Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/10/19
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Rei, thanks for the heads up on what sounds like a great book, And Mikko, for the record, smokers in america are looked upon with about the same regard as child molesters----adulterers, thieves, embezzlers, etc..rank above the smoker. In most newer areas, there is NO smoking permitted in any establishment. Only CA has a "law", but if all chain stores and restaurant require their individual operators to ban smoking, then the result is the same as a law. We have neurotic views about health in our country...eating a steak and drinking hard liquor is seen as acceptable, but smoking an after-dinner cigar is not. Wearing seat belts is mandatory, but preventative health care for our people is spotty, at best. If you go to the doctor with a broken wrist encountered while biking or skating, both healthful activities, don't tell him that you smoked a cigarette on the way to the emergency room.......he'll find some way to tie that in to your injury!!! As for the constant anectdotal (sp) evidence by someone who has just lost a loved one to whatever disease, first, I share in your grief, for whatever loss, however, my "uncle" died from heart disease some years back...he probably ate lots of bacon and cheeseburgers, and had a 'beer belly'.....but I don't hear anyone screaming about banning McDonalds, or beer, or.................... I refuse to donate to any establishment (most recently NPR-KERA radio in Dallas) that doesn't provide comfortable indoor accodomations for the quarter of our population that smokes (something)...and I ONLY frequent restaurants that do the same. After several shooting/vacation trips to California in the past, they have seen the last of my meager funds....etc. etc. etc.... The rest of you do as you must, with your own money....... If you're a smoker from Europe or Asia, and you desire to come to our country for vacation, PLEASE inquire as to smoking restrictions BEFORE you choose an area/hotel/etc....our businesses WILL NOT volunteer such information...and you could be in for some surprises......PLEASE tell the potential travel agent/etc. of your desires, and let them know you will not spend money if you're not welcome...if you do not smoke, but someone in your party does, please keep this in mind as well. "When they came for the Jews, I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew"............ Best to you and yours Walt <shino@ubspainewebber.com> wrote: > mikko, > > maybe this can explain us kooky americans better: > > "Any sensual pleasure that can be edifying or life-enhancing is > celebrated. On the other hand, any pleasure that is counterproductive or > dangerous is judged harshly. So exercise is celebrated, but smoking is > now considered a worse sin than at least 5 of the 10 commandments... > ...we use the word _guilt_ more often in connection with unhealthy goods-- > high fat, high sodium or high calorie--than in any other context." > > David Brooks, _Bobos in Paradise_ (2000): > > (very funny book, by the way) > > -rei > > > > From: "Mikko Kalavainen" <mikko.kalavainen@mobiili.net> > > > > Oooh boy. I didn't think *anyone* would comment on that one... It's > > strange, because here in Finland we still get to smoke quite freely, in > > bars etc... > > I'll see what I can do. I will put out my cigarette if someone asks me > > to in real life, so why wouldn't I do it in the Inertnet also? > -- > To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html