A pipe collector's convention is leaving Chicago next year because they are not allowed to smoke.
Sitting in a tent more than 15 feet away from a St. Charles convention center Friday, Al Shinogle lit up his hand-carved Danish pipe and explained why there was so much frustration at this year's Chicagoland International Pipe & Tobacciana Show—the largest pipe collector's gathering in the country."How would you like it if you went to a wine tasting and you couldn't taste the wine?" asked the 53-year-old Denver resident. "It's a freedom issue."
On Thursday, pipe aficionados learned that their attempts to allow smoking inside the Pheasant Run convention center, where some 4,000 were expected to linger over tables laid out with aromatic tobacco and intricately carved briar pipes Saturday and Sunday, had gone up in smoke.
The quote of the day comes from anti-freedom government official
"This is the first time we've seen such a blatant attempt . . . to actually undermine the law through legal sophistry," said Mike Grady, the American Cancer Society's Illinois director of public policy. "We're very happy with the outcome. This is the perfect example that the law is being enforced."
I like how when people try to exercise their Constitutional rights to freely associate and assemble it is "circumventing" law. But when these fascists pass laws that directly do circumvent the United States Constitution that is all right.
A possible smoking ban is in the works in Pennsylvania.
The proposed smoking bill in the State Senate is a bill that deserves to die a quick death. Take away the tobacco element, and the the core of the bill is a frightening assault on our liberties hiding behind words like "public health" and "common sense".
Proponents of the bill cite public health. They say that the poor employees and other customers of an establishment are at risk. They fail to mention that most restaurants and many workplaces are already smoke-free. They did so on their own free will and accord. No heavy-handed government regulations caused them to do so. The remaining bars and restaurants that allow smoking have done so again on their own accord.
As customers we have the choice where to go. We vote with our wallets. The fact that there are still bars and restaurants that allow smoking show that there is not a strong enough economic push for every single establishment to go smoke free. So why can't smokers go to a place that allows smoking if they wish, and people who don't want to smoke choose a place that doens't allow it? Seems simple to me.
Lastly, this law is more about government intrusion into our lives. If it was really about public health tobacco would have been banned outright. The reason governments do not do so is because of the huge tax revenue brought in from tobacco. According to the Tax Policy Center, in 2005 Pennsylvania brought in over 1 billion dollars in tax revenue from tobacco. That is a lot of money. Money that funds roads, schools, and even the social programs that bad mouth tobacco. Without this 1 billion dollars we would see cuts in services across the state or higher property and income taxes.
Are we willing to see that happen? Maybe, but I'm willing to bet the same activists who are pushing these bills across the country would be the same ones who would cry when social programs are cut or when taxes go up because of lost tobacco reveune.
We live in a world of laws. To damned many of them. These politicians have way too much time on their hands. A country that was founded on the ideals of liberty, personal freedom, and freedom from tyranny has become an endorser of everything our founding fathers stood for.
NJ to ban texting and talking on the phone
New Hampshire has banned smoking in bars and restaurants. I guess the phrase "Live Free or Die" is only lip service.
I am sick of these freedom hating assholes trying to legislate us to death. Our founding fathers would be sick if they saw this today. More importantly if people like Ben Franklin, Thomas Paine, and George Washington were alive today they would be considerd cooks, or fringe candidate because they would be against this needless legislation.
They would stand against cell phone bans and limits on where you can smoke.
John Stuart Mill said it best
The sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant. He cannot rightfully be compelled to do or forbear because it will be better for him to do so, because it will make him happier, because, in the opinion of others, to do so would be wise, or even right... The only part of the conduct of anyone, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign.
This is totally rediculous. In a town in Georgia, it is illegal to sing in a bar
LILBURN, Ga. -- More than 100 people turned out at a Lilburn City Council meeting to protest a liquor law that prohibits karaoke, cards, trivia, dancing and other games in restaurants that sell alcohol.Many in the crowd last night were on hand to support the Sports Fan Bar and Grill, the tavern where they have gone to sing and to play darts and trivia and shoot pool.
Police in the Gwinnett County city recently have started enforcing the ordinance more strongly.
Mayor Jack Bolton says Lilburn wants to attract restaurants, but it wants to keep out bars that he says are masquerading as restaurants. City Council members all expressed concern that bars would lead to increased crime in Lilburn.
In February, the police chief visited 17 establishments to tell them that entertainment had to be restricted to television, listening to music and other passive forms of fun.
