Comments on: Senators Are Right about Inauguration Bar Hours http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2008/12/10/senators-are-right-about-inaug-bar-hours/ 68.3 Square Miles of D.C. News and Opinion Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:05:00 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: Sonya http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2008/12/10/senators-are-right-about-inaug-bar-hours/comment-page-1/#comment-406841 Sonya Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:48:41 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/?p=11877#comment-406841 In response to the last paragraph of Jay's last comment, I agree. However, I think they won't even respond at all. For example (well more like a true story), the September 12, 2001 I was on my way to class at Howard U and I caught a ride with a friend because we both stayed off campus. As she's driving we end up behind a metrobus so she decided to go around it, misjudged and hit the back of the bus. Bus driver calls in the accident and a metrobus supervisor shows but the police never do. Second example (another true story), later on that day I'm riding in a car with another friend on 295. He's speeding in a Ford Crown Victoria with dark and tint and rims. We notice a police car waiitng in the median (as soon as we flew by them). I'm pretty sure if it were September 10, 2001 the police would've done what they normally do in those instances. But because security was heightened everywhere as of September 11, 2001, hitting a metrobus and speeding weren't as important as looking out for suspicious activity. So, as sad as it is, responding to a shooting, domestic dispute, robbery, etc won't be as important as making sure everyone hanging out in the streets are okay. In response to the last paragraph of Jay's last comment, I agree. However, I think they won't even respond at all. For example (well more like a true story), the September 12, 2001 I was on my way to class at Howard U and I caught a ride with a friend because we both stayed off campus. As she's driving we end up behind a metrobus so she decided to go around it, misjudged and hit the back of the bus. Bus driver calls in the accident and a metrobus supervisor shows but the police never do. Second example (another true story), later on that day I'm riding in a car with another friend on 295. He's speeding in a Ford Crown Victoria with dark and tint and rims. We notice a police car waiitng in the median (as soon as we flew by them). I'm pretty sure if it were September 10, 2001 the police would've done what they normally do in those instances. But because security was heightened everywhere as of September 11, 2001, hitting a metrobus and speeding weren't as important as looking out for suspicious activity. So, as sad as it is, responding to a shooting, domestic dispute, robbery, etc won't be as important as making sure everyone hanging out in the streets are okay.

]]> By: Jay Reeder http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2008/12/10/senators-are-right-about-inaug-bar-hours/comment-page-1/#comment-406661 Jay Reeder Sat, 13 Dec 2008 06:48:39 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/?p=11877#comment-406661 I'd love to know the real reason the police union chose to come out against this. It can't possibly have anything to do with public safety, otherwise the union would be taking a stand against overweight cops who can't even give chase to shooting suspects 10 yards away; and the union would also be against the issuance of "FOP" plates that help off-duty cops violate speeding rules with impunity. So, since it's not public safety, why is the union against this? I'm guessing it's because cops might have to work inconvenient schedules: some long-tenured union members might lose a day off or have to work night-shift. And the bit about cops spread too thin to "protect" neighborhoods is a farce. In the residential neighborhoods, cops respond after the crime has occurred and grudgingly do the paperwork. Anyone who thinks cops somehow "protect" them from robbery or assault needs to rethink their defensive strategy. I'd love to know the real reason the police union chose to come out against this.

It can't possibly have anything to do with public safety, otherwise the union would be taking a stand against overweight cops who can't even give chase to shooting suspects 10 yards away; and the union would also be against the issuance of "FOP" plates that help off-duty cops violate speeding rules with impunity.

So, since it's not public safety, why is the union against this? I'm guessing it's because cops might have to work inconvenient schedules: some long-tenured union members might lose a day off or have to work night-shift.

And the bit about cops spread too thin to "protect" neighborhoods is a farce. In the residential neighborhoods, cops respond after the crime has occurred and grudgingly do the paperwork. Anyone who thinks cops somehow "protect" them from robbery or assault needs to rethink their defensive strategy.

