Lexington Smoking Ban Upheld

Post by **Uncle Big Green** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 5:12 pm

Wes wrote:Smoking in public is not a "right". Look, do you like the fact that the health department checks the places you eat to make sure they are at least kinda trying to keep the food prep. areas clean and follow basic guidelines? Or would you rather eat somewhere with no oversight into how long that chicken you are eating has been sitting out? I mean, it thier biz. and they should be able to prepare the food however they want, right? Or maybe you wouldn't mind eating in a place with asbestios in the walls? The basic idea that people should have the freedom from things that harm them is a good idea. If you want to talk about rights and losing them, then Bush, Ashcroft, and the misnamed patriot act would be something to talk about.

Personally, I am super psyched to be able to go see the Wailers next weekend, and not have to worry about the smoke at the Dame...

Wes

since I'm a big kid now, I don't need mommy and daddy (or the man) telling me whether or not something is bad for me, or safe or not.

I hate that I have to drive the following point home again and again (not nec. directed towards Wes). If I own a restaurant and I want to allow smoking inside its confines (or should I say 'within MY confines'), it's my business because it's my restaurant. It's not your place and you can go elsewhere if you don't like it. Get it?

Post by **Wicked Tribe** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 5:13 pm

Uncle Big Green wrote:
I hope this is a troll.

Who's trip trapping across my bridge?!

Post by **Wes** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 5:17 pm

Sorry, but we do need someone telling us what is safe or not. Because if we don't, there is always someone willing to do unsafe things to us. It is the responsability of "the man", to make sure the food we eat is safe, and that the air we breath is at least kinda clean.

Would you repel all of the clean air and water laws? After all, if I have a factory, and it produces toxic waste, shouldn't I have a right to just dump it where ever I want on my land?

Wes

Post by **MiaRock** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 5:22 pm

i think it is interesting that smokers think their "right" to invade my personal space with their disgusting habit is more important than a non-smokers right to breathe...

Post by **Steve** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 5:38 pm

Smoking...its as much of a right as climbing rocks.

Post by **Uncle Big Green** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 6:07 pm

Wes wrote:Sorry, but we do need someone telling us what is safe or not. Because if we don't, there is always someone willing to do unsafe things to us. It is the responsability of "the man", to make sure the food we eat is safe, and that the air we breath is at least kinda clean.

We do? I don't, so please don't include me. There already are mechanisms in place for the "someone willing to do unsafe things to us." Things like theft, fraud and tresspass are crimes (because there is a victim) and if you are a victim, you have legal recourse. You are not a victim (except of your own stupidity) if you knowingly and willingly go into a smoke-filled bar and later develop lung cancer.

You say matter-of-factly that "it is the responsibility of 'the man' to protect us from ourselves. Provide some basis for this, please. Again, I'm not 7 anymore.

Wes wrote: Would you repel all of the clean air and water laws? After all, if I have a factory, and it produces toxic waste, shouldn't I have a right to just dump it where ever I want on my land?

Wes

How did we get to this tangent? Clearly, not containing your pollution violates others' property rights and can damage others' health. So, to answer your question - yes, so long as you can contain the toxic materials on your land (keep them out of the air and water table). It is YOUR land afterall.

Post by **MiaRock** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 6:12 pm

Uncle Big Green wrote:Clearly, not containing your pollution violates others' property rights and can damage others' health. So, to answer your question - yes, so long as you can contain the toxic materials on your land (keep them out of the air and water table).

how is that different from you keeping your smoke out of my air?

Post by **Uncle Big Green** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 6:25 pm

MiaRock wrote:
Uncle Big Green wrote:Clearly, not containing your pollution violates others' property rights and can damage others' health. So, to answer your question - yes, so long as you can contain the toxic materials on your land (keep them out of the air and water table).
how is that different from you keeping your smoke out of my air?

It's not your air if it's in my building - that makes it my air.

Post by **SikMonkey** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 6:27 pm

I wouldn't care if they allowed smoking in restaurants if they had the air tight glassed walled rooms with the doors on them to TRULY separate the smoking section from the non-smoking. I have seen those before and they actually work.....except for the EMPLOYEES of said establishment.

Mj

Post by **Wes** » Mon Apr 26, 2004 6:31 pm

SikMonkey wrote:except for the EMPLOYEES of said establishment.
Mj

Of course, if you work in a place that allows smoking, you are on your own. I guess OSHA is bad as well as mine inspectors. I mean, if you are dumb enough to work in a coal mine, then you deserve to get black lung. Right, UBG?

Wes