Smoking's giving drinking a bad name

The Newark Star-Ledger ^ | April 01, 2004 | Paul Mulshine

[NJ Freeper]

It's nice to be right every once in a while. Last year, for example, I went to New York City immediately after smoking was banned in bars. I found it an altogether pleasant experience to be able to enjoy a few pints of ale without coming home smelling like I'd just rolled around in a gutter filled with cigarette butts.

[Tall_Texan]

What do you think our Founders would have done if the British taxed us to buy the bullets used to shoot us?

History shows that they overthrew the government. Is that what you are suggesting smokers do? Perhaps you'd like to assassinate seven anti-smoking senators just to get the revolution started.

[CSM]

I think a 2nd revolution is inevitable, the people who cheer these infringements on private property now, may some day open your eyes when the food served inside their homes is regulated by the government. Of course, by then all the guns will be confiscated and a revolution will mean certain defeat.

In the meantime, I will continually revolt by finding alternative means to purchase many items, to include cigarettes. That way they don't get as much of my hard earned cash as they think they are entitled to.

The original point of my statement was that the founders of this country would have fought, instead of applauding like so-called "conservatives" posting on this thread. Yes, anti-private property senators are anti american and assasination might just be warranted. Treason from within is more dangerous than treason on foriegn lands.

[NYCVirago]

And that makes it okay to toss the butts on the sidewalk? NYC also fines you for not picking up your dog poop from the sidewalk. Smart people would learn to keep a container with them to keep their waste until it can be properly disposed should one want to take along a dog or a smoke.

You don't think it's strange that a government has banned businesses from having ashtrays? I'd like to think that even anti-smokers could realize the governmental intrusion and nanny state implications of such a thing.

[Coleus]

If you go to the local dirty books store and buy porn, you pay a tax on it.>>>

You pay a tobacco tax on porn? or a sales tax, big difference.

[Ghengis]

But there I go, controlling what happens to me and my life again!

I've read rants and diatribes here over the years that were pages long and very well spoken and intelligent. I can honestly tell you that what you wrote there is the best summation of how I view life and beats in one single line, hands down.

It is a personal Modus Operandi taught to me by my wise parents and grandparents.

I appreciate the affirmation. Isn't it sad that in this day in age a comment of that nature makes so many people step back and shake their heads for a second?

[Tall_Texan]

No difference. A tax is a tax.

[Gabz]

Smokers really are a varied bunch,aren't they?

Yes we are, aren't we?

I actually had sushi with dinner last night..............can you believe that as a smoker I could be so international?????

We also had pasta and scallops in a white wine, parsley and garlic sauce, and bratwurst cooked in sauerkraut with caraway.......

Of course we know, as smokers, non of the nico-gnatzies will actually believe that smokers actually enjoy such types of food (let alone are capable of cooking them).

I have to laugh at the gnatzies who consider all smokers to be lazy non-active imbeciles with no taste buds, no taste, and no class.

Because of the seasonal lateness of when we moved last year, I had a much smaller garden than I wanted to......but my husband (also a smoker) and I had no problems tilling up the 20f x30f one we planted, along with the 10x10 our daughter wanted for herself.

Our daughter wants her garden the same size and in the same location this year.............mine is going to be far larger......100x100.

I'm looking forward to working it...........I so prefer the warm/hot weather excersize to that of the cold weather.

Another myth of the gnatzies - smokers are incapable of any type of physical activity. What a joke they make of themselves when they claim such nonsense.

[Mears]

I just read your post #66,and I'm speechless.What a wonderful role model for your children.

You remind me of the angry "hockey dads" that have made the news here in the Northeast.

You must be proud!

[Gabz]

Oh good grief.............your response was PERFECT!!!!!!!!!

[PBRSTREETGANG]

I went on a PUB Crawl in Boston the weekend of 3/17/ ( my birthday )My wife and I are ex-smokers and beleive if you got em, smoke em . However, the bars were packed to the gills with waiting lines outside.

Wow, the pubs were packed in Boston around St. Patrick's Day. Imagine that!

[LisaMalia]

PS. If you are ever in Houston or Dallas and an attractive athletic 40ish blond haired, blue eyed couple politely ask you not to smoke around their preteen kids, you might consider obeying their request and not developing an attitude about it.:-)

Gee, and you're modest too!!!!! Must be nice to be so PERFECT!

[Coleus]

Big difference, tobacco is a special tax in addition to sales taxes. It's been that way for centuries. There is no such thing as a pornography tax, when you purchase a magazine or movie you pay a general sales tax as you would for a music CD or lawn mower.

[Mears]

They sound like Ken and Barbie and I'll even bet that she was a cheerleader.

[Mears]

Good luck with your garden,Gabz. I'm a cold weather person myself.

[Gabz]

Wow, the pubs were packed in Boston around St. Patrick's Day. Imagine that!

Many people may not have known about it.

The Boston ban hasn't been in effect as long as the statewide ban in Delaware, where I was on St. Patrick's day this year.

There were more parking spaces available around the Irish Pub I hung out in when I still lived in Dover, De on SPD at 7pm.....then there used to be at 3 in the afternoon in the middle of the week before the ban went into effect.

The only people that believe government mandated smoking bans are good for business are those that are too afraid to speak with the owners of their favorite place or are making money by supporting such bans.

[LisaMalia]

Yeah, well I was a cheerleader, but never a holier than thou snob who deemed to call myself "attractive"....then or now.

If you are really attractive, you don't have to broadcast it...LOL

I am a considerate smoker, and these threads never cease to get my blood boiling with the condescending "Kerryesque" attitudes. I have many non-smokers in my family, and they don't behave that way.

[Gabz]

I don't mind winter - as long as spring and summer show up quickly after!!!!

I love having a garden.......I prefer having fresh veggies - and at least my own in the freezer or jars after the seasons are over. Pretty strange for a gal that grew up in NYC, isn't it????

A good part of the 100x100 garden is going to be tobacco this year....and if it works, I will devote the full amount the feds allow private property owners to grow next year. And if it works - I can say good bye to any more tobacco taxes at all!

[MegaSilver]

I agree with you, but I personally won't go into a place filled with cigarette smoke.

[Gabz]

I have many non-smokers in my family, and they don't behave that way.

Same here.

As to bragging about "looks' 'ability' or whatever, I'm totally with you.

I was a cheerleader, and a basketball player.......big deal. I've got a body for a runway, but not a face for TV.......and none of it matters to me.

My husband and daughter love me, my peers respect me, and my friends know they can disagree with me without my getting crazy.........What more could anyone want?

[LisaMalia]

Add this FReeper as another who respects you, and values your opinions!

Lisa