From recall to lap dances

The next ballot measure that Los Angeles voters may get a chance to decide (after the Davis recall) is whether to cancel the city council's ban on lap dances in strip clubs. Big-time city hall lobbyist Steve Afriat has hired on to the campaign to stop the law from taking effect. He needs 57,000 signatures by Oct. 25, so in a tactical move the adult businesses that hired him thought it best if the petition language omit any mention of, well, lap dances. Says an L.A. Times story:

The petition asks voters to sign a statement asking "that ordinance number 175471 be entirely repealed by the City Council or otherwise be submitted to a vote of the people."

Note to Afriat clients: Save your money because it ain't gonna happen. The only place to stop a law like this is at the council or in the courts. Since the council passed this one unanimously and isn't hearing all that much public outcry, you have to doubt they'll be rethinking it.