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From: tim@unc.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Re: Farters Rights - (nf)
Message-ID: <5566@unc.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 15-Jul-83 15:51:29 EDT
Article-I.D.: unc.5566
Posted: Fri Jul 15 15:51:29 1983
Date-Received: Tue, 19-Jul-83 21:11:16 EDT
References: hp-pcd.1330
Lines: 81


    There are some things that truly piss me off.  I admit it: I'm
human, and my temper isn't infinite.  One of these things is having to
repeat myself again and again, each time in clear, unmistakeable
terms, because someone obviously is not paying attention.  This is, I
hope, the last time I will have to say this.

    I do not smoke cigarettes.  I think that cigarettes stink and I
get annoyed when someone smokes near me in a badly ventilated area.
Cigarettes are one of the two most pernicious drugs I know of (the
other being ethyl alcohol), because it is strong addiction utterly
without reward.  At least a heroin addict gets high.  I have never had
this vile habit, and I do not expect that I ever will.

    I have stated this many times before.  Apparently this was
"overlooked" by the man with the name of a half-witted, deformed
little beast (Frodo), as well as by the nameless "jrf".  Here is what
Frodo said in an article attacking me:

            If you want to hurry up your 'death wish' by
        smoking, use a gun.  It will get the job done a lot
        sooner, and we won't have to put up with your #@%*$
        SMOKE !!!!

    Frodo, if you won't even pay attention to me, how do you expect to
change my mind?  I am forced to the conclusion that you simply want to
fight.  I don't have the time to engage in your purposeless brand of
name-calling, though.  Perhaps some other time.

    And now from jrf, who stole his whole article from a Steve Martin
routine without giving credit:

            To you people who insist it is your *right* to
        billow your obnoxious fumes upon innocent victims:

    I assume you're talking to me, sir (?), since I am the person who
has submitted more articles against anti-smoking laws than anyone else.
In any case, you are lumping all of us together, so I feel free to
reply.  My motivation in opposing these laws is that societal
consensus is not sufficient grounds for restricting the liberty of any
individual.  There must be good, solid reasons why the law is needed.
It is no business of the state to interfere in the life of any
individual without a real need; otherwise, abuses will proliferate
without limit.

    I am not fighting for my right to smoke in public, since I don't
smoke in public.  Got that?  Good.  I have stated my reasons.  You can
ignore them, but that is in no way a refutation.  Now, on to your
pilfered analogy.

            How do you feel about Farters Rights?

            How would you like people farting freely in public
        when they know it offends you?  (And you know smoking
        offends others) Could you happily enter a smelly
        elevator clearly marked  NO FARTING PLEASE?  Could you
        enjoy your meal at a restaurant when the odorous cloud
        engulfs you, as the person at the next table responds,
        "I enjoy a good fart after a meal." Or entering any
        fart-laden atmosphere where a nearby sign commands
        THANK YOU FOR NOT FARTING?

    Farting is offensive without a doubt.  If you tried to pass a law
controlling public farting, I would laugh at you at first, then oppose
you if you ever had any chance of passing the law.  The Steve Martin
sketch you ripped this off from pointed out that if you don't like
smoking, you can get results by pointing out how obnoxious it is.  (Or
is actually looking at the obvious implications of something too
difficult for you?) We don't need the laws unless it's a health
hazard.  Whether or not it is a health hazard, I am disgusted and
appalled at your cavalier attitude towards laws.  Clearly, your motive
is to enforce good manners, with you as the arbiter.  Just great --
now where does that stop?  I'm serious here.  What mechanism will
prevent abuses if we legislate things on these grounds?

______________________________________
The overworked keyboard of Tim Maroney

duke!unc!tim (USENET)
tim.unc@udel-relay (ARPA)
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill