To Smoke or to Not Smoke, what's the question?

Currently on the battlefront of Midland Democracy is the subject of banning smoking from public establishments throughout the city of Midland. On the one hand, we have a very good doctor of Midland explaining the facts that smoking is bad for you, it isn't good for the people around you, it's bothersome and that it should be banned. On the other hand, we have a very reputable business owner with a long established pub that has frequent and many smokers coming to his establishment. To ban smoking, is to tell his patrons,"You are welcome, but not your dirty, nasty little habit... take that home!"

Hmmm... Dilemma.

Where do the rights of patron's begin and the rights of the property owner end?

Seeing as we live in a capitalistic society, it should follow that the people will vote with their dollars as to whether to allow smoking or not. However, as a society, we have been moving more and more over toward a socialistic stance in that the government is constantly being asked to step in and tell US what is wrong from right and thereafter... enforce it!

One example of this is Political Correctness. In my personal opinion, this is a villain that is more evil than most. In the interest of being nice to everyone, kind to everyone, equal to everyone... terminology has been set up so as to not offend anybody for any reason. The result has been a tongue-tied tap dance the likes we have NEVER seen before. Black people are not black! They are "African American." Spanish people, whether from Spain, Mexico, Puerto Rico, or East L.A. are "Latin American." Old people are no longer "Senior Citizens," they are "Seasoned Citizens" and with so many "baby boomers" about to join their ranks, I'm sure their title will change again.

Whoopie Goldberg was once quoted as saying,"I'm not an african american! I... am a Black... Woman! I am a woman who happens to be black!" Great! Glad we got that straight because we don't want any confusion there. But see, if "I" were the one to call her a black woman, I'd be shunned as a racist pig. Especially because I'm white! And why am I not referred to as a Caucasian American, hmm? (* EDIT * Let me be EXTRA clear here: I am not a racist. I happen to LOVE Whoopie G. and have the utmost respect for her. I'm sure when we get down to it, we don't agree on everything, but on this particular point... people need to LISTEN and UNDERSTAND.)

"So what's the point, John?" Thanks for asking. My point is, we are all so busy trying to please all the people, all the time, we are only DIVIDING UP THE NATION! Look at Midland for example. Half the people are for the ban, half are against. One side gets louder to make their point, so the other side has to get louder. The more and more we fight over this, the more divided we become. Before you know it, you have a problem on your hands that is volatile and potentially Dangerous. You think I'm exaggerating? Ask Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His crusade began with a boycott of buses. Years later he is assassinated? All HE wanted was equality.

Non-smoker's in Midland aren't asking for equality. They are asking for a Ban. Cut the smoker's "nasty" habit out of public places. Who are they to tell the PROPERTY OWNER'S what to do?

Yes, there are health risks. Yes, they have a right to not breath second hand smoke. But don't they also have the right to go somewhere else? How often does the good doctor go to The Bar? The Ranch? Bennigen's? Now there is an interesting question.

Vote with your pocket books, not with your hatred or prejudice. And you have to admit, it IS discrimination to tell smoker's they are not welcome. "Oh no! Just their habit isn't welcome!" Call it what you will, it does not change things.

That's my two cents.