Porn Store Evokes the Wrath of Stephen Baldwin

Plans for the opening of a 24 hour adult bookstore in the Village of Nyack, New York has some community members up in arms. The opening of Fama DVD & Video was approved by the Planning Board of the Village of Nyack last November by a 5-0 vote. The original plans allowed limited hours of operation but the store's owners, apparently in retaliation to community opposition, have requested permission to stay open 24 hours a day. The Plannng Board is claiming they have no legal recourse to block the request.

Although the town has been home to strip clubs and various adult businesses over the years, some residents feel this store crosses the line into a seediness they're not willing to accept. Actor Stephen Baldwin, a resident of nearby Grand View and born again Christian, was one who spoke his mind at an April 3 Village Hall meeting. Mr. Baldwin said he doesn't have a problem with Fama doing business; his main concern is with the location of the store, which is located on a main thoroughfare near a hospital and a middle school.

In addition to speaking out publicly on the issue Baldwin took action by standing outside the store last January, taking pictures of construction workers and employees. He has vowed to continue this surveillance when the store opens, photographing patrons then identifying them and publishing their names in the local newspaper.

"If the only defense I have is to photograph the patrons, then that's what I have to do," he said at the Village Hall meeting. "I want to do what I need to do to protect my family and the citizens of Nyack."

Now, you'd probably think I would rip this guy a new asshole, but I think Mr. Baldwin has a valid point. I'll even go so far as to say that I agree with his scare tactics (sorry, couldn't resist that one).

I did some poking around and found out that Nyack is a nice little town. It really is a village. They have nice restaurants, art festivals and cutsie shops. Twenty percent of their 6,737 residents are under the age of eighteen. So I have to ask, does this town really need an all day peep-show arcade? I feel bad for the shmoes who are gonna get humilated in all of this, (in case you didn't know, the guys who are heading into a video arcade at three in the morning aren't watching porn, they're looking to suck a little something-something that their wives just don't possess) but PornTribe is about freedom of expression, not cramming porn down people's throats.

So kudos to you Mr. Baldwin for standing up for what you believe in.