whitey2 said:I should have said "un-American". As in, land of the free, home of the brave, etc., etc..
So we should lead our lives based on slogans?
I'm just happy we don't live by the slogan "Kill'em all, let God sort'em out".
whitey2 said:I should have said "un-American". As in, land of the free, home of the brave, etc., etc..
Russ Chewning said:Oh NO NO NO! I'm not going to let you off that easy. I specifically asked you a number of questions.
Please respond.
Now I wish I ignored all of them.Russ Chewning said:You conveniently ignored my other post.
I have never tried opium, so I am not qualified to answer that one. Got any?Was it "anti-American" (versus "un-American"..) for the U.S. government to ban smoking opium back in the days of the old West?
NO. I feel that was the correct thing to do, as I doubt there areWas it "anti-American" for the U.S. government to tell construction business owners they were not allowed to use asbestos insulation any more?
NO. And I am not aware of one log that complained.Was it "anti-American" for the U.S. government to tell logging companies they could not use mercury in the logging process any more?
Any farmer who leaks in the water supply is a disgrace.Was it "anti-American" for the U.S. government to tell farmers they could not use pesticides that leaked into the water supply anymore?
I'll take a 0 on that one.Was it "anti-American" for the U.S. government to tell U.S. Corporations that they had to follow a set of accounting standards, at risk of management going to prison if they refused?
NO. They should not be allowed to print anyone's address.Was it "anti-American" for the U.S. government to tell newspapers that they are not allowed to print the addresses of rape victims?
NO, It's OK as long as theyWas it "anti-American" for the U.S. government to tell businesses that they sometimes have to follow rules that may make their business less profitable, because the "will of the people" has spoken?
I know, I'm a victim ofFace it. Government has been telling businesses what they can, and cannot do for a LOOOOONNNNNG time. And there is not one business person alive today that did not know that before setting up shop.
Then ban non-smokers from the smoking pool halls, or at least warn them. If they want to avoid the place they can.Often, the greater good overrides the business interests of a person, or group of people. And the business may suffer a little. That's just the way things are. The business owneers can fight it, and end up going out of business, or they can adapt and cash in on the new healthier America.
And just to let you know, it's not the government driving this non-smoking legislation as a whole. It's the people. So ***** to your fellow non smoking neighbor, if you must complain to anyone.
Nonsmokers are the majority, like it or not. And they say they want to go into any business that does not expressedly ban them, and not have to deal with what they consider to be "unsanitary" conditions.
And yes, having smoke soaked into every available surface is "unsanitary".
Russ
MrLucky said:What I have learned from this post and the many others before it are...........
Most of the posters / complainers pushing the smoking bans are others whom believe it is their place to dictate life and rules for society!!! Surprise Surprise!
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They are not going to listen to any reasonable argument that is contrary to their need to be able to enforce their beliefs whenever and wherever they feel the urge to offer their opinion around right and wrong !
In their mind everyone else should not complain about their obvious right to tell others how to live / It's unfathomable that they might possibly be able to comprehend the fact that everyone within they eye and earshot should be willing to live their own life. Additionally, these non-smokers could simply choose to avoid businesses that support smoking, giving their money to those that share their beliefs. It's more American to just ban things you don't like and enforce your way of life![]()
OH MY GOD, IT TOOK 66 POSTS FOR SOMEONE (THANKS TO GUTZ) TO FINALLY REALIZE WHAT I WAS SAYING TO BEGIN WITH .Gutz said:what it boils down to is you have the choice to go there or not, if you want to smoke then find somewhere else to go play...I personally would like not to smell like smoke when I leave the pool hall, but it's my choice to go in and play...unfortunately the owners are the ones who suffer...
MrLucky said:What I have learned from this post and the many others before it are...........
Most of the posters / complainers about the soon to be everywhere smoking bans are the addicted smokers !!! Surprise Surprise!
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They are not going to listen to any reasonable argument that is contrary to their need to be able to smoke whenever and wherever they feel the urge to light up regardless of others opinions desires or the effect their nasty and dangerous habit has on others !
