Mr. Atherton - You can believe whatever you want if you changed the wording of the question but, the question as asked is precise and not misleading!
As for "interning Japanese citizens", I assume that you are referring to the sad events of 1942 when American citizens of Japanese descent were interned for the duration of WWII out of fear that they might be collaborators. I cannot figure out what this has to do with an ordinance prohibiting smoking in Minneapolis bars and restaurant commencing in 2005, but you obviously see some connection! FYI, both the private sector and public sector use public opinion and market research surveys to help measure public awareness, acceptance, reaction, and preference for a whole host of products, services, and policies. Both private sector marketers and public sector decision makers find it useful to keep an eye on what consumers and voters are thinking! Jim Bernstein Fulton -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Michael Atherton Sent: Friday, July 23, 2004 7:40 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [Mpls] Smoking Ban: What to do now? Jim Bernstein wrote: > Given that 80% or so of people living in Minneapolis SUPPORTED this > ordinance prohibiting smoking in establishments serving > alcohol or food, I'd say any council member or candidate running on > a promise to repeal it is headed towards certain defeat! I suspect that > possibility crossed a couple of council members minds when they voted > 12-1 in favor of the ordinance! Maybe the next time that we want to intern Japanese citizens we should just take a poll to see how many people are in favor. Also, please recall the research that Mike Jensvold did on the survey question: I got a reply from the author of the star tribune bit http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4797883.html that said that 3/4 of the people surveyed favored a total ban. The exact wording of the question was : "Would you favor or oppose a city law in Minneapolis that would prohibit smoking in most indoor public places, including workplaces, public buildings, offices, restaurants and bars?" This is misleading because smoking is already banned in most public places. Had the "restaurants and bars" issue stood alone I believe the percentage in favor of the ban would have been much less. Andy Driscoll wrote: > You are the government. I am the government. Hate government, > hate yourself. Don't like what it does? Throw the rascals out. > You say you've tried? And failed? Never mind. This is a democratic > republic - from Minneapolis on up to the feds. Our system means we > accept the outcome of elections and work on the next one. I'd like to see Mr. Driscoll explain this perspective to the victims of Executive Order 9066. While he's at it, how his viewpoint of inclusive government is represented by Andrew Jackson's statement, "John Marshall has made his ruling, now let him enforce it." Democracies are only as fair as their protections for the rights of individuals. What Mr. Driscoll's perspective does is provide him with a rationale for forcing his values on others. I have to admit that the smoking ban will make dinning out more pleasant, too bad that it has to come at the expense of other people choices. 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 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
