11/15/09
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12 comments
Letter to the Editor
Decatur’s smoking ban not a health issue; it is an abuse of government authority
To The Daily: We as American citizens are responsible enough to make our own decisions. Business owners have invested money, time, sweat and tears into their establishments. What has the city invested in my business? Nothing. Smoking and the sale of smoking material is a legal activity. Why ban something but then continue to sell it? We all know why: It’s the tobacco taxes. Whether or not to allow smoking should be a business owner’s choice. If that business decided to allow smoking, then employees would have the same choice to work in that environment or not, as well as the customer would have the choice to frequent the establishment or not. “I want” or “I don’t like” are not reasons to make laws. If this was just about health it would target the selling of cigarettes and the fight would be on a national scale instead of a local one. This is about what some people don’t like and trying to use government to make others conform. Take that concept and go beyond smoking. Do you want the government telling you where to go, what to do, what to eat or how to worship? Decatur’s small businesses are always struggling with unwanted ordinances by the City Council, like sales tax increases, sign ordinances and now the smoking ban and all these are at our expense. The City Council should have never brought this issue up. The state Department of Public Health is the one to monitor the public health, not the Decatur Police Department. Call or e-mail your councilman and the mayor or attend the council meetings and tell them enough is enough. “No to the ban and no to government.” Stand firm and hold them all accountable. Its time to take Decatur back for all citizens. Tony Hill
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Isn't this that strangle little man that owns Tony's Kuntry Kookin? He is so clueless. Smoke from cigarettes kills people. Even people who don't smoke.
J R -
Speaking of clueless, you seem to have no grasp of the concept of freedom of choice. NO ONE IS FORCED TO PATRONIZE AN ESTABLISHMENT THAT ALLOWS SMOKING. If a person doesn't want to be around cigarette smoke, then they shouldn't go into establishments that allow smoking. But instead of that, you say that you don't like smoke so nobody should smoke. I'll bet that if the smoking ordnance is amended, you'll hold your breath in protest until your face turns blue, won't you?
I'd like to know why we get to vote on alcohol sales, but not the smoking ordinance? Why? Because they knew it would FAIL. Business owners dont' want their intrusions!
Fight obesity. #1 health threat!
Ban the fork!
J.R. you can have an opinion on Tony's opinion but please don't name call or put him down for it. I may not agree with someone's opinion but I surely respect his right to have it.
i remember him....he was that STRANGLED little nerd who the teacher got to take names, and then graduated to hall monitor. didnt get it then.....dont get it now. bet micky dees would throw a bunch of money at that election. used to sit and watch the people at the "all you can eat" salad bar at quincys, some of those plates had to weigh ten pounds. i hear they are asking for volunteers to enforce the "BAN", decatur p d is to busy catching mexican gang members, armed robbers, sex offenders, bank robbers, burglars, dope dealers, and guarding the city council from a hostil takeover. smokers need not apply.
ban child birth among the rich butt holes in decatur and you will solve most of your problems with this town , a few rich folk think this town and the people in it are for them to control and do with as they wish , without proper democratic procedure or thought, they want to think for us and push all the everyday hardworking people aside and run over them , so they can attain their goals, When Bill Dukes was here this crap did,nt go on he was a good fair man, this town needs to look long and hard at who it elects , if thats even possible, they probably buy the votes too.
from moulton J R cars and trucks kill does that mean you going to quit driving them.
Everyone should have the priviledge to smoke as long as it remains legal. Although no one should have the right to smoke in a area where it effects the health of children or other non smokers. Children and non smokers have rights too. Establishments have tried smoking and non smoking areas, but for some reason there is always a smoker who wants to sit in the non smoking area to be friends or family. How do you feel when you go to a public place and there is some one there coughing and sneezing with the flu when thye should have stayed home and exposed you or your children to the flu? That is the same way non smokers feel about smoking in public. ALSO NON SMOKERS HAVE THE SAME RIGHT TO EAT ANYWHERE THAT HAS A LICENSE TO SERVE FOOD. So if you have a license to prepare and serve food, you must obey the law, or maybe the Health Department will shut you down for health violations. Remember, don't drink and drive and don't eat and smoke..They are both hazardous to your health, and both illegal.
AND, Tony, no all government involvement! I am telling everyone I know to purchase all the guns and ammo they can afford. Don't forget the whiskey you will need to sterilize gun shot wounds. Sunday sales of whisky will become a requirement and no need to vote for it. Oh, cash will no longer be required as the fastest gun will win out. Don't have to trust in God because he don't tote guns. Smoking will cease because you can see the cigarette glow in dark rooms and at night. Why not smoke in the open during daylight? You will be an easy target so chewing will be the new smoking. Everyone knows spittle is safer than second hand smoke. And we can go on and on. I don't like you smoking because it an't good for you.
I agree no to government of any kind...................................................Liberals unite!!
Stop smoking and save yourself!
Bubba
::eye roll:: Tune in next week for another episode of "Goobers Get the Internet" and watch JR, Bubba and the Gang go at it.
Thanks alot Bubba, for making me waste about 60 seconds of my life that I will never get back, reading your babbling BS. Such a thinker you are!