All 5 Phoenix Swing Clubs Busted with 60 cops

[davephx]

With all the media coverage probably everyone in Phoenix knows about the swing club busts. The police didn't bother any customers but found the owners/manages who were arrested and taken to Madison Street Jail. They were out on bail the next day but as Milo said, it is a terrible place to be even if just overnight. The only club not busted was Sociables because it was closed when the bust team arrived. It is suspected they were tipped off about the raid as a Channel 12 news person is an active member of the club according to disucssion board posts.

Most if not all of the other clubs remained open after the bust and were open again the next night (Sat). But some folks were intimidated by all the TV vans parked across the street.

Phoenix officials have been promising to enforce the 1998 law outlawing swing clubs ever since 1999 when a Federal Court refused to issue a restraining order against the City to stop enforcement. I am surprised they waited this long to enforce the 1998 law.

Again part of the problems in the restraining order case was there was no first amendment issue since no one had been arrested so no one could claim the law violated their rights as I understand it. The City may have wanted to delay enforcement to get their act together to fight the first amenedment issue they know would be coming as soon as they enforced it.

I guess the City now wants to take on the battle. I suspect they may also be having pressure from COMMUNITY DEFENSE COUNCIL" Protecting Children and their Neighborhoods". <a href="http://www.communitydefense.org/" target="_blank">http://www.communitydefense.org/</a> They are helping other cities all over the U.S. adopt the same laws as in Phoenix.

These bible thumper moralists who influence laws and enforcement keep awake at night at the thought that somewhere, someone is watching an erotic movie; some unmarried couple is enjoying great sex, or having a immoral interaction with a young dancer who enjoys lap dances with customers. Or, couples are enjoying swing clubs, based on honestly with other loving couples.

And instead of being seen as the intolerant, eccentric cranks they are, the moralists are taken seriously by many politicians seeking an easy issue to look good fighting crime (healthy sex) and somehow in some twisted way argue they are "saving neighborhoods and children."

These thoughts, by moralists, that others without their repressive beliefs are enjoying consenting sexual freedoms, is just too much to handle. They put a huge amount of money and energy into organizing phone banks, creating organizations to fight consenting adult freedoms and do everything to be sure ancient sexual repressive laws are enforced.

Except of course when they get arrested or caught for being human having needs instead of as godly as the image they try and preach. Their moralist rants often are the result of their own insecurity or guilt in doing what they speak so loudly against.

Phoenix is becoming one of the national focal points in the fight against the Bush/Ashcroft attack on sexual freedoms. Those who know what is best for you, the strong Christian groups see this administration as a great time to get rid of us "perverts", as Justice Dept officials refer to us as. Very well financed the Christian groups are pulling out all the political stops to take advantage of the current Bush administrations anti-sex crusade in a broad range of "what is best for us" morality issues. In the meeting the success of fighting the legal issues regarding sexual rights may be as important as the landmark "Miranda" law in protecting civil rights

I have a huge amount of detail on the 1998-1999 law passing that outlawed swing clubs and drastically changed strip club rules at <a href="http://www.libchrist.com/swing/finalaction.html" target="_blank">http://www.libchrist.com/swing/finalaction.html</a>

Letter to the Editor
The Arizona Republic (the hardest part was the 200 word limit!)
Adult Club Morality Attack.

Many of your neighbors, the couple next to you in the church pew, and a rapidly growing number of other couples are enjoying safe, consensual adult sexual freedom in adult social clubs.

Yet a powerful group of religious conservatives imposed by law their morality on other less sexually repressed citizens of Phoenix, wasting money and police resources going after victimless morality crimes. In five public hearings almost everyone except a few representing the religious right opposed the new law.

There clearly is no public health issue. STD aware swinging couples have less health risk that most any liberal social group. There has never been a case of HIV related to swinging. The morality issue is based on Christian traditions that have no biblical basis.

Millions of Christians and others enjoy consenting, safe, sexual freedom of expression and socializing in adult clubs around the world. It is immoral that the city of Phoenix backed by religious zealots deprive its adult citizens the freedom to enjoy themselves in private clubs with like minded consenting adults.

