Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette

From the Internal Inconsistency Department, many of smokefree Monona opponents argues that they supported a statewide ban, but then turned around and made the phony 'choice' argument. As I've written before, this choice is really a smoker's veto. Besides which, smokers create a public health hazard when the light up in a public indoor space - and then wrap themselves in the Constitution.

Anyway, the Herald's wonderful, mahvelous columnist Sunny Schubert took the same line this week on the smokefree ordinance. She seemed to support a statewide law, but then chastised Peter McKeever and I for trying to take the smoker's choice away from an elderly resident. The unnamed elder and Sunny could smoke all they want under the ordinance, just not in a public indoor space where they expose others to the health hazards of their habit.

Here's a thought, let's expand this smoker's choice: how about smoking and nonsmoking elevators? Doctor's offices? Taxis? Buses?

By the way, the Mayor made much of the purported fact that alder McKeever and I are not business owners and therefore....what, I'm not sure. I'm not a senior (really, not yet - I'm barely AARP-eligible!), but I vote on issues concerning seniors, I don't ride the bus, but I chair Transit, etc.

In any event, Peter actually is a small business owner (his law practice). The other supporter of the proposal, Bob Miller, is not only a small business owner, but has an interest in the Great Dane Pub - Great Dane Pub. On the other hand, to my knowledge - and I could be wrong - none of three alders opposing the ordinance as proposed are small business owners.

On the other hand, we all breathe.

Anyway, keep an eye on who the Mayor appoints to the Ad Hoc committee. I know that Jim Keck has agreed to serve if appointed. It's hard to imagine anyone more qualified. Jim is an assistant professor in Biomolecular Chemistry and teaches course at the UW medical school, a member of the Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, and an American Cancer Society Research Scholar. (He supports the ordinance).