Just turn it down a notch... Latvian capital to tone down erotic ads
RIGA (AFP) - The city council in the Latvian capital, Riga approved regulations aimed at toning down erotic advertisements.
"These restrictions were needed: its almost impossible to cross the Old Town in the evening without seeing screaming erotic ads in sparkling neon lights or being handed erotic leaflets," Riga Mayor Aivars Aksenoks told a press conference.
Under the new rules, it is prohibited to use special lighting effects on signs and the facades of locations offering erotic services.
Such establishments may only have signboards outside that state the name of the club and its registered trademark.
They must also cover their windows so that passersby cannot see what is going on inside, the rules stipulate.
Companies handing out erotic leaflets are subject to a fine of up to 200 lats (285 euros, 340 dollars), but the punishment for individuals is far lower: a fine of 14 euros.
Latvian officials saw the need to clamp down on erotic advertisers soon after the Baltic state joined the EU in May 2004.
The number of tourists rose sharply after Latvia joined the EU, with many from older European Union members seeing Riga -- which is well served by low-cost flights -- as city of cheap alcohol and erotic services, the mayor said.
"I hope these new restrictions will help to change Rigas image," he said. An "image" can be such a superficial thing -- especially when you are just trying to sweep the dirt into the gutters... as long as we can't see it and it's tucked away underground, it's O.K.
Tell me, painting windows to conceal "what's going on inside" serves what purpose now?
Let's just pretend it's a massage parlor.
 fleshploitation |
