Bars and restaurants are public accommodations and have to conform to certain ordinances, statutes and rules. Privately owned does not mean that an establishment is able to thumb its nose at whatever ordinances, statutes, and rules regulate that type of business.
Minneapolis and every other city has the well established authority to enforce certain kinds of behaviors (i.e., closing times, health and safety rules, fire codes, etc.) or prohibit others (i.e., soliciting, gambling, selling alcohol to minors, etc.) Yes using tobacco is legal for adults - so is alcohol and so is driving. But one does not get to drink wherever and whenever one wants and one does not get to drive wherever and however one wants. Like smoking, they are regulated in the public interest. Jim Bernstein Fulton -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of gemgram Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2004 1:51 PM To: Ed Felien; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Mpls] smoking ban I have been waiting for an appeal of my "ban" from the List, before continuing to post, but just could not resist Eddie Felien's post. I guess when you are addicted it truly is hard to resist temptation. Eddie should consider not putting his butt where someone is already swinging his or her foot. I wonder if Eddie, and others so up on smoking bans in bars, have ever thought to stop going into the bars where smoking is allowed? I do not remember reading in the Southside Pride, or on the Minneapolis Issues, where Eddie Felien was forcibly dragged into a bar against his will and then made to breathe "Second Hand" smoke. Not having read either for a while, I have maybe missed something? Recently some friends and I went into Mac's Bar, (best deal on a steak in town) to have a steak and a diet coke or scotch as we might choose. We found the bar was really smoky, because it was already filled with (can I say it in public) SMOKERS. We turned right around and left to go to a different restaurant and bar. Amazing how easy that worked. We simply chose to put our butts somewhere where there was not already a "foot swinging". I was amused by the discussion of talks with Jesus and God. I am told Jesus once instructed us that "he without sin throw the first stone". Perhaps in this situation it might be "he without addiction, habit, or desire, throw the first 'Ban'." I seem to remember Mr. Felien advocating for changing the ban on cannabis farming. I also wonder how many others enjoy coffee; sugared, or caffinated, and carbonated pop; or offensive music (rap at any sound level is offensive to me, and may cause violent behavior in some); etc. Such things might harm those who choose to use them, and damage others from simply being around the users. Personally, however, I have problems with the government banning any of these things. How would some of the ban supporters feel if it were decreed from the 'Mount City Hall' that all restaurant owners MUST allow smoking, since it is a legal substance? Same powers of government and license, I would think? So Eddie and others who do not like smoky bars, why don't you just CHOOSE to stay the hell out of them. Let's control smoking in public spaces so Eddie does not have to breathe it in a public place. And who ever is forcing Eddie to breathe it, please stop! If the City owns a bar, or if one exists in an area where you do not have to go through doors to get into it, then I will fully support a ban in such an establishment. Let's even enforce a ban on drinking in public places. Heck, I personally would even support a total ban on tobacco, before I would support a ban on a legal substance and legal activity within a privately owned establishment. If you do not like smoking Eddie, just STOP doing it. A lot of us have done that. And stop associating with those who do, and stop going into businesses that allow smoking tobacco. Wow, personal freedom and choice, what a concept! Of course some people just sometime wake up in a smoking bar. Without any memory of how they got there! I only used that excuse once with my wife. Did not work that time either, so I would advise against it. So Eddie, please stop backing into other people's feet on purpose, it takes the shine off of someone's shoe. Jim Graham, Minneapolis' Sixth Ward 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 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
