A war of rights. The right ones are starting to win.

letter
Originally uploaded by icemakk.

Its time to rant about something. Its been too long.
I got published in a couple of papers this week with a letter to the editor. The Calgary Sun trimmed it down, possible to save upsetting any advertisers. FastForward, our entertainment paper, put the letter in its entirety as they don't bow to any corporate pressure or they had a bit more space.
For a larger view of the letter
click here

A bit of back story on this. Calgary's silly council has waffled on the anti-smoking laws due to small minded bar owners (with their heads up their nicotine filled asses) lobbying against it. While the rest of the country, and the world for that matter, is going non-smoking in bars our civic leaders have not found their spines to pass legislation quickly.
Bar owners opposed to it claim it will kill their business. Will it?
Since I travel I have seen other cities that have gone non-smoking. You know what, their bars are as busy if not busier. Smokers just have to step outside, where they belong. The rest of us can go home with clothes that smell like clothes. A nice thing when you are travelling and have limited laundry access!

There is no way that the minority that smokes, should be able to subject the rest of us with their stench. My own family hates going to comedy shows because of the smoke. Thankfully many of the clubs have more non-smoking shows now and soon they will be entirely smoke free.
I have friends who smoke and they know how I feel on the issue. If you stick a cigarette in your mouth and puff away you are a retard.
Lets see, it tastes awful (until you are addicted) it stinks, it slowly kills you, it's expensive. Hmm, I can see why people do it until they are addicted. It makes so much sense to keep at it until your body craves the added nicotine and other chemicals they put in. You are so cool.

I think the movie "The Insider" starring Russell Crowe should be mandatory viewing for kids when they hit their teens. Put knowledge in their heads at how greedy some large corporations are at the expense of our health. Let them see the truth.

Now, if we can just get the stinky smokers to move about 20 meters away from mall and bar entrances and stop littering the sidewalk with their butts....then the war will be over.
Oh yeah, one more thing, girls that smoke...enjoy the early wrinkles you'll be getting. It is so sexy to have those lines on your face from sucking on death all those years.
Me in a bar "What brand do you smoke?"
Girl in a bar "How did you know I smoked?"
Me in a bar "It shows!"

A smoke free Daryl Makk

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Comment via email
Hey Daryl.....read your blog...good for you...NJ has no smoking and it is now a pleasure to go to a club or bar....you just have to pass through the tunnel of smoke on the way in to out......wish they would make they move away from the door....but maybe that will come in time.......I am just happy not to have to have my hair and clothes reeking of smoke when I get home........hope they pass the law in Calgary asap!!
Barb (New Jersey)

Hi Daryl,

I just wanted to say thank you for standing up for the non-smokers of the world. I
happen to be allergic and it drives me crazy when people go on and on about smokers
rights. Well... what about my right to breath? I agree with every word of your letter
and your blog.

Thanks again,
Angie (Calgary)