The Fascists are coming!
By Bob Williams
October 4, 2007
Like Sancho Panza Adam, a non-smoker, and I have been saying: The fascists are coming.
Dateline: Belmont, California:
Belmont will be the first city in the entire nation to ban smoking anywhere. Parks, streets, restaurants, anywhere. Belmont is set to make history by becoming the first city in the nation to ban smoking on its streets and almost everywhere else.
The Belmont City Council voted unanimously to pursue a strict law that will prohibit smoking anywhere in the city except for single-family detached residences. Smoking on the street, in a park and even in one’s car will become illegal and police would have the option of handing out tickets if they catch someone.
A recent report on MSNBC states the council voted 3-2 to ban smoking in apartments as well!
"We called it, dude," Sancho Panza Adam said.
I'm sure there are the rare few out there, aside from these loony Californians, who will applaud this type of behavior, as they can only view it under the guise of so-called "public health." This is far more about privacy then it is anything to do with the public.
You could be sitting in your apartment, cooking up some pasta, waiting for it to go uber-al-dente, thinking, "hmmm, I could really pull a lung dart and by the time I'm done my pasta will be just right..."
"Puts your hands up and put that cigarette out, you maggot," Officer Big Brother bellows.
"Hang on, Officer, it's time for the two minutes hate."
For the illiterate or unwilling: In George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, the Two Minutes Hate (alternatively two minute hate) is a daily period in which Party members of the society of Oceania must watch a film depicting The Party's enemies (notably Emmanuel Goldstein and his followers) and express their hatred for them and the principles of democracy.
Welcome to Oceania, kids. It can only spiral downhill from here. Say hi to Big Brother.
"War is Peace; Freedom is Slavery; Ignorance is Strength."
Have to agree with you on this one, Bob. We can't be taking away all of smokers' rights to slowly kill themselves. After all, just as the lottery is a tax on people who are bad at math, smoking is a tax on people who are addicted to nicotine. Eliminating the lottery or smoking would drive everyone else's taxes up - can't have that. And Bob, thanks for paying more than your fair share - I'll buy you a drink sometime for that.
We appreciate wit here on the blog. Your sardonic post should be commended, along with the beverage offer. Although, you'll have to stand outside with me while I enjoy it.
I don't think this is so much about my right to kill myself. Not everyone needs to live under the cloak of the contemporary ideal that things that are bad for us should be against the law. How long before they come after your twelve pack in the garage fridge?
Some of us get it. We're going to bite the big one and since that is fact, we're going to do it our way. *Cue Sinatra*
But this is really about local, state and federal governments telling you how to live. If you can't smoke in your own residence or vehicle, how long before you can't do many other things. It may seem like a small instance now, especially when it doesn't interfere with your lifestyle. But give it time and keep applauding this type of government intrusion. You'll get yours some day.
I'll repeat my first sentence - "have to agree with you on this one Bob" - the rest of the post was a little off-the-wall - I hate it when the sarcasm gets in the way of my main point. The pendulum does seem to be swinging too far on the smoking issue in some areas of the country. But I do believe that it's good government to manage the public health issues - clean food, water, and now air, for the benefit of bar/restaurant workers and patrons alike. I honestly don't see that as government intrusion - you obviously do - so we disagree. But I do agree that taking it to the degree as outlined in the article IS gov't intrusion, and yes, I may even sit outside and have that beer with you, as long as you are downwind :)
I can't beleive it can go this far. If they come for the beer we're going to have an uprising, or better yet I'm going to buy a bright orange dodge charger and........
Post a comment