I'm almost ashamed for weighing on this, but a couple of things just beg for comment.
#1: "[KB responds] That applies nationally, not locally. To bring it back to Minneapolis -- which doesn't make tons of money off tobacco in any way you seem to mean and doubtless can't legally ban it, anyway -- the city council did what it could do. It has some jurisdiction over public health, so it exercised its authority over that area in banning what IS a public health threat: tobacco SMOKING. The council didn't ban chewing or other non-smoke-producing forms of tobacco usage, did it?" First, according to nearly all anti-tobacco advocates, tobacco chewing poses a public health threat. That's why they got up in the grill of Major League Baseball players and their profligate expectoration of chew, claiming it set a bad example for youth. Second, the city council certainly could ban the sale of tobacco products in the city. If they can't, I'd certainly like to hear why not. Third, the city does receive tobacco tax dollars, directly and obliquely. Sales tax (local) is collected on tobacco sales in addition to state excise taxes (I mean fees). And the LGA restoration to Minneapolis is funded in part by the new tobacco tax (I mean fee.) I still don't know how I feel about the ban, though it does not inconvenience me. I do find myself in St. Paul bars, however, so that I can enjoy the company of friends who do smoke. But these arguments don't hold water. Now, for #2: "LRT 2 MPPA 0" This is just straight up dishonest, for several reasons. First, it should be MPPA 1. The bouncer from Nye's who was shot by a permit holder = 1. Now, you'll probably breathlessly claim that the MPPA didn't kill him, and that he could have done the same thing without a permit, blah blah blah, but that just highlights why this tag is dishonest. You'd be right - no piece of legislation has ever killed someone dead like stepping in front of a train in the darkness, or driving through the warning signals and gates, and lingering on the tracks. Hey let's play fair. What would the total be if it was LRT vs. Cars? At least pick a tangible thing that could actually kill someone. Just my contribution to a moribund discussion. best, aaron klemz cooper +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Aaron Klemz, Minneapolis, Minnesota [EMAIL PROTECTED] +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com 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
