Smoking letter and smoking show

Letter to the Editor
Originally uploaded by icemakk.

From time to time I like to write letters to the editor of our local papers to see if I can get them to print them.
I have about a 50% success ratio so far. Here is a pic of my most recent.
my letter
(Not sure how long the link will last )
Basically it boils down to the absurdity of city council, on the heel dragging of banning smoking in bars and public spaces. Hell even Edmonton went smoke free in the bars!! Come on Calgary silly hall, what is taking you so long to realize that it is a good thing to ban it?

I never really thought of smokers as very bright people. How can any person, with even a bit of education smoke? All the evidence is there that proves how deadly tobacco is yet they continue to puff away. It stinks, tastes horrible ( I know, I've tried smoking before) and it costs a fortune yet gives nothing in return. I can understand why someone would smoke pot because at least it gives you a high. Cigarettes just give you bad breath, stinky clothes, colored fingers, poor health and an emptier wallet. Lets not foget how it ages the skin too. Wow, sign me up!!

Back the issue. Currently smoking is allowed IN the bars but not out on the patio. WTF?!?! How did they come up with that hair brained scheme? Someone can stand on the side walk next to the bar patio and puff away but as soon as they enter the patio they have to go inside to smoke. Only a politician could come up with such a stupid rule.

I have heard the opponents saying that their business will drop off if the smoking ban takes place but history has proven otherwise. All cities that have the ban still have busy bars and nightclubs and even the smokers don't mind going outside to light up. I have heard them say they enjoy the smoke free environment as they come home with out smoky smelly clothes. Also they have to make a special trip outside to smoke so many of them smoke less.

One more year...one more year. Then all the stink makers have to go out on the sidewalk...where they belong!

In other news the Stampede has been a blast so far. Last night I went out with a few of my comic buddies to see Blue Rodeo, a band I have always been a fan of.
The event was in a big out door arena at Fort Calgary and the ticket said "special surprise guest" who turned out to be none other than Roger Hodgson of Supertramp!! With the Northern Pikes playing for him he treated us to a whole whack of Supertramp hits. It sounded almost like the actual Supertramp band was there. Awesome show Mr. Hodgson and to the Pikes, you played superbly.

Blue Rodeo did a great set and were tight and harmonious as always. They are one of the few bands that sound just like their albums and are not studio enhanced. It was a smoking show for sure!

Off to enjoy more of The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth!
Makk