David Shove wrote: > All it will take are a few holes in the dike, exceptions to > the ban, and Big Tobacco will make sure by its unlevelling > of the playing field that places will want to scurry back > to where the Big Tobacco $$$$ is. > > So the ban must be total. No exceptions. No holes in the dike. > > Time for a total loss for Big Tobacco. A total win for public health. > > Total. Now.
Even though I'm an ex-smoker I have a lot of trouble understanding why people continue to smoke. It doesn't make you feel euphoric. It doesn't taste very good. It doesn't endear you to the people close to you. It reduces your ability to excel in sports. And, unless you're really lucky, it will lead to an early death. However, there are a lot of other things that people like and I don't understand why. I don't understand why people like Network Television, McDonald's, Bowling, Golf, Spectator Sports, Gay sex, Christianity, etc. But, people's participation in these activities doesn't really have much impact on what I do or don't do; except for maybe Christians, many of who seem to think that they have some kind of moral authority to decide what is good and bad for me. The problem with making moral decisions for people other than yourself is that if you fail to respect the rights of others to choose for themselves, you should be willing to forfeit your right to do the same. It's the only way to maintain a consistent moral philosophy, without relying on the will of gods or goddesses. Michael Atherton Prospect Park REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
