Ditka: Smoke won't hurt you

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | January 10, 2003 | FRAN SPIELMAN

[supercat]

Find the logical flaw in my tagline, and I might bother to listen to your statist rants.

Let A=B, and B=1. Then AB=AA, AB=A(^2), AB-B(^2)=A(^2)-B(^2), B(A-B)=(A+B)(A-B), B=A+B, A=0.So 1=0.)

Well, (A-B) is zero, so B*0 == (A+B)*0. That (something)*0 == (something_else)*0, however, indicates nothing about the relative values of (something) and (something else).

So now that I've explained the logical fallacy in your tagline, may I now tell you about how wonderful the almighty state is, and how it will solve all of the world's problems from the annoying interruptions of sunlight caused occasionally by the pesky lunar satellite to the unacceptably high (100%) 200-year failure rate of the human organism?

[supercat]

He runs a public place and if I am in it, I don't want to be forced to suffer the by-product of some other customer's personal weakness or stupidity.

Simple solution: don't go there. How is that not a 'win' for all involved?

[patton]

LOL. Go for it - just realize that you have given up the game to the liberal, who was, up to this point, stunned.

But no matter. Something times nothing is nothing.

You may now attempt to overwhelm me with reasoned arguments equating statism to freedom.

[F16Fighter]

"Ditka's right."

One Super Bowl year don't make him right -- it makes him lucky.

[F16Fighter]

"My brother died of lung cancer when he was 43. Neither he nor his wife smoked a day in their lives."

Who knows? If he had smoked, he may have died at 33, while Ditka's father may have died at 100 instead of 80 if he hadn't smoked.

[Great Dane]

That doesn't make Mike Ditka a medical expert.

Glantz isn't a medical expert either, he only plays one in the anti smoking forces, yet every organization and every level of government listens to him, and some actually believe every word coming out of his mouth.

[concentric circles]

[F16Fighter]

"Der Fuehrer, it will be recalled, was a homosexual vegetarian non-smoking teetotaling socialist."

I did not know that...

Some psychiatrists have theorized that some of those who "smoke" are subconsciously substituting that cigarette or cigar orally for "something else."

It's amazing what conclusions one may draw from the smoking issue -- ain't it??....

[RightOnline]

Re: Your #7: I am a smoker, and I find your words insulting, degrading, condescending, and outright goddamned rude...........

.......and you SURE wouldn't say it to MY face.

[supercat]

You may now attempt to overwhelm me with reasoned arguments equating statism to freedom.

Remind me what the Ingsoc slogans were again? I remember "Freedon is slavery" [i.e. people who are free to lead their own lives will be slaves to the hardships that are an essential part of the human condition] and "War is peace" [Bombing an aspirin factory is an act of peace]. I forget what other slogans Orwell gave which so nicely fit today's liberals.

[Max McGarrity]

Our country is in a muddle because we've lost the concept of personal responsibility.

And more important, the concept of private property.

[davisdoug]

Your assinine reply proves your ingnorance and underlying desire to control something in your life which is amiss. Insulting remarks are not only insensitive but unwarranted. We are talking about individual rights. You have no right to insult intelligent, hard working AMERICANS. I will second a comment I read. You would never dare (or have the balls) to say that to my face.

[patton]

Never read 1984. Just found the whole concept too creepy - and too likely.

[Max McGarrity]

While I'm personally of the 'if you don't like the smoke, don't patronize the place' mentality, this is a rather shoddy argument. What are Ditka's credentials? Where is his research?

Ditka is apparently speaking from his own experience, as many of us do. But we're going to see to it that he has the scientific proof to back up his statements just in case he wants it.

[tiki]

And that guy who was crossing the street and got hit by a Mack truck would have lived longer if he hadn't crossed the street.

[widowithfoursons]

Orwell "Freedom is Slavery". That about sums up the anti-smoking lobby.

[SamAdams76]

He runs a public place and if I am in it, I don't want to be forced to suffer the by-product of some other customer's personal weakness or stupidity. Whether that customer is playing a radio at max volume, burning strong incense, burning tire chunks or burning tobacco, he does not have the right to take my freedom.

You have the freedom of not frequenting restaurants that do that. While restaurants can be considered public places, they are privately owned and I respect the rights of the owner to have whatever kind of "entertainment" he wishes to have in his restaurant. If he wants to play loud music, have people smoke, have girls dance naked on the tables, that's up to him. There are plenty of other restaurants to go to if I don't like it.

[TheSpottedOwl]

I should apologize to you, didn't mean to be cranky. I quit smoking for a whole 23 days until the holidays drove me nuts. Not looking forward to quitting again.

I'll take a rain check on that drink, it's only 6:30 am ;-)

[Tax-chick]

No offense taken. Good luck!