide for you".
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Mary J.Bilge
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Sorry Twangirl! :) I had read it wrong on the neighborhood listserv when Graham originally wrote the first message. Damn wouldn't that be some crazy irony if it was the person that was thrown out for smoking...
There's been a few people already from the neighborhood replying back to Graham saying how they'd vote against any law that would restrict minors from attending live music venues.
He was quick to email me yesterday about the policing problem, but when I wrote him this morning about the round table, I've not seen anything back yet.
MindCage
Mindless Faith (http://www.mindlessfaith.com)
Deep6 Productions (http://www.deep6.com)
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a girl is thrown out of 1919 for smoking weed. she brings back a male friend with a gun. they argue with a bouncer upstairs in 1919. the weed girl's male friend's gun goes off by (accident?) and hits a 17 year old innocent bystander girl who dies. didn't someone get murdered at a reggae show at the old 930? fenty sez he cannot believe minors are allowed in establishments that serve alcohol (that are not restaurants).
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Btw, why is it that they want to kick 17 year olds out of nightclubs but the very same people have no problems whatsoever giving those very same 17 year olds a government issued gun and sending them off to some foriegn land to have to dodge all kinds of bullets, bombs and depleted uranium?
doesn't one have to be 18 to join the army? guess that's the crux of their argument: at 18 you can do everything - vote, go in to bars (but not drink), enlist... but 17 & under, you're a minor thus your decisions can be over-ruled through legislation.
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actually, 17 is the minimum age for enlistment. They do this, as I understand it, because then recruiters can get to kids while they're still in high school.
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Yeap, 17!
It's been that way for decades. If you are use to doing job searches, you will see what look like all of these cool jobs that are actually tricks to get you to enlist in the military. They all are very clear about must being between the ages of 17-35. (Blatant age discrimination, if you ask me, but not one I'm going out of my way to complain about. It looks especially strange when they require a Ph.D for the job.)
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Mary J.Bilge
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By federal law (10 U.S.C., 510), the minimum age for enlistment in the United States Military is 17 (with parental consent) and the maximum age is 35.
so a 17 year-old still can't make his/her own decision about signing up. the war against under-18's continues.
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A couple good pieces on this issue at DCist (http://www.dcist.com/archives/2007/01/24/though_grahams.php) and City Paper (http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/citydesk/2007/01/nightlife-graham-speaks-on-minors-ban.html). According to the City Paper
"Graham says his legislation would not affect the 9:30 Club and certain other concert venues because its class of operating license would be excluded. But, as it stands, the Black Cat would be affected.
Black Cat owner Dante Ferrando says he's reserving judgment until he sees whatever legislation Graham finally settles on. ??I'm definitely concerned about it,? he says. ??D.C.'s underground music scene has been a very vibrant scene that has had a huge impact on a lot of people. I do think that something like this would damage it severely.?
While I can see it being of concern with the Black Cat, don't they already have a wishy washy CYA policy regarding under 18s?
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Definitely wishy washy!
"Our shows are all ages. No one under the age of 21 may consume alcohol. 18+ is fine, but those under 18 must have parental permission and we like them to be accompanied by an adult."
So a note from Mom would work!
This could effect a few more places than just the Black Cat. Doesn't that place Sully's (formerly U-Turn) do all age punk/hardcore shows on Sat and Thurs? I'm guessing it's going to stop clubs that don't have live entertainment licenses from getting away with having DJs and bands performing.
MindCage
Mindless Faith (http://www.mindlesfaith.com)
Deep6 Productions (http://www.deep6.com)
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not really. i mean, they mention something about having an adult with you on their website, but i've NEVER been there with an adult and have never been stopped going through the door...maybe because i look older...but they gladly stamp my hands...i have seen kids even younger than me there without adults, too...
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it' definitely a Cover Thy Arse policy... it's there in case they need to turn away an unaccompanied under 18 for any reason even if they have a ticket. i.e. showing up drunk...
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It's hard to imagine young punx like Dante showing up to gigs at the 930 with parents in tow, back in the day...
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I don't know if any of you care, but Betty is not allowed to go to the Black Cat or the 9:30 Club anymore for...I don't know how long. Nothing I tell my mother seems to work. Graham also seems to be blowing this completely out of proportion, and my mother is keeping up with all the press.
And let me tell you that if my parents don't budge on this the only violence going down will take place right in Bethesda.
(Ha ha. Just kidding. Sort of.)
