Well if the smoke doesn't get you, the saturated fats will ... reminds me of a notice I saw at Askew's grill bar on Upper Haight St: "Guns don't kill people, fried food kills people". I agree though, it's getting beyond tedious hearing people blether on about their "right" to smoke in company. It's hard to believe that not so long ago people would smoke on buses and trains, in offices, even in other people's homes without bothering to ask their consent (actually, the last one still happens).
So true, so true. I remember in school, I know it was a long, long time ago but in school they said; your right to freely swing your arms around, ends at the nose of another person. It seems that would apply to smoking as well.
"Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose". (Kris Kristofferson) EDIT Sorry, just noticed OWB already had this
freedom isnt just not having ties and being independant its the viking heart most people on some level are scared of death and pain or being alone or whatever . the Hagakure which is known as the book of the samurai written by Yamamoto Tsunetomo When pressed with the choice of life or death, it is not necessary to gain one's aim. We all want to live. And in large part we make our logic according to what we like. But not having attained our aim and continuing to live is cowardice. This is a thin, dangerous line. To die without gaming one's aim is a dog's death and fanaticism. But there is no shame in this. This is the substance of the Way of the Samurai. If by setting one's heart right every morning and evening, one is able to live as though his body were already dead, he pains freedom in the Way. His whole life will be without blame, and he will succeed in his calling. The Way of the Samurai is found in death. When it comes to either/or, there is only the quick choice of death. It is not particularly difficult. Be determined and advance. To say that dying without reaching one's aim is to die a dog's death is the frivolous way of sophisticates. When the time comes, there is no moment for reasoning. And if you have not done your inquiring beforehand, there is most often shame. Reading books and listening to people's talk are for the purpose of prior resolution. Above all, the Way of the Samurai should be in being aware that you do not know what is going to happen next, and in querying every item day and night. Victory and defeat are matters of the temporary force of circumstances. The way of avoiding shame is different. It is simply in death. Even if it seems certain that you will lose, retaliate. Neither wisdom nor technique has a place in this. A real man does not think of victory or defeat. He plunges recklessly towards an irrational death. By doing this, you will awaken from your dreams. The Way of the Samurai is in desperateness. Ten men or more cannot kill such a man. Common sense will not accomplish great things. Simply become insane and desperate. In the Way of the Samurai, if one uses discrimination, he will fall behind. One needs neither loyalty nor devotion, but simply to become desperate in the Way. Loyalty and devotion are of themselves within desperation. spending time in towers makes you stronger, its a mild thing to do but it helps, this world is hard and cruel and you will see much pain and one day you will face death and maybe years of being alone. all these things can break the spirit but it wont if have the right spirit . so true freedom comes from a brave heart http://users.tkk.fi/~renko/hag1.html online version of the hagakure
It's okay, it's good enough to say twice. Freedom is only possible if you’re responsible with it, irresponsible Freedom takes freedom away from others
Well I would say that if a smoker wasn't blowing smoke in your face, it was none of your business. It is a bit like the No drinking alcohol on the tube, trains, DLR and buses. It is unworkable. Freedom was
Spoken like a true smoker,JOhn. You are addicted to smoking and will say anything to satisfy your addiction as quickly as possible without any care for what it does to others. The no smoking ban is only unworkable to smokers. If they’re not blowing it in my face it’s none of my business? Blow your smoke anywhere you want, where do you think it goes? Do you really think that when it disappears it’s just gone, breaking all laws of physical science? I suppose you also think that if I put one drop of deadly poison in a glass of water, because it disappeared, it’s now safe to drink. Basically nonsmokers were banned for years, if you went somewhere people were smoking, you either became a smoker by breathing their smoke or you left. Now the shoe is on the other foot, how do you like it? Either breathe my smokeless air or leave. You now have the same freedom to choose that I did! I will repeat the earlier illustration; a person has the right and the freedom to swing his fists around freely but that right, that freedom ends at another person nose. Your right, your freedom to smoke ends at mine or anybody else’s nose. It’s time you learned that Freedom is a shared experience. In this case Freedom is.
Far from being unworkable the prohibition on smoking in public places is proving to be incredibly successful and very largely self-policing. We now recognise that people who light up where they shouldn't are doing something irresponsible and socially unacceptable, and it's mostly peer pressure which stops people from doing it, not legal consequences or even the threat of them. I can't think of another example where an aspect of our culture has changed so quickly and so successfully by general consensus.:cheers2:
