WHAT'S A BUTT-COP TO DO? (nanny government dilemma - do you nail smoker, crack dealer or Osama?)

NY POST ^ | 5/5/03 | letters column

[Liz]

It's great to hear that the city has hired 100 smoking police ("Smoke-Ban Violators Out of Grace. Period," April 30). With terrorism, the economy and drug abuse under control, the biggest menace facing our city is the restaurant smoker. The only thing Mayor Bloomberg hasn't laid out yet is the smoking inspector's priorities: If he sees a smoker at one table, a crack dealer at another table and Osama bin Laden at a third table, who does he go after? Inspectors need to be able to make such split-second decisions, before a smoker can whip out another cigarette and slip out in the fog.

[Liz]

The only thing Mayor Bloomberg hasn't laid out yet is the smoking inspector's priorities: If he sees a smoker
at one table, a crack dealer at another table and Osama bin Laden at a third table, who does he go after?

Man, what a dilemma for Mayor Bloomie.

[harpseal]

Clearly according to the Nicco Nazis the police should shoot the smoker, ask the crack dealer to move on and leave Ossama alone because they do not wish to racially profile.

[Liz]

LOL.........your comments are priceless.

[Alberta's Child]

As far as I'm concerned, the U.S. officially lost the "war on terror" the moment New York City decided that eliminating smoking was worth this kind of effort.

[Liz]

LOL.....that headline is bit outre.

[Liz]

Nanny state in action.........would make a good reality show.

[Copernicus]

It seems when they tried this in California, the vice squad quickly learned smokers respond a lot more emphatically than prostitutes and drug dealers who think getting busted is part of the cost of doing business.

The average smoker thinks of himself as a law abiding citizen and is likely to take offense at getting nailed with a fine or penalty.

The injury rate for cop and citizen skyrocketed during smoking confrontations.

Have not heard any updates recently about how the situation was resolved.

Best regards,

[Wolfie]

Whatever the outcome, it'll be fun to watch!

[PBRSTREETGANG]

WHAT'S A BUTT-COP TO DO?

Give out tickets for butt piracy?

[Liz]

Kalifornians kick-dust when riled, eh?

[harpseal]

The sad thing is it is only funny because it is true.

[Liz]

Sssshhhh. Don't give our nannies any good ideas.

[putupon]

Mayor Bloomberg is the hole @ the center of the Butt-Cop, IMHO

[CJ Wolf]

Tonight on Cops, watch us slam this smoker to the ground.

[Grampa Dave]

You arrest the smoker to fine he/she/it to raise money.

You leave the crack dealer alone, as he is protected Diversity small business owner. He is part of an important voter block that voted several times to give the mayor his term.

Then, you ignore Osama because of the cost of pre trial and trial. It is cheaper to let him blow up buildings with people in them because you will get money from the feds and people around America.

[Grampa Dave]

You do live an alternate world with no grasp of reality.

What Bloomie does has zero impact on what we do as a nation against terrorism.

Below is the reality you are ignoring as usual!

The Regime Change in Iraq came after Bloomie announced his newest way to tax smokers, by arresting them.

[Grampa Dave]

Not really. You can drive by biker bars and other bars I wouldn't go in with a dozen Seal Team members to protect me and see the tough guys out side smoking.

However, I have the feeling that NYC smokers will be the tough guys/gals.

[Alberta's Child]

What Bloomie does has zero impact on what we do as a nation against terrorism.

This nation is going to spend upwards of $25 billion restoring a city that would be better off crumbling to the ground.

For this same city to pursue smokers like this while at the same time having an official policy in place that prohibits city employees from turning illegal aliens (including any number of radical Muslims who enter this country through JFK International Airport and settle in New York City) over to the Immigration and Naturalization Service is the height of idiocy.

No, I don't live in an "alternate world with no grasp of reality."