On 6/26/04 12:34 PM, "Michael C. Libby" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> But what tortured definition of personal repsonsibility is this, Mark? That would be the personal responsibility of keeping my fist from striking your face. You know, the way we set limits on what personal liberties we should be able to enjoy? Same thing with cigarette smoke - smokers should have the responsibility to keep the cigarette smoke produced from their habit from harming or even annoying others. Ideally, smokers would take that personal responsibility upon themselves and figure out how to avoid exposing others to their cigarette smoke. Then we wouldn't have to even entertain discussion of bans because the issue would be moot. Unfortunately, that has not happened. Since smokers have not taken responsibility for the smoke they produce that harms and annoys others, then it's up to society to step in. Just like we've done with regulating industries that pollute rather than tell folks that they should just move away from that factory that's sending pollutants into our air and water. Just like we've done with developing traffic laws rather than letting drivers do what they please and telling everyone else they'd just better watch out so they don't get hit by a car. Just like we've even done with excessive noise complaints. When the party next door gets too loud, is the responsibility of the neighbor to just deal or the responsibility of the host to tone things down? Just like we've done in banning smoking from dang near every other "public" venue, from airplanes to taxis to movie theatres to sporting arenas/stadiums, whether they're actually publicly or privately-owned. In other words, the precedent fully exists for the type of smoking bans being proposed for bar and restaurants, whether Libertarians like it or not. As for the silly biohazard mask idea, whatever your political views, anyone who bothered to look at it should know why it's not even worth discussing as nobody could eat or drink anything while wearing it. If we really want to offer creative suggestions for dealing with this issue, I would suggest once a smoking ban is enacted, that bar and restaurant owners consider offering complimentary nicotine patches to those who can use them. It might make a nice business opportunity to get them packaged individually and placed in a little dispenser much like is done with toothpicks. That way, nicotine addicts get their fix and nobody's bothered by cigarette smoke anymore. Sounds like a win-win to me! Mark Snyder Windom 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