In their mind everyone else should not complain about secondary smoke / Cancer dangers and the nasty smells left on our clothes as long as these smokers can continue to INDULGE THEIR ADDICTION unimpeded by reason or others rights to healthy indulgence of the sport of pool !![]()
Snapshot9 said:I am trying to avoid being Controversial here, but it is getting harder ....
Everyone has personal choices to make, and it is their choices, not anyone elses. Don't like smoke, just don't go there. Live and let live is a good motto to live by. So is Don't Tread on me.
Lets see, I can see the Armed Forces telling the military personnel they can no longer smoke, especially in a war zone ..... LOL
I fought for my country, 3 tours of Nam, and I'll be damned if I will let some pansy non-smokers tell me how to live my life.
(fades out as Frank Sinatra's, 'That's Life' is playing in the background.
Russ Chewning said:So in my situation, you are cool with the ONE pool hall in my entire city being filled with smoke, requiring me to go 20 miles out of my way because of a habit belonging to a minority in the population, right?
Get off it. Noone is telling them they can't smoke. We are talking about having them walk outside and do it. This is NOT a major inconvenience, unlike having a person drive 20 miles out of their way.
And what if you happen to live in a remote area? Where there migt not be a poolhall closer than 50 miles away, like in areas of Texas?
Oh, oh, oh yeah. I see. A smoker's right to smoke indoors supercedes the rights of the other 75% of the population to be able to choose the ONLY available business.
Seriously.. Do people think before they enter intellectual discussions? I mean, what is the problem here? Smokers know that the vast majority of non smokers DO NOT LIKE the smell of smoke. So why make a big deal about going outside when you need a fix?
Russ
Russ Chewning said:It's a yes or no question. Do the rights of a smoker override the rights of a non smoker, even though the non smoker is a majority?
Yes......Or No?
Russ
Too bad you can't fix a dying cancer victim as easily as changing my post!Big Perm said:Fixed it fer ya.....aloha Lucky![]()
PKM said:I couldn't resist the urge to jump in here. This is a false choice, what about the rights of the business owner?
BTW, I am a non-smoker.
PKM said:I couldn't resist the urge to jump in here. This is a false choice, what about the rights of the business owner? When does someone's private property become public?
The other regulatory examples you gave applied in cases where the affected party was unaware of being exposed. That wouldn't apply here.
BTW, I am a non-smoker.
MrLucky said:Too bad you can't fix a dying cancer victim as easily as changing my post!![]()
3andstop said:Interesting thread. I'm not going to comment on what the government should or should not get involved with, but I will tell you that I am a prior pool room owner. 18 gold crowns and a bar. Someone mentioned they would like to hear from some room owners so I'll tell you how I feel personally.
I sold the business before these non smoking laws came into effect but I'll say that the smoke in our room was disgusting. We ended up purchasing quite a few smoke eaters that were neither inexpensive or totally effective. I hated the smoke. Besides coughing up garbage all night at home, my cloths stunk of smoke. I wish we would have been able to ban it on our own without listening to a ton of $h@# every two minutes and trying to enforce it every two seconds. (It was hard enough to enforce male players to wear their pants around their waist instead of their knees.)
IMO the no smoking law did one thing for sure, right or wrong in terms of government involvement it made the rooms cleaner, healthier and more attractive to spend time in.
Now, I have occasion to go to a few local rooms from time to time as I've been playing since I was a small kid and still enjoy the game. Now that its easier to breath with all that clean air, all that's left is that ridiculous NOISE POLLUTION. If they would just turn down that garbage they call music to a reasonable sound level I may not be grabbing for my jacket at 9pm when it becomes headache city and you can't even hold a conversation with someone right next to you without screaming.
MY OPINION? Ya need the smoke OUT of the pool rooms and the animals IN the zoo. Then ya got it licked! After all, the government did make a law against shooting these bas#@%s without asking us. Damned regulators.