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<title>blogTO Recent Comments: Did Toronto Nightclub Bouncers Cross the Line?</title>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/feed/recentcomments/?7283</link>
<description>Comments recently made in this post on blogTO</description>
<copyright>Copyright 2009</copyright>
<lastBuildDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:50:54 PST</lastBuildDate>
<item>
<title>Tony</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Even further; when I do get back as well. I am trying to start something up to teach the Toronto Police that patrol that area on the weekend; they have the right to defend themselves too. Shinkyokushin will make it so that one officer can down 10 guys without breaking a sweat and be the last man or woman standing. It will be my gift to my home the City of Toronto; I will teach it to them for free. That way they can have a better time dealing with loud-mouthed punks who like to start problems. The first time you see and officer use this fighting system; it will bring new meaning to "Protect and Serve". Watch your asses Nightlife peeps, Toronto Police is going to bring in a new era of asskicking for 2010. Holla]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c679480</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c679480</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:46:23 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Tony</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I was a bouncer for 2 years before moving to Japan. I put my ass under fire every weekend to make the coin to get here. Some people like to put up a fight, when they are being removed from a club. I warn every single person before they try to proceed with an altercation. I am trained in Shin Kyokushin Karate, Judo, Taikyoken; if I really wanted to beat up on somebody I do it at tournaments at least I get a trophy at the end of the competition. In a club fight you have your fellow bouncers who are your brothers your family. We protect each other; now I know in this industry some bouncer tend to be hot headed and have power issues. However, in every barrel there will always be a few bad apples. I really do not even like to fight, I am married and used to do it to pick up some extra coin, listen to some tunes, and see young people enjoy life like we did back in the day. Some of these youngblood do not know, the club scene used to be way worse. I was there the night in October 2005 when Joker was shot up. I was trying to safely get people out of the club not even thinking of the safety of my own life. So please all of you who like to bouncer bash so to speak, think of us good bouncers that prevent you all from getting hurt when a brawl breaks out. As a result of the crazier side of life in nightlife I am CPR and AED certified to better protect people when they are having fun. Our job is not easy, I tell you what for those of you who question our profession; join the black-clothed brotherhood of the nightlife when you first enter it is scary but after a few years it all becomes clear.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c662052</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c662052</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2009 09:21:06 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Samuel</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Well I have friends more like aquantances who are bouncers when I go to the club I get to bypass line ppl who were waiting for hours. On top of that the bouncers say start a fight with anyone you want. If you ever see a fight at a club and only one party from the fight gets kicked out, it's a setup. I'll post some pics later of what some of the bloggers on here are posting. One more people always want action when shit hits close to home. All the ppl defending the bouncing community have never had a run in with a rude bouncer or have not seen anyone they know get brutally assulted.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c391656</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c391656</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:44:35 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Corina</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I've been to Kool Haus dozens of times, since I was 15 myself. I'd say for concerts, you shouldn't worry too much. It's the club (and former 'rave') nights that get out of control.

However - safety wise - Kool Haus is located down by the water and I'd recommend getting your kid a ride to/from the parking lot at the place... they can walk in from the main road but it's a real mess to take TTC and you end up walking a ways in the dark.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c383145</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c383145</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 Jan 2009 23:15:28 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>John</title>
<description><![CDATA[
would you say the Kool Haus is a place for a 16 yearold to go?

My daughter is planning go and see a concert there?
]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c383129</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c383129</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 Jan 2009 22:40:28 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Margaret</title>
<description><![CDATA[
this is madness, how any one can get away with this kind of assault, not even your partner in life can leave a woman like this and get off with it. How would you feel if it was some one from your family. it is disgusting and uncalled for. Really!]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c330375</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c330375</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:06:08 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>margaret ridge</title>
<description><![CDATA[
the same thing happened to me in ireland, they boke my arm and threw me to the ground, punched me in the back of the head. i have photos but they are in my phone.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c330373</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c330373</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:56:03 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>The Truth</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I used to work for this company and can assure you that this happens all the time. The 'security' staff is extremely aggressive and it literally takes nothing to send them into a violent frenzie. They all love to sit around after and laugh about (even re-inact) these incidences with the owner. It's all considered 'good ol' boy fun' by management. The police will never do anything to help any patrons because they are paid very very well by the company to be there (upwards of $ 70.00 per hour for each pay-duty officer) so they will never rock the boat of great pay to sit around and watch pretty girls walking in. 