Of course the jackboot cops are there to squash not only the personal property rights of restaruants and bars, but to kill our fun.
And people wonder why I don't like cops. They've gone from stopping actual crimes to being harassers of regular citizens.
New York has banned Trans-Fat. First it was smoking, now it's Crisco. People like Rush Limbaugh were 100% correct many years ago when they said that when you allow local, state, or federal governments to ban things that they deem bad for you such as smoking, you open the door for them to ban anything they deem bad for you.
Reason Magazine has a great dissertation on this topic
Is there any doubt that the infantilization of adults is one of the defining characteristics of contemporary politics?Last week alone, New York City banned the use of trans fats in restaurant meals, and an Ohio law passed in November that bans smoking in virtually all business establishments (even in company-owned vehicles such as trailer-truck cabs) went into effect. However different the actions may seem on the surface, they share something all too common in today's America: They rob us of the right to make decisions--however stupid, unwise or repugnant to refined sensibilities--about how we want to live, work and eat.
Sums it up pretty good. All you do gooders out there who want to ban stuff beware. Maybe your vices will be targeted next.
Goodbye freedoms.
The smoking nazi's are at it again. This time banning smoking in all places except single family homes.
But I'm sure they will have no trouble taking tax money from cigarettes.
In order to buy sudafed now you have to go to the counter, sign a release saying you will not make meth, and give them a copy of your driver's license. All of this is intrusive and based on the assumption that I might be making illegal drugs.
This post puts it well. It is authoritarian, and wrong of the government to intrude on our rights for things we might do.
In Austin a Federal Judge has struck down part of a smoking ban, citing it as unconstitutional.
A federal judge on Wednesday struck down part of Austin's smoking ban and found that some of its enforcement provisions were "unconstitutionally vague."The decision by U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks did not overturn the smoking ban, enacted by voters in May 2005. But Sparks did clarify what steps a business owner must take to be in compliance with the ordinance. Sparks was presiding over a lawsuit filed last year by a group of bar owners.
At Click's Billiards on East Oltorf Street, the bar cannot provide ashtrays and must still post no-smoking signs. But if Blake Tynes lights up anyway, a federal judge's new ruling says that it's Tynes – not the bar owner – who can be cited.
Sparks said the businesses must post "no smoking" signs and remove ashtrays and other smoking accoutrements. However, the owner can no longer be held liable for not taking additional steps if patrons continue to smoke, Sparks ruled.
"Thank goodness there was a judge that finally had some sense," said Rebecca Davis, a bartender at the Elephant Room, a Congress Avenue cellar-turned-jazz club, where a faint odor of smoke permeated the air and smokers were already celebrating Wednesday night. "This is going to help my happy hour business so much."
Several customers said they've smoked cautiously at the bar since the ban went into place, holding their cigarettes out of sight when somebody new walked in. But on Wednesday, Davis told everyone about the ruling as they approached the bar.
It's about time the judges got it right. Though a law passed by voters should be given some deference, but only if it is constitutional. It appears this one is not.
More and more I am agreeing with Radley. The Republicans deserve to lose the Senate
In a move that is un-democratic, Senate Majority leader Bill First tucked a measure that would ban internet gambling into a bill enhancing port security.
"Gambling can be highly addictive, especially when its done over an unregulated environment such as the Internet" he said this year."If Congress had not acted, gamblers would soon be able to place bets not just from home computers, but from their cell phones while they drive home from work or their Blackberries as they wait in line at the movies," Leach said.
The US Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve Board will jointly develop implementing rules for the new law, while financial institutions have nine months to incorporate its provision.
Leach cited research which showed that young people who tend to spend hours of leisure time on the Internet, are particularly vulnerable.
A 2005 survey by the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg Public Policy Center found that 26 percent of male college students gamble in online card games at least once a month, while nearly 10 percent of all college students gambled online at some point last year.
"Never has it been so easy to lose so much money so quickly at such a young age. The casino is in effect brought to the home, office and college dorm.
"Children may play without verification, and betting with a credit card can undercut a players perception of the value of cash, which too easily leads to bankruptcy and crime," Leach said.
Experts said the vast majority of bettors are placing wagers on poker.
"Everyone loses if this industry continues its remarkable growth trends," Leach said.
Republicans tucked the measure into a bill aimed at enhancing port security, which passed early Saturday.
