Posted on 11/19/2004 5:35:36 AM PST by SheLion
Today is the day we set aside each year to badger, harass and pester that marginalized subculture of Americans, the Doorway People.
You know the Doorway People. They stand in doorways at work or at the mall smoking cigarettes because lighting up in mixed company has become as distasteful as nose-picking.
Yes, today marks the 27th anniversary of the Great American Smokeout, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, where modern incarnates of pinch-mouthed prohibitionists attempt to further ghettoize smokers.
Now, it's not that I think smoking is good. I have friends who smoke. I wish they didn't. On average, they will trade 10 years of their lives to enjoy their habit. But we're all grownups. Smoking is their demon and I have enough of my own demons to wrestle with.
But, unlike anti-smoking zealots, I sympathize with smokers.
That's because I was a smoker. When I quit for good in 1996, I was burning through 2 1/2 packs a day. I ditched the habit because each time I coughed, my lungs rattled as if someone had backed into metal trash cans.
Still, I loved every puff. I still miss it. In fact, I still have nicotine cravings.
So I'm sympathetic to smokers and believe they should be free to enjoy their addiction, which, last I checked, remains legal. Which is why I dislike the anti-smoking scolds. They are trying to criminalize smoking.
From New York City to Dallas, from Toledo, Ohio, to Eugene, Ore., anti-smoking zealots have racked up successful campaigns to ban smoking in bars and restaurants, the last bastion of peace and acceptance for smokers.
Eventually, the anti-smoking "movement" will have won enough smoking bans in enough cities in enough states to introduce national no-smoking legislation, said Zoe Mitchell, co-founder of Ban the Ban, which recently defeated efforts to enact similar no-smoking legislation in Washington, D.C.
"Ultimately, their goal is to make it a national issue based on their success at the local level," she said.
Anti-smokers say they're acting in the best interest of public health.
They say all those smokers burden the healthcare system with their cigarette-related maladies. It costs all of us more in healthcare premiums, they say.
Nonsense. Smokers die sooner than most of us nonsmokers, never collecting a cent from Social Security, which they've paid for decades.
Also, smokers pay outrageous cigarette taxes on each pack of smokes, which pours billions of dollars annually into government coffers.
At best, the money argument is a wash.
When an anti-smoking nut steps into a place like the Puss N' Boots Tavern in Fairless Hills, all they see is the blue-gray cloud of smoke hovering over the patrons crowded around the bar.
When I walk into the Boot, I see it differently.
I see a local cop who's seen more than his fair share of tragedy.
Or an emergency room nurse who was up to her elbows in blood just a few hours before.
Or a construction guy who's sacrificed years of Saturdays to work overtime so he could save for his kid's college tuition.
Or a middle-aged father worried about his son, who's fighting the war.
These are the good people the anti-smoking zealots want to stigmatize as public health leeches.
And if they accomplish their goal, they won't go away.
They will persecute the overweight, stigmatize SUV drivers and haul into court those who don't recycle.
They've got the money and the time and the lawyers.
You can't set me up like this... how can I not joke about getting the smokers to stand in the middle of the parking lot?
You know what, I'm not going to try to convince you that I am a good person. The people who know me know what I'm about. I don't hate smokers, it's your life, do what you want.
Just remember, someday you will disagree with something that you can't control and you are going to bitch and moan about it. Just think back to all your arguments about smoking and remember, it's everyone's god given right to do whatever they want, no matter who is affected.
ME ME ME ME ME ME ME ME........ you want it, you got it.
It's just really sad.
LOL Good for her!!
Poor baby :(
Please go back and read all my posts.
My first statement was that if someone blows smoke in my face, am I allowed to spit on them. Then I said, if someone burns me with a cigatette, can I punch them in the mouth.
I never said they shouldn't be allowed to smoke in restaurants. My whole point is that if someone who's smoking does something to affect me in a direct, negative way, should I be able to respond.
The whole smoking RIGHTS issue sprung up after that.
I am not intolerant of smokers, I am intolerant of inconsiderate people in general. I know it's always easier to just walk away from situations where people are acting like idiots but does that make their actions right?
Why should a whole restaurant full of people have to listen to a screaming baby or a loud, obnoxious group as they get too drunk and too loud? Why don't we, as a society, expect people to be a little more decent to each other.
Maybe I'm a little bit old fashioned, maybe I'm living in a dream world but I still teach my children that certain behaviors are right and certain behaviors are wrong. Plain and simple.
What's sad is that you don't get it.
