63 Comments:
heh
»» Submitted by »»» mazasapa at 4:50 PM on February 20
ALAMN could always sponsor an open air play in the parking lot "Don't taze me, show."
»» Submitted by »»» JACC at 4:52 PM on February 20
There's nothing more American than finding a loophole which completely bastardizes the intent of a law.
@jderusha - I'mn no lawyer, but isn't there something called the 'spirit of the law' as well as 'letter of the law'?
I'd think this goes against the 'spirit of the law'.
»» Submitted by »»» JACC at 4:53 PM on February 20
I'd think so, JACC.
This could get interesting; from what I've heard the Maplewood Police don't really have a dramatic flair.
»» Submitted by »»» JACC at 4:59 PM on February 20
Surprised we haven't heard from a certain someone yet. He must be at a bar.
»» Submitted by just sayin' at 5:07 PM on February 20
I'm putting on a production of "Panties Off!" in my basement Friday night. Amateur thespians are welcome. It's OK. I'm authorized.
P.S. No smoking.
»» Submitted by »»» wtfmn at 5:38 PM on February 20
Power to the People!
»» Submitted by The Rat at 5:40 PM on February 20
No. I'm at the friendly confines of Moffitt Manor.
Yawn. At very most, this clown lawyer looking for headlines -- and getting them -- will just manage to take some bar owners' money, lose a case, or even have the so-called "loophole" closed -- which would be a blow to the legit theater scene in Minnesota.
»» Submitted by »»» justpbob at 5:54 PM on February 20
this clown lawyer looking for headlines
That's likely.
So, is the "legit theater" the next one in somebody's sights.
What if they revolt?
Will they have to close the theater?
»» Submitted by The Rat at 6:00 PM on February 20
Yawn, Act II.
Someone give The Rat a new script.
»» Submitted by »»» justpbob at 6:25 PM on February 20
I'm putting on a production of "Panties Off!" in my basement Friday night. Amateur thespians are welcome. It's OK. I'm authorized.
P.S. No smoking.
I saw this video once . . . um, forget it.
»» Submitted by »»» JACC at 6:27 PM on February 20
or even have the so-called "loophole" closed -- which would be a blow to the legit theater scene in Minnesota.
I'm sure they could close it without affecting legit theaters. E.g. if theater is 80% your revenue there could still be stage smoking.
»» Submitted by »»» JACC at 6:28 PM on February 20
Maybe the script should be from Scotty Fitzgerald's This Side of Paradise, which he finished in St. Paul:
"I'm awful," he said sadly. "I'm diff'runt. I don't know why I make faux pas. 'Cause I don't care, I s'pose."
Then, recklessly: "I been smoking too much. I've got t'bacca heart."
»» Submitted by The Rat at 6:33 PM on February 20
Amateur thespians are welcome
I saw a video of 2 amateur thespians going at it...toys and everything.
»» Submitted by grote at 7:26 PM on February 20
Hope they weren't smoking.
»» Submitted by The Rat at 7:35 PM on February 20
I'm putting on a production of "Panties Off!" in my basement Friday night. Amateur thespians are welcome. It's OK. I'm authorized.
P.S. No smoking.
But the smoking is the interesting part of my act...
»» Submitted by »»» mb21 at 8:18 PM on February 20
Hope they weren't smoking.
Then why the admission charge?
»» Submitted by »»» JACC at 8:20 PM on February 20
But the smoking is the interesting part of my act...
BWA!
The actors in that play kinda' suck... and they smell bad.
»» Submitted by JCL at 11:41 PM on February 20
The actors in that play kinda' suck... and they smell bad.
The article did say the Mark Benjamin is a Renaissance Festival enthusiast.
»» Submitted by »»» JACC at 9:01 AM on February 21
Hmmm. A line from Shakespeare's Henry VI comes to mind.
No matter. Soon the media will tire of these little stunts and Mark Benjamin can go back to his day job.
»» Submitted by »»» justpbob at 9:09 AM on February 21
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers, For he today who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother, Be he ne'er so vile, this day shall gentle his condition, and gentlemen in England now abed shall think themselves acursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whilst any speaks, that fought with us upon St. Crispin's day!"
»» Submitted by »»» mazasapa at 9:15 AM on February 21
After giving this an evening's thought, I'm hoping this doesn't become a regular event. Bar owners who do this are playing with fire, no pun intended.
The forces arrayed against them (private and in the halls of the legislature) are well financed, organized and know how to play hardball. They have high-powered lawyers on their speed dial. They've gotten just about everything they wanted, and every time something like this happens, it's gonna try somebody's patience.
»» Submitted by The Rat at 9:16 AM on February 21
that fought with us upon St. Crispin's day!"