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A Comment From the DCist article on this (http://www.dcist.com/archives/2007/01/24/though_grahams.php#comments)
There are at least three things you can do to this effect:
1. Call/email Graham & the Council Chair Vincent Gray (who schedules votes)
to voice your opposition
2. Call/email Graham and his fellow committee members (in case the emergency
legislation gets knocked back to the committee for markup)
3. Call/email all Council members and tell them to vote against the upcoming
emergency legislation
If you live in Ward 1, note that in your call/email to Graham (south of Spring St NW, north of Florida Ave NW, east of Rock Creek Park and west of North Capitol St).
Sample Call/Email Script
"Dear [DC City Council Member]
Hi. My name is ____________. I am a resident of Ward __ [or a frequent patron of _______ club/bar]. I am calling concerning Jim Graham's proposed legislation to ban minors from entering establishments that serve liquor. This bill will prevent already underserved young people from enjoying live music and dancing at clubs like [the Florida Market Lounge] and [the Black Cat] that derive a portion of their revenue from alcohol sales. Underage music fans and alcohol have coexisted at these venues for decades. Banning young people will not prevent random acts of violence, but it will deprive them of a necessary and overwhelmingly safe space to congregate, connect and enjoy live music. I respectfully urge you to vote against this unnecessary and harmful legislation.
Thank you,
[Your Name]"
***Contacts
1. Jim Graham, Ward 1 Councilmember
grahamwone@gmail.com 202-724-8181
2. Vincent Gray, Council Chair
vgray@dccouncil.us
202 724-8068
**Other committee members:
1. Kwame Brown, At-Large- ***kbrown@dccouncil.us
2. Mary Cheh, Ward 3 - ** mcheh@dccouncil.us
3. Main Committee Number: 202-724-8198
**Other councilmembers:
1. Schwartz: schwartzc@dccouncil.us
2. Catania: dcatania@dccouncil.us
Mendelson: pmendelson@dccouncil.us ;
3. Brown: kbrown@dccouncil.us
4. Evans: jackevans@dccouncil.us 5. Thomas: hthomas@dccouncil.us 6. Wells: twells@dccouncil.us
7. Barry:
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Solly's doesn't do those punk shows anymore, as far as i know ... my friend is good friends with the owner and his band (http://www.myspace.com/thesprogs) has played there, and is going to play there again in a couple of weeks, but i don't think they have regular live music there
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if this goes through, underage bands and their fans will have to resort to playing on the roofs of Bethesda parking garages again:
<img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger2/7368/2298/220/745386/gse_multipart21187.jpg" alt=" - " />
Springfield, VA BBQs might also once again become prominent scene venues (http://www.flickr.com/photos/francesrust/168034810/).
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or i will pay them to play in my bedroom. jesus christ.
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you're about two decades too late, Betty....
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mary j bilge
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BMO reunion!
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surly: bumping uglies, awesome :)
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Well this is just fantastic. Being a 15 year old who goes to the 9:30 club almost monthly, it troubles me. Sure, it's sad that someone was killed, but i don't think her presence was the reason she was shot. She was shot because of the bastard who had a gun. That could have happened anywhere at anytime period.
It will be interesting to see how this turns out.
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more news on the legislation:
http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/ (http://www.brightestyoungthings.com/)
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Message to the teenagers:
Without the ability to go to a rock club, you'll find something else fun to do, and your life will go on.
There are millions of teens whose live happy existences without hanging out in rock clubs.
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Okay, you obviously care about music, you understand the importance of this for us on some level. Yeah, we'll find something else to do. The point is that we shouldn't have to. It just doesn't make sense.
Laws already exist prohibiting drinking underage, bearing arms, and buying drugs. Enforcement of these laws would enhance the club experience and the city as whole. Elimination of young people is not the answer.
The young woman was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The problem does not lie in her choice to go out and have fun, but rather in someone else's choice to bring a firearm into a club. Do not punish the innocent. Frankly, banning young people won't do shit.
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i, for one, support the elimination of young people. that way none of them will be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
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Well young people do cause a disproportionate amount of the trouble in the world. I too, vote to eliminate them!
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so it's okay for a 19 or 21 year old to get shot and killed but not a 17 year old?
this is clear logical fallacy...
and don't tell us to find something else to do, that's ignorance.
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Why is that ignorance?
There are plenty of other fun things to do, especially in a large metro area.
