This is Floyd Wynne with THE VIEW FROM HERE     6/22/06

           Should the Oregon Liquor Control Commission be in the business of

Censoring conduct in all places that sell liquor?

           For a number of years the Commission has tried to lay down rules for such tavern events as indecent behavior, nude dancing and other activities.

Last year the Oregon Supreme Court upheld nude dancing  and sex shows as protected expression.\

Bob Rice, one of the five commissioners appointed to the board says “The Oregon community would like to see those business activities regulated.

He added, “They look to us to do it.”

They propose to strike out restrictions on lewd activity which they describe as lustful, lascivious or lecherous behavior, and add language prohibiting business owners from allowing unlawful conduct.   They describe unlawful conduct as crimes related to prostitution, public indecency, controlled substances and gambling.

One Portland attorney applauded the move by the Commission to clean up its rules, but said, “I don’t think they need to be sniffing around in these businesses and looking at conduct that’s arguably expressive.”

He added, “They shouldn`t be in the business of regulating morality or expression.”

It seems to me that the government in the area where prostitution or even public indecency is occurring is the body that should enforce any rules or activities that are criminal in nature.

Using such terms as public indecency and perhaps even gambling is not sufficient, I feel, for them to supercede local governments.  Again it’s a case of a state agency dictating to business what it can or cannot do….outside the realm of selling liquor.  

And when it comes to gambling…..anyone can buy a lottery ticket in most grocery stores….and in some they can even play a keno game. 

At any rate, the Commission is holding a public hearing on the issue. They will hold a two week public comment period starting August 24.

           The agency’s rules coordinator says it’s too early to tell how much the changes could affect the adult entertainment industry, but she expects to hear a lot from business owners, the police and other groups.

Let’s see what comes of the hearings.

This is Floyd Wynne and that’s THE VIEW FROM HERE..