Cough, Cough!

First of all Happy New Year!

I am in the middle of a prolonged "discussion" with my wife about the rights of smokers and non-smokers. (Or anyone else for that matter!)

Since this is January 1st there are quite a few places around the world where a ban on smoking in public places is taking effect.
(Hong Kong, Calgary, etc. etc.)

Now I have to start out by saying that I have NOT smoked for many years and consider it a foul, disgusting habit that is one of the greatest health risks to anyone! BUT!

My position is that the State has no business telling anyone where or when they can smoke. My wife of course does not agree with this and the more legislation in place the more she likes it!!!

I do believe that any establishment that permits smoking has a legal obligation to post warning signs that cigarette smoke is present, and then non-smokers can decide for themselves if they want to go in or not. To just arbitrarily say "no smoking" is an infringement on our rights!

I don't care if the government taxes the shit out of tobacco products to make up for the horrendous health care costs of smoking, (you know, like cancer, heart disease, emphysema, dry wrinkled skin for the ladies and a limp dick for the guys)) but don't tell them they CAN'T smoke, especially if they are Bingo players!

The same as "the powers that be," have NO right to tell you if you can do drugs, kill yourself, pray to Thor or Odin, live like a hermit or drink your money away on loose women and song.

As far as I'm concerned, the only thing a government has an obligation to do, is to use our tax money to provide the minimum requirements for living if we should become incapacitated or sick.

I am not a right-wing Conservative, (Republican) by any means, but this seems to be a perfect platform for them, so get in the game boys!

This is one of the reasons I posted a petition to have people stop "interfering" with others and mind their own business but as usual what the hell do I know, right?

Your "leave me alone" scribe;
Allan W Janssen

Allan W Janssen is the author of the petition to have people mind their own business instead of yours at; http://www.petitiononline.com/moses/petition.html

The Petition

They have a site called Petition Online and in it you can put forth any idea you think has merit and then get people to vote on it!

With all the conflict over religion and politics in the Middle East and elswhere I put out a petition a few days ago that we should have a policy where the only crime is interfering with someone else's rights.

This would legalize suicide, freedom of religion, abortion, (since your are not affecting SOMEONE's life, - a fetus is not a person) etc. etc.

In other words you could do whatever you liked as long as it didn't hurt anyone else. The classic case for this would be; "You can't yell fire in a crowded theatre!" (Interference -156)

Here is the site and Petition;
http://www.petitiononline.com/moses/petition.html

To: Everyone

That we adopt a system of non-interference with other human beings. In other words-do what you want, just do not interfere with anyone else!

Examples; Slander someone -interference "201", Assault someone -interference "98" - First Degree Murder -interference "1".

Some criteria needs to be established. For example in the case of abortion it would have to be determined by common consensus when a fetus is considered a human being!

This would also make suicide legal as long as you don't hit someone on the sidewalk under the building you jumped from (Interference-92!)

Which brings me to this quote a ran across that sums it up quite nicely.

"I need no warrant for being, and no word of sanction upon my being. I am the only warrant and the sanction." Your religion stops where my rights begin. Deal with it. - Anonymous

Your Scribe
Allan W Janssen