Believing that one has a "moral imperative" - on either the majority or minority side of an issue - has contributed mightily to the fractures in debate about public policy. Better we return to debating the merits, consequences, benefits, options, and outcomes of public policy decisions.
Of late in Minneapolis I have had gun ownership, stadium funding, medicinal marijuana, smoking restrictions, leaf blower noise, dog parks, commercial redevelopment projects, and gasoline pricing, city regulatory authority, and feral cats argued as "moral imperatives" from one side or another. Jim Bernstein Fulton -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Michael Atherton Sent: Tuesday, May 03, 2005 7:23 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [Mpls] U of M Survey finds that students are in support ofthesmoking ban David Strand wrote: > A recent survey of the smoking ban at the University > of Minnesota found that the vast majority support the > smoking ban. The student researchers who designed the > survey where largely opposed to the ban and surprised > by the results. According to the survey, 17% of students > smoke, and of the those, half smoke only occasionally. That's the thing about minority rights, the size of the majority is immaterial. If you don't understand this concept, then you don't understand the concept. The size of the majority doesn't lend greater importance to their moral imperative. Michael Atherton Prospect Park REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.2 - Release Date: 5/2/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.11.2 - Release Date: 5/2/2005 REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact 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 Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
