Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Local pub appeases FDNY - then pisses off FDNY

The has been much chatter in the internets about a certain establishment which painted over a certain mural which depicted a certain scene that was misconstrued by certain people.

The events are well-documented here, and followed up here.

The image, now long-gone, was captured by this artist. (We believe some work should be paid for.)

The story appeared to be clear-cut: FDNY didn't like the artwork, bar decided not to go to the mats with the FDNY, the artwork was removed.

This is completely a understandable turn-of-events. As a local business owner, whether you like it or not, you need to play ball with the local authorities.

Of course free, or even offensive speech, is allowed all you want, however, doling out citations for frivolous offenses is also well within the means of the FDNY, Health Dept. etc.

“You’ve got to pick your battles,” the owner said.

But, after the mural was painted over the owners decided to tell the story of intimidation and 'harassment' by a local firehouse to local press outlets.

Now the FDNY and local firehouses are receiving constant calls by news outlets seeking information, responses, reactions, and - get this - an investigation has been launched on the matter.

So after placating the FDNY, the bar then decided, ex-post facto, to engage the FDNY through the press, in effect pissing them off - the exact result they were trying to avoid, we think.

This makes it a lose/lose for the bar. The artwork is gone, and hopefully all their codes and certificates are up to speed.

3 comments:

  1. I think I might have been a little harsh.

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  2. It's pretty hard to gain any sympathy for the owners of said tavern because a) they took the art down so they have no strength of their convictions and b) their long-running and well-deserved reputation as scum-sucking opportunist pieces of shit.

    It's too bad that if the FDNY closes that dump and gives it its long overdue death, they'll have the public's opinion on their side.

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  3. Whoah, somebody didn't get a buy-back.

    ReplyDelete