New York To Crack Down On Cell Phones?

Edwards Finance > Phones

Q. "While many Americans agree it is bad manners if your cell phone rings during a movie, a Broadway play or a concert, should it be against the law, with offenders paying a $50 fine for each infraction? Politicians in New York City think so, and have proposed a bill to outlaw such boorish behavior – much to the chagrin of the Libertarian Party."

A. Actually there is a principle involved. It's a matter of private property. The theater owner is free to make such rules for entry as he see's fit. Most live performances I've been to have an announcement about phones, cameras, recording equipment...and ejection is the enforcement mechanism for those who violate. If theater owners dont enforce such rules strictly (and I dont think most people want them enforced to the letter in all situations), you are free to go elsewhere or (better yet) ask for a refund and then go elsewhere. Movie theaters dont seem to do much of anything...so if I consider the chance that some jerk will be rude to be part of the game. If someone is persistantly rude, I'll talk to them and/or the management. I actually got a dozen (theater hopping, I suspect) kids thrown out one night because they came into the theater half way through "Bean" to hang out and talk. I agree with you, and I said in my post I hadn't thought the issue through. My point was just that I think libertarians should pick their fights more wisely. A law like this is looked at with pleasure by most people in NYC, I figure - I lived in nyc for 34 years or so, and I know how annoying the cell phones can be. Personally I don't support the law, but I would be myopic if I didn't see how it could be popular with most citizens. I do think that this is a stupid law, and as another poster said, leave it to NYC to legislate common courtesy. Mayor Bloomie is on such a rampage with taxes of late I am so happy I dumped NYC!!! My point was only that if critics of the law jump to exxageration, hysterics, and overstatement, they just end up looking dopey and undermine their own credibility in this debate and in future ones. Without credibility they will have a hard time convincing people they are right in any matter. If the law is popular - and I suspect it will - it can and should be criticized in a dignified and sensible manner. However, If someone begins their part of the debate on this issue by warning of gun toting cell phone cops, or suggesting ' "Now its cell phones, tomorrow they will come after your guns," or passionately remarking how banning cell phone use in concerts, plays, etc. is the sure road to tyranny, they will just look unconvincing and downright silly to most people. This is true whether such a law brings us more down the road to tyranny or not. The truth won't matter much - the average person will just laugh such remarks off (rightly or wrongly), and the credibility of the speakers positions on other matters will naturally be compromised. My comments were just that raising the rhetoric on an issue likes this hurts the libertarian cause. I'm not saying don't be critical, I am saying keep a cool head and approach issues persuasively. To the average person, likening the banning of cell phone use in some public places to the coercive fist of government tyranny crashing down upon them, is laughable.

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