Anger-management problems are a constant issue with these doormen -that's just a FACT.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c305889</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c305889</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:54:14 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Salvo</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I look at these kids and they look like little bit$hes.
They deserve what they got.
Oh yea cut your damn hair punk bitch.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c305097</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c305097</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:59:34 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>another ex guvernment staff</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I worked at Guvernment for six months as security while travelling, five years ago. I'm 38. I've been sober for 8 years. I have degrees in psychology and computer science and am currently studying a masters in business. I've been working as a software engineer for 20 years and have travelled the world. Now I architect systems for mining. I come from Johannesburg South Africa. My father was a mathematician, my mother was a concert pianist. I served a year of forced military service under the Apartheid government, sitting under a sand dune for eight months of that time.

In my six months working at The Guvernment, I never hit a patron, never greased a door, allthough I was offered. The guy who offered got fired shortly thereafter. When we were involved in a fracas, we were expected to write a report on it at the end of shift, and pass this report on to police.

The only real danger I saw in those six months happened in Charlies Bar, where I used to stand by the toilets. African men collected on one side of Charlies and Carribean men on the other. There was a woman in the middle stirring the shit. I didn't call anyone, mediating between both factions until one by one, everyone went home. I don't believe anyone outside of that room was aware. Like an African night.

Truly dangerous people? In the six months I worked there I remember seeing four. I remember each one clear as day. I remember also that a bouncer was shot and killed at a door before I started working there.

In Johannesburg, I've been shot at twice by complete strangers, caught in a traffic jam in the middle of a shoot-out between cops and hijackers on my way to a study group meeting, seen two people shot, one right in front of me at a family fun day, seen more beatings and stabbings, sucked more teargas, than I care to remember. I've seen more freaky violent shit than you can see in a lifetime of Hollywood movies, up close, personal, in heat, blood, dust, concrete, tar, glass, sunlight and darkness. And I'm not a hard man here by any means.

I grew up in clubs while the country was in chaos. When I was fifteen, I saw this: a patron would leave, come back and buy everyone drinks, leave, come back and buy everyone drinks. Suspicious bouncers followed him the next time he left, saw him stab and mug a passerby, and come back and buy everyone drinks. When we went to the club the next night and heard the story, they had had him in the basement after torturing him for 24 hours with water and salt. When the cops came to get him, they smashed both his collar bones with a pick axe handle, then smashed both his feet from above with the end of the pick axe handle. They left him in the veld by the mine dumps.

My point is - in South Africa, like I'm sure happens in many parts of the world, bouncer organisations have full-on wars with each other. People get tortured, beat, shot and killed. Everyones been smacked in a club. It's part of growing up here. It's a big world - there are people at Guvernment from everywhere. Relax, someone got a few smacks, don't stereotype people. Everyone has thier own story. From the pictures, those people didn't get badly fucked up - some scrapes - the guys eye is still open. Not much swelling. The girl suffered some damage. I don't agree with that, but that said, I remember that woman could cause more serious shit than any man could at Guvernment.

Don't stereotype bouncers. I worked with a bouncer at Guvernment who looked like a total heavy, but was studying opera singing. People mix it up, people make shit, it's human nature. I wouldn't work as a bouncer in South Africa if you paid me in gold. In Canada, it was a decent job, 12 dollars an hour, better than the 8 dollars an hour I made at the misery saga cardboard factory (funny thing about the factory - I was the only white face there).

The person I remember most strongly from six months at Guvernment? The 60 year old Carribean grandmother who used to clean the toilets next to where I stood. Ever notice her?

The lesson I learnt at Guvernment came from this vision: with the saturday night crowd, everyone came in with thier own faces on. At 10, as regular as clockwork, everybody put on the same identical face. At six in the morning, when the lights came on, they'd put thier own faces back on, rubbing at thier cheeks and wondering where they were. In the middle of the dance floor, after staring at it for weeks on end, I saw a large rock. I saw the kids each walk up to the rock and splash a cup of thier lifeblood onto the rock, their lifeblood being the 8 hours of their lives where they didn't wear thier own faces. The rock turns the lifeblood into money - What a bargain!

The other, more meaningfull lesson I learnt, was this: the friday night crowd wore thier own faces, all night long. They paid cash direct, and they looked you in the eye while they did it.

