Hey Myke--I respectfully disagree on this one. Myke writes: "St. Paul should see an increase of cross-over business now from Minneapolis...particularly on weekends. People will drive 15 miles to be able to smoke in a bar." Well, by the same token, Minneapolis should see a rise in the number of folks who want to be in a non-smoking bar--either because they don't like the smoke, are allergic to it, or want a healthier environment for the employees that work there. I and a number of friends are going to Minneapolis now to enjoy bars that are smoke-free. Myke writes: "Now, some of the anti-smokers here could care less if a bar stays in business or not. In fact, they may secretly hope they don't, which is the point of the ban altogether for them." I would be interested to know who those folks are. I've never heard that sentiment expressed in any group favoring the smoking ban. However, I have heard catcalls and very uncalled-for, disrespectful and rude behavior at City Council public hearings at Councilmembers and folks testifying for the ban by bar owners opposing the ban. Myke writes: "I just wonder how they would feel, if down the road a total clean air ban goes into effect (promoted by vegetarian law makers) and they will not be able to BBQ their porterhouse outside in the summertime." Two points here: one, nobody has *ever* suggested this, and secondly, this isn't just about the patrons--first and foremost, to me, it's about the health of the folks (many of whom are youth) working in the food industry. Nobody should have to put their health on the line to make a decent living. Nobody. In Ramsey County, we're one step closer to making that a real choice for workers. Best, Erin Stojan Dayton's Bluff
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 4/2/05 1:52:36 PM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > Why would anyone walk away from their neighborhood bar or other > hangout when it's so much more convenient to step outside for their nicotine > fix than to drive across town looking for another smoky room? For the simple reason that a beer or cup of coffee and a cigarette ...go hand in hand. Many people (mostly men) go to bars alone. A cigarette is their friend from looking completely stupid sitting by themselves. It is a social thing. St. Paul should see an increase of cross-over business now from Minneapolis...particularly on weekends. People will drive 15 miles to be able to smoke in a bar. It won't be the kind of exodus we saw in the early 70's when Wisconsin's drinking age law had all us Minnesotans crossing the river. But, St. Paul bar owners should see increased activity of smoking patrons. Now, some of the anti-smokers here could care less if a bar stays in business or not. In fact, they may secretly hope they don't, which is the point of the ban altogether for them. I just wonder how they would feel, if down the road a total clean air ban goes into effect (promoted by vegetarian law makers) and they will not be able to BBQ their porterhouse outside in the summertime. What a shame that our little joys are being slowly extinguished. I can't wait to live in a perfect society. Myke P. Golben Battle Creek ------------------------------------------------- JOIN the St. Paul Issues Forum TODAY: http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/ ------------------------------------------------- POST MESSAGES HERE: [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/ ------------------------------------------ Erin Stojan Dayton's Bluff, Ward 7 --------------------------------- Yahoo! Messenger Show us what our next emoticon should look like. Join the fun. ------------------------------------------------- JOIN the St. Paul Issues Forum TODAY: http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/ ------------------------------------------------- POST MESSAGES HERE: [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/
