Belmont to be first U.S. city to ban all smoking

[DeclinetoState]

Not San Francisco, but just a few miles down the road.

By Dana Yates, Daily Journal Staff

Belmont is set to make history by becoming the first city in the nation to ban smoking on its streets and almost everywhere else.

The Belmont City Council voted unanimously last night to pursue a strict law that will prohibit smoking anywhere in the city except for single-family detached residences. Smoking on the street, in a park and even in one’s car will become illegal and police would have the option of handing out tickets if they catch someone.

The actual language of the law still needs to be drafted and will likely come back to the council either in December or early next year.

“We have a tremendous opportunity here. We need to pass as stringent a law as we can, I would like to make it illegal,” said Councilman Dave Warden. “What if every city did this, image how many lives would be saved? If we can do one little thing here at this level it will matter.”San Mateo Daily Journal (http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=66988)

Nanny, nanny, nanny.

[Republican_Legion]

:flame: I think those libs in Belmont are asking for someone to burn them with a cigarette butt.

[Eagle1]

i am going to outlaw stupid sacks of crap
those council members better be ready for an ass whippin

[Kathy30]

If you read the article carefully, you'll see the reason for its existence is to give people a basis to sue others. It's expanding the whole idea of tort lotto.

Liberals really love to control other people. The liberal utopia is 1984 and cameras in private homes was actually suggested by one liberal city council, I think it was in Texas. With liberals come laws upon laws upon laws all designed to forcefully control individual behavior. That's one of the reasons I hate California so much.

Here's the link. http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-02-15-houston-cameras_x.htm

[Wolfcounsel]

Laws like these make me wonder what the powerful cigarette companies are planning to do with their legal product. I mean, after their executives pull their thumbs out of their asses. Reminds me of the Republican party sticking both thumbs up there and pandering to the left while their power was slowly stripped away. OOPS. That's another topic.:evilgrin:

[Kathy30]

Laws like these make me wonder what the powerful cigarette companies are planning to do with their legal product. I mean, after their executives pull their thumbs out of their asses. Reminds me of the Republican party sticking both thumbs up there and pandering to the left while their power was slowly stripped away. OOPS. That's another topic.:evilgrin:

The cigarette companies saw the writing on the wall long ago. They have been slowly and without much fanfare buying up food companies. I think Phillip Morris now owns Kraft.

Not that this is going to help because food companies are the next big target.

A few years ago after the mega tobacco settlements started coming in, lawyers were anxious to find a new industry to shake down. At the ABA convention in Chicago, it was decided that it would be the food industry. You might think that these latest lawsuits just happened but it's not true. It was very carefully planned and orchestrated for the pupose of making lawyers money with the full participation of the judiciary.

[BEST45CAL]

dammit, it's bush's fault!

y'all should know this by now. lmao

[Lubbock]

" . . . and even in one’s car . . . "

Can they even do that? Forbid me to engage in an activity --smoking a legal product, in an automobile that is my personal property?

Can they even do that?

Something is way out of whack with these NannyState Liberal Kooks. Moonbats.

Even if I wasn't a smoker, I would be looking for another place on the planet to live, other than this Kooksville.

[Wolfcounsel]

"The cigarette companies saw the writing on the wall long ago. They have been slowly and without much fanfare buying up food companies. I think Phillip Morris now owns Kraft.

Not that this is going to help because food companies are the next big target." --Kathy30

Like I was going to say. The candy asses will just go after whatever hiding hole the big companies run to. The tort lawyers responsible for this crap must be destroyed. Dispose of the wimps next in the city council. This includes us everyday people also running around with our thumbs up our asses and wringing our hands because the milquetoasts are suddenly in charge. I mean, let's get tough with the sponges!

[DeclinetoState]

Let's see what happens in Belmont when people there start smoking joints in public and asserting it's for "medicinal purposes."

[BEST45CAL]

" . . . and even in one’s car . . . "

Can they even do that? Forbid me to engage in an activity --smoking a legal product, in an automobile that is my personal property?

Can they even do that?



Yes...You may own your vehicle, but you don't have the right to operate it on public roads. You sure don't.

[DeclinetoState]

As far as smoking in a car is concerned, they could argue that having your hand on a cigarette makes it difficult for you to hold the steering wheel properly. In addition, they could argue that the smoke leaves an oily film on the windows that distorts your outside view.

[Timberwolf]

Can we NOW declare "open season" on ambulance chasing lawyers specifically and liberals, in general? Please, oh pretty please? With a cherry on top?

