Jim Bernstein wrote: > 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 I pointed out earlier, you will never know what percentage of residents would have supported banning smoking in bars and restaurants only, nor will you ever know what percentage would have supported smoking rooms because no one ever asked, and the sponsors of the survey obviously didn't what the public to know. Is it unethical to represent questionable survey results as completely accurate? I think so, but apparently you don't. I suppose it's a matter of how you define what is is. > 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! Yes, I obviously do see a connection and you apparently do not. I will try and make the connection clear. Here is my basic point: If people are unwilling to respect the rights and choices of others when it has no direct impact on them, how are they likely to do so in circumstances involving personal risk? That is, if you are so self-absorbed that you can't allow people to smoke in a contained area, why would you risk your career or the safety of your family to stand up for the rights of someone who your government is saying is a danger to you? Anecdotally, in my life I can't recall anyone who wouldn't respect small rights, but would stand up and fight for big ones. And... all most all of the social and psychological research that I've studied confirms this expectation. Keep in mind that the American public knew no more about what was happening to the Japanese than the German public knew was happening to the Jews. Also keep in mind that in surveys many Americans do not recognize the value of the rights granted to others in the Constitution. I have spent a considerable amount of time developing a political philosophy that would provide maximum benefits and liberty to the greatest number of people, but for it to work you have to respect the rights and choices of others. My philosophy will never be popular because so many people are unwilling to give up their power to force their morality and values on others. Gay marriage and smoking are just two of many examples. 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
