June 30, 2007
-
Lap Dance
A judge in Marion County, Oregon ruled that lap dances were covered by free speech provisions in the Oregon Constitution. A ban had been placed on “sexually exciting physical contact for pay.” Here is the link: Link
A dancer had given an undercover officer a lap dance. (I wonder if this undercover officer was married and if he was, I wonder if his wife likes his new job protecting the community).
Are lap dances free speech?
Comments (84)
Why not?
No, that’s just ridiculous.
Yeah
I guess?
*Pulls out handy-dandy constitution*
Amendment I:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press . . . “
Nope, not included in free speech.
“Sexual exciting conduct” can be such a vague term, which is why I’m glad they lifted the ban. You could say talking for pay, as in counseling, could be sexually exciting. I’m sure it is to some people. I really don’t think it’s free speech though.
-David
It’s not “Free Speech” but it shouldn’t be illegal. I don’t believe it’s banned in the constitution, nor do I believe it’s protected. In fact that question doesn’t pertain to the topic at hand.
Free speech? What the hell? Do they even…speak?
when you’re giving/receiving a lapdance, i doubt anyone is talking. how weird
Oh brother…
Um… what?
Sounds like the judge has had a lapdance or two in his life.
Yes.
If you have to pay, how is it “free” speech? and where’s the speaking part anyway?
Nope, but I bet the judge enjoys them!
Speech?
I know it’s body language, but come on….
When’s the next video chat?
No, it’s not free speech.. but we’re definitely allowed to dance. What the hell is wrong with people?
what?
No, but they’re so awesome.
But what if they kill you! Like female circumcision!
it is freedom of expression by the 2 males in my house; my daughter and I beleive that it is not free speach…this is too funny…Smile
Oh Baby,ummmm,yes… Oohhhh,Daddy…..That speech?
I don’t actually think so.
It looks like the decision was based on the Oregon State Constitution, which provides, ” Section 8. Freedom of speech and press. No law shall be passed restraining the free expression of opinion, or restricting the right to speak, write, or print freely on any subject whatever; but every person shall be responsible for the abuse of this right. —”
I don’t think the trial judge’s decision will survive the appeals process.
And no, lap dances are not a form of “free speech” as that term is used in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
I guess this is ture if you speak from your vagina. Loosen up people. pun intended.
god i love awkard sexual humor
why was a cop getting a lap dance in the first place?
I’ve had a lap dance. The speech part is the only bit thats free.
*guffaws* isn’t it all free speech in some way? That’s what lawyers are for…
it’s an art form.
Being a kind person, I wish to sooth the fears of those of your commenters who worry that the police officer involved may have been corrupted or harmed in some way by his experience. Be calm, and remember the all policemen, teachers, priests, judges and members of legislatures are – by reason of being so employed – morally superior beings whose powers of restraint and judgement are far above those of us, the common muck.
Any of us who doubt this should be ashamed, and grovel to the floor in gratitude that our betters are so concerned to protect our innocence.
Or if we can’t manage this, we should at least be happy to pay our taxes.
umm… yeah interesting, no it is not free speech. but the whole prostitution thing is ridiculous.
kuehn
A more important question would be the economy of stripping. Stripping does not pass disease on or pose a public health risk. Anyone can do it provided they are somewhat attractive. They don’t even have to know how to read.
Though lawmakers hope to garner votes in coming elections by starting the dumbest legislation, to ban this industry would harm communities, as strippers tend to be mothers too. Banning stripping takes the food out of babies mouths. The person who wrote and pushed this legislation should be disbarred for hurting American families.
what is this blog about exactly??? lol
Daniel (doubledb)
Body language now serves as freedom of speech? Things that make you say hummmmmmmm….
Yes. They are expressing themselves through vibrations and titilations.
hmmmmmmmm…*shaking head walking away*
One issue is whether it should be banned. And I don’t have any opinion on that.
But I don’t think it’s covered under free speech, no.
It’s not free speech… but anyway, those sluts have a job… let them work anyway!
It is only free speech if you don’t pay her.
I would hazard a guess and say that ‘free speech’ is also entitled to ‘free actions’,and the exchange of certian actions with a agreement of payment does come under the ‘free speech’ clause.
Now there’s a piece of legal trickery that’ll keep you up.
Why is it such a big deal in America? Really?
’nuff said…
It may not be free “speech” but there’s no reason to ban it. seriously….
There’s no reason to judge strippers either. There’s many reasons why a person would have a job like that and whenever i see someone judging them, that person just looks really stupid and immature to me…also clearly ignorant.
No, they’re not classified as speech. However, people have a right to happiness as long as that happiness doesn’t physically harm anyone. And the last time I checked lap dances don’t hurt anyone.
i don’t really see how they would be considered an expression of free speech, but i don’t think they should be illegal, either.
I don’t think the judge is down to earth a bit. I think he meant free expression. Same constitutional right, just different category pretty much. Though I have to wonder how much of a role did the undercover cop play in all of this.
LOL. I didn’t know they did much talking when they were doing a lap dance.
They’re alright.
not really, but they shouldnt be banned.
Sec. 26. “No law shall be passed restraining any of the inhabitants of the State from assembling together in a peaceable manner to consult for their common good”
Pretty sure that’s what they were doing…
Just about anything passes for free speech these days.
Nothing, especially lap dances, are free.
Wait…what?
Absolutely. It’s freedom of expression.
Last I knew…you didn’t speak when giving a lap dance.
Unless you were the man…saying…’alright!’ lol.
no its not free speech..but its a stupid ban.
if we have freedom of expression why not?…
Remember everyone, actions are louder than words!!! So lets make some noise and get Ginger over to stage one!!!
