I know I sound like a broken record on this one but the powers that be have really got under my skin.
For those of you who have no idea what I'm rambling on about with this one let me list the story so far.
In Scotland you can no longer smoke in a public place. Ok most of us can accept the health benefits of this one but what bothers me is the erosion of civil liberties and the double standard at work here. Let's consider this for a moment. I can walk into any corner shop and purchase a packet of cigarettes for approximately £5. Of this £5 the government grabs more than £4 in tax with the rest being fought over by the manufacturer and the retailer. This transaction is perfectly legal and breaks no laws. If however having purchased these ciggies I elect to visit a bar and enjoy one with a drink I run the risk being fined £50 with the bar owner in line for a £2000 fine. This law however is ill-conceived if you consider this. Let's assume that I did not like smoking good old legal cigarettes but instead preferred grass. I could visit my dealer procure a bag of the finest illeagal skunk and skin up a "Bob Marley" special to smoke in the High Street. If I was duly stopped by the police whilst engaging in this activity I would simply receive a police caution. No fine, no monetary loss just a smack on the wrist. Does anyone else smell a rat? I am certain that the move to marginalise smokers was merely a trial run for more sinister developments ahead. You may laugh at my "paranoia" now but wait until we see a ban on fat people entering cake shops, will it still be funny then?
In addition to this my local authority have implemented a number of by-laws over the years which appear to be designed to remove the fun from socialising in this once great city. Here are a few of the highlights
- Happy hours are no longer allowed. Any bar/club caught offering one runs the risk of losing their liquor licence.
- If your venue receives a public entertainment licence it must serve all beverages in plastic glasses. No chance of a bottle of Sol with a slice of lime here.
- You may not drink alcohol in public. A nice bottle of wine with your picnic in the park sorry not here. Just as well the weather is usually too bad for alfresco dining then.
The city fathers have also in the past refused to allow the movies Romper Stomper and Reservoir Dogs to be shown within the city boundary. Two of the most dynamic pieces of cinematography of the last thirty years banned from this city, come on guys what fucking year are you living in?
My local evening newspaper ran a story yesterday which caught my eye. A steakhouse restaurant in The Merchant City, one of the most vibrant areas of Glasgow, has been told that it can no longer set tables in advance of patrons arriving. The reason? The steak knives may be used as offensive weapons. How long until our pool halls and snooker clubs are ordered to use rubber cues? I am absolutely not making this up and indeed the story was confirmed by a council spokesman. I understand the owner of the establishment involved is considering legal action if a ban is pursued. Good on him I say.
The other story which caught my eye is a possible ban on smoking in cars. Yes your car, you know the one you bought and paid for. The one you use to get to and from work, do your shopping etc. Yes that one. The one that you spend extortianate sums of money taxing, insuring, maintaining and running. Why? beacuse it has now been decided smoking is a distraction whilst driving. Guess what? so is singing along to the radio, talking to your passengers, changing gear, retuning the stereo and windscreen wipers but currently there are no plans to ban these items. YET.
Why am I so upset by all of this nonsense? It may because I come from the generation that ate paint chips, climbed trees, swam in the river and generally had fun. Then again it may be beacuse the politicians do not have the balls to tackle the real causes of the menaces we face today and would rather appease the noisy minority than enrich the lives of the silent majority.
In the style of Sesame Street...tonight's post has been brought to you by Davenelli's Coalition For Fun & Freedom
6 comments:
Don't you just love posting your heart out only to have some spammer spray grafitti all over it?
There's a big stir here in California that they intend to make smoking in public illegal. I personally don't smoke, but I can definately agree with your right to do so. Great post.
There are similar goings on here in Canada I'm afraid. Very well said.
I hereby promise put myself on the electoral register if you ever decide to run for office.
I am currently on vacation in the good old US of A.
What I've found interesting while staying in this nation's capital - I am free to smoke almost anywhere I choose from Daycare to Denny's, Shopping Malls to McDonalds. Hell - my rented car even has an ashtray goddamnit!.
Could it be that the lobbyists and politicians from Virginia - one of the leading tobacco producing states - have something to do with this?
So here is my thought for the day - All politicians should have to wear football type t-shirts with sponsorship logos before standing up in future to address parliament or congress.
We all know which sport shoes sponsor which athletes..... and which footballers drink which beer so.......
Why shouldn't we know which tobacco/oil/energy/nicotine replacement therapy or defence contract is paying for our 'democratically' elected representation?
Here endeth my rant!
Right, here we go!
In England they have passed the same social engineering through the Commons.
A few bits you may not have heard about.
The whole debate was based on Passive smoking with the W.H.O. named.
Sources say the W.H.O. does not recognise Passive Smoking and has stated that there is no proven case for it.
Is it not amazing that the public is not allowed to smoke in a bar but the bars etc in the House of Commons/Lords are exempt from this law as they are ROYAL palaces. Grr!
A lorry driver will not be allowed to smoke in his cab bicause it is a work place (I would love to see them enforce this on some lorry drivers I know!)
Should a some worker (plumber etc)be visiting your house you must cease smoking 2 hours before they arrive. (How in hell can this be policed. All workers to be issued with nicotine detector!)
Private members clubs as with the C.I.U. were going to be exempt but this was withdrawn at last minute and included. These clubs are owned by the members and are an extension of thier living rooms.
Thats just a few of the stupid rules being put forward in this social engineering plan. Remember if we do not fight this act, they will use it as a precedent for further infingement on our civil liberties
This is the reason Non Smokers are joining "The Big Debate". Try a Google Search and maybe Davenelli could post a link to the Online petition. Be you Scots, English, Irish or Welsh. Sign it or this nanny state will steamrollers us.
I will now go and stand in the corner and steam gently.
Remember: THE BIG DEBATE
I am back Dave. Had my steam in the corner and if its any help:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/The_Big_Debate/
Right, back to the corner and make myself say "I will check spelling on a post even if I am irate" :)
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