Video: Daily Show Examines Park Smoking Ban Impact In Union Square's Methadone Alley

Last night The Daily Show's awesome Samantha Bee reported on the NYC parks smoking ban from Union Square park, where she ironically juxtaposed the health-conscious smoking ban against the rather unhealthy realities of the park's "methadone alley." After shot after shot of stumbling, spaced-out drug addicts upstage her interviews with anti-smoking advocates, Bee finally asks, "You know what else inhibits my enjoyment of the park? This giant undulating pile of human sorrow. I have to go home at the end of being in this park and scrub myself with a metal barbecue brush just to get all the sadness off. Are you fucking kidding me? Smoking?"

The Daily Show - New York City Outdoor Smoking Ban

On the other hand, Bee is fair and balanced enough to confront a smoking scofflaw and demand to know "how are all those addicts behind you supposed to tweak properly with all of your secondhand smoke blowing in their face?"

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By John Del Signore in News on June 21, 2011 2:12 PM

Comments [rss]

Douche_McGee

Best news story ever. All news stories should be sarcastic!

Eric Bringslid

They must have increased the budget for the DS to afford all those extras.

randomtransplant

"this park is just for show"
hahahahahaha

ohhhhh haaa-haaaa SNAP!

armchair_warrior

lol they always consecrated on the easiest group to target. from fake bags to canal street to smokers in parks etc... they won't go after the real problems.

schmeep

Yeah, because clearly methadonians are the most hallowed enfranchised citizens we have.

TimeDown

I thought he was referring to going after drug addiction and poverty.

Barry Shanck

Yeah! And the cutting on a child education, cut those kinds of programs dope addicts nodding all over t/place sad! Shame on u Mr. Gov or Mr.Mayor, 4 allowing this it's bad look for NY! What u guys won't b happy until u see kids out there bcuz they can't get an Eduaction!!

Mos Stef

One time I got a $50 ticket for sitting on the grass there. While drinking a fucking smoothie.

ennuipoet

Let me just say how much I enjoy the smoke free parks! Prior to the ban the piquant reek of unwashed bodies and the wafting smell of human excrement was drowned out by the vile stain of burning tobacco leaves! Now, when I stroll through the idyllic vistas of a NYC Park, I can enjoy the sight, sound and SMELL of a man defecating in the flower beds without the carcinogenic taint of cigarettes. Thank you Anti-Smoking Activists! Without you, I would miss out on a unique treasure of New York City!

Bernie_Geotz_Squirrel_Luv

I was thinking exactly that on yesterday's smelliest block BS, Smelliest block? nothing a few smokers can't handle and fix that problem.

Gwinny

there are lots and lots of smokers in Chinatown... they haven't done anything to alleviate the problem on Broome Street.

edgie168

the problem is exasperating! all these hipsters moving in all the time!

Gwinny

Actually, most of the smokers are the Chinese who live there :)

GalBklyn

ah -- so that explains the massive police presence....

Thanks Samantha for smoking out the irony. ... and the tragedy. I'm so over this mayor.