I find it ironic that gambling is good in states like New Jersey and Nevada. Pennsylvania just passed a law allowing slot machines at race tracks and resorts. Pennsylvania also has this comercial where Gus the Groundhog tells everyone to keep scratching (PA lottery instant tickets that is).
With just a month to go before elections anyone up for reelection would not dare vote to squash the nanny law, because doing so would be voting against port security. Nice move Mr. Frist.
Of course the Republicans are salavating at a chance to further entrench their moralistic vision of America on us. The sad thing is the only alternative is the Democrats. Though they will let you live your life, they want to control the free market through taxation and regulation. Makes me not want to even vote anymore.
When I think about the busybody government, intruding into our lives, based on the moral will of a few, I get angry. A quote I came across recently says it better than I can.
"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." -C. S. Lewis
In some ways living under the reign of Al Capone in Chicago. Sure he was a murderous thug, but he was only supplying the black market for alcohol made possible by meddling do gooders like Molly Hatchet.
I'm sure if I lived during that time I would have been drinking his illegal booze, and lamented the moralists who wished to control my life.
Well. Don't say I didn't warn you. First they go after smoking in the name of "public health". Now the same asshole nanny types want to ban any restaruants in New York City from using transfats.
NEW YORK — Three years after the city banned smoking in restaurants, health officials are talking about prohibiting something they say is almost as bad: artificial trans fatty acids.The city health department unveiled a proposal Tuesday that would bar cooks at any of the city's 24,600 food service establishments from using ingredients that contain the artery-clogging substance, commonly listed on food labels
I've spoken to many people who were for smoking bans. I told them that if you disregard the rights of tavern owners and disallow then from allowing smoking in their own establishments, it wouldn't be long before those same dogooders would be after other things they think are bad for you. Now it's smoking, tomorrow it's Crisco. What will be next?
Don't say I didn't warn you.
Mayor Street passed the anti-smoking bill. I guess freedom of association and private property rights don't count for a hill of beans in this town.
Philadelphia is going smoke-free.Mayor Street's spokesman this morning confirmed that the mayor has signed legislation prohibiting smoking from almost all Philadelphia bars and restaurants, ending weeks of speculation about whether the proposed ban would fall victim to City Hall politics.
The smoking Nazis are set to win a victory in Philadelphia. If mayor Street decides to pass it, that is.
Philadelphia Mayor John Street said he plans to make his decision regarding the city’s proposed smoking ban in public places this morning. City Council passed the ban in June. Street’s biggest problem with the current bill is a provision allowing smoking in outdoor cafes.“It has the potential to destroy the environment for everyone inside the restaurant,” Street said.
Why can't they just let bars and restaurants who want to allow smoking to allow smoking. Bars and restaurants who want to ban it, to ban it. That way when I want to eat in a smoke free environment I can go to a place that bans smoking, but if I want to have a cigar while watching Penn State or the Eagles, I can go to a place that allows that? Why? WHY? WHY!!!!???
In a blow to the do gooders around the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the House rejected a bill that would ban smoking most every place
This is good news for business owners who wish to choose what sort of customers they wish to have. It is also a blow to people like Rep. Susan Cornell, R-Montgomery, who wish to sit on both sides of the fence; Raking in billions in tobacco taxes to pay for their pork and pay increases while making smokers stay home and limiting the responsible use of a legal product by consenting adults.
The anti-smoking nazis are at it again. This time in the armpit of America, the shitty ass state of New Jersey. As if I needed another reason not to go to the cesspool which is New Jersey, now they have banned consuming a legal substance inside bars and restaurants.
Banned in JerseyWhen it starts:12:01 a.m. tomorrow.
What it affects: Restaurants and bars; public transit areas; all public schools and school grounds; sports facilities, including racetracks and bowling alleys; health-care facilities; parking areas; lobbies; bingo parlors; malls; theaters; clubs; concert halls; museums; and libraries.
The state has proposed banning smoking within 25 feet of smoke-free buildings, but that rule could be amended.
Where smoking is allowed:Casino floors, cigar bars, tobacco retailers, private homes and cars. Hotels and motels may permit smoking in 20 percent of their rooms.
Penalties:Fines of $250 to $1,000 could be levied against patrons who smoke and establishments that allow smoking. Local health officials are the primary enforcers, but officials expect that business owners and customers will largely police the ban. If a patron violates the law, police can be called to issue a summons.
