At 10:35 AM -0500 6/3/04, Paul Kuettel wrote:
Why did the left change its stance on what it calls personal freedom regarding
cigarettes and cigars? What was the logic? And please, if you are on the left,
would you answer this question for me? How come the only organ the left insists be chaste is the lung?
Its very easy to respond to this, because SMOKING - unlike abortion, drinking, or most drugs - effects the people standing next to you or in the same room as you.
While a small minority might be pressing for a total ban on cigarettes, they represent a small minority. MOST of those who support the ban on smoking in restaurants and bars - limit their opposition to smoking in places where the cigarette smoke hurts others.
Each individual has the right to damage their own lungs - I'll (and most others) will agree to that, but they don't have the right to hurt my lungs. That is the issue.
Efforts to make this into a "total ban on cigarettes" appear to completely miss the point.
In the Noonan quote, the comparison to bans on abortion, drugs, and liquor are all completely off-base. I have no doubt that liberals have and do support restrictions on where any or all of these activities take place. That is all that is being asked for in the "smoking" ban. Go ahead and smoke in your home, your car, or other private places. I'll defend your right to do so. BUT, do not smoke where it infringes upon my right to be smoke free.
In short, Noonan's argument is easy to respond to and her assumptions completely wrong.
Best wishes,
Tim Erickson Hamline Midway [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Tim Erickson http://www.politalk.com St. Paul, MN - USA 651-643-0722
[EMAIL PROTECTED] iChat/AIM: stpaultim
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