----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Udstrand" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "The Hardware List" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 2:25 AM
Subject: Re: [H] Gas prices
drug use? That is just plain silly. If mary jane were legal and sold
at the local drug store there would be at least 2x as many people
smoking it. You think some of those who are not smoking might be
abstaining because of fear of reprisals? LOL
For conversation sake, smoking can refer to tobacco, also, along with the
use of all illegal drugs.
For conversation sake, reprisals can refer to social and legal consequences.
Study any social group that disassociates those who choose to smoke any
addictive or harmful substance or uses illegal drugs for recreational
purposes. Although those on the inside of the group may misrepresent the
percentage of members who violate the rules, a substantial number are
violators. The point here is, although there are violators, their numbers
are few, in relation to the number of those in a group who does not have
these restrictions.
Yes, "some of those who are not smoking might be abstaining because of fear
or reprisals" not just legal, but social, also.
If I am in the presence of a drug user who does not smoke their drug, I can
be clean when I leave. If I am around smokers I am uncomfortable, breathing
that poison. When I leave I discover my clothes are filled with smoke
residue because they stink. Smokers have no concern for the people around
them if they smoke in their presence. I have cut off friendships because of
this. It is sad to be so addicted to a substance that you must use it in
their presence and lose them as a friend.
Friends say, "Can't you respect my rights to smoke?" Best reply, "If and
only if you can figure out a way to do it where I do not smell an offensive
odor and leave with my clothes full of the substance."
Some have chosen to abstain from smoking around me even in their own home.
Most have let their habit destroy our friendship. Other non smokers do not
have to take such a harsh stand. It is your choice to live with it and keep
your friends.
Chuck
