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Jens 'n' Frens
Idle thoughts of a relatively libertarian Republican in Cambridge, MA, and whomever he invites. Mostly political.
"A strong conviction that something must be done is the parent of many bad measures."
-- Daniel Webster
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Friday, January 17, 2003 :::
I wrote a letter to the Boston Herald based on Wednesday's anti-anti-smoking diatribe; I'm told it's in today's paper.
Here's what I wrote; I don't know what was published:
Let me get this straight. [I like starting letters to the editor with this line; it's more condescending than I'd use in most contexts, but mild arrogance seems appropriate on the letters page. -- ed.]
Tom Keane acknowledges that Brookline and Braintree already prohibit smoking in all bars and restaurants, that Boston, Framingham, and Saugus have bans coming into effect soon. Somerville, Chelsea, and Everett are close to imposing bans. Meanwhile, four fifths of Cambridge establishments prohibit smoking under current regulations -- and Keane thinks it's an imposition on him that the other fifth hasn't been forced to follow suit?
He thinks his desire "to go where [he wants] and not have to suffer exposure to smoke" should outweigh the desire of smokers to continue to have just a few places where they can go for a drink and a smoke. The arrogance of his position is appalling. I hope the City Council will show more respect for their constituents.
Actually, I hope they edited it a bit more. On second thought, I wish I had edited it a bit more; it seems insufficiently tight. Anyway, there it is.
::: posted by Steven at 12:47 PM
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