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writing off the problem and telling us to find something else to do is not the answer.
going to shows in the area is perfectly safe - it always has been - and let me tell you, a better alternative than almost anything else i could be doing.
because i'd frankly rather spend my weekends chilling and listening to good music than getting drunk and high with a bunch of teenagers. and there are only so many saturdays i can spend at the hirshhorn or seeing shitty movies or painting in my bedroom.
nobody should be denied what makes them happy when it's as reasonable a request as this.
it's great that you are over 21, but you don't have to tell me that you don't care.
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Man, this is RUINING MY DAY.
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do you think someone could get a gun into 930 or bc and do the same thing?
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The difference between a 21 year old body and 17 year old body is that the 21 year old can vote.
I went to the round table. Ian Mackaye, Dante, Jean from 9:30 on Seth's behalf, that guy that does sound at Fort Reno, DC9s owner, a bunch of old school D.C. punks, etc provided testimony. Graham essentially talked in circles all night. Fuller report tomorrow if I have the energy.
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Wow... that would've been worth going to even just to see that old-skool turnout...
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A full report on the meeting would be great, I'm dying to know how it went. I just don't understand how Graham's position would hold up. There's simply no argument for it.
This has added so much unnecessary stress to my life. I'm about to explode.
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Hey Betty, how about hiking/camping, or tennis, or skiing, or board games, or knitting?
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It was good to see some old school faces as well as the clubs that are responsible out there making sure they're not going to get screwed.
Marion Barry...WHY? Seriously, what did he add to the round table other than comedic value with his cell phone? Mentioning of spending the city's money to create underage clubs for kids to go? Umm you've already got those in place, just use them, they're called Rec Centers!
Kwame Brown seems to at least be understanding and knows keeping young people out of bars is not the answer. What would his 16 year old nephew do or kids coming home from college that are not 21?
While I didn't stay for the entire round table, it really seemed to develop around security at "go-go" type clubs. This was definitely an isolated incident with a horrible club owner. The owner has been saying the band "rented" the club from him to hold the event and they supplied the security. The club owner was not present at all. As Councilman Brown said, regardless if you rent out a club, you're still the license holder. Just like if someone comes into your house to do work, it's still your house and you're responsible.
The victim's family was there. We learned that this club would allow anyone into the club without ID. Just pay another $5 (which security would pocket) and you're in. Some as young as 14 doing this and testified that it's also no problem getting alcohol. Just pay the bartender an extra $10 and you're set. Again, the council also said it's no different than a young person paying someone off in front of a corner market.
There was surprise testimony from a band member of one of the go-go bands that played. Apparently, the club owner has been trying to bribe them to cover his ass. We also learned that the bartender who is happy to give drinks to anyone for an extra $10 was also the club owner. The band member also went on to say that the police did not do anything at all to try and save the girl, only deal with the problem outside. The security got everyone out of the club instead of keeping everyone there to be questioned, so the gunman got away. It took approx. 35 mins for anyone to touch her from any DC emergency person. The band was able to break their gear down and no one was allowed to even attempt CPR on her. The council was not pleased with hearing this.
There was a lot of things that went wrong with this club and the council does see that and knows you can't just keep young people out. They've looked at other options from other cities like Boston (having a min age of 14 to be allowed into establishments) and mentioned that only 5 states have laws in place were you have to be 21 and over to enter no matter what. I think they will be creating a new license type for live entertainment establishments that would like to hold all age events.
I'm sure more people will fill you in on more info . Too much to keep typing.
MindCage
Mindless Faith (http://www.mindlessfaith.com)
Deep6 Productions (http://www.deep6.com)
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Marion Barry...WHY? Seriously, what did he add to the round table other than comedic value with his cell phone?
Wasn't Barry included in that yellowpunk walking tour of DC thing? I seem to remember him turning up somewhere to talk about how great the early punk scene was. Maybe he's more of an ally on this than you think.
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In today's Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/25/AR2007012502200.html (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/25/AR2007012502200.html)
D.C. Clubs Dreading Proposed Teen Ban
Hearing Exposes Easy Alcohol Access
By Keith L. Alexander and Darragh Johnson
Washington Post Staff Writers
Friday, January 26, 2007; A01
District nightclubs, which have become the center of a thriving music scene that attracts fans and performers from across the country, could be devastated by a proposal to bar teenagers from establishments with liquor licenses, according to musicians and club owners who say the business relies significantly on youths.
Saturday's killing of Taleshia Ford, 17, in a Northwest club spurred an often heated, standing-room-only crowd yesterday at a D.C. Council hearing over a multipronged proposal to place new restrictions on nightclubs where alcohol is served.