What I find ironic is that a lot of these anti smoking groups, most notable The Truth gets their money directly from tobacco companies or from taxes from tobacco sales.
They owe their livlihoods to the very tobacco companies they want to put out of business. Deep down they don't want tobacco companies to go out of business, becasue that would mean they would have to get real jobs. They just want to inconvenience smokers.
If a restaurant owner wants to have a nice establishment where someone can enjoy a nice cigar with their scotch, then why can't they do that?
Listen to my words, the next step will be an outright ban on somking, and then they will go after other things they deem as dangerous. Maybe they'll tax if you are fat, or give you a ticket for feeding your kid fattening food. Anything these no nothing dogooders don't like you to do, they will attack.
I expand upon this story in my latest podcast.
As a libertarian minded conservative, I was angered recently when the Pennsylvania State Police and the Liquor Control Board raided the local Elks club and seized money and video poker machines. Many people where I live are livid about the raid, and blame the State Police and Liquor Control for their fascist tactics.
The Elks are popular in this town of about 4,200 that's still struggling to recover from the decline of the coal industry. The lodge sponsors a Little League baseball team, summertime movies in the borough park and a fishing tournament for kids. To many Frackville residents, the raid was politically motivated or was another example of how the downtrodden region gets no respect."It would be different if they were selling dope or prostitutes or if the football pool was $100,000 a block," said Bender, who is not a member of the Elks. "It's a shame. The state police and LCB don't realize what the Elks do for the veterans and the kids."
I agree that the cops overstepped their bounds. The Elks does more for the communities they serve in one weekend than any State Police barracks does in a year.
What was more underhanded was several months ago, a woman joined the Elks and Elks Auxillery. Turned out she was an under cover State Police woman. I would have asusmed that the presence of an adams apple should have clued them in she wasn't a normal woman. But she joined, and even the day of the raid was serving breakfast at their monthly breakfast fundraiser.
I find it ironic that the government wants us to gamble. The Agitator points out connections to Tony Soprano. If a mafia tries to break-up a rival gambling ring, it's a crime and bad, but if the State Police do it, it's just to "protect us". I say there is no difference. The gambling at the Elks was cutting into the profits of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Here in Pennsylvania the Lottery recently started pulling two sets of numbers, and our legislature recently approved slot machines at racetracks and casinos. See the connection? The money from the legal lottery and slots will go into the pockets of the government to waste on what not.
But try to have a sports pool to help pay for heating oil or for kids with cancer, and the State wants to come in and stop it.
Those police should be ashamed.
For now, the ban on smoking in philly has been shelved. Apparently they didn't have quite the number of votes to pass it.
ON A ST. PATRICK'S Day when tavern owners were hoping for high volume business, they got something even better, a present from a Philadelphia City Council that deadlocked and then delayed action on a smoking ban bill.It was a day when City Councilman Rick Mariano proved to be the better nose counter than his colleague Michael Nutter, who sponsored the Street administration bill
I find it strange that in Philly they want to vote to ban smoking, but failed to pass a law outlawing giving government contracts to political contributors.
In the face of opposition from the Street administration, an unprecedented proposal to curb the longstanding practice of awarding lucrative government contracts to political contributors fell short of passage by a single vote in City Council yesterday.The vote came even as Mayor Street's former city treasurer stands trial on corruption charges that prosecutors cast as part of Philadelphia's "pay to play" political culture. Council voted, 11-5, for the measure, but failed to muster the 12-vote supermajority required to put the charter-change measure before voters. Four of the five "no" votes came from close Street allies.
The five Council members who voted against the measure were Jannie Blackwell, Darrell L. Clarke, Rick Mariano, Donna Reed Miller and Marian Tasco.
What a city.
You know how the big thing right now is buying cigarettes on-line to avoid paying tobacco taxes in your home state? I know a lady that buys her cigs from some Indian reservation and gets them for $15 a carton.
In Michigan, the loss of revenue has prompted lawmakers to send tax bills to those unsuspecting smokers.
Hundreds of Michigan residents are getting a big surprise this tax season--hefty tax bills for cigarettes they bought online over the past four years.The state sent the bills to 553 residents last week after subpoenaing 13 online tobacco shops for names of Michigan customers and their order histories, a Michigan Treasury Department spokesman Caleb Buhs said on Friday. The tax bills are based on information from just one store, and the state expects to collect more names from the others.
Collectively, the people receiving this first round of bills owe the state $1.4 million, an average of $2,500 per person, Buhs said. They have until March 14 to pay.
