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Friday, May 16, 2008

SPD Still Pissed about Porn, Bar Says

posted by on May 16 at 14:18 PM

posted by news intern Chris Kissel

Last week, I wrote a short piece on SPD’s crackdown on porn at gay clubs on Capitol Hill.

It looks like SPD may be at it again, at least according to Seattle Eagle manager Keith Christiansen. Officers O’Neill and Gallagher came into the club on Friday, according to bar staff, and noticed a pornographic video the Eagle was running. Christiansen said the video falls within state liquor board guidelines. It’s “cut with bars,” he said, and contains no visible nudity.

When two men in the video started kissing, O’Neill “flipped out,” Christiansen said. O’Neill pulled bartender Scott Kirby outside the bar, asked for his I.D., and warned him about the “simulated sex acts” in the video. Kirby told O’Neill that the video met liquor board standards; O’Neill, according to Kirby, said, “I am the law,” and added that the incident would be in his report (SPD said they hadn’t heard anything about the incident and that no report was filed).

O’Neill returned Saturday and jumped behind the bar in order to speak with Kirby again. The exchange wasn’t threatening, Kirby said, but the disruption caused an exodus from the club. “Every time this happens,” said Christiansen, “50 people leave right off the bat.”

Christiansen says he plans to talk to a lawyer next week before he meets with SPD about his concerns.

RSS icon Comments

1

"I am the law"? What a sudden motion.

Posted by Mr. Poe | May 16, 2008 2:28 PM
2

Eagle = leather/uniform bar.... O'Neill wears a uniform.... Hmmm I see a plot to a really hot porno!!!!

Posted by Cato the Younger Younger | May 16, 2008 2:31 PM
3

mmmm ... tryin' to think why this has become such an obsession for O'Neil. Just askin'. :)

Posted by Auric | May 16, 2008 2:34 PM
4

mmmm ... tryin' to think why this has become such an obsession for O'Neil. Just askin'. :)

Posted by Auric | May 16, 2008 2:34 PM
5

mmmm ... tryin' to think why this has become such an obsession for O'Neil. Just askin'. :)

Posted by Auric | May 16, 2008 2:34 PM
6

Wow, homophobic prudish cops. Just what Capitol Hill needs....

Posted by boxofbirds | May 16, 2008 2:39 PM
7

Haven't heard that since Judge Dredd.

Posted by Brian | May 16, 2008 2:41 PM
8

Write Councilman Rassmussen! What good are gay council members if they don't halt the harassment?

Posted by Vince | May 16, 2008 2:42 PM
9

Anyone wanna bet that O'Neill plays a mean skin flute in his off-duty hours?

Posted by Justy | May 16, 2008 2:46 PM
10

I've never seen porn playing in a straight club.

Posted by Phil | May 16, 2008 2:52 PM
11
Posted by for Phil | May 16, 2008 2:54 PM
12

@2,

Well, now you know what you're doing for Hump 4.

Posted by keshmeshi | May 16, 2008 2:55 PM
13

So here is another i:dea to shake your head over ...and a less than standard thought form....

It is very difficulty to come up with original sin these days.

Everywhere you look there is either outright blasphamy....
infamy in retort .....

or the.... (yes you can see and almost feel it coming...)

Nnnnoooooo!!!!
not the... "here they are ah-gan-isms...."


those that ostentayswishly fail as lame and late attempts to slide into that back eats of someone elses hard won labor agreement...


....only to disagree on the value of adaptation over originality?????

What the Hell???!!!

Cops on PORN PATROL?????

....awww not ah-gan...puhleeeese!

See how that works?

yeah.... you may be starting to snore again... can you hear me????

ho' hum.

Well here is the obvious clean-up on an old stereo...(so)type.

What do these things in this list have in common?

1.)Cops

2.)Porn

3.) Flowers

The envelope please...


Stinging busters, stringy thingies & drugs.

Yep.That's right(all-right).

stringy thingies like sexy underwires....

lazy corsets...

packed party pants....

....and just in case your hung from not enough sex at work( ie. your frustrated...)

....and you can't surf your laptop like you use too....

....waiting on the corner for some speed to race buy...

...or you just like the thought of banging on someones door unexpectedly and then smackin the down side around the coat closet for a quick relaxing see- you -next -time-baby for a tasty squeeze....


....don't forget how to cook up those flowers you grab at the corner on the way home to the your steady....

( legal disclaimer don't attempt this if you are stable!!!!)


remember....

if your into catching a few nappers on the nod scraping the pod from the tea ring...


abstain!!!!!!!!!!!

Dare not!!!!!!!

Don't even think of being crass!!!!!