]]> By: truth.com http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2008/12/10/senators-are-right-about-inaug-bar-hours/comment-page-1/#comment-406503 truth.com Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:26:03 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/?p=11877#comment-406503 "But four nights of almost-to-dawn revelry provides a huge opening for the knuckleheads of the world to have their day." and 9pm 'til 3:30 am isn't already a big enough window? you can't blame laws or by-laws or temporary exceptions of the law for the actions people may take, erik. the opportunity is always there for your "knuckleheads". "But four nights of almost-to-dawn revelry provides a huge opening for the knuckleheads of the world to have their day."

and 9pm 'til 3:30 am isn't already a big enough window?

you can't blame laws or by-laws or temporary exceptions of the law for the actions people may take, erik. the opportunity is always there for your "knuckleheads".

]]> By: Michael http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2008/12/10/senators-are-right-about-inaug-bar-hours/comment-page-1/#comment-406359 Michael Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:56:49 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/?p=11877#comment-406359 All good points, but I would disagree with that last bit, about political bias----I assume this move to extend hours of operation was made in response to the massive numbers of tourists that will be coming to DC. If Bush's win(s) had inspired/provoked so much of a influx of out-of-towners, I'm sure the idea would have cropped up before. All good points, but I would disagree with that last bit, about political bias----I assume this move to extend hours of operation was made in response to the massive numbers of tourists that will be coming to DC. If Bush's win(s) had inspired/provoked so much of a influx of out-of-towners, I'm sure the idea would have cropped up before.

]]> By: Sonya http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2008/12/10/senators-are-right-about-inaug-bar-hours/comment-page-1/#comment-405831 Sonya Fri, 12 Dec 2008 02:30:36 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/?p=11877#comment-405831 Unlike a lot of the readers of the Washington City Paper I'm a capitalist. Therefore, I'm all for the potential revenue generating cash cow that the inaugural events in DC will bring. However, along with being a capitalist I'm also a skeptic. I have taken my fair share of risks in the name of making more money and building business but this extended bar hour stuff is retarded. I will be out and about on one of the evenings during that 5 day span because of a nightlife project that I'm working on. Otherwise, I'd be in the house watching the events unfold on the boob tube because bringing money to the city is the only good thing that'll come out of all this. Unlike a lot of the readers of the Washington City Paper I'm a capitalist. Therefore, I'm all for the potential revenue generating cash cow that the inaugural events in DC will bring. However, along with being a capitalist I'm also a skeptic. I have taken my fair share of risks in the name of making more money and building business but this extended bar hour stuff is retarded. I will be out and about on one of the evenings during that 5 day span because of a nightlife project that I'm working on. Otherwise, I'd be in the house watching the events unfold on the boob tube because bringing money to the city is the only good thing that'll come out of all this.

]]> By: IMGoph http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2008/12/10/senators-are-right-about-inaug-bar-hours/comment-page-1/#comment-405223 IMGoph Wed, 10 Dec 2008 20:33:46 +0000 http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/?p=11877#comment-405223 you're dead wrong, <b>erik</b>. you're forgetting the amount of tax revenue this will add to the city's coffers. in a town where we can't institute a commuter tax, the 10% that we <i>are</i> able to get from food and drink sales in restaurants and bars is super-important to the bottom line around here. and, since the city is operating with a deficit (luckily it isn't as deep as in other jurisdictions), this could go a long way towards helping to plug up some holes. let the liquor flow, and sweep up the cash from all the visitors. you're dead wrong, erik. you're forgetting the amount of tax revenue this will add to the city's coffers. in a town where we can't institute a commuter tax, the 10% that we are able to get from food and drink sales in restaurants and bars is super-important to the bottom line around here. and, since the city is operating with a deficit (luckily it isn't as deep as in other jurisdictions), this could go a long way towards helping to plug up some holes.

let the liquor flow, and sweep up the cash from all the visitors.

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