Dave in Phoenix (real name used in original as required)
Liberated Christians
<a href="http://www.libchrist.com" target="_blank">http://www.libchrist.com</a>

[SR71]

How sad... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

[Close Encounters]

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Dave, Liberated Christians:
[QB] I am surprised they waited this long to enforce the 1998 law.QB]</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">It's election time. How better to get your name on the news.
Dave, is there a defence fund set up? If so can you supply details.

[davephx]

The five clubs don't seem to cooperate with each other in the legal battle and most have different attorney's. That is a shame they can't cooperate on a common cause.

One club was very upset with me because I report on the facts as to what happened thinking it will scare away customers. But I always say, customers are not at risk, its only the owners that can be charged for operating an illegal business in Phoenix.

The best club in my view, that has done many radio talk shows the last few days and is the most popular club and my best recommendation has established a legal defense fund. Any legal success of any club would help all clubs.

Here is information from the owner posted in their public discussion group:

There has been a lifestyle club in Phoenix for over 30 years, but I think we've become too mainstream and way too popular. We've never
forced anyone to enter and you certainly have to be an adult to do so. Do we need really need "do gooders" telling us how to conduct are private lives?

I have been asked repeatedly, "what can we do?" Here's a start. If you feel as strongly as you say you do, step up. We are now taking contributions to our legal fund. You can send your conrtibutions to:
Robert Hockensmith,CPA
3233 W. Peoria Ave.
Suite 202
Phoenix, Arizona 85029

Make checks payable to:
Milo Fencl-Club Chameleon
in the memo: attorney fees contribution

There has been a lot of jaw flapping the last few days. Now, let's see what you can really do.

Milo

[Close Encounters]

Thanks Dave.

[ciscosv]

This is cowardly on behalf of the politicians and law enforcement. These guys can only pick on/single out the club owners and not the individuals. Why? Because their case would be in trouble if they went after the inividuals themselves. The power of organization is a great thing! .02

[Close Encounters]

This just in from NASCA:
Subject: Legal funds needed
To: "NASCA AFFILIATES " &lt;host@close-encounters-club.com&gt;

Club Chameleon, Phoenix, AZ. has requested financial help from you to do battle against those that are attempting to stifle your freedom to attend clubs.

“The legal battle that Club Chameleon is facing seems to be the main topic of all the e-mails that we have received at the clubs website. It also seems to be the main topic of discussion with most of the people that we have seen at the club. The postings on the Club Chameleon Yahoo posting board is loaded with ideas, well wishes, outrage at the city, and promises of help. This is all very commendable, people coming out of the woodwork pledging to help in any way that they can. The legal fees are mounting and the donations that have come in sure won't pay for much of the court costs. “

Dick & Dee
Club Chameleon Webmasters

Read the entire letter at: <a href="http://www.nasca.com/states/nasca_news.html" target="_blank">http://www.nasca.com/states/nasca_news.html</a>

Tony Lanzaratta
NASCA INT.

[JustAskJulie]

Do you have the URL for the Club Chameleon Yahoo Group?

[Close Encounters]

Oops, sorry Julie.
<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/clubchameleon/join" target="_blank">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/clubchameleon/join</a>

[JustAskJulie]

Thanks

[Regularguy]

I have seen Dave the Liberated guy's posts elsewhere, and have always enjoyed his articulation.

I don't view Bush or other titular people as the enemy, as I run into alot of Democrats with the same sucky views.

I find Dems just as controlling, but in different areas. Speach codes aka free speach resitrictions, impingement upon my right to keep and bear arms, etc.

In fairness, both political parties trample on our different freedoms.

Having said that, you will notice that the more violent a society is, the more they regulate and suppress pleasure. Since most people will agree sex is the most physically pleasurable past-time, it is the first to get regulated.

Contrast that with Germany, Denmark, Sweden etc, and you will see that Europe has a substantially lower crime rate and sex is remarkably less regulated. What you rather do, have a gut wrenching orgasm with an attractive person or go punch someone in the face? If you just got laid, what is your mood? You're floating on friggin' cloud 9 from endorphins crashing through your system. Who needs violence!?

Besides, the only difference between all the organized religious types and us is they take their sex behind closed doors with alter boys or street transexual prostitutes.

What hypocrisy.....