On Mar 9, 2005, at 3:59 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Someone today called smokers "bullies".
Less than 20% of the average population smokes. Yet they rule the
playgounds.
As I contended yesterday, most people in favor of the smoking ban do
not
frequent bars as regular customers.
Why, then, did comp sales increase in Manhattan and California after
the smoking ban was enacted? And continue to rise?
Who is the bully, when you decide what I can
or can't do with my business...when you're not even my bread and
butter?
I would like to refer you to Eric Mitchell's post from yesterday
@9:02pm. I think that a very pertinent and compelling argument is made
there regarding the role of oversight in municipal affairs.
I have heard there are places in other parts of the country that have
installed a smoking ban and after a year of bad business, are looking
to revert back
and rescind their non-smoking ban.
If you can cite that information, it would help that statement. It may
likely be that these bans were incomplete, or didn't cover a large
enough area geographically. Like Duluth, with so many people so used to
driving over that big bridge before the closing hour was changed. The
last time I was in Manhattan, though, the ban seemed to be doing all
that was hoped for, and more.
Someone else is going so far as to suggest making tobacco illegal.
Someone else is going so far as to suggest that government has the
duty and
right to make it illegal to smoke in one's home.
This line of thinking is dangerous to personal freedoms.
It opens the door to all kinds of other freedom infringements.
Government has no place dictating free will. Even God is smart about
that.
Well, nobody seems to disagree with the enforcement of laws regarding
weapons at airports, or careless handling of nuclear waste (Even in the
privacy of one's very own home!), serving alcohol to small children
(Again, even in the privacy of one's home), backyard hog lots,
improperly cooked food, elevator capacity, fire exits, educational
standards, traffic speeds, pilot's licenses, car ownership, fishing
licenses. If government didn't have a voice, there would be no context
for "free will" as you mention. The phrase about God is a non sequitur.
You proponents in favor of a smoking ban, what's next after you get it?
One doesn't see spittoons in bars anymore......why? And why can't I
just go buy some cocaine at the druggist's anymore? My dad could when
he was young. Is it because it was bad for the public good, or was it
just mean-spirited big-government people taking away our "rights"
again? I know there were a lot of angry people after the President took
away their right to own and sell other people.
Will you make loud live music an issue?
It already is, as defined in the city noise ordinances. There are times
and places where it is inappropriate, and contrary to the public good.
When one person's "rights" affect others in a deleterious manner they
need to be addressed. We need to be clear on what are actual "rights"
and what are privileges. Don't make me out to be a prude-- I saw Led
Zeppelin before they had two albums out, and I continue to emulate
Johnny Winter. Just not at night with the windows open. I do remember,
though, that before Blue Cheer had their first show at the Auditorium
in Chicago, the Chicago Board of Health came down and clocked a five
MPH wind coming off their PA. It was a great concert, like so many
others I attended over the years, but these days I do have a tendency
to say, "what?" a lot.
Why not? How about for the next
step
banning live Rock 'N Roll in clubs and bars?
Talk to the folks at Sweeney's and at least one of their neighbors.
After all, it's bad for your
ears and mine.
I started wearing ear protection years ago. It's amazing how good the
music sounds, while still getting that awesome effect of live playing!
All them bartenders and wait people, having to endure that night after
night.
I'm sure they hate it. Don't you? No, you don't.
Well, actually, I do mind. Quite a bit. I have been bartending since
1976. I quit smoking in 1982, but I happen to be very good at what I
do, and I like it a lot. It has sent me around the world and provided
me with a good life, except for the extra laundry that I have to do,
the scent in my hair and God knows what disease may be lurking.
Inconvenience to smokers? Can't smoke in a bar? I have no sympathy.....
their addiction shouldn't dictate that I change professions when it is
clearly established that it is THEIR smoking that is harmful, and not
what I do for a living.
Because you can just up
and leave the venue if you don't like it.
Yes, it's just so easy. Have you noticed, however, how many other
workplaces prohibit smoking? Why are they so lucky? What precedent was
used to establish that?
You can return that steak back to the
chef and have it nuked a little more because it was too rare. Just
like that
bartender can leave that bar and get another quieter job. Smoke-free,
if
he/she wants.
Obviously, you have little understanding of our business, and
consequently are not in a position to speak for us.
How many of you are wearing ear protection when you mow your lawn or
snowblow
your driveway? Not many is my immediate guess. But...you want to ban
Rock
'N Roll as entertainment because it's played too loud? Because you're
doing
society a favor protecting everybody's ear drums?
You are very obviously leaping to another non sequitur conclusion, and
one not related to a smoking ban.
It's a ridiculous argument, don't you agree. But it's logic. Your
same kind
of thinking.
If it is logic, it is the flawed logic that was used as an example in
my first-year logic class. It doesn't actually follow, and is
fallacious.
And it's this kind of thinking that bothers me. Because of all the
ramifications that can take place with the rest of us losing a little
more freedom.
I don't want to be like you.
I haven't forgotten what it's like to live and let live.
Stop imposing your value system on me.
Where is Tipper Gore today?
I'm going to continue to play my Rock loud.
And even though I don't smoke, I'm going to continue to patronize smoky
places.
And, I do more than just vote.
Myke P. Golben
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