Anti-anti-smoking civil disobedience

[MaineShark]

Okay, I've been reading a lot of L. Neil Smith's old essays lately.  This suggestion was from back around the time of the infamous tobacco lawsuit and the general anti-smoking craze that swept most of the nation, if I recall correctly.

His idea was essentially that prohibitionists are the new Puritans, and can't stand the notion that someone, somewhere, might actually be enjoying life.

So, his suggestion was that people obtain pipes that the like, that reflect their personality in some way or that are pleasing to their eye, and just sit in non-smoking places with the pipe in their mouth.  No tobacco or smoke is involved.  Just an item symbolic of smoking.

And watch the anti-smoking nuts go into a hissy fit, because someone is refusing to conform to their dull world.

I think we could make good use of that idea here in NH, wth the anti-smoking nonsense that is being pushed.  Teach people that the anti-smoking crowd aren't even concerned with actual smoke, but solely with being killjoys.

Joe

[lordmetroid]

Interesting and very enthrilling idea of how to persuade the minds of people. Kind of like the "Live free or die" motto. Advertisement of an idea rather than pushing it down the throats with a megaphone.

[tracysaboe]

That's an interesting idea.

Tracy

[Kat Kanning]

That's really funny.  I bet you'd get people to freak out.  Jim's chewing on a cigar would work, too.

[d_goddard]

What's *really* funny is if your idea of an attractive, fun-to-own pipe is not too different from mine

[David]

About a month ago, when I think the NH state senate passed a smoking ban, i very seriously considered going up in their building while they are in session and lighting up a cigar.  I have never in my life smoked, until about a month ago I bought a single black and mild.  BTW, how does something that generally smells so good, taste so terrible?  I haven't touched it since, but still have the idea in the back of my head. 

[Ruger Mason]

About a month ago, when I think the NH state senate passed a smoking ban, i very seriously considered going up in their building while they are in session and lighting up a cigar.  I have never in my life smoked, until about a month ago I bought a single black and mild.  BTW, how does something that generally smells so good, taste so terrible?  I haven't touched it since, but still have the idea in the back of my head. 

I don't see how that would help.  The smoking ban is against private property owners.  The socialists see no difference between a public building and a building you own, so I think this sort of act would underline their point.  I fully support smoking bans in public buildings, or at least separate smoking areas.

[error]

Business owners need to start throwing these socialists out of their establishments.

[d_goddard]

Business owners need to start throwing these socialists out of their establishments.

Actually that's likely to happen. Since "smokeasy" private clubs will still be allowed, presumably one could simply deny membership to bureaucrats and politicians in general. Plus, it'd be great publicity if an offended 'crat or politician sued over that discriminatory policy. 

[lordmetroid]

Perhaps one shall open a non-profit bar banning socialists to be there  DISCRIMATION will be screamed over the top of their lungs in an instance 

[error]

Let them scream. I reserve the right to refuse service to ANYONE.

[cyberdoo78]

Hey error, do you prefer your screaming with or without whips, chains, and handcuffs?

Personally I'd love to hear politians scream and hollar. I always love that sound clip of "Carry me" Kerry and his outburst of frustration that is heard some time on the talk radio stations.

[error]

I don't like seeing adult children scream at all.

[Ogre]

I'd have a load of fun -- open a restaurant or some such place (with a smoking bar, etc) -- then when politicians came in, only allow them in depending on their votes on certain issues...

[supperman15]

I think it is interesting and infuriating that this is an issue and not really many smokers seem to care, they have a roll over and die attitude.  (he types smoking a cig)  the interesting thing in the theatre world is now they are banning them on stage but herbal cigs are allowed.  Correct me if I?m wrong but I don?t think the negative second hand smoke case has anything to do with nicotine but simply carcinogens.  I think the idea of sitting with a pipe is interesting, but what if you took that a step further and got a ton of fake cigs that look lit and sat around with those in your mouth it may create a much better illusion.