Petitioning for the Repeal of the Smoking Ban (Rio: gated, job)

[sukwoo]

The ban was imposed by the elected legislature of the sovereign state of Illinois and signed into law by the duly elected governor (loser though he may be). States have been passing laws regulating the use of private property since the beginning of the republic. Nothing new here.

[aragx6]

Just because it's not new makes it OK???... interesting logic.

[sukwoo]

Originally Posted by aragx6

Just because it's not new makes it OK???... interesting logic.

My point is that a certain subset of commentator are calling it an unprecedented encroachment of the government, the beginning of the road to serfdom, this is what a communist government does, etc, etc.

I'm just pointing out that its not unprecedented, it happens all the time, and its not the end of the American Way Of Life as we know it.

[Avengerfire]

Hilter was elected too. Does that mean everything he did was approved of by the German people and in the countrys best interests? Certainly not.

[illini84]

Originally Posted by boris63

You have the choice of going to a non-smoking bar or restauant, or a smoking bar or restaurant! No one is saying all bars/restaurants should allow smoking, just that it should be the business owners choice!

I see your point, but business owners had the option of banning smoking in their establishments before the law was even passed. I cannot think of a SINGLE bar or club that was non-smoking. Therefore, it's still "either breathe smoke or stay home." Is it really THAT big of a deal to walk 15 steps and smoke outside?

[mdz]

I see your point, but business owners had the option of banning smoking in their establishments before the law was even passed. I cannot think of a SINGLE bar or club that was non-smoking.

There's a bar (one of the few) in Oak Park called Poor Phil's. The guy who owned it did make it non-smoking (one of the very few, and the place did wonderfully), but he was adamant against making the ban statewide for many of the same reasons listed above

[boris63]

[quote=Is it really THAT big of a deal to walk 15 steps and smoke outside?[/QUOTE]

Not at all, I'll stay inside. I don't smoke. I just prefer freedom to being told what I can do.

I might decide to open a bar someday. It would be nice to know I could run my business the way I see fit. Apparantly that's not allowed anymore.

[illini84]

I hate to be "lame" here, but don't people realize that smoking is toxic? Why should people have to breathe toxic air in a public place? It's not like they're outlawing cigarettes. Smoke if you wish, but do it where it doesn't harm anyone but yourself. Hasn't anyone read about people dying from second-hand smoke? Geez. Sorry, but I want to enjoy being out with friends without my lungs being blackened.

[sukwoo]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

Hilter was elected too. Does that mean everything he did was approved of by the German people and in the countrys best interests? Certainly not.

Do you really want to go all Godwin's Law on us? Please tell me you're not comparing the smoking ban with the excesses of Nazism.

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

Do you really want to go all Godwin's Law on us? Please tell me you're not comparing the smoking ban with the excesses of Nazism.

Hitler was the first leader to ban smoking, maybe that should tell you something.