[Mpls] Smoking Ban

[Michael Atherton]

Jim Bernstein wrote:

>  At some point Michael, you need to acknowledge that smoking in public
>  places is a privilege not an absolute right and that cities 
>  do have the authority to regulate public accommodations with regard 
>  to health and safety. But most importantly, I hope you can recognize that 
>  the issue is not - in any way - comparable with 6 million people murdered 
>  because of their religion.  

I acknowledge that cities have the power to regulate public accommodations,
I just think they don't have the moral authority to ban behaviors among 
consenting adults that don't impact anyone but themselves.  Using your 
rational Public Health can be used to ban almost anything.

Playing the religion card is a weak ploy, but probably plays pretty
well in Minneapolis.

Michael Atherton
Prospect Park