I've been watching this smoking ban discussion since my initial reply and it's become so negative... But the reason I signed up for this list was to try my best to keep an open mind and, therefore, I've come to the following conclusions. (Please don't shoot me down as I'm saying these are my conclusions, not your own.)
To the smokers - and I am one at the moment.... Even though it's ridiculous that we're fighting to keep doing something we more than likely would not have become addicted to had the government made it illegal in the first place (like crack, which is supposedly less addictive) - and even though I still believe this should be up to the owners of these establishments (not the government) and even though I do not see the drug of alcohol as being any less dangerous (not to those around but on the streets), which they are not about to ban - maybe we should just try this smoking ban? No one seems to be 100% certain if we're hurting other people. If we could absolutely prove we're not, we'd have a great case. We do know already that we're hurting ourselves, however - so if.anything it's a good excuse to light up less. Heaven knows we've adapted to other scenarios where we are not allowed to smoke. If we can stand in line at the DMV without lighting up, anything is possible..... I say let's try it. It's 100% guaranteed not to kill us. I can also guarantee any major flaws will show themselves along the way. If they are big enough, things will change back again. To the non-smokers - which I hope to be soon.... Thanks for sharing your views. I still believe it's the establishment owners, not the smokers, you should have been chasing after long ago - but if you really feel this is the best way to do this, I'm willing to give it a shot. I'm not fond of the idea of watching a band or having a beer without a cig in hand, but have to admit we smokers have had it "our way" for ages already. So the bottom line is this: If we truly live in a democratic country, we need to try BOTH ways. Just a thought. Shawn Marie Christenson Central - Downtown - West 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