...or don't even think of loosening up!!!!!


and please remember...

all you fella(n)'s

....there are no poppies on the corner cause were not in Kansas anymore.

just like there is no spoon....

or spooning....

or spooners....

or sooner or later your gonna regret it mr....

Posted by anonymus | May 16, 2008 2:57 PM
14

C'mon, Daniel, you don't have to hide.

Is it against the law to tell a cop to eat shit and die?

Posted by Fnarf | May 16, 2008 3:01 PM
15

@ 3, 4 and 5:

Exactly.

Exactly.

Exactly.

Posted by Wolf | May 16, 2008 3:01 PM
16

I'm the first person to start blasting obscenities at "teh cop", but I'm pretty sure I always refrain from using "die".

Posted by Mr. Poe | May 16, 2008 3:03 PM
17

@12, That is a GREAT idea!!! Will the Eagle let me direct a movie in the bar????? Who wants to play parts? Maybe the cop will show up during filming?

Posted by Cato the Younger Younger | May 16, 2008 3:07 PM
18

You want to see a sex video, you do what every other American does and watch it in the privacy of your own house. Pathetic excuse by these douchebags to try and generate controversy.

Boo fucking hoo. We can't broadcast gay porn all over the city, lets cry about it and blame the cops some more.

Posted by Seattle Crime Blogger | May 16, 2008 3:12 PM
19

@18

You, sir, are a moron.

Posted by Mr. Poe | May 16, 2008 3:13 PM
20

It could open with Scott (played by Nick Garrison) giving the cop a book - "The Berlin Stories" by Christopher Isherwood and suggest he read it before he got in their faces again. Naturally, the Eagle's name would be kept but it would surmount a large staff wrapped with fasces and hakenkreuzes. How gay - oh drat, here I go again not remembering history and therefore repeating it.

Posted by RHETT ORACLE | May 16, 2008 3:16 PM
21

It's not porn- there's no frontal nudity, and the kissing was about it... you see as much in an episode of Grey's Anatomy.

Seriously #18, try READING before you post.

Posted by UNPAID BLOGGER | May 16, 2008 3:18 PM
22

Won't even respond to Mr. Poe's absurdity, as the comments he contributes to SLOG on a daily basis should speak for themselves.

@21: Read the article: "...noticed a PORNOGRAPHIC video the Eagle was running".

Know what "pornographic" means, smart ass?

Posted by Seattle Crime Blogger | May 16, 2008 3:32 PM
23

Simple enough, if you walk into said bar and don't like what's on the video, leave. If it's inside the legal parameters, there is no problem...just go somewhere else. I'm among the straight but not narrow type, and have been to "gay" bars with my homo friends, it's not a problem for me. It's not like I'm gonna get "Pulp Fictioned" by anyone. If you are uncomfortable, leave. If you are confident enough in your own sexuality (and apparently said officer is not), there won't be an issue at all.

Posted by Gabe | May 16, 2008 3:37 PM
24

Gay porn, with the sex acts edited out - isn't that pretty much like watching COPS?

Posted by Dougsf | May 16, 2008 3:39 PM
25

@22 -- Mr. Poe's posts do indeed speak for themselves. They are imbued with a creativity, flair, wit and depth of nuance that no reactionary piece of grade-school clattering such as your pathetic attempts could ever hope to achieve.

You hide behind a set of social mores that went out with Spoon River Anthology, sir. And who in the world ever extrapolated a video in a low, filthy place (admittedly) with the desire to broadcast same video into every atomic particle in the city? No one, sir, save your sad self.

Look at you. Tragic and passed by time. A disturbing carbuncle on the face of this otherwise delightful forum. You could never hope to equal Mr. Poe in anything, be it penis size, hair bleach or gray matter.

Besides, Mr. Poe's balls smell pleasantly of baby powder and yours, I suspect, wreak of the ignorance that oozes from every one of your pores.

Shoo, fly!

Posted by Jubilation T. Cornball | May 16, 2008 3:40 PM
26

I can't believe we have and are enforcing a law like this in this day and age.

But even if you are the kind of blue-law and minimum-wage supporting control-freak who believes that it's the government's business what consenting adults do in a private space, this case illustrates an entirely practical problem with laws like these: they are effectively a license for renegade enforcers to endlessly harress anyone they don't like who is anywhere within a mile of the vague line the law attempts to draw.

I'm glad the bar-owner is taking it up with the city. If we had a non-unionized police force, he might actually get somewhere and this wanabe-fascist cop would be fired for unprofessionalism before he knew what hit him.

Posted by David Wright | May 16, 2008 3:44 PM
27

If the film clip in question does indeed meet WSLCB guidelines, then the bartender/owner should just let office O'Neill have his little rant; if he feels a citation is in order, he's free to write one. But, as is so frequently the case, writing the citation, and getting it to stick in court are two entirely different matters.

