"If someone doesn't want to risk coming in contact with an unpopular opinion, they should stay at home."
The same could be said about those who don't want to come in contact with second hand smoke. "If you don't want to be in the public square, shop at Cub or Rainbow or Kowalski's." The same could be said about establishments that allow smoking (they are not public after all), if you don't want to be there, go somewhere else, let the free market decide which establishments prosper and which dwindle away. If smoke free zones are so popular all establishments will go smoke free, if smoke free zones are not popular, then they will stay and the smoke free folks can use their own money to start smoke free establishments. "But I think the people own the space that created the Farmer's Market, and if that can be altered by the whims of a few select folks, then St. Paul is far worse off than I thought." Perhaps, just perhaps, you are not the majority in this opinion. Maybe you are a small (but vocal) minority. Maybe the will of the people of St Paul is being done, you just don't agree and can't seem to see that you are the minority opinion. "The ruling regarding the rights of groups to protest at the Mall of America was a poor one," I know and Gore V Bush was wrong too (said tongue in cheek). When rulings go against the ideology they are considered poor by either side. Why is it that smokers have to stay away from everyone else? Why can't non smokers stay away from smokers? Why do smokers have to go somewhere else? Why can't non smokers go somewhere else? Why does politics have to permeate our every thought, action, location? Why can't we talk about politics with willing folks, not require everyone to hear it? I guess we won't have any more festivals, farmers markets, parades, weddings, family reunions, company picnics or any other outing on public property. We have to allow everyone onto the "public square". Can't allow anyone to use public facilities without the ability to "agitate" by espousing our political beliefs. This forum is for politics. The capital is for politics. Paid ads are for politics. Please keep them and smoking bans from getting out of control. It seems to great to regulate, until it's something you care about that is getting regulated out. Remember next time you may be the one whose "perceived" rights are being taken away. Tom Thompson Como Park _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
