Posted on 06/21/2005 11:16:06 AM PDT by Pyro7480
D.C. Council's Schwartz: Ban alcohol along with smoking in bars
Tim Lemke
Staff Reporter
D.C. Councilwoman Carol Schwartz introduced a bill Tuesday that would ban the sale of alcohol in all bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Suddenly, the debate over a proposed smoking ban in D.C. is getting fun.
In what appears to be a statement against anti-smoking legislation, the councilwoman, D-at large, introduced "the Worker Occupational Safety and Health Amendment Act of 2005, Part II," a response to a public health bill that would ban smoking in bars and restaurants in the District.
"I never thought I could ban drinking just because I didn't like it, but now I know I can," Schwartz says in a lengthy, satirical statement. "The impending smoking ban has empowered me."
It's unclear whether her argument for a drinking ban will change the minds of the nine members of the D.C. Council who support a ban on smoking in bars and restaurants. Schwartz has successfully blocked efforts to institute a smoking ban in each of the past three years and recently introduced compromise legislation to encourage smoke-free bars rather than mandate the practice.
The council could vote on the anti-smoking ban before the July recess.
No word yet on when an alcohol ban could come up for a vote. In a release, Schwartz says D.C. Council Chairman Linda Cropp describes the measure as "very thought-provoking."
Schwartz makes clear that a ban on drinking in bars and restaurants does not mean people can't drink at home and outside.
"It had just never occurred to me that I could simply choose to ban a legal choice for consenting adults in a private place where the public does not have to go, and where workers do not have to work, and then get six other people to agree -- and then just do it," Schwartz says.
The councilwoman says she is now looking at other things to ban, including driving and sex, "for they, too, can be dangerous to your health and the health of others."
Why? Alcohol is a scourge on our society. I don't know why she is proposing it as a joke, and I don't know why you are calling her a twit.
Why the insults?
A prohibition that was almost 100 years ago is still trotted out as the example of why you can ban everything else, but not King Alcohol. Give me a break. The loss of life, the Heartache, the Poor Little Children growing up in Ruined Homes because of King Alc... it's just Pathetic.
BAN IT NOW! Stop playing little ball with the smokers. Why should the alkies keep getting a free pass?
Tax by the drink! Stop the Madness, people. Tax the Lushes, tax 'em NOW!
I'd like to see a ban on eating food in restaurants.
D.C. Councilwoman Carol Schwartz introduced a bill Tuesday that would ban driving autos on DC streets /sarcasm
sweet! where do you live?
Fight absurdity with absurdity. I love it.
This woman is really sharp! Too bad we don't have a lot more politicians of her caliber in both the USA and Canada! What a great sense of humor.....great analogy!
you forgot the /sarcasm tag
I keep asking my Rep to introduce a bill to eliminate the tiered tax brackets and go with a simple, fair 110% Flat Tax. But for some reason he never returns my calls or answers my emails...
She is trying to say that the smoking ban is over the top, and if a legal commodity like smoking can get banned, then let's go after everything else and everybody else!
Why stop at smoking? 
Exactly.
She is trying to say that the smoking ban is over the top, and if a legal commodity like smoking can get banned, then let's go after everything else and everybody else!
This is how I read it. Showing the potential absurdity of this law may open some folks eyes.
But alas......I am sure I am counting on too much.
True enough, some of the safety Nazis might look to this article as inspiration.
"I never thought I could ban drinking just because I didn't like it, but now I know I can," Schwartz says in a lengthy, satirical statement. "The impending smoking ban has empowered me."
I'm afraid that this gesture will go right over the heads of a lot of people.
I know! Good sense of humor, eh? 
I'm proposing that we ban the speaking of French in France. Make it some kind of UN resolution or something.
"They can have my beer when they pry its cold, refreshing crispness from my somewhat numb fingers."
Closing time is 3am. No exceptions.
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