Smoke and Mirrors
Smoke and mirrors
The Senate debate on banning smoking in private clubs got a bit schizophrenic this week. Keep in mind you've got right-wing lawmakers who will fight to the death for personal freedom and property rights,
but who are also non-smoking Mormons.
And talk about inclusiveness: For once, Democrat Patrice Arent found herself a for-real member of the mostly male, mostly Mormon Capitol Hill gang for supporting the smoking ban.
"I get calls saying, 'Keep your moralistic views out this,' " says Arent, a Jew. "I keep telling them my religion hasn't taken a position on this issue."
In making his case, sponsoring Sen. Mike Waddoups pointed to other places that have banned smoking, including Malta. (Not the Idaho town, but the Mediterranean island). He also cited California and New York as models of antismoking legislation -- then stopped himself -- apparently realizing those are the last two states to be ideals for a Utah lawmaker. "We don't want to say we are following in the footsteps of those ones."
Sen. Scott McCoy stunned his colleagues momentarily when he suggested an amendment -- ban smoking in private vehicles when children are present. "Let's take it farther and protect another
segment of our population at risk." (McCoy's amendment is unlikely to pass muster.)
The best suggestion of the day came from ban Senate opponent "Wild" Bill Hickman, who suggested smoking be banned statewide with the exception of Antelope Island. "It gets to the point that it is that ridiculous. Where do we draw this line?" Hickman added with dripping sarcasm, "Big Brother is going to help us out and save us all. "
--Glen Warchol
The Senate debate on banning smoking in private clubs got a bit schizophrenic this week. Keep in mind you've got right-wing lawmakers who will fight to the death for personal freedom and property rights,
but who are also non-smoking Mormons.
And talk about inclusiveness: For once, Democrat Patrice Arent found herself a for-real member of the mostly male, mostly Mormon Capitol Hill gang for supporting the smoking ban.
"I get calls saying, 'Keep your moralistic views out this,' " says Arent, a Jew. "I keep telling them my religion hasn't taken a position on this issue."
In making his case, sponsoring Sen. Mike Waddoups pointed to other places that have banned smoking, including Malta. (Not the Idaho town, but the Mediterranean island). He also cited California and New York as models of antismoking legislation -- then stopped himself -- apparently realizing those are the last two states to be ideals for a Utah lawmaker. "We don't want to say we are following in the footsteps of those ones."
Sen. Scott McCoy stunned his colleagues momentarily when he suggested an amendment -- ban smoking in private vehicles when children are present. "Let's take it farther and protect another
segment of our population at risk." (McCoy's amendment is unlikely to pass muster.)
The best suggestion of the day came from ban Senate opponent "Wild" Bill Hickman, who suggested smoking be banned statewide with the exception of Antelope Island. "It gets to the point that it is that ridiculous. Where do we draw this line?" Hickman added with dripping sarcasm, "Big Brother is going to help us out and save us all. "
--Glen Warchol
2 Comments:
McCoy's amendment actually makes more sense. The ironic thing is that most Republicans are often against smoking bans.
I have a better plan, why not make it illegal to smoke while you are drinking.
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