THE BELMONT, CA CITY COUNCIL CELEBRATES AFTER VOTING TO BAN SMOKING EVERYWHERE IN TOWN
No smoking in theaters? Absolutely. Restaurants? Okay, but don’t expect me to eat there. Offices? Fine. Workplace? Ditto.
How about your car? Your apartment? Your front lawn?
Welcome to Belmont, California:
The Belmont City Council voted unanimously last night 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.The actual language of the law still needs to be drafted and will likely come back to the council either in December or early next year.
“We have a tremendous opportunity here. We need to pass as stringent a law as we can, I would like to make it illegal,†said Councilman Dave Warden. “What if every city did this, image how many lives would be saved? If we can do one little thing here at this level it will matter.â€
First, get off you moral high horse about the dangers of smoking, of second hand smoke, how much you hate it, how you’re glad you quit, and how you think people who smoke are idiots.
Look at what the government is telling you with this law. Take a good, long, hard, look. Do you really think the nannies, the busybodies, the do-gooders, the health nazis, the activists are going to be satisfied and go home once they achieve their goal of either making smoking illegal or forcing it underground? Do you really believe that they will pat themselves on the back for a job well done and retire from the public arena, content to let you live, breathe, eat, and drink whatever you want whenever it suits you?
People like this get a rush out of butting into other people’s affairs. It’s what they live for. In their determination to save lives (how heroic of them, no?), they brook no opposition, refer to their opponents as tools of industry, and with the insufferably superior air of someone convinced that they have the right to control your life, will work like busy little bees, tearing down your freedoms one at a time.
I can guarantee you that their “retirement” will be shortlived and that they will find something else they don’t like and go after it, probably fast food. Or sodas. Or trans fat. Or red meat. Or sugar. Or caffeine.
See something in there that you don’t want these buttinskies to start lecturing you about? If not, they’ll find something. It’s what they live for. They want to save you from your own stupidity. Of course, if they have to knock individual liberty for a loop in the process, so be it.
They will have us eating sprigs and dandelions and drinking herbal tea by the time your infant reaches adulthood.
Don’t believe me?
“I would just like to say ‘no smoking’ and see what happens and if they do smoke, [someone] has the right to have the police come and give them a ticket,†said Councilwoman Coralin Feierbach.The council’s decision garnered applause from about 15 people who showed up in support of the ordinance. One woman stood up and blew kisses to the council, another pumped his fist with satisfaction.
“I’m astounded. I admire their courage and unanimous support,†said Serena Chen, policy director of the American Lung Association of California.
Chen has worked in this area since 1991 and helped many cities and counties pass no smoking policies, but not one has been willing to draft a complete ban.
“I feel like the revolution is taking place and I am trying to catch up,†Chen told the council.
These are your future overlords. Learn to love them. For every bric-a-brac you throw at me for wanting to smoke in my own yard, or outdoors (where the smoking particulates drop to as close to absolute zero as is measurable), I will point to that person “pumping their fist in satisfaction.” Not for saving any lives. No lives are at risk if I want to smoke in my yard.
The person is pumping their fist because of the control they have suddenly gained over your behavior. They have taken your liberty and it makes them feel good. It makes them feel superior. And I guarantee that person will not hesitate – will, in fact take enormous personal pleasure – in calling the police the first chance he gets when he sees someone violating this ordinance.
It is not about health. It is about control. And if you don’t recognize this, if you don’t stand with smokers in opposition to these kinds of draconian, un-American. illiberal, liberty busting laws, then there is little hope for you when they want to take away something that either you like to eat or drink.
Think about it.
UPDATE
The blog 186 K Per Second asks:
Why is it that every “Socialist” city and town in this country that wants to ban smoking are the same ones that want to legalize drugs?
Most municipalities want to legalize grass because it frees up law enforcement to go after more serious crimes – like smoking.
10:39 am
Having lived many years in the bay area,I can tell you that most of these nincompoops are the same people who cry and moan about Bush being a dictator and how he is taking away their rights….
10:40 am
sir:
I am an ex-smoker. I could care less whether anybody smokes in their house, car, boat, sidewalk, etc. If it is so damn dangerous then make it illegal. Do you think eventually they would de-criminalize it like weed? we know the reason why not – the big teat of cigarrette tax. You are absolutely right about the motivations – its all about control. frankly i think it is the the “I didn’t get picked for the dodgeball team” syndrome. you see the manifestations of this disorder in boards of ed, small town councils, and condo committee chairpersons.
11:28 am
What Rights? Ask The Nanny State!
The fist pumper was overjoyed because the government gained another foothold in control over the people’s lives. That is what this is all about – Government Control. If it was about health the substance would be banned, not taxed. A total ban did …
11:36 am
I am seeing this more and more. thanks for the elequent way you phrased it. I saw this very thing happen in my small town in Tennessee. Fortunately it was defeated because the state has a law on the books that stops individual towns from enacted this type of ordinance.
