Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here.
Posted on 01/14/2005 2:55:01 AM PST by freepatriot32
The New York Times was impressed by Bloomington’s overreaching ban on smoking in public places.
Libertarians are not so dazzled.
The last thing Indiana cities should do is to copy Bloomington’s lead.
Karla Sneegas, the executive director of Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation, told a New York Times reporter that “one way to start changing cultural norms on smoking is to institute new policies.”
Only one problem. It’s not the government’s job to set cultural norms.
Imagine if it were not something as maligned as smoking. Maybe these cities ought to ban coffee. It stains teeth a nasty shade, the smell will not stay confined to the cup, it causes bad breath, and caffeine is a health menace. Besides, Starbucks is surely the cause of urban sprawl.
Or maybe cities ought to ban reading in public. Why, it’s not very sociable to read a magazine or book in front of other people. Some people may be offended by the choice of literature. We can’t have smart people either; those who aren’t as informed will feel left behind. And all that sedentary behavior will lead to certain death. Death!
And why don’t we ban suspenders paired with belts, acid-washed jeans and white shoes after Labor Day. Any of these can cause projectile vomiting among the fashion-sensitive, and this can lead to bulimia. Surely these skinny women will lead rich, aimless lives as models or actresses.
Libertarians have no problem with businesses that decide that they will not allow smoking. It’s just not government’s job to make that decision.
Smokers and nonsmokers can decide for themselves whether businesses’ specific smoking policies matter enough to patronize one business and avoid another.
Well there is a huge shock.Who would have ever geussed that the new york slimes would be impressed by an overeaching goverment policy?
Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here.
one for your pufflist ping?
"Cultural norms" by fiat.
What a dangerous and evil group of people.
maybe one for your ping list too ?
Every state has it's "stuck in the '60's" commune/community, even one as proudly red as Indiana. Bloomington has been hatching hair brained, socialist schemes for four decades, and there's no reason to think this one will travel any further than the rest of them. Bloomington women remain unshaven mountain women who still wear thermal long johns exposed under their granny skirts. RJ Reynolds could only dream of burning enough tobacco to equal the pot that's gone up in smoke in that town!
Thanks for the ping!!
Good grief.
we need to ban everything.......
This is exactly how it should be. Left up to the business owner and his patrons. NOT the nanny state government, the health department coalitions and the Partnerships for a Tobacco Free Everything.
A local restaurant here decided to go the no-smoking route two years ago.
His smoke-free restaurant attracted the nagging nanny types, while he lost tons of regular customers. After two months and losing many dollars, he ripped down the no smoking signs, and pasted a big poster in his front window - "Smokers Welcome."
A month later he went out of business. His customer base had found other restaurants that accomodated both smokers and non-smokers.
The moral of the story? Free enterprise always works, but sometimes it may not be to your liking.
I read a lot...does that mean I'm gonna die? What do you mean, I'm gonna die anyway??? Waaaaaaa! /sarcasm off
Let's start with the anti-smokers..........
I remember the days when smoking was elegant and sophisticated and buggery was decidedly uncool. Now, its the other way around.
Please add me to your ping list..thanks!
I have been buying Cherokee cigs out of OK for quite a while. I ordered this morn and there was a significant price increase. I need to shop around for a better deal and I have noticed on other threads that some here share their sources.
You'll love the puff list----lots of like minded individuals,smokers and non-smokers alike,but also a few who sound more like nanny-state DUers than Freepers.
I think we ought to start with a ban on people talking on their cell phones while driving. That's the greatest public health hazard I face every day.
I hate to but in uninvited, but you are so danged right about this! It's getting disturbing, un-nerving and down-right upsetting as a growing issue, spreading to more and more issues as time passes!!!
I've just completed 22 days off the cancer sticks after puffing on 'em like a fiend for over 40 years, but by gum I will never... ever try to make anyone else let-up on lighten up as much as they dang well please in this formerly FRee country!!!
Smoke 'em if'n ya gots 'em!!!
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