Just lost a customer/Letter from a lady in Maine

The Bangor Daily News ^ | 13 July 2002 | Donna George

[SheLion]

Today, I sent my son-in-law to the Maine Smoke Shop in Brewer to buy some tobacco. He is 19 years old, and is in the military. The person at the counter asked for his ID, which I can understand. When she saw it, however, she showed it to the owner, and the owner said, “That’s no good, get out of here.”

My son-in-law told me several places in Bangor will not accept his military ID. What is wrong with this town? I will ask everyone else just as I asked the owner of that shop when I called him: Do you not appreciate having your country protected by our boys?

I am from a military family. My father was retired military, and I was born in Bangor, but I am ashamed of how most of the businesses in this town act and treat their customers. This is the most unappreciative town I have ever lived in, and I have lived in many.

Our military men and women should be treated with respect, as should any customer. To tell someone to get our of their store because of their ID is an embarrassment. Do they treat all military personnel that way? Judging by the economy around here, they should be kissing their feet, for more reasons than just that they are protecting us. I informed the Maine Smoke Shop that they just lost a customer because of their attitude, and if I didn’t live here now, and need some of the other stores around here, I would tell them the same.

Donna George

Carmel

[SheLion]

So, now even the MILITARY ID isn't good in the Republic of Maine..........

[SheLion]

Oh! But the Republic of Maine taxes my husbands military retirement! They sure know when to GRAB THOSE TAXES, though, don't they!

[LibKill]

As my old drill instructors used to say, "That's mighty effing humble!".

Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to those who put their lives on the line for us.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Hmmm... Not accepting military ID... Have your son spread the word on base, or contact someone in authority at the local baseand watch how fast that jerk's business is put on the 'Do not patronize' list... Then we'll see how long that store's policy lasts...

[Japedo]

Good post Shelion, Do you happen to have an email, snail mail, or Phone Number were as freepers can send letters of protest to this outrageous Maine Smoke Shop???

I would love to send my 2 cents worth of comments!
God bless!

[jimtorr]

I see a lot of ID cards, picture ID is required where I work. I wonder if he had one of the new military ID cards? The ones with the computer chip? I saw one for the first time a few weeks ago, and it does look odd, like it's fake.

[SheLion]

For starters, you all can send a letter to the Editor:

letters@bangordailynews.net

I will look into finding out the email of this Smoke Shop(if the ignoramous) has one.

[End Times Sentinel]

Probably just bowing to the maddening pressure not to sell tobacco to anyone who might possibly be under 18, thanks to the moronic uses of the cash from the Tobacco settlements (not that it mitigates the ignorance on the part of the shop owner).

I’m curious, in PA we have an embarrassingly stupid “Compliance Alliance” campaign to identify and fine shop owners who sell smokes to under aged people (or those without ID). Is this a national thing or just something that Pennsylvanians are subjected to (the Compliance Alliance campaign)?

Owl_Eagle

”Guns Before Butter.”

[rustbucket]

How old does one have to be to purchase cigarettes in Maine? 18? 21? Never having smoked, I don't know the answer.

Are the military IDs easy to fake? Do they have no picture? Or is it just anti-military prejudice on the part of the store owner?

[doug from upland]

Maybe he could get an ID from Mexico. Apparently in our insanity, those are going to be okay.

[SheLion]

Do any of you know the address, phone number or email address of this Smoke Shop??? The posters here really would love to have it.

As well as I!

[sweetliberty]

"Are the military IDs easy to fake? Do they have no picture?"

I don't know, but this reminded me of the time I was fired from a job...many years ago, for having a"fake" ID. I was 18 years old and the ID was a military dependent ID. It was NOT fake. Maybe some civilians just aren't familiar enough with it. It's hard to belive that there could be such extreme prejudice. I don't know why this would surprise me though, given the insanity we see all over this country, thanks to the psycho liberals.

[Japedo]

How old does one have to be to purchase cigarettes in Maine? 18? 21? Never having smoked, I don't know the answer. Are the military IDs easy to fake? Do they have no picture? Or is it just anti-military prejudice on the part of the store owner?

Smoking age is 18, Military ID's are a valid form of ID and do have Pictures. *IF the store owners thought it to be fake they could have confiscated it and called the police. The actions of this store are well beyond acceptable.I find them to be of like minded Leftist that are quickly consuming the Northeast!

[SheLion]

How old does one have to be to purchase cigarettes in Maine? 18? 21? Never having smoked, I don't know the answer.

Are the military IDs easy to fake? Do they have no picture? Or is it just anti-military prejudice on the part of the store owner?

You have to be 18 in the state of Maine to buy cigarettes.

Military ID's require a picture. Even dependents. (I would scan mine and post it here, but I'm not telling my age)heh!

It states on the top "UNITED STATES UNIFORMED SERVICES

Has the Seal of the branch of service one is in. Has your social security number. Has your signature. Has the expiration date. Has a bunch of holograms under lamination.

On the rear, it has color of hair, eyes, height, weight. It states DD Form 1173. Then states PROPERTY OF US GOVERNMENT.

There is NO way anyone can tamper with or change this ID in any way shape or form.

Or is it just anti-military prejudice on the part of the store owner?

IMHO - YES

[Great Dane]

Bastids.

[Illbay]

Is it possible that this guy is just kinda slow, and didn't recognize the thing, so he thought "maybe this is a sting"?

Without knowing the facts, I'd be slow to be incensed by this. It's not like he was asking for medical treatment, for goodness' sake.

[mombonn]

Maybe he could get an ID from Mexico.

Or Visa Express.

[Japedo]

Well Illbay, that's highly doubtful, beings though the STATE issues posters (that places are to hang so consumers can view it) what forms of ID's are acceptable. Passport is also acceptable, even though many people don't use it.

If this "guy" is that slow, he has no business running a business in the first place. A place called the "smoke shop"? LOL Pulezzzz

[SheLion]

Is it possible that this guy is just kinda slow, and didn't recognize the thing, so he thought "maybe this is a sting"?

I realize some people in Maine are "slow," but she stated that he went to several other places, showed his military ID and was turned away there, as well.

We have always been told if stopped by law enforcement, produce your drivers license AND your military ID.

This military ID has always been well respected throughout the US and Europe. It would take a dumb yokel not to respect an ID from the military, but in this day and age, there is a lot of "disrespect" for the military.

And they will show their "true colors" one way or another.

The Military ID has his PICTURE, his BIRTHDATE, and all the information I listed above.

I am outraged over this.

[Illbay]

Well, that might be, but some people just don't want the hassle. You can find an anti-gov rant in that someplace, I suppose.

If this "guy" is that slow, he has no business running a business in the first place.

Er, I didn't realize there was I.Q. testing required before you could open a business. You ARE anti-gov regulation aren't you?

A place called the "smoke shop"? LOL Pulezzzz

Well, that's no worse than the literally-titled "Indian Smoke Shop" in Broken Arrow, OK, where I used to live, that was a giant Teepee on the side of the road.