Did you know that St. Crispin is the patron saint of shoemakers?
Probably a lot of shoemakers in Harry's army.
So Harry the King needs to pump up the troops. While all your other shoemaker buddies are closing up and getting drunk, you're fighting with the king.
That's the way it always is, every "band of brother" needs somebody to get the blood boiling. If you come out of this alive son, there's glory in it for you. If you don't , well, we'll remember you on Memorial Day. Or St. Crispin.
Wonder what Crispin himself would think of that? Maybe he'd say, keep your dreams of glory and conquest to yourself. Don't drag my name into it.
»» Submitted by The Rat at 9:23 AM on February 21
Boy, you're deep, Rat.
»» Submitted by »»» mazasapa at 9:31 AM on February 21
Wrong Henry, maz. The quote I had in mind came from Henry VI (hint: it's about lawyers).
Besides, I always liked the "once more into the breach" line better.
The Rat is right. The law will be enforced, Benjamin will get his Benjamins(laughing all the way to the bank), and the bar owners will be left holding the bag.
»» Submitted by »»» justpbob at 9:53 AM on February 21
. . . and St.Crispin will appear and say 'nice shoes'
»» Submitted by »»» JACC at 9:54 AM on February 21
Wrong Henry, maz. The quote I had in mind came from Henry VI
Perhaps you had Henry VI in mind, but the Henry V quote is no less appropriate re: the small minority fighting against the arrogant majority. The French had Harry outnumbered 9:1.
»» Submitted by »»» mazasapa at 10:00 AM on February 21
I would prefer to take my advice from Fallstaff, maz.
»» Submitted by »»» justpbob at 10:12 AM on February 21
lol, i love it. finding loopholes is american, to be sure.
It reminds me of the first draft of the conceal carry law allowing for long guns to be carried in public. It would have allowed me to walk around with my shotgun slung over my shoulder, if I were licensed.
»» Submitted by »»» baker at 11:08 AM on February 21
I wonder how well these "plays" will play in Des Moines?
»» Submitted by »»» justpbob at 7:28 AM on February 22
I personally figured the loophole from the beginning would be that the American Legion and the VFW Clubs would go private again members only, no, that loophole was covered. I'm enjoying this LOOPHOLE find. Let us have a little theatrical fun one night a week or one night a month Non Smokers and the rest of the time it's all YOURS.
»» Submitted by Char Wilkes at 12:16 PM on February 22
You may want to double check my facts justpbob, but I think Des Moines is in a different state.
State of denial? Heh.
@Char - I thought smokers could still smoke in smoke shops. I wonder why more bars don't open up an adjacent smoke shop?
»» Submitted by »»» JACC at 12:23 PM on February 22
I personally figured the loophole from the beginning would be that the American Legion and the VFW Clubs would go private again members only, no, that loophole was covered
Of course it was. I'm a veteran, remember?
»» Submitted by »»» justpbob at 12:57 PM on February 22
The curtain is about to fall on the "smoking plays."
From a Minnesota Department of Health statement issed today:
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has determined after seeking legal advice that theater nights being held in bars do not fall within the theatrical production exemption of the Freedom to Breathe Act.
The Freedom to Breathe Act bans indoor smoking in workplaces, including bars and restaurants. It was signed by Governor Pawlenty in May 2007 and took effect October 1, 2007. The bill included an exemption allowing smoking by actors and actresses as part of a theatrical performance. Some bar owners have claimed the right to declare that all activity in their establishments is part of a theatrical performance, declaring employees and patrons are actors and actresses.
In reviewing the law, MDH has determined that it has the authority to address theater nights and take enforcement action if the activity is an attempt to allow smoking in violation of the act. Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Sanne Magnan said MDH will work together with local health agencies to bring establishments into compliance if they violate the law.
»» Submitted by »»» justpbob at 2:09 PM on March 5
I had a chance to see Benjamin's dog 'n pony show today at a smokefree VFW in Columbia Heights. Watch for me on KSTP-TV and KARE-11 today, or see my friend and fellow smokefree veteran Bernadette speak on WCCO-TV.
»» Submitted by »»» justpbob at 2:25 PM on March 11
Me on KSTP-TV (click on the video).
What do you think of my new beard, MNspeakers?
»» Submitted by »»» justpbob at 10:31 AM on March 12
That reporter acts like a turd. Grow up and stop pointing your fingers.
»» Submitted by kevin at 10:37 AM on March 12
The hair on that Benjamin guy... WOW. Simply fantastic. I had a hard time even noticing your beard Bob because I couldn't stop thinking about his combover.
That reporter was totally in your face Kevin.
»» Submitted by »»» mb21 at 10:41 AM on March 12
Mr. Benjamin is rather, er, flamboyant, isn't he?
