[aardvark1]

Cigarette smokers are a numerical minority, practicing a habit considered annoying and unpleasant to the majority. So the majority has simply commandeered the power of government and used it to dictate their behavior.

Although I agree with the author's main point, the kind of logic displayed in the above statement won't help him. My guess is that Tracinski would complain that the minority has simply "commandeered the power of the government" in other areas.

[Tailgunner Joe]

In matters of conscience, ignore the majority.

[Mister Baredog]

Tracinski

I hate to show my ignorance but who?

[nobdysfool]

Although I agree with the author's main point, the kind of logic displayed in the above statement won't help him. My guess is that Tracinski would complain that the minority has simply "commandeered the power of the government" in other areas.

Nice sidestep...don't address the logic directly (because you can't), so try to turn it around and point it the other way...transparent as glass, my friend.

The whole point of this article is that neither majority or minority have the right to use government to advance their viewpoint, when that involves trampling the rights of a few "for the good of the many".

So which to you is more true?: The needs (rights) of the many outweigh the needs (rights) of the few (or the one), or The needs (rights) of the few (or the one) outweigh the needs (rights) of the many?