[Mpls] Smoking Ban: What to do now?

[Michael Atherton]

Jim Bernstein wrote:

> Mr. Atherton - You can believe whatever you want if you changed the
> wording of the question but, the question as asked is precise and not
> misleading!  

As I pointed out earlier, you will never know what percentage of
residents would have supported banning smoking in bars and
restaurants only, nor will you ever know what percentage would
have supported smoking rooms because no one ever asked, and the
sponsors of the survey obviously didn't what the public to know.
Is it unethical to represent questionable survey results as
completely accurate? I think so, but apparently you don't.
I suppose it's a matter of how you define what is is.
 
> As for "interning Japanese citizens", I assume that you are 
> referring to the sad events of 1942 when American citizens of 
> Japanese descent were interned for the duration of WWII out of 
> fear that they might be collaborators. I cannot figure out what 
> this has to do with an ordinance prohibiting smoking in 
> Minneapolis bars and restaurant commencing in 2005, but you 
> obviously see some connection!  

Yes, I obviously do see a connection and you apparently do not.
I will try and make the connection clear.  Here is my basic
point:  If people are unwilling to respect the rights and
choices of others when it has no direct impact on them,
how are they likely to do so in circumstances involving personal
risk?  That is, if you are so self-absorbed that you can't
allow people to smoke in a contained area, why would you
risk your career or the safety of your family to stand up
for the rights of someone who your government is saying is
a danger to you?  Anecdotally, in my life I can't recall
anyone who wouldn't respect small rights, but would stand
up and fight for big ones.  And... all most all of the social 
and psychological research that I've studied confirms this 
expectation. Keep in mind that the American public knew no 
more about what was happening to the Japanese than the German 
public knew was happening to the Jews.  Also keep in mind that 
in surveys many Americans do not recognize the value of the 
rights granted to others in the Constitution.

I have spent a considerable amount of time developing a
political philosophy that would provide maximum benefits
and liberty to the greatest number of people, but for it
to work you have to respect the rights and choices of others.  
My philosophy will never be popular because so many
people are unwilling to give up their power to force
their morality and values on others.  Gay marriage
and smoking are just two of many examples.

Michael Atherton
Prospect Park