Before I begin my rant, let me state that I'm all for this step forward, which is how I see it. (I lived in Germany as a non-military, non-student guest of friends. Once I got used to dogs in pubs and restaurants, I saw no problem with it. Dogs that didn't mind either weren't brought out at all, or the owners were quickly reprimanded by other patrons without the hesitation or embarrassment Americans might exhibit.)
So what's bugging me? Dogs now have more rights than smokers in Dallas County. I liked Laura Miller as a writer; I can't stand her as a mayor. Unfortunately, I don't actually live in Dallas County and don't have a vote there. Thanks to her, law-abiding citizens can no longer smoke there. Which reminds me, I have a great quote. I don't think this person was there when the vote was cast for non-smoking in Dallas County, but read his quote as is: “Animals are their children. I can’t blame anyone” for wanting to dine with their pets, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Elba Garcia said. “You have a choice. You don’t have to be there. The standards are clear in this ordinance. More than anything, it’s an option for our businesses here.” (1) Thank you Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Elba Garcia for saying that patrons have a choice! Even though he was talking about animals, he endorsed the option for patrons going or not going to a business while also emphasizing that the business had the option of having animals or not. So, WHY NOT THE SAME WITH SMOKING???
On to my rant: I'm tired of our country ignoring and suppressing the rights of those who aren't breaking the law. New York and California have led the fight. Don't those of you who call California and New York liberals "wackos" think it's ironic that you're endorsing their actions? Texas has become Republican over the years, but how does it make sense that those of you who wouldn't dream of giving up your gun rights or property rights or speech rights or the right to eat whatever the hell you want are supporting anti-smoking laws and ordinances? Now, take a moment to really read about this before reacting instead of thinking.
- You have the right to eat or not eat, drink or not drink, socialize or not socialize, where you want.
- Law-abiding citizens in America have the right to go where they want. They can choose to give or not give an establishment their business.
- Smoking and chewing tobacco are legal for those 18 and over.
- Businesses pay for land, buildings, property taxes and/or leases out of their own pockets.
- Business owners should be able to do and sell what they want out of their businesses as long as the product/service is legal, and as long as they keep up their taxes, permits, licenses, and their payments on the property.
- Adults ages 18 and older can legally smoke or chew tobacco in most states. They can legally vote, drive, serve in the military, sign contracts, marry, and make legal decisions. What gives you the right to tell them what they can and can't do? And please don't tell me they're infringing upon your rights; as an adult, you can choose to frequent or not frequent an establishment, do or not do as you like. As an American, this is your right!
- Business, like life, includes give and take, practical experience(s) upon which to weigh decisions, and some sacrifice(s). Some businesses choose to be non-smoking knowing that they'll lose customers. Some businesses choose to allow smoking knowing that they'll lose customers. Some businesses choose to have smoking/non-smoking sections knowing that they won't make all of their customers happy. Now, think about this: Some businesses cater to children, some to gays, some to singles, some to the rich, some to the big and tall, some to smokers. Some businesses sell clothing, some books, some furniture. Some businesses sell organic foods, some weapons, some athletic gear. Some sell memorabilia, some liquor, some gourmet foods. Some businesses sell plants, some car parts, some appliances. Some sell entertainment. Are any of these places wrong? No, they cater to their clientele and should be allowed to serve what their clients want.
- Law-abiding business owners in good standing should be able to choose how to run their own businesses.
If you're a griper, saying that any smoking exposure, no matter how small, could give you lung cancer, gimme a break! Let me give you a checklist. Even if you're vegetarian, you'll being lying if you don't admit to eating some or most of these recently:
- Fried chicken/Buffalo wings
- Chinese buffets
- Macaroni and cheese/Fried okra/Fried fish/Hush puppies/Mashed potatoes and gravy
- Fast food hamburgers/Fried chicken or steak sandwiches/Chicken nuggets/Steak fingers
- Fast food french fries/Tater tots/Home fries/Fried potatoes of any sort
- Pancakes/Waffles/French toast
- Ice cream and other frozen treats
- Chocolate/Strawberry milk
- Fried pies/Pop Tarts/Donuts/Breakfast pastries
- Restaurant Mexican food
- Cookies/Pies/Cakes/Fudge/Brownies/Divinity
- White bread and mayonnaise sandwiches of any sort
- Preserves/Jellies/Cream cheeses
- White rice dishes of any sort
- Most sweetened juices
- Restaurant/Frozen pizzas
- Creamy salad dressings
- Sausage (homemade/pizza/breakfast/fast food/game/summer)
- Most cheeses
- Most canned goods (soups, vegetables, sauces, "meals")
- Potato/Corn/Wheat chips or crackers
- White flour tortillas and bread
- Nuts, especially roasted or honey
Check your diet before deciding an hour or two near secondhand smoke once a week/month/year is killing you. If you spend more time (in a public place) than that near secondhand smoke, and you want to bitch about it, then Go to another place. Stay home. No one is forcing you to be there! Or talk to the owner: he/she pays the bills and may decide after enough input that he/she wants a non-smoking establishment. That's the owner's choice, not yours or the city's or the state's or the government's! The owner should weigh the options and decide without ordinances telling him/her what to do.
I'm sick of all the whining and crying in this country about not liking something or move that or change this or get that out of my sight because everything has become offensive. Guess what? As an adult American, you can: change the channel, not go to that establishment, refuse to buy a ticket to that show or movie or play, warn all your friends and family to stay away from that establishment or production, walk away or walk out, not spend any money there, not buy their products, refuse their services.
Adult Americans choose for themselves, not for others (except their kids). That's what makes us so great. Law-abiding American adult citizens can choose what we believe or how we act or where we go or whom we do business with or what we buy or what we watch or what we listen to or what we study or what we say or whom we keep company with or what we eat and drink and smoke, but we don't have a right to choose those things for other adults. Americans choose based on their own path and beliefs, even with propaganda and pressure and advertising and temptation. That's the way it should be.
Sunny
(1) Dallas Morning News, 1/25/07 by Dave Levinthal.
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