Smokers can go out for some fun! They can go everywhere non-smokers go! If the ordinance is passed, they will not be able to smoke in bars and restaurants. The addiction argument doesn't work. Smokers sit through four hour airplane flights, three hour sporting events at Target Center and the Metrodome, several hours of work between breaks, long movies, plays and musical performances at the Guthrie, Orchestra Hall and other venues, and dinners in non-smoking restaurants.
As for lunches with your short friend, there are dozens and dozens of restaurants in the Twin Cities that have booths and tables or chairs. Many bars do so as well. Since none of the other arguments don't work, I sense that the argument against the proposed ordinance is down to what I have always suspected: Smokers just want to smoke and don't give a damn about the other people in the room! Jim Bernstein Fulton -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Gail Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2004 9:03 AM To: Minneapolis Issues Subject: [Mpls] Re: Smokers need fun too Why can't smokers go out for some fun? Isn't that what this is really all about? Non-smokers think there are too few places where they can have fun, and smokers didn't realize that was such a problem. So what are our options? A unilateral ban so there is literally no place a smoker can go out for a meal or drinks or music? Don't say, "Sure you can go out, you just can't smoke." To say that, you simply haven't a clue about nicotine addiction. So let's just ignore the smoking issue and say, "Different people like to have fun in different ways - how can we accomplish that?" Maybe we could look at this from a different angle. Why don't we give tax or licensing incentives to non-smoking and all-smoking bars and restaurants? My husband and I rarely go out for a fun brunch or dinner because we'll be stuck in a bar. As a recovering alcoholic, he isn't really comfortable in the bar, so the outing is strained and we do it less and less often. Similarly,when my vertically challenged friend and I go out for a quick lunch and gossip, we're usually stuck in a bar where she has to struggle to get up on the high stool. Undignified and embarrassing to a 40-yr-old woman. So why can't there be all-smoking restaurants where we can sit in the light airy part instead of the gloomy bar? Laugh if you wish. But no one HAS to go out to eat or party. We're talking about leisure here, freedom to enjoy oneself. I want to know why that should be restricted to non-smokers. Gail O'Hare 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
