It has been a busy weekend. I was in the Twin Cities Saturday and Sunday, to see my daughter walk across the stage at the UofM. Monday morning I arrived at Chamberlain, SD, to attend to a meeting of profs as part of the Yellowstone Institute. Later this summer I will spend a week in Yellowstone. I promise to post some photos. We get to see wolves.
The big story in the St. Paul Pioneer Press is the soon to be enacted "Freedom to Breathe" law in Minnesota.
Minnesota is on the verge of outlawing smoking in bars, restaurants and other establishments after the Legislature approved a statewide smoking ban.
The "Freedom to Breathe Act" survived its toughest test, a vote in the House where a majority had previously supported limited smoking in bars. It now heads to Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who intends to sign it.
Minnesota will become the 20th state to prohibit smoking in bars and restaurants. Violations will carry fines of up to $300 for smokers and permissive proprietors. The ban would start Oct. 1.
The bill passed the House 81-48 early Saturday, about 12 hours after the Senate approved it 43-21.
The ministers of public morals are going to make all of us more righteous whether we like it or not. But bear in mind that it isn't smoking they are opposed to. Most of the legislators who support such bans would be all too happy to legalize marijuana, and in fact have been about the business of creating legal marijuana bars under the color of medical use. It is only smoking they disapprove of that is to be banned.
Cigarette smoking is a judgment call. I think people should be allowed to frequent or work at places where alcohol is served and cigarettes are smoked. The neo-Puritans don't care what the less righteous think. Cigarette smokers are an unprotected class of sinners, and the righteous are free to smite them. No doubt we shall all be better people for it.
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