Tyranny of the majority: Smoking ban is just plain wrong

TwinCities.com ^ | May. 20, 2004 | MATTHEW J. GOLLINGER

[SheLion]

[SheLion]

[freekitty]

Can everyone say "NANNY STATE".

[Chad Fairbanks]

My favorite inept county councilperson, Carolyn Edmonds, was working on a plan to implement one of the smoking bans in King County, but then the one in Peirce County went tits up in the courts and she backed off.

She was lucky and dodged a political bullet on that one. Then, she got stupid and tried to put a tent city for the homeless (much like the old Hoovervilles) onto suburban county land. Didn't go well for her.

It's idiots like this that are the most dangerous to our rights as citizens...

[Just another Joe]

Gollinger is an attorney and part-time bartender.

But would he take a case to court against the smoking ban pro bono?

[noscreenname]

Unfortunately this 'trend' is gaining momentum. Our city council (Albuquerque NM) recently enacted a total smoking ban in every restaurant in the city. We have a 30' rule around any building that houses businesses (public and private).

I am a recovering smoker (40+ years), but not an 'in your face' born again non-smoker, and totally disagree with the ordinances (my wife smokes). My primary concern is the way these laws are imposed. Usually without a vote of the general population. Another imposition from the left because they know better than the rest of us and we're too stupid to take care of ourselves.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Heck no - he has to work a second job just to get by as it is!

;0)

[SheLion]

Can everyone say "NANNY STATE".

Yes!

[SheLion]

It's idiots like this that are the most dangerous to our rights as citizens...

Maine wasn't so lucky! :(

Hi Chad! How have you been?

[SheLion]

But would he take a case to court against the smoking ban pro bono?

That thought crossed my mind. Why DOESN'T he??!!

[VRWC_minion]

Moreover, free society demands that the majority refrain from such selfish imposition.

Wanting to fill a room with smoke because one cannot restrain themselves is pure selfishness.

[SheLion]

Usually without a vote of the general population. Another imposition from the left because they know better than the rest of us and we're too stupid to take care of ourselves.

And when it is turned over for a vote, with 25-30% of the state being smokers, smokers still lose. :(

It's hard being in the 'minority,' especially if your a smoker. The other minorities are gaining their rights, but smokers are losing theirs. And smokers pay out more then their fair share in taxes.

[bcoffey]

I'm another Albuquerquean who thinks the city ban is ridiculous, and I'm a non-smoker.

If a restaurant/bar is too smoky, I'll just go somewhere else. If there's nowhere else to go, some creative entrepeneur will figure it out and open an establishment catering to my desires.

In fact, that happened in one case in Albuquerque. When the city council was playing politics with the bill and no one knew where it was going to end up, one of the larger west side restaurants went smoke free on its own accord as part of a business plan. (Must have worked - they got my business.)

[Michael.SF.]

Furthermore, nonsmokers are free to patronize restaurants that have voluntarily banned smoking. If people truly cared about the ban, such establishments would be inundated by those seeking smoke-free hospitality

There is so much truth in that above statement. We really do not need the government involved in this one.

As an ardent non smoker, one who travels on business a lot, I look for non smoking establishments, so that I can enjoy a nice glass of wine, free from the stench of stale cigarette smoke and cheap cigars.

[VRWC_minion]

The most compelling argument in favor of the ban is that hospitality employees are subjected to a dangerous work environment, polluted by carcinogens. Let me be clear on this point: I do not care.

He doesn't care because he is selfish. In this guys book selfish means anything that someone else does that causes him discomfort. If he does something that causes someone else discomfort, he doesn't care. Guess what ? Its because smokers don't care that the bans are happening. If they took a minimum of care they might stop the trend. But they won't.

[Chad Fairbanks]

I'm doing ok. How about you> If you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go down to the parking garage, and have a smoke in the designated smoking area, and blow smoke at all the whiners who go out of their way to walk through the smoking area, and complain about the smoke even though it's nowhere near the doors...

be right back! ;0)

[cinFLA]

There is so much truth in that above statement. We really do not need the government involved in this one. As an ardent non smoker, one who travels on business a lot, I look for non smoking establishments, so that I can enjoy a nice glass of wine, free from the stench of stale cigarette smoke and cheap cigars.

Without government you would probably still be flying on smokefilled planes, eating in smokefilled restaurants and sleeping in smoke-stenched rooms with cigarette burns on the bed covers.

[JamesA]

Hmmmmm, I wonder if you are the majority or minority. I can almost hear the Marlborough man say, if only, Oh well, life is about choices

[SheLion]

I'm doing ok. How about you> If you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go down to the parking garage, and have a smoke in the designated smoking area, and blow smoke at all the whiners who go out of their way to walk through the smoking area, and complain about the smoke even though it's nowhere near the doors...

HaHaaaaaa! I'm having one right now!

Glad your doing well. I am doing good, thanks!! Sure happy winter is over, believe me!

[Gabz]

On my way out the door, Friday afternoon date time ya know, but marking for later read!!!!