My point? You wanna stereotype me, come to South Africa like I went to Canada, look me in the eye like a Rexdale crowd on DJ Scratch night, and call me meat heat to my face. My real point? Open your half-swollen eyes clublubbers, and shrug it off - the sun's coming up and it's another beautifull day in Africa.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c296354</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c296354</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:14:36 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>unknown</title>
<description><![CDATA[
uh, i work as a security guard as KOOLHAUS and GUVERNMENT and that is NOT WHAT WE DO!! so plz get ur shit straight before posting up stupidness like this! however, if something like this really happened, then that means you must've done something wrong.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c293207</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c293207</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Jul 2008 05:17:36 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>ex-staff at the guvernment</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I used to work for that company. And I can assure ANYONE that this sort of thing is common. The doormen are aggressive and are never reprimanded for any use of force they use -whether against women or men. Even female staff within the company itself have repeatedly been assaulted and it has always been dismissed by the owner. ***You don't have to give the bouncers of the INK Group (Guvernment, Ultra, This Is London, etc.) ANY reason to attack. Many of them have serious anger management issues. My condolences go out  to these people. You can attempt to steal a $2300.00 designer dress at Prada and no one will jump you and beat you down. You can attempt to steal a $ 10,000.00 photocopier from any professional office in the free world and no one will jump on you and shatter your bones. However, at the Ink Group venues, a wrong look can get you put in the hospital.
It's a sad reality.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c279071</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c279071</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:55:05 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>jean</title>
<description><![CDATA[
sure its harsh, i feel sorry for the victims, but im 110% sure they were not just standing there doing nothing.  In a bar/club, people drink.  When some people drink, they get stupid, do stupid shit, get a ass beat for the stupid shit, but cry about it the next day.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c274700</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c274700</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:38:42 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Dan</title>
<description><![CDATA[
wow to the beatings, 
if i was in that situation ..
i would round up a few friends
and wait for these guys 1 by 1 
and give them a nice beating as they leave home that night
revenge is a bitch]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c270652</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c270652</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:48:45 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>riley00</title>
<description><![CDATA[
My boyfriend and I (and some friends) were at Guvernemnt on the weekend.  We had a VIP booth and a fight broke out just outside of it (involving no one we knew).  Basically, my boyfriend tried to get me out of the way and then a few seconds later he was in a head lock by a bouncer who took him away.  He ended up getting hit a few times in the body (no bruises though), a few times on the arm which bruised him (when he was trying to block being hit), and at least 3 times in the head (on the forehead and a bit on one eye and then his other eye totally shut and was black and blue).  It all happened so fast, he isn't 100% sure it was the bouncer who did it, but considering he was face down being pulled away in a headlock, it was obviously someone giving him uppercuts to the face... so it would be hard for a random person to do it somehow from the side of him.  They then said that the bouncer had no marks on his hands. I didn't see it for myself, so I don't know if I belive them it 100%.  Either way, he was being restrained for no reason and somone beat him up while he was being restrained so he couldn't get away. We are NEVER going back to that club. Oh and the cops when they talked to him basically said to call them in the morning if he wanted to file a report (meaning they thought he was part of it and too dunk, which both aren't true).  ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c269950</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c269950</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:17:14 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Andrew Olszanowski</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Looking for contact with Magdalena Olszanowski, please.
Andrew Olszanowski
Australia]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c262434</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c262434</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Feb 2008 22:37:16 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Sarahthelawyer</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Just sue. They will cut a cheque so fast to make the issue go away.

Ultimately, bouncers are there to remove patrons. They can use force to remove them. Once outside, they are not allowed to beat patrons to a pulp.

I was at the guvernment on Halloween. As I was walking upstairs from downstairs, one of the bouncers grabbed my hand and pulled me back downstairs. I said what are you doing? He said he was trying to split me up from my group so I would get lost in the crowd, and when I looked dumbfounded, he said he was just helping our the single guys. WHAAAA? Manifestation of a small penis issue, I think so.

I met back up with them eventually, and when we left the club we saw several bouncers kicking a man while he was completely incapacitated from the previous kicks and not a threat to anyone. Again, I suspect penile issues and associated insecurity.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c255395</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c255395</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:48:38 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>nemo</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Stupid cj, whoever faults that is THE IDIOT BOUNCERS shouldn't have beaten their own customer like that!! put yourself in their shoes asshole! easy for you to say coz it didnt happen to you or to one of your family member.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c251200</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c251200</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 06 Jan 2008 10:47:13 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>cj</title>
<description><![CDATA[
totally agree with clear eyed. fact is that although some of the people who go to guvernment are "sober" and "good law abiding citizens" (im sure), there are also some who are completely fucked out of their mind on alcohol and drugs. The majority of the people the bouncers deal with throughout the night are these belligerent fucks. Dont be surprised when you're the 10th e-d out fucktard to get your ass booted out of the club and you suffer a black eye. your fault. 
]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c244508</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c244508</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 09 Dec 2007 12:17:49 PST</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>s. donato</title>
<description><![CDATA[
WHO NEEDS TO GO TO EMXICO TO GET BEETEN UP WHEN IT HAPPENS RIGHT HERE I OUR CLEAN CITY....SAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c233184</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/city/2007/10/did_toronto_nightclub_bouncers_cross_the_line/#c233184</guid>
<category>Toronto, City</category>
<pubDate>Sat, 27 Oct 2007 15:03:38 PDT</pubDate>
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