Positive effects of the DC smoking ban

[Venerable Bede]

Originally posted by Jack Black, Caucasian American:
  Sounds like the same crusade the anti-War protestors were on when they started.
 

i don't think they are trying to limit the ability of an individual to make their own decisions.  i mean what has war solved, other than ending nazism, fascism and slavery.
 
 

Of those who do frequent bars, I would hazzard a guess that they ARE in favor of having smoking banned, but not to the point where they'd actually have to do be politically active to get it accomplished.

maybe, but there is something much more powerful than politics involved, and that's their pocketbooks.  as a consumer, you have the ability to choose where to go, if you want a smoke-free bar, ask the owner, talk to other patrons, and if a smoke-free bar opens up, go there.

[vansmack]

But the smoking ban is for the benefit of employees, not the general public.  If we really wanted to benefit the general public, we'd make smoking illegal.

[sweetcell]

Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
   a vocal minority is imposing it's view and will upon a disinterested majority. each and every day, bit by bit, the ability of all of us to make our own choices is being taken away, be it from one side of the aisle or the other, in the name of national security or in the name of the children.

how does one explain the fact that a majority of washingtonians support the ban?  if banning smoking was unpopular with the majority, it wouldn't happen.  
 
 to me, sounds like a vocal minority won't accept defeat and is trying to turn this into "the sky is falling!".  today, they take your cancer-causing cigarettes... tomorrow, your rights to vote and marry who you chose!!!  imposed gay marriage is around the corner!  STOP THE FASCISTS!  THE TERRORISTS HAVE ALREADY WON!!! BRAAAK!!!  

[Venerable Bede]

Originally posted by sweetcell:
   

Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
   a vocal minority is imposing it's view and will upon a disinterested majority. each and every day, bit by bit, the ability of all of us to make our own choices is being taken away, be it from one side of the aisle or the other, in the name of national security or in the name of the children.

how does one explain the fact that a majority of washingtonians support the ban?  if banning smoking was unpopular with the majority, it wouldn't happen.  
 [/b]

whoops, i was about to use a hitler defense.
 
 if there was so many people in support of having smoke-free establishments, why weren't there more of them?  that's my point.  all that statement proves is that the majority is still disinterested, and simply allows itself to be lulled and follow the piper, wherever he may lead.

[sonickteam2]

Originally posted by sweetcell:
   

Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
   a vocal minority is imposing it's view and will upon a disinterested majority. each and every day, bit by bit, the ability of all of us to make our own choices is being taken away, be it from one side of the aisle or the other, in the name of national security or in the name of the children.

how does one explain the fact that a majority of washingtonians support the ban?  if banning smoking was unpopular with the majority, it wouldn't happen.  
 
 to me, sounds like a vocal minority won't accept defeat and is trying to turn this into "the sky is falling!".  today, they take your cancer-causing cigarettes... tomorrow, your rights to vote and marry who you chose!!!  imposed gay marriage is around the corner!  STOP THE FASCISTS!  THE TERRORISTS HAVE ALREADY WON!!! BRAAAK!!!    [/b]

you are starting to annoy me....sweetie, claiming victory like you actually passed the smoking ban yourself! did you sign any petitions?  go to any rallies?  and if you did, were you having one of your occasional cigarettes?  
 
   so, some people are killing themselves because they have an addiction, whats your stupid excuse?

[vansmack]

Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
   all that statement proves is that the majority is still disinterested, and simply allows itself to be lulled and follow the piper, wherever he may lead.

I double-dog-dare you to prove this point.
 
 Be the piper, gather the signatures and get a ballot initiative in CA to repeal the smoking ban.  There will be plenty of money from the toboacco companies to support your initiative, so that won't be an issue.
 
 I also predict you lose nearly 2-1.
 
 What you are calling "disinterested" is simply a misnomer.  Just because they don't place the same value that you do in protecting a right from government intrusion, does not mean that they are disinterested when it comes to smoking in public places.

[godsshoeshine]

Originally posted by vansmack:
  But the smoking ban is for the benefit of employees, not the general public.  If we really wanted to benefit the general public, we'd make smoking illegal.

it would be safe to say that the majority of americans are against smoking in their places of employment, right?

Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
     whoops, i was about to use a hitler defense.
 

Hitler was anti-smoking.  Even field marshals were verboten to smoke around der Schickelgruber.
 
        <img src="http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/images/hitler_adolf.jpg" alt=" - " />
 Macht SMOKE FREI !

[floyd1975]

Originally posted by le sonick:
   

Originally posted by floyd:
  I hope they ban standing at all concerts.  I have the right to enjoy the show just as much as the taller people in front of me.  Every concert in DC should be seated only.

but i have bad circulation and i cant sit for that long!!!! [/b]

Then you can get up and go outside.  Don't try to ruin it for the rest of us.

[Venerable Bede]

Originally posted by vansmack:
 
 Be the piper, gather the signatures and get a ballot initiative in CA to repeal the smoking ban.  There will be plenty of money from the toboacco companies to support your initiative, so that won't be an issue.
 
 I also predict you lose nearly 2-1.
 
 What you are calling "disinterested" is simply a misnomer.  Just because they don't place the same value that you do in protecting a right from government intrusion, does not mean that they are disinterested when it comes to smoking in public places.

if they were interested in creating smoke-free public places, there would be no need for government action.  do businesses need to be pushed and prodded to do something- sure.. . but i do have a problem with the ability to ban an individual to do something that is not illegal at the behest of small band of vocal partisans  (that goes both ways, i freely admit).  admittedly, i'm assuming an informed and educated population, and that is something that is sorely lacking in this country today; hence a very large disinterested electorate.
 
 i'm sure i could get it on the ballot. . .and it would probably lose- california voters like nothing more than to vote yes on policy goals and pronouncements and vote no on funding those goals.

[root]

what about pot? i wanna smoke pot, fuck ciggies  

[Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer]

I saw we tie Bede down in a small room with no windows and let Sonick blow smoke on him for about 48 hours straight.

[Julian, Alleged Computer F**kface]

Originally posted by Jack Black, Caucasian American:
  I saw we tie Bede down in a small room with no windows and let Sonick blow smoke on him for about 48 hours straight.

Even outside of the confines of this debate, I support this idea!

[Frank Gallagher]

I'm in favor of banning smoking in bars, clubs and restaurants etc...but I think people should be allowed to smoke at work. Then for 20 minutes of every hour us non-smokers can go stand outside and do shit but gossip about everyone while the smokers light up at their desks.

[sonickteam2]

Originally posted by Roadbike Mankie:
  I'm in favor of banning smoking in bars, clubs and restaurants etc...but I think people should be allowed to smoke at work. Then for 20 minutes of every hour us non-smokers can go stand outside and do shit but gossip about everyone while the smokers light up at their desks.

hahaha!!!!!  no way man, i'll quit smoking!