The True Story of Leonard's Bar
See Update Below!
I showed a friend the story below from the 3 October 1999 issue, and she found it way too hard to believe. I, of course, bet it was indeed true, and to prove it I drove down to Colorado Springs (about two hours south of me). As you will see, the story's true.
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No, Not "Firetruck"
Leonard Carlo likes a particular word, and it's reflected in the decor of his Colorado Springs, Colo., bar. "F---ing Women" says the sign on the ladies room; "F---ing Men" it says on the opposite door. Another sign notes, "No f---ing tap or draw beer". A state liquor enforcement agent, noting a state regulation prohibiting profanity in bars, confiscated 29 signs. "The mother f---er came in like a German storm trooper," Carlo said. "He walked in my door and started ripping signs off my f---ing walls." The agent, however, left up Carlo's posting of the Ten Commandments and the U.S. Constitution. Carlo's liquor license is in danger of suspension, and he is suing, saying his free speech rights have been violated ("If you walk in and see 'f---' and you don't like it, get the f--- out. There's 700 bars in town," he says.) Meanwhile, Carlo has had a message tattooed on his bald head which reads, "F--- U. Leave me the f--- alone." He challenged the agent, "Now, mother f-----, take that one!" (Denver Post) ...They will if they can.
And here's the photographic evidence:
![[Randy at Leonard's Bar]](http://www.thisistrue.com/images/leonards.jpg) And here's the "proof" -- this is me at the alley entrance to Leonard's II Bar in Colorado Springs on 6 October 1999, in front of one of the few signs that the state liquor control agent didn't tear down. |
7 July 2000 Update
The Denver Post reports "Leonard Carlo is f------ happy." In a settlement, the state has dropped all charges against him and has returned his signs in return for his dropping his civil rights lawsuit. While the "no profanity in bars" rule is still on the books, a spokeswoman for the Colorado Department of Revenue, which oversees liquor enforcement, says that liquor agents will not enforce it.
Carlo had faced revocation of his liquor license, and was supported in his action against the state by the American Civil Liberties Union. "It's a victory not only for me but for everyone," Carlo said. "We protected the First Amendment, so I'm happy about it, but I'm not gloating over it." The ACLU attorney notes "The Constitution does not permit government inspectors to monitor private businesses to ensure that the owners express themselves in accordance with government-approved standards of good taste." After all, a bar is hardly a place where children would come in contact with the language. And any adults who don't like it can find another place they prefer.
The First Amendment is there exactly for language or ideas people don't want to hear. We would hardly need such a clear and firm guarantee in our Constitution for speech that everyone liked and agreed with, so of course it's there only for language we don't agree with! Whether or not you like what Carlo has to say, he has a fundamental right to say it. If you don't agree, you don't deserve to be able to say what you think, either!