Jim Bernstein wrote: > To quote Michael Atherton: ". . . which is why I spend so much time > defending the rights of others to make their own choices as long as > they don't inflict their choices on other people." > > Smoking in enclosed public spaces is a near perfect example of > inflicting the smoker's choice on other people. The decision to > prohibit it respects the right of a community to protect > public health.
There are lots of things that are done in public spaces that I think are potentially offensive or unhealthy, so I don't choose to enter these public spaces. That's my choice and yours, but I don't personally feel the need to prohibit others from choosing to participate in these activities. With slight modifications your argument would justify the prohibition of any number of activities, among them music, art, dancing, sports, driving, etc. I'm sure that there are many bars in Minneapolis that you've never patronized and will never patronize. I find your desire to ban smoking in these establishments morally offensive and dictatorial. At most, your argument would require the isolation of smokers, not the prohibition of smoking. As I have pointed out many times previously: Vancouver, B.C. has required the construction of smoking rooms by bars that want to allow patrons to smoke. These smoking rooms protect public health. Other than satisfying your own sense of morality, what further objectives does a ban provide for? 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
