Talks on Capitol Hill to Regulate Tobacco Industry Break Down

Smoke Club Newsletter ^ | 10-2-03 | By Kelley Beaucar Vlahos.

[cinFLA]

That's not a mutual contract but tyranny of a majority.

But you believe in 'tyranny of a majority' when it comes to NOT allowing a person use of his property for manufacturing hard drugs.

[jmc813]

Seems you are against the states WOD's! Are you really for legalizing hard drugs??????

What the hell are you talking about? And what's with all of the question marks? Consider switching to Sanka.

[Judith Anne]

I take it that's a "no"?

[jmc813]

Also, please note the FReepers and organizations who are fans of the WOD are typically the same people who feel that the government knows best and should be able to tell cigarette smokers where they can and cannot smoke, private property notwithstanding.

[jmc813]

I take it that's a "no"?

LOL. I won't be around this thread much longer anyway, as I have Arnie-bot butt to kick over on the recall threads. Please take into consideration my and Leroy's comments about the similarity of the drug war and the cigarrette war.

[Mears]

You can rant all you want,everything you said makes sense. The over regulation of everything in our daily lives drives me nuts!!!!!!!

I go back many years and remember when the words "personal responsibility" meant something.I can take care of myself and my loved ones without the government telling me how to do it.If I make some mistakes it's my problem and no one eles.

[Judith Anne]

Thanks, Mears. If I ever make that march, I hope you'll join me.

[MrLeRoy]

But you believe in 'tyranny of a majority' when it comes to NOT allowing a person use of his property for manufacturing hard drugs.

No, I believe in those laws that reflect the restrictions that in a free society would be enacted through voluntary mechanisms (such as easements and covenants). In my opinion, local zoning regulations are examples of such laws but no-smoking ordinances are not.

[MrLeRoy]

Note that it was cinFLA who made the first post with no relevance to tobacco (#29)---and who cravenly STILL won't tell us whether he supports smoking bans for restaurants and bars.

[SheLion]

for one wish you would take the illegal drug argument elsewhere.

I agree.

[Mears]

I'd be with you in a flash!!!!

[Judith Anne]

Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn. ;-D (Couldn't resist.)

[TKDietz]

What's so wrong with local smoking ordinances? If people in a given community want to pass laws governing their community, let them. That's a whole lot different than when you have people way off in Washington, D.C., trying shove laws down your throat that your community doesn't want. Communities should be able to govern themselves, decide whether they'll allow smoking or drinking in public places and so on. And if people don't like the laws, they can just move on down the road to another community.

I live in the south. In my town, alcohol is sold in stores and at restaurants and bars. Right across the bridge though in the neighboring county where I work, it is against the law for anyone to sell alcohol. The majority of the people here in the dry county want their town to stay dry. I don't have a problem with that. Actually, I'm pretty sure that most counties in my state are dry. I think it's kind of stupid because people just end up driving miles and miles drunk when they run out of booze, but if that's what people in these counties want, so be it.

Why shouldn't the majority of people in your town be able to decide if smoking will be allowed in public places? What's so un-American or undemocratic about that? It seems to me that our forefathers believed in having local rule that reflected local values.

[jmc813]

Why shouldn't the majority of people in your town be able to decide if smoking will be allowed in public places?

I personally feel that property rights take precedence over public opinion. For instance, would you be cool with a particular city declaring itself a "gun free" city, and banning guns in peoples homes?

[Judith Anne]

I bet we wouldn't be alone. I just want to confront Congress with all the entire huge mass of LAWS, REGULATIONS, EDICTS, RULES, they've piled on the American people FOR DECADES! I want the son-of-a-guns to take a good look at this crap they've put over on American families, American business, American consumers, American TAX-PAYERS! I want them to run and hide from American ANGER, American HONESTY, American DETERMINATION! I want to declare a war on legislation! It's more than excessive, it's egregious! It's ubiquitous! It needs to stop!

It's ridiculous! I'm furious!

[cinFLA]

Seems you have forgotten about your post 13 referencing the WOD's .....

[Judith Anne]

Shoo!

[MrLeRoy]

Seems you have forgotten about your post 13 referencing the WOD's .....

That post was relevant to tobacco, as jmc813 and I have pointed out.

I haven't forgotten your ongoing cowardly refusal to tell us whether you support smoking bans on restaurants and bars.

[MrLeRoy]

What's so wrong with local smoking ordinances?

They're stupid---but, as you say, less bad than federal anti-tobacco edicts.

[MrLeRoy]

I just want to confront Congress with all the entire huge mass of LAWS, REGULATIONS, EDICTS, RULES, they've piled on the American people FOR DECADES! I want the son-of-a-guns to take a good look at this crap they've put over on American families, American business, American consumers, American TAX-PAYERS! I want them to run and hide from American ANGER, American HONESTY, American DETERMINATION! I want to declare a war on legislation! It's more than excessive, it's egregious! It's ubiquitous! It needs to stop!

Amen!