HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0013.248 2002-2004
JUL-01-2003 08:38 AM P. 01
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Please let me begin by acknowledging Parton Martin Niemoller whose famous
quote has been paraphrased in tnaay ways end is she bash Son the following format. Some
things started before his tutu.
First they canoe for our Saloons, but bocauae I wasn't bom yet, I could not speak
out. The Anti-Saloon League of America wnvitxed congress to pass the 18~' Amendment
known as Prohibition. 'fhe Prohibition era began at midnight on January 16, 1920 along
with l3 years of lawlessrless. Fortunately, Congress came to its' senses and passed the
21"amendment and prohibition was repealed.
Then they came for ota marijuana, known as "Reefer Madness", but age I
wasn't bom yet, so I did trot speak out. Marijuana was blamed for a lack of moral
standards and blamed mostly on blacks and musicians. No one seemed to ~tioe that it
was the Paper, Petroleum, and Pharmaceutical companies that tried to eradicate it. Now,
people support medical marijuana and Hemp for fabric.
Than they came for the Jews and Workl War II broke out.1 was tat born yet and
(may not have been) depetdiag on the ouncomc of the war and I ooukl not speak out.
Then they came for the Communists, Liberals, and other Free Thinkers whoa I
views differed from that of Joe McCarthy and J, Edgar Hoover. Again I was not born yet,
so I didn't speak otu.
"Then in 1961, I was born intro what was known as the Greet American Society
compared to that of Camelot. Though I Could not speak out at first, I was bombarded by
countless images of failed assassination attempts on George Wallace and the sad
successes on J.F.K., RF.K., Malcolm X and M.L.K. and over 50 thousartd body bags
returning from V ietrtam on a deity basis. I still remember the day Nbton resigned and
from that day on 1 knew I could never blindly trust tlx government or authority again.
Then they came for our alcohol again, not for the same reason that the early
Battlcaxcs had, but fur a new reason called "Public Safety". The modem Dattkaxes were
known as MADD and I watched as the drinking age was raised from 18 to 21. But since [
was "of age•' I spoke out only as an employee who watched as his bartending job steadily
dwindled away.
Now they come for our right to smoke in public places that are enclosed or settti-
enclosod and I am speaking out, SPRAKING OUT LOUDLY! This concerns me
especially at bars. Proponents of the new law asy it is about public heahh, maybe. But
this is really about choice; personal choices by smokers and the personal choices of store,
bar, and restaurant owners. I believe that the only law needed already exists and is known
as Atoka.
To me, Aloha means tolerance of and consideration towards others. l make an
effort to stay downwind ofnon-smokers. I understand their frustration because I feel the
same way about Clove cigarettes and patchouli oil, but I don't try to pass laws against
them or get a job at a place where it is common and then complain. I recognize that if it
were a straight Yes or No vote, the smokers would probably bse by a margin, but that
that margin would be much larger if it exempted bars. To the polhicians looking at this
Comm. No.13?
Ref. Toa~~
Ref. Date _
JUL--01-2003 08:39 RM p, 0~
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law, it's a simple matter of mntheaoatics. Those who are straddling the Bence will look at
these numbers as rotes. Think again. Integrity is not to be bought and traded or sold. Our
Rcpresetrtatives zepresem all of us, including the cninorhies, Ayn hand said: `"fhe
smallest minority on earth. is the individual.. Those wM deny individual rights cannot
claim to be defenders of minorities." A minority can become a majority over one simple
vote end the effectiveness of legislation.
Common sense should prevail. I have criticized smokers who litter the beach and
our Iand with non-biodegradable flhers, but 1 won't ask ibr legishuive action because it's
a slippery slope. Stopping smoking in hers is not the end to their means„ it's a means to
their ends. Whatever laws get passed this year, you can bet they'll want more next year.
What's next?, Public Parks7, Smoking in your car?, your house7, your own
backyard? After that they'll go after your Charcoal Bar-&Q or Emu ph and when you
switch to propane, the vegetarians next door will eomplain about the smell of your steak
and cheeseburgers. Then comes the thtty foods tax or the mt enough exercise tax.
'they're already to&ing a 17% surcharge on fatty foods in England and threaten lawsuits
against Fast Food chains all over. Please protest me Aram the people trying to protect me
from myself.
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