Posted on 07/13/2002 6:42:51 AM PDT by SheLion
Today, I sent my son-in-law to the Maine Smoke Shop in Brewer to buy some tobacco. He is 19 years old, and is in the military. The person at the counter asked for his ID, which I can understand. When she saw it, however, she showed it to the owner, and the owner said, “That’s no good, get out of here.”
My son-in-law told me several places in Bangor will not accept his military ID. What is wrong with this town? I will ask everyone else just as I asked the owner of that shop when I called him: Do you not appreciate having your country protected by our boys?
I am from a military family. My father was retired military, and I was born in Bangor, but I am ashamed of how most of the businesses in this town act and treat their customers. This is the most unappreciative town I have ever lived in, and I have lived in many.
Our military men and women should be treated with respect, as should any customer. To tell someone to get our of their store because of their ID is an embarrassment. Do they treat all military personnel that way? Judging by the economy around here, they should be kissing their feet, for more reasons than just that they are protecting us. I informed the Maine Smoke Shop that they just lost a customer because of their attitude, and if I didn’t live here now, and need some of the other stores around here, I would tell them the same.
Donna George
Carmel
Your way off the mark here. Have YOU ever served in the MILITARY??
To summarize, we know that they are scum. I suggest shopping elsewhere and publicizing this as far and as loud as you can, which you've just started. Good job and hold your head up high.
Tell this to fight_truth_decay!!!
And yes, I am well aware of what the DemocRATS tried to do to our dear President during the election. I believe the guy that did it received death threats. To which he should have.
Thanks for your support, jumpstartme. Means a lot to me.
Who knows why. I dont like it myself but if I boycotted every store that sells cigarettes in MAss, I would not smoke. Oh wait...
I get them from the internet anyway so Mass can go... you know the rest.
As far as just truth decay or whatever his name is, he seems to be a troll looking for a flame. Probably an ex-smoker looking for a lawsuit.
LOL, Sounds like the Syndicate....... government. ?
I really think that is it. It is supposed to be an acceptable form of photo ID - certainly more legit than a drivers license - but, outside of military towns, people just don't know this. I mean, most of the kids (and a lot of adults) bagging groceries can't even comprehend simple logic with things they are familiar with (e.g. tomatoes do not belong under the canned goods). Show a clerk a military ID and they'd likely think it was a scam. You'd probably have better luck if it had an MTV logo on it. People are clueless.
That's entirely possible. I remember a Florida vacation many years ago when I tried to pay for an item with an American Express Traveler's Cheque, and it was utterly refused by the clerk.
This was a LONG time ago. I had saved paper-route money for months to buy Traveler's Cheques. I asked my father why they were refused...he told me that "she's young, probably new, and they probably told her not to "take any checks." She didn't know that some checks -- purchased with cash from a bank -- were eminently negotiable with no risk.
But the main thing that brought up this old memory is the thought that today, she's probably an airport security screener.
LOL! Your funny. Did “I” say “I” am having problems? No. Did “I” say “I” live in Bangor. NO. Is my name Donna? NO. Is my name SheLion? YES.
I live in Northern Maine, Aroostook. We roll our own cigarettes, for over a year now. Don’t buy nothing from the net except the Supermatic II rolling machine, which you can buy off the net, and is excellent.
I salute your young man and all he is doing for the Country
You salute my “young man?” I am sure my retired Vet Husband will appreciate you calling him young. Although my “young in heart Viet Nam Vet did serve 25 years.
I see your new to Free Republic…….registering in May of this year. Welcome to Free Republic. But your going to find a lot of smokers in here that are fighting for our rights. Not only are we outraged over the treatment by Donna’s active duty son-in-law, but we are outraged over the ignorance of that Smoke Shop owner.
Another thing: Bangor has the National Guard there, to which we make several trips a year downstate to shop at the commissary and BX. So, that area is WELL aware of the Military ID card!
I am going to warn you that I post a LOT of threads in here on the Smoking Issue. If you continue coming in to harass us and flame us, your going to end up on my Smokers Haters list.
Are you sure about that?
Was it the law? Or was it just the shopmakers bullheadedness?
For shhhame, Brewer!
I see you registered June 2002, so you do not know me very well. A lot of us in Free Republic take the war on the smokers VERY seriously. And what leads you to believe that the military man is "MY" son?
"Incensed?" You bet I am. When a military member can not legally buy from a Smoke Shop, that should be enough to incense us all.
We get a lot of "flamers" on our smoking posts. Several of us saw fight_truth_decay as flaming us. And we do not take kindly to being flamed from what should be "our own kind."
To Just another Joe
..the shopkeep obeyed the law he "Didn"t Make" ...maybe you should buy your own smokes next time..he has more to lose if he is fined than you do..Including your health that is.
70 posted on 7/13/02 2:18 PM Eastern by fight_truth_decay
The health of anyone in here is none of fight_truth_decay's business.
From fight_truth_decay
Isnt it amazing what People in this Country find to Bitch about??? When greater issues are at the limelight? Bangor papers must be slow on news that day!..Tell the GI what an "importance he is to the Freedom our Country" and will bet you will forget about the Pack of Smokes..;)
71 posted on 7/13/02 2:23 PM Eastern by fight_truth_decay
Why should any adult who enjoys smoking "forget" about them
am sorry for your hardship in obtaining smokes ..but i find the scenario petty in comparison to other issues in the Country today...I salulte your young man and all he is doing for the Country..but as others have stated what does this have to do with anything..you need proper ID to purchase smokes...and yes I smoke from time to time..more times then i should..lol...and i am pride myself on not being Liberal.. and live in Maine also..so I guess if you disagree on this subject you are a Libeal and vile..yikes..just..continue to say "Under God" and support the Troops.. and..remeber the shopkeep is just obeying the law on the ID's..as they now stand..perhaps the shopkeep was rude we werent there..just shop somewhere else as others have said...Maine is a great State..!
87 posted on 7/13/02 4:14 PM Eastern by fight_truth_decay
Yes,Maine IS a great state. We moved up here in 1983. But......the changes in our Government have been a lot to be desired. The war on the smoker in Maine and across the country is one that the general public has NO clue about.
Also, since your not in Maine, Bangor, where this took place, has a Navel Ship Yard and a National Guard Base. The area is quite educated down there with military ID cards. If they aren't, they are living in the dark ages.
That is our mission in Free Republic. To make the others know and realize what is happening to the Freedoms of Our Great Land.
Already this morning, I had "8" more requests to be added to my Puff list. packinnannie? That might not mean much to you, but it sure means a lot of us fighting for the rights to keep our legal product free.
You keep packin nannie, but just remember, THEY will be coming after YOU next!
What may be petty to YOU isn't necessarily petty to someone else. And, for something being so petty, this post sure has kept you're interest up for a while. : )
"geez, girl, get a grip!!! I have to wonder if your son was as incensed as you seem to be...lol.... "
Wow, that was your very first post at FR.
And because your very first post was so lacking of any understanding of the issue at hand .... and because you can't
seem to comprehend that this article is not about SheLion, .... you are being put on the TFBMA List.
To avoid being put on anymore lists, please try to do better in the future. 
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