His rhetoric was nearly as wild as his hairstyle.."terroristic threats?!?"
Kev: I think reporter Shaw might be doing an audition tape for MSNBC or some cable news outlet where pointing and shouting is not only allowed, but encouraged.
One to look out for if he wanders into the Capitol or SOB.
Inside tip: Shaw told me he "discovered" Benjamin. Where, in a Willie Wonka Look-a-like contest (Gene Wilder version)?
»» Submitted by »»» justpbob at 11:22 AM on March 12
People who use the word "terroristic threat" inappropriately should be handed their hat, laughed at for a while, and then invited to leave the room. It's a sickening misuse of language.
I have to admit it; I thought it was Mr. Benjmin's hair that was smokin'.
»» Submitted by »»» JACC at 11:33 AM on March 12
Another gem from lawyer Benjamin:
"So I am putting out a public challenge to the Minnesota Department of Health as of today that I will drive down in my little Geo Metro to St. Paul or wherever they want to have this, and we will both participate in a live, unscripted television debate."
»» Submitted by »»» justpbob at 11:34 AM on March 12
and we will both participate in a live, unscripted television debate
That's not so much a gem as it is a terroristic threat.
Whoops.
»» Submitted by »»» JACC at 11:36 AM on March 12
Benjamin's habeas corpus.
It's alive!!!!!
Actually, he seems a nice enough guy, just crazy wrong on this topic and the biggest media hound I have ever seen. Believe me, I oughta know..
»» Submitted by »»» justpbob at 11:42 AM on March 12
That hair style is actualy a version of the "flock of seagulls" updo. It makes it necessary to constantly tilt your head to the side a little so it doesn't fall. It's so out it's in again.
»» Submitted by 80'skid at 11:42 AM on March 12
Present company excepted -- right Bob?
I'd be a fool to deny it, Douglas.
;-)
»» Submitted by »»» justpbob at 11:45 AM on March 12
that Benjamin dude looks like a cross between Jerry Spence and Nick Nolte's DUI booking photo.
»» Submitted by grote at 11:48 AM on March 12
the biggest media hound I have ever seen. Believe me, I oughta know..
Aha! Now I know why your 'stach looks so goofy: You don't have mirrors!
hahahahahahaha
»» Submitted by kevin at 11:49 AM on March 12
I only come out at night, too. Draw your own conclutions, mortal.
»» Submitted by »»» justpbob at 11:56 AM on March 12
wtfmn: "I'm putting on a production of "Panties Off!" in my basement Friday night. Amateur thespians are welcome. It's OK. I'm authorized."
Will you now assure the readers of MNSpeak that you fully support equal opportunities and reject any discrimination based on age, race or gender?
»» Submitted by »»» teucer at 1:06 PM on March 12
While Mark Benjamin, Esq. talks trash in the Strib, his "theatre nights" fizzles out like a cigarette in the rain.
For all his talk about veterans clubs, I have yet to hear of a single VFW or American Legion in Minnesota that has fallen for Benjamin's smoke and mirrors.
The Babbitt Bar that got ticketed has also stopped its smoking shows, after they realized that they could not only lose money, but their liquor licence. They get their day in court on April 4.
»» Submitted by »»» justpbob at 8:52 AM on March 24
The first study of smokefree Minnesota bars and restaurants is out.
»» Submitted by »»» justpbob at 10:01 AM on March 27
The results: On average, the levels of nicotine and the carcinogen dropped by more than 80 percent, she found in results that will be made public today.
I can't wait to see what the actual values were. 80% of what? What were the initial measured levels of nicotine found in their blood that then dropped 80%? heh
»» Submitted by »»» mazasapa at 10:12 AM on March 27
MinnPost has finally stumbled offer this story months later, like a drunk stumbles over a curb. They don't have much new to offer, except some personal details on flamoyant lawyer Mark Benjamin.
»» Submitted by »»» justpbob at 1:02 PM on April 28
An update on "theatre night" smoking, via the Shakopee News (not bad update for a weekly -- they scooped the dailies!).
»» Submitted by »»» justpbob at 1:38 PM on May 15
Another update on the "smoking theater" thang.
The owner of Tank's Bar in Babbitt, MN was accused of violating the Clean Indoor Air Act and was fined $300. He challenged the fine. The judge ruled in favor of the Minnesota Department of Health.
»» Submitted by »»» justpbob at 1:18 PM on May 29
They were framed.
»» Submitted by »»» JACC at 1:21 PM on May 29
That's vodka, man!
Bless you, JACC.
»» Submitted by »»» justpbob at 1:29 PM on May 29
The deets, from the Duluth News Tribune.
»» Submitted by Show Me The Mark Benjamins! at 4:08 PM on May 29
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