Nightclub owners said that the District, unlike many cities in the country, has become a popular destination for bands and clubgoers because of its all-ages policies. They allow club owners to admit patrons as young as they choose -- typically a minimum age of 15 to 18 -- even if the establishment serves alcohol that is legal only for those at least 21.
"The artists don't particularly like to play to 21-and-older clubs," said Steve Lambert, talent booker for the Rock and Roll Hotel on H Street Northeast. "A lot of their audiences are college-aged, between 18 and 21, and they depend on those people to buy tickets to the show."
In emotional testimony that lasted almost two hours, about a dozen of Ford's relatives and friends called for better security in clubs that cater to teenagers.
Many at the hearing defended the venues, saying they strictly enforce age limits. "Some clubs, like H2O, 9:30 Club, the Black Cat, Platinum and Envy -- they do it very well," said Ronald Moten, co-founder of Peaceaholics, an organization that works to solve disputes among youth. "They monitor for fake IDs, they have bracelets or stamps they put on people who're underage, and they're very strict on this."
The clubs feature a range of music, from the hard-thumping go-go to indie-rock, reggae, hip hop and rhythm and blues.
The District's all-ages policies allow nightclubs to attract larger audiences, particularly die-hard teenage music fans. But many teenagers admitted yesterday that part of the growth of area nightclubs is due to the ease with which young people can obtain alcoholic drinks. Several said they either pay club employees an extra $5 or $10 to get a drink or find a club patron who is 21 or older to buy the drink.
Briejon Smith, 14, Ford's cousin, said that at several city clubs, it is "easy" for teenagers to get alcohol. "All you have to do is slip the bartender $10 and you can get a drink. They ask me if I have ID, and I say 'No,' and then they charge me extra. But I can still get in and order a drink if I wanted to," she said.
Some suburban teenagers, who had left school early to testify at the hearing, said they were concerned that the fatal shooting would give officials a reason to expand restrictions on all clubs, even those that already have tight rules.
Maya Gibson-Reinemer, 18, of Arlington said teenagers go to the clubs mainly to listen to the bands. "You can get drunk anywhere. But where can you see music?" she said.
Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) is considering legislation that would establish a minimum age for patrons within the District. In Boston, those younger than 14 are not permitted into nightclubs that serve alcohol. In some other cities, the minimum age is 21. His proposal would also require teenagers, even when accompanied by a legal-aged adult, to leave the establishment after a certain time.
Graham is also considering creating a new license for nightclubs that want to cater to under-21 patrons. It would require them to have minimum-standard security, training and aggressive monitoring during an event for underage drinking. And he wants to restrict the renting of venues to outside promoters. That was the case Saturday morning at Smarta/Broadway, also known as Club 1919, on Ninth Street just off the bustling U Street corridor. Police said that Ford was shot there when the club's bouncer got into a scuffle with a patron carrying a gun. There have been no arrests.
At least one club's advertised rules regarding teen patrons are vague. The Web site for the Black Cat, at 1811 14th St. NW, says: "Black Cat events are all ages. Patrons under 18 should have parental permission, and we prefer them to be accompanied by an adult."
Graham said he did not want to use the fatal shooting as a way to target go-go clubs, popular nightspots mostly frequented by blacks. Instead, he said, he decided to focus on all nightclubs. At the time of the shooting, the Smarta/Broadway was booked as a venue for local go-go bands. Some go-go dances have been marred by violence, but there is a growing movement to change their reputation by promoting peaceful go-gos.
"There needs to be a safe place for these kids to go. There are safe places out there with extra security and where we don't have to be afraid for our kids' safety," Moten said.
Charles A. Burger, chairman of the D.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, said that Smarta/Broadway's liquor license has been suspended since the shooting and that a hearing is scheduled for Monday.
"We're going to get to the bottom of this. This was a troubled establishment doing whatever it needed to do and didn't care one bit about public safety," Graham said.
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Wasn't Barry included in that yellowpunk walking tour of DC thing? I seem to remember him turning up somewhere to talk about how great the early punk scene was. Maybe he's more of an ally on this than you think.
I do believe he's an ally, but what he had to contribute verbally in his statements other than for the "moment of silence" was nothing but a bunch of jumbled words. I have no doubt he wants to make sure minors have some type of outlet and can still go to go-gos, nightclubs, or cabarets as he called them. :)
I think Brown will be the voice of the youth on this matter though.
MindCage
Mindless Faith (http://www.mindlessfaith.com)
Deep6 Productions (http://www.deep6.com)
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Barry will just show his face and make utterances wherever there is a controversy and ublicity to be had...