L.A. May Snuff Out Smoking In City Parks

Washington Post ^ | Sunday, October 27, 2001 | Rene Sanchez

[CedarDave]

First they were kicked out of workplaces. Then banned from bars and restaurants. The last place smokers here have left to light up is the outdoors, and now even that right may be restricted. City Council members are contemplating a crackdown on smoking that would be tougher than any in the country: They may banish smokers from all public parks.

[CedarDave]

Searched and didn't see this posted previously.

Pretty soon, the Smoke Patrol will set up stakeouts in unmarked cars around the parks and take away the criminals in handcuffs.

Every time I think it can't get any crazier, it does.

[CedarDave]

Article date is Sunday, October 28

[zoso82t]

The ban on smoking in public parks "is the next logical step,"...

I guess the next logical step would be to make smoking in your home illegal, right? Hi, ho, it's down the slippery slope we go...

[atafak]

We don't have the resources to track down and deport all those who are in this country illegally, but we are going to have smoke-cops hiding in the bushes, watching for illegal smokers. This country is insane.

[petuniasevan]

BUMP!

[CedarDave]

I think the federal courts have banned use of infrared sensors by the cops to detect pot growing in homes, so cigarettes might be safe. (However, when you buy them they could follow you home and say its prima-facie evidence of intent to commit a crime!)

[janetgreen]

Let's tell Ms. Perry what we think of her lamebrained plan. Email her at: perry@council.lacity.org

[StoneColdGOP]

I can tell you some parks we can stay away from...

[Red Dawn]

Doesn't anyone have any balls anymore? Isn't there enough smokers in LA to unite and tell this woman "Look, we are 10000 strong and we demand you drop this ridiculous proposal. If you persue this we will recall you and you will never hold public office again!" Inaction is why this country is falling apart. All everyone does is complain then accept.

[BADROTOFINGER]

Even as wacky as Kalifornia is, this wont last. Why not, you ask?

Simple. Enforcement of this law will force the cops to go after the anonymous-homosexual-liasons-in-the-park crowd once they go after smokers.

Actually, that wouldnt be a bad idea for citizens to get rid of the homos lurking in the parks, just organize a FReeping public smoking type sit-in protest...JFK

[eternity]

And who is going to enforce this law?

[StealthChild]

The e-mail link didn't work for me...I had tried it before you had posted it. Ditto for e-mail to Governor Gray Davis.

The ringleader, anti-smoking zealot Henry Waxman, is to blame. Beyond that, it's the usual state socialists with their ever-lengthening tentacles into the lives of the citizens they "serve."

[Bella_Bru]

grumble....grumble...

Hey! We'll just do something more offensive at the park than smoking!

[StoneColdGOP]

I don't know, In L.A. that may pass muster just fine.

[CedarDave]

Homosexual sex in the parks will not be stopped (as long as it's not too public); can't have the gay community upset, can we?? However, smokers, they're a dirty bunch, all smelling of stale smoke and all; can't have any of that second hand smoke or cigarette butts affect any of the little kiddies, can we?? But used needles and condoms, well that's a different matter -- can't hassle the users and gays. < /sarcasm, replaced with disgust>

[wayne_shrugged]

L.A. May Snuff Out Smoking In City Parks

Too bad we're not more interested in snuffing out the terrorist cells among us -- and those we definitely have.

Stupid, PC idiots!

[Bella_Bru]

Ummmm...I was not talking about homosexual sex. See if you can follow me. I am female, StoneCold is male......still with me?