"At its most fundamental level, this is an issue of tax fairness," State Treasurer Jay B. Rising said in a statement. "It is only right that out-of-state vendors, who conduct business only online and at arms length, follow the letter of the law. These taxes are collected by brick-and-mortar businesses in Michigan, and Internet vendors should not be allowed to skirt their responsibility."
I like how he says "tax fairness". There is no such thing. No tax is fair. I think he's just mad because the free market found a way to circumvent opressive taxes. It's definately not fair to the mostly middle class who are trying to save a buck or two on a pack of cigarettes. These taxes are just punitive and fund politicians pet projects.
Maybe Jay Rising should take some economics courses and learnd about supply, demand, and free market fources at work.
Here is some good information on smoking bans and smoking taxes
Philly mayor John Street, the corrput and morally bankrupt mayor who singlehandedly has ruined the progress and economic successes made by previous mayor now Governor Ed Rendell is now proposing a smoking ban in the city.
Mayor John Street recently announced that one of his main legislative goals for 2005 is the implementation of a smoking ban in Philadelphia's restaurants, bars and other public spaces.The Philadelphia City Council is currently not in session, but the smoking ban will be one of the possible bills discussed during the first meeting on Jan. 26th.
Student smokers are likely to find their indoor smoking possibilities further limited; University regulations currently prohibit smoking in nonresidential buildings except in certain designated areas.
"Currently, it seems as if there would be little opposition to the ban," said Street spokeswoman Deborah Bolling, "but we can't be sure, since the Council isn't in session."
How hard is it for these dracnonian asshole to understand free market economics. If a bar wants to allow smoking they should allow smoking. I don't like rap music at bars, so I don't go to those bars, should be ban it.
I know smoking is a little different, but there are lots of things that can hurt you, and government shouldn't make that determination for me.
From personal observation I know many restaurants, without orders from the Council Nanny, already have banned smoking (Famous Deli, for example), while others permit it only at the bar (Valanni, for example), or have created a smoke-only alcove (the Palm, for example).
These are solutions provided by the free market.
They are not good enough for Nutter, who says science proves it's "impossible" to screen out all smoke "particulates" in restaurants.
Impossible? A wall could be built between smokers and nonsmokers.
That would be costly, Nutter says.
Let the owners make that call, I say. His not-yet-writ bill is expected to be an all-out ban extending its tentacles even to private clubs.
Here's how I see it: If a restaurant allows smoking and tobacco smoke makes you retch, go to another restaurant. I don't like to watch belly-dancing while I eat, but I wouldn't ban it from Middle Eastern restaurants. I would just eat elsewhere.
If you are among the minority who is dying to smoke (pun intended), you can choose a restaurant that permits it.
I visit Philly about 4 times a year. I enjoy getting dressed up in a suit, and going to eat. I enjoy sitting at a bar, preferably Mahogany on Walnut, with my Cigar, bourbon in the other hand and enjoy the metropolitan life. I guess soon, I won't visit Philly. I'll just stay home go to the Elks, and smoke my cigar.
With the massive brainpower I have I can easily wrap my brain around the anti-smokers lack of faith in free market economics when it comes to smoking indoors.
But this story takes the cake.
Smokers, take heed: A new law is kicking your butts out of San Francisco parks and open spaces.The Board of Supervisors voted 8-3 Tuesday to outlaw smoking outdoors in all recreational areas managed by the city except for golf courses. That includes parks, squares, gardens and playing fields but not federal lands such as the Presidio or Ocean Beach.
The ordinance wouldn't be the only one of its kind in the state -- similar ones exist in Los Angeles, Santa Cruz and a dozen other places -- but it would be the most comprehensive.
"Secondhand smoke outdoors is just as dangerous (as indoors)," said Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier, who said she drafted the law out of concern for the environment and children.
Banning smoking oudoors? What the *$&@!!!! What kind of craziness is going on out there? I never want to visit California. I don't care what anyone says. There is nothing in that state that warrents me having to deal with fascist assholes.
I really hate smoking nazis. And this story takes the cake.
LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Four employees of a health care company have been fired for refusing to take a test to determine whether they smoke cigarettes.Weyco Inc., a health benefits administrator based in Okemos, Mich., adopted a policy Jan. 1 that allows employees to be fired if they smoke, even if the smoking happens after business hours or at home.
