In a free society we must tolerate certain nuisances. We must tolerate ignorant hicks who shout racial epithets. We must accommodate the views of cults and those who share sympathies with radical Islam. We must even share the stage with those whose moral views contrast sharply with our own.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the ongoing battle many local municipalities face it dealing with strip clubs. The city of Anchorage is facing just such a battle, but they are not alone as local governments confront this issue across the country. Many local governments have sought to restrict and limit the growth of the sex industry (including strip clubs) within their boundaries as they seek an improved image. Strip clubs are seen as a blight on the public landscape, attracting a seedy crowd, while discouraging tourism and business expansion. Do strip clubs have a right to operate, yes it is free speech, but can municipalities restrict such entities, yes. Through zoning ordinances, strip clubs can be regulated or restricted to certain areas. The extent of that regulation remains to be seen. Some governments have taken regulation to new extremes regulating how close people can stand to one another or who can touch who and what not. Adults should not have such regulations imposed on their person.

The existence and prevalence of these establishments, however, does speak to a continuing moral decline and a culture, which endorses such depravity. Those who endorse and support such establishments cannot deny they are exploitive and may well argue a woman exists to serve the man. Yes a man, single or otherwise can go to a strip club anytime he wants, just like a smoker can light up anytime he wants but that doesn’t mean it’s a good decision. The only way a married man can go to a strip club and still have a good relationship with his wife is if that wife is subordinate or a slave to the man and the woman is ok with that. No one with a healthy attitude or respect for a woman can endorse, much less patronize, a strip club. Nonetheless, there existence, like so many reprehensible things in our culture, is protected speech and government should not make attempts to impose morality on those who clearly lack morals. http://www.ktuu.com/cms/templates/master.asp?articleid=1717&zoneid=1