Explain to me exactly how movement constitutes speech?
That makes no sense to me. Free Speech is about words and ideas. You don’t pay someone for their free speech. This sounds like the lamest attempt at justifying it just so he and his buddies can go get lap dances.
Did you just pose that question to amuse yourself with people’s responses? Because I’ve been reading through the comments and I am thoroughly amused.
Well ok… so I’ve read in at least 2 different books that I happen to own, which its too early in the morning/ late at night for me to go properly crediting, but to the point, that 70% of communication, isn’t done with words. Everything from facial gestures to arm movements etc. This is true. How else would you know if somebody was lying. Body language is obviously inconsistent with what the “ass” is saying. So as with the question if its part of free speech.. probably not…the word speech implies oral communication. I’m not talking about bj’s here either. ok.. here I will reference dictionary dot com. speech /spitʃ/ Pronunciation Key – Show Spelled Pronunciation[speech] Pronunciation Key – Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
<TABLE class=luna-Ent>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD class=dn vAlign=top>1.
<TD vAlign=top>the faculty or power of speaking; oral communication; ability to express one’s thoughts and emotions by speech sounds and gesture: Losing her speech made her feel isolated from humanity.
<TABLE class=luna-Ent>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD class=dn vAlign=top>2.
<TD vAlign=top>the act of speaking: He expresses himself better in speech than in writing.
<TABLE class=luna-Ent>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD class=dn vAlign=top>3.
<TD vAlign=top>something that is spoken; an utterance, remark, or declaration: We waited for some speech that would indicate her true feelings.
<TABLE class=luna-Ent>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD class=dn vAlign=top>4.
<TD vAlign=top>a form of communication in spoken language, made by a speaker before an audience for a given purpose: a fiery speech.
<TABLE class=luna-Ent>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD class=dn vAlign=top>5.
<TD vAlign=top>any single utterance of an actor in the course of a play, motion picture, etc.
<TABLE class=luna-Ent>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD class=dn vAlign=top>6.
<TD vAlign=top>the form of utterance characteristic of a particular people or region; a language or dialect.
<TABLE class=luna-Ent>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD class=dn vAlign=top>7.
<TD vAlign=top>manner of speaking, as of a person: Your slovenly speech is holding back your career.
<TABLE class=luna-Ent>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD class=dn vAlign=top>8.
<TD vAlign=top>
a field of study devoted to the theory and practice of oral communication.
The overview of the 1st ammendment
Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
according to : http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.billofrights.html#amendmenti
So in my well googled conclusion. Dancers or basically “strippers” etc. Are not part of free speech. Speech implies the 30% of communication that we do use. Stripping/Dancing/Both implies the 70% of communication not covered under the 1st amendment… Although in my personal opinion, strippers are not even needed because theres always a cheaper ho on the corner and they cost more than your girlfriends, they still shouldnt be illegal because thats about as stupid and as useless to try and stop as the prohibition period was.
ok yeah sorry about that, I don’t know what happened with that link in the last comment but all you need is http://www.dictionary.com and you can type in speech in the search and find out 8 different definitions immediatly.
“the exchange of certain actions with a agreement of payment”
Now, that would be a description of what we call a “contract,” not “free speech.”
I don’t think they’re free speech, but I have a hard time saying any form of prostitution should be illegal.
I wouldn’t accept that job as a cop methinks.
This is the kind of ruling I would expect out of San Francisco or Las Vegas. But, Salem, Oregon? How many lap dancing establishements are in that town? The judge must be protecting a place he frequents.
Doesn’t free speech mean you have to talk? I guess if they are also chit chatting while they….dance….
No.
Huh…interesting. No, I don’t think so. Maybe freedom of expression…
Speech isn’t physical contact.
Free speech does not include something you pay for. The Judge has his head up his butt.
Oh good grief! Who really gives a rip? I’ll be concerned with a man getting a lap dance MAYBE after world peace is solved, poverty is eliminated and disease is a thing of the past.
Where are our priorities people? We have VETERANS who are going without necessary medications because our VA system just sucks….. children in our OWN country that are STARVING and yet there are people actually concerned with a LAP DANCE?
:::rolls eyes:::
PuuuuHHHLeeeeze!
It’s not part of free speech, but it shouldn’t be illegal. If I was a guy and some slut gave me a lap dance I would have kicked her in the face..with my words.
‘I’m married, slut. Go get a freaking life.’
If it was done in an “adult establishment” and under concent of the woman doing the lapdance, (even though I don’t go in for those things myself) I don’t see a problem with it(my daughter was an exotic dancer). If it was in the general public, she should have been arrested.
No, lap dance is created by and for perverts.
Certainly
Hell no.
But a hunk of shit that is.
No, it’s prostitution + clothes.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAH
AHAH
AHAHAHAH
A
AH
AH
AHA
HA
HAHAHAHAHAHAhahahaha]ayaha]a’a
hahahaha
AHAHA
AHHA
AH
ah
hah
h
aah
ha
h
h
h
h
ahhhhahahhaahhahhah
I think it’s dumb that they tried to ban them.
What harm can they do unless someone attacks the lap dancer?
NO! NO! was that judge a man or was the judge on crack.
Would prostitution be a freedom of speech?
not free speech – but we dont need to stop people from indulging in them.
Lap dances are like magic shows. They both perform tricks that stimulate your mind and even a euphoric feeling inside when done right.
Since when is a lap dance “free?”
Since when is that considered “speech?”
Craziness I tell you, pure craziness!
doesn’t free speech involve…oh I don’t know……speaking? However it’s ridiculous that it was banned….that’s just dumb, lap dances aren’t really all that bad….jeez..
um no that’s not free speech that’s just being stupid