[Timberwolf]

*ElmerFuddVoice* Kiw da Wibwal...Kiw da Wibwal....ssshhhhh...be ve-e-e-e-w-w-w-wy, ve-e-e-e-e-w-w-wy kwiet....I'm huntin' wibwals.....eh-eh-eh-eh-eh-eh*/ElmerFuddVoice*

[Wolfcounsel]

May all liberals acquire a very short life as their only virtue!

[Kathy30]

As far as smoking in a car is concerned, they could argue that having your hand on a cigarette makes it difficult for you to hold the steering wheel properly. In addition, they could argue that the smoke leaves an oily film on the windows that distorts your outside view.

Last year some liberal proposed driving laws that made absolutely everything done in the car illegal including having your hands at anything other than the 2 and 10 position. Having a radio on would have been illegal. Speaking to a passenger would have been illegal. Chewing gum would have been illegal.

Thankfully that went into the dustbin.

[Timberwolf]

Kiw da wibwal...kiw da wibwal!!

[Charity]

Can they even do that?

No not legally.

[Gonzo67]

No not legally.


Actually, yes they can. If they ban smoking in ALL public places, just because you own your car, you're on a PUBLIC road.

I suggest you keep an eye on that town. You watch what happens there. The liberals have stuck their foot in the door. They have effectively wormed their way into the life of both the people that voted for them, and the ones that voted AGAINST them.

They are now free to monitor your health. Put down that Big Mac, or face 30 days in county and a $1500 fine. I sure hope thats DECAFFEINATED coffee you're drinking, or I'll have to cite you. Jay-Walking is now a felony. Whoops, you used the word "nigger", not only is that offensive, but it's also punishable by 2 years in prison. No more individual thought. We'll tell ya what to like, what to dislike, when to eat, sleep, shit or wipe your nose. If you use a public restroom, you better get a receipt for that load you flushed away. Everyone is PERSONALLY responsible for going over their "daily allowable waste limit".

Ever see that cheesy ass Stallone flick, Demolition Man? Get ready boys and girls. Mellow greetings to you, no, don't shake hands. Exchanging bodily fluids through touch is not healthy, therefore, illegal. But don't worry, we'll keep you safe. You see, we'll have your ass lo-jacked at birth, and we'll have a camera on every light pole. They'll be far more visible than the ones we have in your home.

Oh Bob, I'm done here. "Be Well" them for me please.
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[Charity]

That is scary gonzo.

[Gonzo67]

That is scary gonzo


The true terror lies in the fact that a lot of people will call what I said "paranoia". They'll point and laugh, and say "Look at the silly conspiracy nut boys and girls".

But I assure you, it's far from "outlandish" and honestly, I am not a member of the tinfoil hat crowd.

The liberals have just set a precedent. Something that lawyers and liberal Judges LOVE to rely on. And when the laws that town passes are challenged, likely upheld in the Supreme Court, the liberals will be given license to enact those same laws in ANY town.

So, be afraid. It's coming soon to a theater near you hon.

[Wolfcounsel]

I'm not afraid, and I am certainly not going to bow down to a black-robed orangutan's ruling. I will continue to fight them, and expose the assholes for what they truly are--nothing but assholes. DEMOLITION MAN is their wet dream.

[Gonzo67]

Oh, make no mistake. I'll be down in the sewers with the scraps drinking Budweiser and grilling up rat burgers. Only difference is, my big acts of public defiance wont be simple graffiti. There will be bodies spread LIBERALLY over the city. Pun Intended.

[Kathy30]

Demolition Man is one of my favorite movies. It's just too appropriate and I know it's a B movie.

Belmont though is not the first. Calabases passed a similar law months ago and there is a city on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, I forget which one that has banned smoking even on private property such as back yards and front yards.

[Ant]

I quit smoking over 4 years ago, so I guess statistically I'm supposed to be one of those rabid anti-smoking people now, but I'm not. Laws like this are ridiculous. The smokers in that town should stage a smoke-in.

[Lubbock]

I think this makes us four for four, Ant.

[S-T]

Just wait until we can't eat Twinkies, have mandated bedtimes, and mandated daily exercise.

And our poop will be tested daily to make sure we're healthy.

The nanny state ninnies aren't just for alternate-future science fiction movies (has anyone seen "The Island"?) anymore.

[Timberwolf]

I quit smoking over 4 years ago, so I guess statistically I'm supposed to be one of those rabid anti-smoking people now, but I'm not. Laws like this are ridiculous. The smokers in that town should stage a smoke-in.
I'm smoke-free, too, and I agree whole-heartedly, Ant...right down to the smoke-in...

[DesertFox]

(has anyone seen "The Island"?) (huh uh)