Starked DC

COMMENTS ON CONTROVERSY: D.C. Ping Pong

by J-Michael Cabosky on May 9th, 2008

In another new series, Jon from THE DC TRAVELER and I will participate in a series we call, “COMMENTS ON CONTROVERY,” a once a month, point - counterpoint discussion of a topic happening here in D.C.  (See bottom of post for a link to his viewpoint.)

Today’s topic: Public Ping Pong

That’s right.  According to yesterday’s Washington Post, a recent controversy has sprung up around Comet Ping Pong PIZZA, a pizza joint on Connecticut Avenue.

The Article:

Washington Post Article

The owner of Comet Ping Pong, for nearly the past year, has placed one of his ping pong tables out on the sidewalk for his customers to enjoy.  There, they play ping pong, outside, along the street. 

It seems many teenagers, college kids, adults, and even families have enjoyed the outdoor setting.  Additionally, the owner was happy to place his ping pong table outside as it offered great advertising but also something that was fun and unique for his patrons.

Video of it here:

Still, there were some unhappy with the table.  According to the article, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Frank Winstead wanted the table removed as it was a) un-permitted and b) unsafe. 

Winstead and some others said it was dangerous to those playing as well as cars passing by.  What if a ball went in the street?  What if drivers got distracted?

Winstead has become famous for speaking out, tracking down, and capturing video of no-good doers who illegally park and other atrocious things around the city.  So, after Winstead’s filing of a complaint, the table has been pulled do to a lack of permit. 

So, today’s discussion point:  Should the table be allowed?  Or should it be pulled? 

MY ARGUMENT:

Let the table be! 

In major urban areas, there is always a discussion between shop and resident owners about the public sidewalk space in front of their respective store or home. 

For the most part, shop owners should be able to do what they want with that space, as long as it is within reason.  If they want to have a few restaurant tables, let ‘em, it adds to the atmosphere.

Now, a Ping Pong table is a wee bit different, agreed.  A restaurant table on the sidewalk has no risk of flying out into the street.  (Though, I suppose a restaurant patron could throw their fork at a passing car, now couldn’t they?) 

The argument of safety is understandable.  The ball has surely flown out into the road causing a) a car to dodge it or b) a ping pong player to run after it. 

There is a quote in the article saying that it’s all fine and dandy until someone gets killed. 

Fine.  I get it.  Still, it’s a fun idea.  It’s a business owner trying to add some life to a city storefront.  And, the ping pong table has been up for almost a year and there have been no accidents, no injuries, no anything.  Sure, something ‘bad’ may happen at some point, but come on.  Why do we have to be so fear based?

Kids play kickball along the city streets all the time.  Heck, a lot of times they’ll go out and jump rope in the middle of the street.  That’s life!  Some people like Mr. Winstead are so anal and fearful, that, if they had it their way, cigarettes and hamburgers would be banned, no one would be allowed to walk around barefoot because they might cut their foot on a piece of glass, and dogs would have to be muzzled anytime a mail carrier was within 1,000 feet of your home. 

Bad things happen.  People get food poisoning.  People trip and fall into busy streets.  Cars kill crossing pedestrians. 

And now, we’re concerned about a ping pong ball, something that hasn’t done a bit of damage to anyone or anything in the past year?

If anything’s actually fun and unique in this city, it has to be stopped.  So, I say, give the guy a permit and let him have his ping pong table on the sidewalk.

YOUR TURN:

Jon’s viewpoint on this topic can be found over at THE DC TRAVELER here:

www.thedctraveler.com

So, now it’s your turn.  What do you all think?

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