[reflecting]

the owner has many government restrictions placed upon him--do you advocate that we do away the laws that govern the safe handling of food products...and let the public choose clean or dirty XYZ restaurants? or if a restaurant wants to exclude asians is that OK....in your world what is the role of government?

[Gabz]

I am aware the owner has many restrictions on him - and you seem to be willing to add to the burden.

Food handling in the kitchen has absolutely nothing to do with smoking. That argument does not hold water. Nor does your comment on exclusion by race.

Your avocation of government control of the atmosphere of a private place of business totally befuddles me. If you don't like the smoking policy, talk to the owner, not the government.

[Madame Dufarge]

in your world what is the role of government?

In my world, it's to protect private property rights.

That way, when someone owns a restaurant and snivelers such as yourself enter, he would be free to ask you to leave so that other patrons could enjoy a whine-free dining-out experience.

That seems fair to me.