11:42 am
Unreal. Next thing you know, politicians will be telling me who I can and cannot marry, and what I can and cannot do in my own bedroom. Oh, wait…
12:01 pm
If you’re going to reference probably the most famous video game line in history, please get it right! It should be “All Your Smoking Are Belong To US.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_your_base_are_belong_to_us
Seriously though, I’m all for local power to a point. Although I think their law is stupid I don’t see it as a harbinger for a nation-sweeping trend. If the idiots in that town want to ban smoking, I could really care less. I’m sure some activist smokers are already on there way now to get tickets to pave the way for lawsuits, which could potential bankrupt the stupid little town. I wouldn’t worry too much Rick – I don’t think their council decision will stand in the log run.
12:44 pm
Why would even the most fanatical of busybodies care if you smoke
in an exhaust-spewing car?
Because they are BRIBED by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
and others. Someone should have them investigated and jailed.
12:58 pm
I am one of those anti-smoking nuts, BUT these people are crazy, my problems with smoking only extend around my person. I can care less if you smoke on your property, or in your car, just don’t toss the butt out the window so that it ends up on my hood behind you.
You want to smoke, fine. Just don’t do it around me. And with that, I understand that I have to waive that rule if I am invited into some elses space, like their house, or to Europe.
So this happened in California. When, the resot of us are safe for now. Can we ship the rest of the loonies out there?
One thing I do not get is how all these crazy people end up elected to boards in the first place? Like the school Board in SF, to home owner boards across America.
2:00 pm
I agree Rick, but I can’t remember seeing you use such histrionics to illustrate your point.
4:11 pm
Now that I think about it, the only problem I have with people smoking outside is their tendency to throw their used butts on the ground. Policing my kids around smoking areas is a huge PITA.
4:38 pm
im not for any ban but to compare the hazzards of cigarettes to weed is obtuse at best.its not even close.cigarettes are much,much worse for your health than weed will ever be.
6:23 pm
“I agree Rick, but I can’t remember seeing you use such histrionics to illustrate your point.”
Hitler was anti-smoking. I doubt that was Rick’s point, but it’s spot-on.
8:29 pm
This borders on insanity.
12:33 am
hitler also ate carrots, does that make it a dumb idea?
the same people who cry for ‘individual rights’ will vote to limit who can marry who… hypcrites are the right wing!
i’m an ex smoker, so i know the addiction can be ended… and i resent second hand smoke from the person in the car in front of me, and the people smoking walking down the street… if you want to smoke, do it in your own house with the windows closed, other than that, you are infringing on my right to breathe clean air… take some personal reponsibility and quit the stupid habit, or be forced to have your habit restriced to only affecting you… i say legislate the hell out of all addicts habits that infringe on my freedoms
4:06 am
Jay:
Perfect example of who I was referring to above.
Seig Heil, baby.
4:33 am
I worked at Capitol Recording Studios in Hollywood for 5 years. Capitol was a no-smoking facility at the time, though not really enforced.
One of my co-workers had the annoying habit of dropping his butts in the hallways on the cement floor. One day, when he did this, I finally snapped:
“I have to get down on that floor and work on equipment sometimes, so you can keep your sessions going. If you ever do that again, I will come to your house and shit on your floor. Got it?”
He got it and never dropped a butt again.
As I walked to the class I teach for UCLA Extension tonight, I had to walk past a girl (no, no other way, right in front of my door) smoking. I had to breath her smoke. She doesn’t have the right to make me breathe her smoke.
Were smokers to feel and behave somewhat less as being entitled, laws like this might not be passed.
4:36 am
No government of free men has the right to order behavior on an individual’s private property.
Period.
10:31 am
Given that elected officials in San Francisco are trying to expand the rules permitting marijuana use at the same time the folks in Belmont are attempting to ban cigarette smoking, you have to wonder whether or not these people are truly concerned about the effects of second-hand smoke, or simply don’t like the type of second-hand smoke they’re inhaling (or the fact that cigarettes are produced by big, evil corporations, while pot comes from the cool guy down the street they bought off of starting sometime in the mid-1960s).
2:48 pm
“’I’m sorry, Mr. Merry,’ said Hob, ‘but it isn’t allowed.’
‘What isn’t allowed?’
‘Taking in folk off-hand like, and eating extra food, and all that,’ said Hob.
‘What’s the matter with the place?’ said Merry. ‘Has it been a bad year, or what? I thought it had been a fine summer and harvest.’
‘Well, no, the year’s been good enough,’ said Hob. ‘We grows a lot of food but we don’t rightly know what becomes of it. It’s all these “gatherers†and “sharersâ€, I reckon, going around and counting and measuring and taking off to storage. They do more gathering than sharing, and we never see most of the stuff again.’
(...)
There was no beer and very little food, but with what the travelers brought and shared out they all made a fair meal; and Pippin broke Rule 4 by putting most of the next day’s allowance of wood on the fire.
‘Well, now, what about a smoke, while you tell us what has been happening in the Shire?’ he said.