Maybe having a few of his citations challenged and rightfully tossed will encourage his higher-ups to have a friendly chat about not wasting his, the department's, or the judicial systems time and money on his personal crusades anymore.

Posted by COMTE | May 16, 2008 3:47 PM
28

That's some harsh stuff, Jub. Wuvz.

Posted by Mr. Poe | May 16, 2008 3:47 PM
29

"Pornographic video" - "porn" = "video"

The video was approved by the liquor board (thus meeting the bullshit standards they set forth) which SHOULD make it a non-issue.

But hey- if actual porn (which, again, was NOT on display) gets you so worked up SCB, I know a great Mormon church down the street that seems like a perfect fit for you.

And yes, I am a smart ass.

Posted by UNPAID BLOGGER | May 16, 2008 3:50 PM
30

hey mr. poe: wanna meet at the eagle tonight and taunt the cops? if they mess with me, i'll just sit on them. square biz.

Posted by scary tyler moore | May 16, 2008 3:52 PM
31

wickity whackity woo.

Posted by wong-weezy | May 16, 2008 3:53 PM
32

I don't understand. Shouldn't everyone in a bar be over the age of 21 anyway? Isn't the minimum age to purchase porn 18? I don't see a problem.

I see crackheads shooting up in broad daylight on a daily basis within 2 blocks of the Eagle, and these cops are worried about some T&A (I guess maybe just "A" if it's gay porn) on a TV screen? That's horseshit.

Posted by john cocktosin | May 16, 2008 3:54 PM
33

@25: You must be confusing "reactionary" with "reasonable," my pretentious friend.

Though it doesn't matter...I pay no attention to the words of hippies, particularly ones who write essay-lengthed masturbatory rants.

Posted by Seattle Crime Blogger | May 16, 2008 3:57 PM
34

When did Judge Dredd join SPD? Drokk it!

Posted by treacle | May 16, 2008 3:58 PM
35

Silence, you ignorant fools. Seattle Crime Blogger knows pornography when he sees it.

Posted by w7ngman | May 16, 2008 4:01 PM
36

Officers O'Neill and Gallagher cleaning up the mean streets of the Naked City...

sounds like a plot for a Warner Brothers film with Cagney and O'Brien circa 1937.

Transfer these homophobic mugs to Harbor Island so they can pound their flat feet and cover the waterfront.

Oh, and Seattle Crime Blog: you're a douche.

Posted by michael strangeways | May 16, 2008 4:03 PM
37

Why do you keep calling everyone friend? Who the fuck are you, John McCain?

Posted by w7ngman | May 16, 2008 4:09 PM
38

Wow, SCB...if you don't like Hippies or Fags, why are you reading Slog?

There's a door on that closet you are in, use it.

Posted by Gabe | May 16, 2008 4:10 PM
39

we desperately need a new Mayor and new City Attorney. The SPD is out of control. They literally believe they "are the law". Of course they are not.

But the SPD is supposed to fall under the control of the Mayor, and he has totally lost control of Kerlikowski.

The Mayor has now attempted to shut down all ages clubs, music venues, nightclubs, strip clubs, and now is going after gay bars.

Nickels and Tom Carr are the nerdy dough-boys in high school who now, with a little power, are exacting their revenge on the kids who had fun. We can kick them out of office though...hope to god Stienbreuck runs against Nickels and someone, anyone, runs against Tom Carr. Any 24 year old law school graduate could be that wuss at this point.

Posted by Frank | May 16, 2008 4:17 PM
40

Gay porn in a gay bar? Next thing you know you'll be telling be someone has been merging chocolate and peanut butter.

Posted by Jason Josephes | May 16, 2008 4:19 PM
41

@38: Who said I have a problem with homosexuals? I'm a major supporter of the right to marry for gays (though I do support "Don't Ask/Don't Tell"). I said people should watch porn in their own homes, and shouldn't make it out to be a civil rights issue because they aren't allowed to broadcast it it in bars. Sounds reasonable enough to me.

Though I do hate hippies...they're an idealistic group that are too concerned about other people and their sick view of "justice", and not nearly concerned enough about themselves.

In fact, I have a general distaste for anyone who doesn't support the philosophical genius of Ayn Rand.

Posted by Seattle Crime Blogger | May 16, 2008 4:22 PM
42

There is an all out assault by the City on Seattle's nightlife. It's not just gay bars, it also includes some of the best music venues. If you want to be able to go out after midnight in Seattle, write your council people immediately and let them know. They can get the cops and Mayor to back off, but won't do it without hearing from a lot of people.


