Damn, you had to burst my bubble! 
But your right: Not many stood up when this started happening, so why should we think that they will stand up now? Too much to hope for.
Posted on 08/09/2002 6:06:45 AM PDT by SheLion
Your wrong:
No they wouldn't, because cigar bars are "cool" with the liberal elete.
So, 76% of the restaurants want to increase costs and reduce revenues ?
If indeed 76% want to offer smokefree facilities, why don't they leave the other 24% the hell alone?
A ban lowers costs while not affecting revenues.
I imagine you believe that, but it's crap.
I was surprised with that data but it would explain a lot to me. I could never understand why the restaurant lobby didn't take on these smoking bans if it hurt there bottom line.
My working theory is that they may actually be behind the scenes pushing for statewide bans. That way they are on a level playing field for customers and they can lower their staffing by not having to staff two areas.
I admit its just a guess but it would explain the results of this poll and would explain their lack of reaction to other state bans.
Perfect example: Hannity's radio show today, Aug. 9, 2002. A caller called and said:
"Sean, I'm a conservative here in CA, and the smoking ban is the best thing to come out of California since Ronald Reagan!"
With a completely 180 degree view of 'personal freedom', this 'conservative' was bashing business-owner rights without end.
When you get self-styled 'conservatives' lauding huge nanny-state laws, where else are we to go but down?
It's already started, and it's well on its way.
It doesn't matter whether or not the smoking bans cost restaurants money. Following your example, I guess the government should decide which measures a business owner can take to improve his profits... if not, then don't bring up the revenue argument. It's a freedom argument. It's a business-owner's rights issue, not a revenue issue. More than affecting just smoking, this ban is an open door for every liberal to trample on the rights of business owners in the name of Health and Safety.
Let the restaurant owner decide -- if they think they'll get more revenue from a non-smoking restuarant, they'd CREATE a non-smoking restaurant. If they think they'll get more revenue from a 1/2 smoking / 1/2 non-smoking restaurant, LET THEM DECIDE.
I've never understood this argument that the customer is ENTITLED to dictate to business owners how they run their business.
This has been a VERY depressing day with what all I have heard on the tube today. MSNBC is running that poll about Bloomberg banning smoking in New York......Talk Back Live also had it on, and with only 1 out of 4 that smoke, we are so terribly outnumbered. Even the non smokers have turned against us! BIG time.
Lestor Holt on MSNBC just interviewd Nachman who has his own show at 7pm. Nachman smokes cigars, is against the bans, but said sadly "Pro smoking is gone." We can never regain the ground now that we have lost. It's gone too far to get our freedom back."
So, if any smokers in here have any ideas, please let me know. This day has worn me out and worn me down. Oh yes, one black man, on Talk Back Live, said "I am not a smoker, and if people do not want to be around smokers, go to another place. If this ban in New York passes, God help America." I was very proud of that man. He made more sense then the three guests the show had on.
This is truly a sad day in America when the likes of Bloomberg and Davis and Glantz and Banzhaf rule the world. They must feel very smug in their evil little minds.
CIVIL WAR?
We just need to teach the importance of FREEDOM in America more than we preach the importance of Public Safety and Security. The latter two are all the rage -- the former is forgotten.
I honestly believe that there are millions and millions of people in America who would embrace the freedom our Fathers gave us, if they only understood what it's all about. But we spend so much time and effort clamoring for government solutions to everything that all those millions, who could be soldiers in the army of freedom, start to think that the State will run our lives better than we could on our own.
The legacy of embracing freedom, and questioning government, is almost gone. A civil war won't do any good if nobody shows up to fight it.
Option? What blooming option? THey have an option now. There will be no option under the new law!
But now, the arguments are all about 'customer health' and 'customer happiness'.
The erosion of rights is happening right before our eyes.
Sadly, I fear you are right. If it's said by someone in "authority", it must be correct. And most people want to be safe more than they want to be free.
Damn, you had to burst my bubble!
But your right: Not many stood up when this started happening, so why should we think that they will stand up now? Too much to hope for.
The erosion of rights is happening right before our eyes.
Nackman, the host at 7pm on MSNBC told Lester Holt "that there is no more Pro Smoking. We have lost. We can never get it back now. The radicals have won."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.