[VRWC_minion]

Groups of resturant owners acting to squash competition by using government to deny rights are every bit as evil as those who would do it for other reasons.

Thats majority rule. Unless smoking were specifically protected by the constitution like guns, the press, speech, religion etc then its perfectly alright for the majority to ban it.

[freeeee]

Thats majority rule.

It's Tyranny of the Majority, aka democracy. We're supposed to be a republic, remember?

Unless smoking were specifically protected by the constitution like guns, the press, speech, religion etc then its perfectly alright for the majority to ban it.

Amendment IX: "The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."

Amendment X: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

But hey, who said any of that matters anymore.

[Protagoras]

Thats majority rule.

Ah,,, ochlocracy, the last line of defense for those who disregard rights.

Unless smoking were specifically protected by the constitution like guns, the press, speech, religion etc then its perfectly alright for the majority to ban it.

That's a non starter for anyone who has a rudimentary understanding of where rights derive from. Please review the Declaration of Independance for an explanation even a child can understand.

BTW, in case you don't even get the fundamental issue, it's not smoking rights being addressed, it's property rights.

Damn it's pitiful what is dressing up as a conservative around here lately.

[Madame Dufarge]

Unless smoking were specifically protected by the constitution like guns, the press, speech, religion etc then its perfectly alright for the majority to ban it.

The incremental chipping away of the Fifth Amendment by freedom haters doesn't make private property rights any less valid.

Your consistent defense of mob rule is tiresome.

[Nuke'm Glowing]

"Thats majority rule. Unless smoking were specifically protected by the constitution like guns, the press, speech, religion etc then its perfectly alright for the majority to ban it."

I like that now. Based on your logic, 20 of us need to ping JR and we can have you banned. Sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

[Leisler]

"Thats majority rule." So if the majority of Germans want to round up the Jews, you'd.....

"Unless smoking were specifically protected by the constitution(Bill of Right, not the Constitution.) like guns, the press, speech, religion etc then its perfectly alright for the majority to ban it."

The Bill or Rights does protect some rights, but that, and it says so clearly, does not limit any other rights that are unmentioned.