Ah, the 'ol boiling frog trick, eh? Sounds like a plan. After all, it's worked for everything else the left has tried.
Dennis Tester Mac-Groveland >----- ------- Original Message ------- ----- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Sent: Thu, 2 Sep 2004 13:08:54 > > >I try not to get too opinionated in the forum on a >daily basis, but >from time to time, I need to let something off my >chest. Here it >is..... > >- - - - - - - - - - - - - - > >I have to say, that I'm a bit concerned about the >attitude (at least >what I perceive) in the Anti-Smoking movement, that >suggest that this >is an all or nothing proposal. I fear, that in St. >Paul and across >the nation, we are loosing our ability and >willingness to seek >compromise. > >It seems to me, that there is a very real >opportunity to reach an >amicable compromise, which would ban smoking in >most establishments >immediately and in all establishments within a >couple of years. > >I've heard that opponents of the ban have been >willing to discuss a >total ban, if phased in over a course of several >years - but, that >opponents are unwilling to compromise. > >Since when, has compromise become a bad word? > >While, I agree that a total ban is the ultimate >goal. I would be >willing to wait several years for the full ban to >take effect, if the >ultimate outcome was that we could start now AND a >general consensus >could be reached so that portions of our community >did not feel as if >this issue was being pushed down their throat. > >I have lived with smoking all of my life, I am >eager to see it >disappear. However, I also understand that many of >my neighbors feel >differently - and, I for one, would be willing >grant them time to >adjust. > >As it is, we risk the possibility of doing nothing >- because we are >unwilling to compromise. > >Now, I'm not directly involved in this issue and >have not been privy >to negotiations. I'm sure, I'll be told that the >efforts at reaching >a compromise are all a diversion to prevent a >smoking ban. However, >it seems clear to me, that the smoking ban train >has left the station >and cannot be stopped. Smoking will eventually be >banned in all St. >Paul restaurants and bars, either through local or >state-wide >legislation. > >I don't understand, what appears to me, to be a >complete >unwillingness to compromise on the timetable. > >I would rather get a portion of the ban right now - >than wait for 1-2 >years, to get the whole thing at once, while >increasing the hostility >and polarization of St. Paul politics in the >meantime. > >Just my humble opinion......... > > :-) > >Best wishes, > >Tim Erickson >Hamline Midway >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > >-- >================================================= >Tim Erickson http://www.politalk.com >St. Paul, MN - USA 651-643-0722 >[EMAIL PROTECTED] iChat/AIM: stpaultim >================================================= > > > >_____________________________________________ >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/ _____________________________________________ 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/