It's not about what I want, it's about what the business owner wants.
They are the ones that have poured their time, money, and heart into becoming a business owner.
And here YOU come and want the force of govt to enact laws choosing what legal commodities this private property owner can, and cannot, allow to be used on their property.
ME ME ME ME ME ME ME.......you want it, cry to big brother and you very well could get it.
Suggest you go screw yourself.
The title asks for a cessation of nagging the smokers.
Yep, and there is two sides to every issue. The person who posted it was inviting comment by the act of posting it. BTW, I didn't nag anyone, but don't let your lack of reading comprehension keep you from arriving at that goofy conclusion.
There is nothing to suggest an invitation to smug, know-it-all, nannies to come on in and make an ass of yourselves.
Then why did you comment on my post? You must be a smug, know-it-all nanny because you surely have made an ass of yourself.
Only some of you poor morons who are in denial about the health effects react so strongly. Usually the same ones who want pity when their lack of self control makes them ill. I never hear them say "Oh please don't cry for me honey, Mom/Dad made my choice and decided my indulgence was more important than your welfare, so you just go fend for yourself now, I'll have another smoke before I croak"
I personally never suggest that people like you quit smoking. Kinda like Hillary if she smoked, I'd offer to light it for them. LOL
No offense taken but at least your parents didn't commit slow suicide before your eyes like my Dad did and everyone that dies from smoking does.
See this is why people don't quit smoking, they cannot and will not face the truth.
Smoking is suicide, period.
Cigarette smokers, cigar smokers, chewers, dippers, whatever are JUNKIES, period!
You can justify it any way you like but smokers are drug addicts committing slow suicide everyday of their lives.
Why they would want to do that, on purpose, to their children and grandchildren, I will never understand.
States where it's illegal to smoke in private businesses are violating property rights. If you support that fascist policy, you have no need to complain. You have enlisted the government to help you violate property rights.
How's that?
It's fine, if someone wants to know if you like fascist laws. I take it you do, so it works well.
You got me.
You bet I did.
Gad! He could be my grandson...
You own no specific physical segment, the ownership is joint. Decisions about its use are joint.
Bravo!
Maybe you should explain profitable return. Airline safety improved after Reagan removed government regulation. Why do you think that is? Safety is a big part of profitability. Would you take your family shopping in Fallujah today if transportation were free and all merchandise were half off? Of course not. You wouldn't do it even if they paid you to take the stuff away. Businesses are not nearly as selfish as you imply.
Correction, the highway is owned by the government, as is all government property. We don't "all own it" nor "jointly own it".
Decisions about its use are joint.
Decisions about its use are made by government employees who are given the power by elected officials, who are elected by the people. Which is a distinction with a difference.
What's really telling is that you have admitted that you would use the force of govt to strip a property owner of their rights.
The rest of that diatribe has nothing to do with the subject under discussion.
So if the majority says it's illegal to own ANY projectile weapon, you're OK with that WITHOUT amending the constitution.
It's perfectly all right for you to not want to be around people that smoke. As long as you don't try to use the force of govt to strip anothers rights with no evidence to prove that it's necessary.
OUCH! What happened to that sweet, caring, nanny side of your nature?
Your reading shortcomings appear again .. I DON'T SMOKE! I just don't see any need to get obnoxious about it as so many non-smokers do.
I don't smoke, I've never smoked. Everyone in my family did/does. It wasn't until I was 40 that I realized I could have my own residence "smoke free." I remember working in offices and everyone had an ashtray right at their desk... As for "2nd hand smoke" I'm completely healthy, rarely even get a cold. It sickens me to see people having to stand out in the rain, or cold, or 110 degree heat to smoke. You can't tell me that with our modern offices and innovations, companies can't furnish an inside smoking area for employees? That being said, what does disgust me is seeing smokers flip their cigs out their car windows - especially when I'm headed home from work in bumper-to-bumper traffic that isn't moving because some smoker had to start a brush fire flipping that cig. Other than that, I say "Puff on!" I wish I could stand to smoke just because I'm sick of having it crammed down my throat how bad/evil it is!
It's still there, but I do have a sense of humor as well.
I DON'T SMOKE! I just don't see any need to get obnoxious about it as so many non-smokers do.
Me either, that's why I didn't.
But you sure didn't mind getting obnoxious about my innocent post which didn't have anything whatsoever to do with what you claimed. In fact, for a person who wants others to mind their own business, you have a problem doing so yourself.
I advise you to take up smoking,,,lol
We are the government. We own the highway.
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