Company founder Howard Weyers has said the anti-smoking rule was designed to shield the firm from high health care costs. "I don't want to pay for the results of smoking," he said.The rule led one employee to quit before the policy was adopted. Four others were fired when they balked at the smoking test.
Chief Financial Officer Gary Climes estimated that 18 to 20 of the company's 200 employers were smokers when the policy was announced in 2003. Of those, as many as 14 quit smoking before the policy went into effect. The company offered them help to kick the habit.
"That is absolutely a victory," Climes said.
And you wonder why angry workers come back to their old employer with shotguns.
I find it two faced though that they would go to bat for your privacy if you are a customer under HIPPA, according to their web-site
All I can say, is "I don't give a damn about the whole state of Michigan"
The one thing that really made me upset about Columbus was their ban on smoking which was set to take effect January 31st. Many bars already have gone smoke free. The Buckeye Hall of Fame Museum is one example of a bar that has gone smoke free.
As one who enjoys a fine cigar I don't appreciate being told by our robes masters that I have to go outside with a -10 windchill to enjoy my Opus X. If I spend $12 on a cigar, I want to enjoy it in warmth with a sidecar of Makers Mark.
You can read about the ordinance here. Their argument is the same old same old; clean air for kids (who should not be in a bar to begin with) and the workers. But most of the workers I talked to didn't like it because they smoked too.
It all turns out that these people don't like the free market deciding. These puritanical folks and reformed smokers think that they, not you, are better at deciding what is in your best interest.
If they know so much better then me, then they can balance my checkbook. Wait, they can't do that either.
As a consumer of fine tobaccos and bourbon I should be able to decide for myself where I want to eat and smoke. I have to say that when I go out to eat, I don't like smoke, but if I want to have a few drinks I do. I, not Columbus city council, should be able to decide where I spend my money.
If fact, when I choose where to spend a weekend next, it will probably be a city like Philadelphia. Where you can still enjoy a legal product with fear of fined by jackboots.
Countries that allowed the types of Hitler and Mussolini to do their fascist thing should not be types to allow jack booted thuggery like this to prevail.
ROME  — Italian smokers were pushed out into the cold — some of them protesting — as a law banning smoking in bars, restaurants, offices and other public spaces came into force Monday.Opponents of the ban greeted its arrival at midnight Sunday with smoke-fueled parties, while supporters burned small piles of cigarettes in the street and inspected bars to make sure the new rules were being obeyed.
The new law bans smoking in indoor spaces unless they have a separate smoking area with continuous floor-to-ceiling walls and a ventilation system. It is one of the most severe anti-smoking measures in Europe.
Ah good. Their economy hasn't been raveged enough by blanket socialism so they decide to limit the rights of store owners to cater to the clients they wish to.
But wait, it gets better.
Health Minister Girolamo Sirchia, a doctor and former smoker, has warned that transgressors will not be spared. "The police are not joking, they can enter anywhere, including private offices," he told the newspaper Corriere della Sera.
If there is one thing that bothers me, it's reformed smokers. I'd like to see some cop come goosestepping into my place of busienss to snuff out smokers. I think I'd light up a nice cigar just to throw in his face.
Just be glad your an American. If you're not an American, I pity you.
It's not bad enough that the smoking nazis are trying to take away my ability to smoke a cigar in by favorite pub, but now they are taking people to jail for smoking in front of their kids.
A Caroline County woman was sentenced to 10 days in jail yesterday for defying a court order not to smoke around her daughter and son.
Tamara Silvius, 44, was handcuffed and led out of the courtroom by deputies, The Associated Press reported. Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Judge John H. Thomas said Silvius could post a $500 bond while she appeals his ruling.
So I ordered some Gurkha's from Cigars International. They shipped the same time as my Colibry lighter from there, which has yet to arrive. The difference is that my lighter is coming via the postal service and my cigars came UPS. In their drive for efficiency incompotence the Postal Service doesn't even have the tracking number data on their web-site yet.
But I only did just order the cigars and lighter yesterday, so I am not too upset at all. It just proves to me that most government run operations are pretty useless and can't get much done.
On the plus side my Gurkha tastes good and has given me a nice buzz. A great change from the Drew Estates I've been smoking.
I also went golfing last night again, and partnered with a nice older gentleman named George for the last 4 holes. He was very nice and gave me a few tips on my medium range wedge game.
