Jim Graham,wrote
Ventura Village Neighborhood, Phillips Community, Sixth Ward of Minneapolis
Let me start by saying I think tobacco smoking is a terrible, nasty, awful addiction. But it is an addiction that is condoned and legal in Minneapolis. Minneapolis not only makes it legal but it licenses smoke shops and stores to sell that product. Minneapolis politicians allow tobacco to be publicly consumed on our streets. The exception seems to be inside of bars where both the owners and the patrons want to engage in this activity. Which is discrimination in my opinion. I am not arguing that stopping people from smoking is not a good thing, what I am arguing is the justification for that discrimination. It in fact is similar, in many ways, to my feelings about the "Patriot Act".
Alcoholic beverages are "condoned and legal in Minneapolis" as well. But we certainly have lots of restrictions on where and when we can consume it. You can by a drink in a bar but you can't walk out on the sidewalk on a beautiful spring evening to enjoy it. You can't sit in a bus stop and drink a beer -- but you can smoke. This despite the fact that my drinking a beer while standing next to you at the bus stop will have no impact on your health whatsoever while my smoke drifting in your face has definite health repercussions. At the very least NetDoctor says "Passive smoking (their phrase for second hand smoke) irritates the eyes, nose and chest, and can cause headache."
So the fact that something is legal is not a definition that it is a right or we would be able to imbibe when and where we chose. I have the right to swing my arms in the air and throw punches in the wind anywhere I choose but that right too has limits. My right to swing my arms and throw my fists freely ends where your nose begins. According to http://www.bups.co.uk --"Within a few seconds of your first puff, irritating gases (formaldehyde, ammonia and hydrogen sulphide) start to work on the sensitive membranes of your eyes, nose and throat. If you continue to smoke, these gases will result in a smoker's cough." By lighting up next to me, the fist of your smoke is connecting with my nose and therefore your rights end.
Steven M Nelson Willard Hay http://citizenshipchronicles.blogspot.com/ Get UP! Get OUT! & GET INVOLVED!!!
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