Tim.Burgess@seattle.gov
Sally.Clark@seattle.gov
Richard.Conlin@seattle.gov
Jan.Drago@seattle.gov
Jean.Godden@seattle.gov
Bruce.Harrell@seattle.gov
Nick.Licata@seattle.gov
Richard.McIver@seattle.gov
Tom.Rasmussen@seattle.gov

Posted by Meinert | May 16, 2008 4:34 PM
43

I hate the people who love me.

Posted by Ayn Rand's Teeth | May 16, 2008 4:43 PM
44

AYN RAND!!?!?!?!

oy vey, that explains a lot.

The problem at the heart of this issue, is that these cops are illegally enforcing a law, WHICH WASN'T BEING BROKEN. They're cops, not judges, and they were judging a non-pornographic work to be pornographic, when in fact, it wasn't. (I'm guessing that The Eagle was showing the Colt Video preview/promo thing they've been showing pretty much non-stop since the cops started harassing The Eagle. It's not porn, but an ad for porn that doesn't show any genitals.) If this dumbass cop thinks two men kissing is pornographic, he's obviously a homophobic bigot and he doesn't need to be policing in an area that is the center of the city's gay population.

And the men who go the Eagle LIKE watching raunchy porn while they drink beer. If raunchy porn and beer and leather slings aren't your thing, then go to Purr.

Posted by michael strangeways | May 16, 2008 4:48 PM
45

Are you trying to tell me that in this so-called "Ghey Barr" I might be subjected to the sight of mens kissing on other mens kissers? Teh Hoarrer.

Seattle Crime Blogger (is that the most tragically stupid handle, and avocation, imaginable?) you shouldn't have to worry, because your head is obviously lodged firmly in a very dark place where such images cannot penetrate. So to speak.

Posted by Fnarf | May 16, 2008 4:51 PM
46

Sally Clark and Tom Rasmussen are failing their communities on this issue. What a bunch of shit. Elect someone to represent your community and they disappear. Pathetic.

Posted by where'ssally? | May 16, 2008 5:04 PM
47

@41:

Aside from Ms. Rand's general distaste for homosexuals, I think she'd fully support the showing of porn in bars. Ayn wasn't so big into regulating morality.

Posted by Dawgson | May 16, 2008 6:38 PM
48

dude, he just wants to make out with the bartender.

Posted by mike | May 16, 2008 8:24 PM
49

i was at the eagle tonight and three cops came in this time. they were friendly, the bar was practically dead and they made sure to walk through the whole place to make sure that nobody was touching any swimsuit areas. oh yeah, drawn together was on the screen - i guess old betty boop tits don't count as porn because nobody's gonna be aroused by that. still, it was totally annoying and felt like an invasion. i hope they get over their bullshit need to assert their straightness real fucking soon.

Posted by smiller | May 17, 2008 2:26 AM
50

Mr. I am the law can kiss my ass. so can the entire spd.

Posted by proud scoflaw | May 17, 2008 4:22 AM
51

My boyfriend says they should start playing Keystone Cops episodes just in case they come.

Posted by Tom C. | May 17, 2008 12:57 PM
52

I think Ayn Rand is wonderful: Right up there with Danielle Steele and Barbara Cartland, although I feel that her rape scenes could have been fleshed out a bit more. And her characters talk too much between love scenes.

I only wish that she had written something about the Russian Revolution - after all, she lived through it. She could have written the definitive romance novel about the revolution. Maybe something like where a princess and a Trotskyite fall in love? That would have been excellent!

Posted by Catalina Vel-DuRay | May 17, 2008 4:30 PM
53

Someone should document this and get it on Youtube a.s.a.p. Before they attempt to make recording police avtivity a felony.

Posted by Heather | May 18, 2008 4:31 AM
54

Have you ever been in the Eagle? It's too dark to film anything ;-)

Posted by Catalina Vel-DuRay | May 18, 2008 8:26 AM
55

So besides the standard abuse of power that comes with policing, is this really about graft? Who didn't make their payment on time? As others have said, Mr. SPD swinging dick topping the bartender is pretty obvious. Not the friendliest way to lay down a scene, but bolder than state patrol extorting sex from motorists.

Posted by WenG | May 18, 2008 4:53 PM
56

I will admit that it is great to finally have some police visibility, but the issues are not porn in bars, or the gay bars themselves. The issue is with people who are not accepting of gays and lesbians, or get angry (as did the officer just because two guys kissed).
My thoughts are that this officer is threatened because he does not understand homosexuality. I also believe that the SPD is being misdirected in trying to correct their latent responses to the gay bashings. It's almost as if they think the porn or the gay bars themselves caused the violence. That is completely wrong.
It amazes me how closed-minded Seattle's police department is, with everything that has been going on. Seattle is not some small town that is sheltered from diversity. It is the complete opposite. I wish we could figure out how to wake SPD up.

Posted by Schnarf78 | May 19, 2008 11:58 AM

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