I visited a new store, it is called Cigars International. It is a very nice brick and mortar store in Bethlehem, PA. Good selection, and decent prices. Daily buy 5 get 6th free specials.
They had that one cigar that was talked about here a week or so ago which comes in a bottle of cognac.
They also had a huge selection of Gurkha Cigars.
I also found out they do mail order
http://www.cigarsinternational.com/index.asp
I just thought I'd share it. If you get to Bethlehem, visit them.
From Foxnews.com
It's a classic movie scenario — two sexy stars rip each other's clothes off, get busy and then later light up a couple of cigarettes in bed.
Such a charged cinematic scene could earn a film an R-rating — because of the smoking.
Wha happened?
It goes on:
Anti-smoking activists want films with smoking in them to be given an R-rating. Most lawmakers have said they'd be satisfied if movie ratings included advisory information about smoking in films like they do for foul language, sexual content and violence. Meanwhile, movie lobbyist Jack Valenti is defending Hollywood's right to have characters light up without interference.
Why do these asshole activists want to do this? These are almost certainly the same people who complain about the alleged civil liberty violations by George Bush, think partial birth abortion is okay, and should be allowed, and are for gay marriage. But they are against smoking. They claim to be for equality, civil liberties, except for things THEY disagree with.
Assholes.
I think I'll go into their headquarters and light up a big Churchill.
This is from a cigar chat room. It is from a letter to the editor written by a Marine commander about the troops and how they enjoy cigars.
There are many of us in the cigar smoking line of fun who send cigars to the troops. If you smoke cigars and would like to help, send the cigars to the address at the bottom of the email.
US Marines stationed at Fallujah Iraq have set aside time for a regular Cigar Night. Their General Support Company commanding officer, Major Brian Ballard, has begun this time for reflection -- especially upon the week's more harrowing experiences. To his Marines after a week of near misses from enemy fire, he says, "I tell them quite seriously, to take some time, a friend if so inclined, and go enjoy a good cigar and ponder how good life is. Take 45 minutes or so, get some perspective, then pick up your helmet and get back to it." Attached photo is the sign at the entrance of their designated smoking shelter. As a veteran of Southeast Asia and Desert Storm, I know the value of receiving packages and hearing from fellow Americans while on such overseas assignments. Therefore, I encourage readers of Cigar Aficionado to send support -- and maybe a few good cigars -- care of:
Major B. Ballard
BSSG-1, GS Company
UIC 42355
FPO AP 96426-2355
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I enjoy smoking cigars. I might have mentioned that. The ironic thing is that I detest cigarettes.
Cigarettes are an addictive drug delivery system for Nicotine. Cigars, on the other hand, are a flavorful way to enjoy life. The difference would be someone who enjoys and drinks coffee for the enjoyment of the cup versus someone who pops No-Doz. I know many cigarette smokers, and not a single one talks about the complex flavors of their Marlboro Lights. They are not an item to be savored, instead they are ingested to fill a physiological need. |
That brings me back to cigars. Cigar smoking is a way to enjoy your time. The varying flavors, qualities, styles, shapes, and sizes can keep a cigar lover busy trying the tens of thousands of smokes for years to come. Most cigar smokers do not smoke because of addiction, but do so because of love of smoke. Much like wine lovers love to drink wine because of it's taste.
I am not alone, there are millions of cigar smokers in the US. Everday Americans love cigars, but there are many famous people who love them. Some include Rush Limbaugh, Tom Cruise, Whoopi Goldberg, Harrison Ford, and Demi Moore. It's almost a national obsession.
Cigar smoking also has it's own rites and rituals. Most cigar smokers share these rites, but everyone does their own thing more or less.
I enjoy smoking my cigars while I work and blog. As I write this I am enjoying a Drew Estate Clean Robusto, my current favorite.
One thing that irks me is when people try to ban smoking. In New York, smoking in bars and restaurants is illegal. In fact, even many previously established "Cigar Bars" were force to close, or jump through many costly time consuming hoops to get exemptions.
And now the smoking nazi's are at it again. A bill before the U.S. House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee could outlaw the shipping of cigars through the U.S. mail. The Senate has already passed its version of the legislation, and major cigar retailers and the Cigar Association of America are lobbying to keep it from being passed.
