FREEDOMS

[blondie 11]

Tomorrow my state will join other states with banning smoking in all restaurants. I do not smoke, but it is not appauling to be around a smoker. Smokers have rights, and they vote. We are known as the tobacco state and will just run business over to W Va and Md, as they are so near. When do we have to stop giving up rights. Smokers have a right to kill themselves, if that is what it does.

[Red One]

When I was in the military they said Smokeum' if you gotum'. Look at the WW2 generation, just about everybody smoked and they have lived long lives. The liberals don't like cigarettes and want to ban them, except they don't want to loose the tax money. But you know how well prohibition worked.

[CWO3ROBBIE]

I'm not sure you can pin this on the liberals. I'm pretty liberal and I don't like the conservitives trying to tell me what I can or can't do, just because they think they know what's best.

[darroll]

PSSSSSSSSSSSS,
Don't tell the cops.
We have an ashtray in the other room.

[Red One]

Yeah, The Cig Cops will be after you!

[blondie 11]

I know nothing

[blondie 11]

I agree to disagree. I have seen people die just the way you discribe that have lived in the country in fresh air and have never been around a smoker. Many people die from lung cancer that have never smoked. Do not blame smokers for all the sins in this world. Again I do not smoke and I encourage people not to smoke. No memeber of my immediate family smokes. But smokers have rights, pay taxes, vote, and most of all, have an addiction. It is as real as a drug addiction.

[CWO3ROBBIE]

Well, if we outlaw everything that might kill us, I'm not sure I would want to live is such a boreing world. However, I understand your point. My point is, that as long as you are fully informed and able to make a choice of whether or not to participate, you should have that right. I have raced cars, gokarts and Motorcycles. I would not get in or on either of the last two without a helmet. But if you want to, have at it. I know that head injuries are the major cause of death in motor vehicle accidents. Should there be a law that says I have to wear a helmet if I drive any motor vehicle? I drive my car without a helmet all the time. Why, because I think wearing one in a passenger car is just to much trouble. I wore my seat belt years before it became law. I do not think there should be a law requiring it. If you want to pass a law that says if I don't wear my seat belt or helmet, no public medical facility has to treat me if I am involved in an accident, that makes sense to me. If you work in a place that does not allow smoking and they decide to change the rule, then you might have a legitimate complaint. If you join the Army, or a police force, or the fire department you know you might be put in a situation that just might lead to your death. Should we pass a law that prohibits us from protecting our country or our citizens because we might be killed while doing it?

[CWO3ROBBIE]

All I can say to you jacquin, is that it is people like you who think they have the right to dictate to the rest of us that we can do nothing to harm ourselves that fuel the resentment that keeps worthwhile things like universal health care from being passed. What gives you the right to tell me what I can do with my body or brain? Many of the human rights causes and laws that I have supported would have had more support from the general populous it weren't for people like you trying to make laws based on your arrogance.

[ZenDog]

I'm a smoker.

You are obviously not too bright. If you want to expose yourself to the risk of cancer from second hand smoke, that is your right. You are free to exercise that right at home.

[Red One]

The Federal Government will never ban cigarettes because they are addicted to the tax revenue. I believe a person has the freedom to do as they please.

[blondie 11]

folks get cancer without second hand smoke.----its all over, and these people have never smoked or been around people who have.