Soothing the savage stereos

[teach1st]

http://www.sptimes.com/2004/02/01/State/Soothing_the_savage_s.shtml

St. Petersburg Times, 2/1

MIAMI BEACH - Michael Carreras didn't think his stereo was that loud. After all, it was only the stock radio in his Jaguar, not a custom job with subwoofers in the trunk.

But one night in last month, he and some friends were cruising Collins Avenue at 5 a.m. on a Sunday, checking out girls and chatting about the nightclubs. The sunroof was open, the windows were down and they were listening to rapper 50 Cent on the CD player.

Next thing he knew, a police officer was handing him a ticket for violating the city's strict noise ordinance. In Miami Beach, if cops can hear your stereo from 100 feet away, they can charge you.

The officer told Carreras he would have a choice: pay a $500 fine, or listen to opera.

More

[saigon68]

1. Do they have "OPERA" in jail in Miami?

Just a question?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Opera?

I couldn't get to the page, but I do have a question: if the cop said opera was ok, even at those decibel levels, isn't that racist? I mean, rap is usually defined as 'black' (even though I know there are white rappers; I'm talking about cops' perceptions now), while opera, as far as I know, is white?

[teach1st]

3. Just an unorthodox judge

It was opera as punishment, for 21/2 hours.

"You impose your music on me, and I'm going to impose my music on you," Swartz told Carreras.

It may seem odd, but this is a city where nude beaches, supermodels in Ferraris and rollerblading transvestites are commonplace. The exotic atmosphere extends to the Miami Beach courthouse, where the unusual is the norm

Apparently, Judge Swartz is pretty unorthodox. The article says he is aware of rap because he has a teenage daughter. He doesn't wear a tie, he cracks jokes, and his baliff uses an applause sign.

Is it racist? I don't know. In my racially mixed neighborhood, the bulk of the thumping stereos seem to belong to white kids. I think it depends on how the law is applied.

<Edited for spelling and to add the last sentence>

[Tuttle]

4. I'm waiting for the RIAA to go after these 'music enthusiasts'

I know: I'm probably missing the point here but the jerk-off in the next traffic lane, blasting some ultra-commercial drek, is really a form of broadcasting - thanks to him, I'm exposed to music that I would never, otherwise, listen to... these creeps are a nuisance!

Actually, they should make him spend $500 ATTENDING opera - opera is meant to be experienced and I think that would have a more lasting impact on poor little Michael and his wee little Jaguar.

Tut-tut

[soup]

5. Wonder if offenders charged with playing opera

at a level that can be heard 100 ft. away are rewarded with 2 1/2 hrs. of opera, or if there's a separate room where they are taken and forced to listen to rap or punk music? :shrug:

[PsychoDad]

6. I would pick the Opera...

Better than forking over 500.00 bucks.

[BiggJawn]

7. I hope we're not supposed to feel sorry for poor Mike...

'cuz i don't. And if he'd rathe rcough up $500 than listen to opera for a few hours, I feel even LESS sorry for him.

Gawd, I wish I had money to invest in hearing aids!

[hippiechick]

8. Can we get that to happen in Indy ?

:evilfrown: I am SO tired of hearing 'ba-thump-grrr-grrr-grrr-ba-thump' at every friggin' stoplight ....

The cars are worth $100 but they're packed with thousands of dollars in stereo - AND DVD equipment.

Oh yes, last week I was next to an old piece of shit that had THREE DVD screens.

Get some SENSE, people !!!!



:hippie:

[Sterling]

9. If only in NYC

I wish they would do that here, I am so tired of people having street parties out of their cars after the bars close in the LES.

They should also be fined for listening to crap music.

[teach1st]

10. I like some rap

They should also be fined for listening to crap music.

I'm a fifty-year old white guy, but I like some rap and hip-hop and listen to it occasionally. My daughters hate it. I can't defend some of the lyrics, though, but I'm a fifty-year-old white guy.

But, nobody should have to be subject to their windows rattling and their walls pulsating from passing inconsiderates on the street. The first presidential candidate who promises to ban annoying boom box cars has my vote! Even Bush!!

Oops. Not Bush. Anything is better than Bush.

[Logansquare]

11. I dread summer in Chicago

because of the invasion of the boom-boom cars. Everything in the house rattles and shakes while one of these knuckleheads trolls by.

[JohnOneillsMemory]

12. No joke. Sleep deprivation kills. Noise floor causes hypertension. n/t