‘There isn’t no pipeweed now,’ said Hob; ‘at least, only for the Chief’s men. All the stocks seem to have gone. We do hear that wagon-loads of it went away down the old road out of the Southfarthing, over Sarn Ford way. That would be the end o’ last year, after you left. But it had been going away quietly before that, in a small way…’
(...)
‘What’s all this?’ said Frodo, feeling inclined to laugh.
‘This is what it is, Mr. Baggins,’ said the leader of the Shirrifs, a two-feather hobbit: ‘You’re arrested for Gate-breaking, and Tearing up of Rules, and Assaulting Gate-keepers, and Trespassing, and Sleeping in Shire-buildings without Leave, and Bribing Guards with Food.’
(...)
’You little folk are getting too uppish. Don’t you trust too much in the Boss’s kind heart. Sharkey’s come now, and he’ll do what Sharkey says.’
‘And what may that be?’ said Frodo quietly.
‘This country wants waking up and setting to rights,’ said the ruffian, ‘and Sharkey’s going to do it; and make it hard, if you drive him to it. You need a bigger Boss. And you’ll get one before the year is out, if there’s any more trouble. Then you’ll learn a thing or two, you little rat-folk.’”
8:02 am
Saturday Morning
A city-wide smoking ban? Why not ban everything that you don’t like, if freedom is not on your agenda? Right Wing NuthouseKiller asteroids. A greater threat to human life than warming or cooling. But is the UN doing anything about it? Is the governm…
12:08 pm
Be very…very afraid. While we have always thought the enemy was without, the enemy is also within.
7:49 am
It’s unfortunate that the US governments unwillingness to enforce it’s own rules causes towns like Belmont to take such extreme actions (although I expect the ordinance will be modified somewhat before final passage).
Those who say an outright ban on the item makes more sense are correct. The FDA, and other government organizations use an important guideline in determining what dangerous products can be sold over the counter to consumners. No matter how poisonous or toxic an item might be, as long as it is not “harmful when used as intended”, it can be out there.
For many years, the evidence was sketchy or unconfirmed, but now it is undebatable. Cigarettes clearly do not quality under this guideline and should be removed from over the counter sales.
2:46 pm
I wish they would pass this in my town. I am often assaulted by second hand smoke in the street and in my car (from a driver directly in front of me). If I can smell it, it is an infringement on my rights to breathe clean air. Simple as that. If you want to infect the children in your house, I say great. Just makes it easier for mine to outcompete them!
4:39 pm
Jerry, people like you are why I own guns.
6:57 pm
I am a very strong smoker who gets tired of smokers assuming that I want to smoke second-hand. That being said, in your homes, your cars, area’s like that you should be able to do as you desire. If I come to those I understand fully it is your space and you should be able to do as you wish even in my presence.
Even when it irritates me in open space parks, I can see it there, because except for those few that just can’t help but want to walk and blow their smoke near others, it at least gives me a way to try and avoid you, particularily if you are very careful to make sure to leave no mess behind ( you all have to admit that it looks awful to see stubs on the ground and not in the garbage, but then we should all be picking up our own junk!)
This is definately a crazy move. But then California is noted for many of those kind of stupid things.
2:29 am
Submitted for Your Approval
First off… any spambots reading this should immediately go here, here, here, and here. Die spambots, die! And now… here are all the links submitted by members of the Watcher’s Council for this week’s vote. Council li…
9:32 am
And the editors of the Washington Post are advocating the banning of trans fats.
1:59 pm
[...] Right Wing Nut House, “All Your Smoking Are Belong to Us†[...]
4:05 pm
[...] 1. Unsell It, The Glittering Eye 2. Bolton for the Door, Soccer Dad 3. UN General Assembly Condemns Israel for Defending Itself . . . Again, Joshuapundit 4. Our Rules of Engagement in Iraq, American Future 5. What The Democrat “Brain Trust” Thinks About America, Rhymes With Right 6. Naming the Price, Waiting for Response, AbbaGav 7. Is This How EduCorruption Smells?, The Education Wonks 8. Media Icons, Done With Mirrors 9. A Dirty Little Secret, ShrinkWrapped 10. All Your Smoking Are Belong To Us, Right Wing Nut House 11. When Good Men Run in the Other Direction, Gates of Vienna 12. So, What About the Polar Bears, The Sundries Shack [...]
3:17 am
The Council Has Spoken!
First off… any spambots reading this should immediately go here, here, here, and here. Die spambots, die! And now… the winning entries in the Watcher’s Council vote for this week are Our Rules of Engagement in Iraq by…
7:26 pm
Watcher’s Council Results
The winning entries in the Watcher’s Council vote for this week are Our Rules of Engagement in Iraq by American Future, and Congressman Conyers and Islam by Daled Amos. Here is a link to the full results of the vote….
10:28 pm
I may need to read it through again
4:19 pm
I like your site. Well done!
I’ll come by again soon.