You are not alone there, but you must also realise from the many smoking posts you have participated in that even amongst never-smokers and ex-smokers, there are others who don't mind the smell of smoke.
And this is where it comes down to your values - do you support the right of 25% of your fellow citizens to do something that you personally find objectionable, or do you consider the discrimination/segregation/overt taxation/humiliation/castigation/zero-accommodation of that very large minority to be acceptable?
I suggest to you that most conservatives would say, "No. I will put up with a certain level of discomfort to support the rights of that significant minority."
The alternative - which is presently playing out - of forcing all smokers outside, regardless of how cold it is, or how old they are and, in extreme cases, of "smoke-rage" resulting in murder of smokers, should be too appalling for even those who despise the smell to consider.
Like I've said, we aren't going away, so what would you propose we do?
I put up with years of discomfort by the smokers that had NO courtesy. Now it is payback time. You have NO right to blow smoke in my face. Your liberty ends where mine begins - the right to not be harassed by your smoke. Not going away? Think again.
My main issue is that smokers are not considerate and because they are inconsiderate they are experiencing a backlash.
You are not alone there, but you must also realise from the many smoking posts you have participated in that even amongst never-smokers and ex-smokers, there are others who don't mind the smell of smoke.
Does this mean that just because some people have no sense of smell that those of us that do should accept it ?
And this is where it comes down to your values
What a jump. Why does this have to do with my values ? I know that I don't like the smell. That isn't a value.
- do you support the right of 25% of your fellow citizens to do something that you personally find objectionable,
Depends on what they are doing. If we narrow the discussion down to smoking then I can safely say that I don't want folks smoking within "smellshot" of my nose.
or do you consider the discrimination/segregation/overt taxation/humiliation/castigation/zero-accommodation of that very large minority to be acceptable?
If its the will of the majority, yes. I have no problem with our governing system. Its worked well for us all these years and I expect it will continue to work well. If you believe your being singled out then go for a constitutional amendment.
I suggest to you that most conservatives would say, "No. I will put up with a certain level of discomfort to support the rights of that significant minority."
A significant minority is considered to be 40%. You folks are way below that and dropping fast.
The alternative - which is presently playing out - of forcing all smokers outside, regardless of how cold it is, or how old they are and, in extreme cases, of "smoke-rage" resulting in murder of smokers, should be too appalling for even those who despise the smell to consider.
They could quit couldn't they or seeing that they are not addicted they could wait till they get home. Or ae they addicted. You cannot have it both ways.
Like I've said, we aren't going away, so what would you propose we do?
I don't think you folks are going to be given much slack and should quit. The three environments that lead the nation are political, economic and social. Your smoking cause is rapidly losing ground in each of the three areas at an ever increasing pace. Its not going to get better.