The bill, known as the Internet Tobacco Sales Enforcement Act, or HR 2824, went to the House Judiciary Committee after the passage of the Senate's Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act, or S. 1177 in December. Championed by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) in June, the PACT Act was introduced to prevent cigarette smuggling and ensure the proper collection of cigarette taxes. The bill was changed in its final stages when it was expanded to include all tobacco products -- including cigars -- and would prohibit the shipment of all tobacco products through the U.S. mail. With the passage of S. 1177, a similar bill was brought forward to the House Judiciary Committee -- HR 2824.
Why is it so hard for governments to allow a privately owned restaurants to cater to the clientelle they wish to? Why can't a restaurant which wants to be smoke free while a bar or restaurant which wants to cater to smokers continue to do so? And for people who may want to try various different smokes not available at their local smoke shop, why shouldn't they be able to buy cigars from the internet and through mail-order?
Smoking isn't that bad, it shouldn't be a crime. It is merely something enjoyes much like drinking alcohol, or enjoying a good meal.
I like what Winston Churchill, a famous cigar smoker, said about smoking when told he was not allowed to smoke at a state event:
"I must point out that my rule of life prescribed as an absolutely sacred rite smoking cigars and also the drinking of alcohol before, after, and if need be during all meals and in the intervals between them".
Is that too much to ask?
From Syracuse Post Standard:
Damon's Party House in Cicero is the first bar in Onondaga County - and possibly the first in the state - to win a waiver allowing tobacco smoking inside its premises because of financial hardship.
Damon's was granted a one-year smoking-ban waiver Friday by county Health Commissioner Dr. Lloyd Novick after presenting evidence it had lost approximately 40 percent of its bar business in three months. The state's smoking ban took effect July 24.
This is a common problem facing restaurants, bars, and other establishments who have had draconian regulations enforced upon them in the name of public health.
These public health zealots are forcing these privately owned establishments to disallow smoking. Many of these establishments are bars who cater to a professional after work crowd. These people enjoy a cigar or cigarette with their cocktail, and with the enforcement of these laws they are required to either smoke outside, or just go home to smoke.
If he would allow smoking to be present, his bar would be subject to highly punative fines, and possibly even revokation of their liquor license.
Before getting a waiver, Damon's was one of five bars in Onondaga County to be fined for violating the law, which prohibits smoking indoors at almost every worksite in the state. Damon's was fined $250 earlier this month after health department inspectors said they saw customers smoking cigarettes in the tavern. Damon said he will pay the fine.
His tavern, which is open Tuesdays through Saturdays, lost most of its regular customers after the smoking ban became effective July 24, Damon said.
His patrons - generally an older happy-hour crowd - drifted away as the weather got cold because they didn't want to have to go outside to smoke, said Damon, who smokes just under a pack a day. Damon said he hopes his regulars return now.
Is smoking bad? Yes. Though I sometimes smoke cigars. Other times I appreciate a place to eat where they do not allow smoking. But when I want to smoke, I want to be able to find a bar or restaurant that allows smoking.
The point is, it should be my choice. My choice to choose an establishment that allows or disallows smoking. It is also up to the owner. He or she owns the place, and THEY should make the decisions on things like this.
It is not the government's or public official's place in this world to watch over and regulate every possible thing that can hurt us. The world is full of danger, it is my place to watch out for it, not Uncle Sam's.
All around the country, basic freedoms are being usurped by greedy two-bit politicians. You give some assholes a title like "City Council Member" and they think they are King George.
Case-in-point, in Rockville City, Montgomery County, city tyrants have passed a smoking ban. All restaurants, bars, and public buildings will be smoke-free by February 1st.
According to the Washington Post, the council voted 4-1 for the ban. The lone voter against the ban, councilman Robert E. Dorsey, had presented a proposal to prohibit smoking until 9 p.m. and allow bar and restaurant owners to decide whether to ban smoking after that.
"I think the owners have some idea of what business they like to take in and not have it dictated upon them," said Dorsey, the lone dissenting vote, before the meeting. "I wish we could be intelligently discussing this and not just caving in without consideration of the business perspective."
That is exactly the type of free-enterprise ideals which should be taking place. Instead the council voted on emotions and the 'for the children' mantra.
Councilwoman Anne Robbins said "There can be no compromise on this issue in terms of public health," adding that her mother died of lung cancer supposidly from second hand smoke. |  Anne Robbins. The face of a nice lady? No, an evil person who is destroying America |
Whatever happened to common sense and personal responsibility. If I don't like smoke, I won't go to a smokey bar. If I want to smoke, I should be able to go to a bar that allows me to smoke my cigars.
What is happening to America?