Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!uw-beaver!cornell!vax135!ariel!houti!hogpc!houxm!hocda!spanky!burl!duke!unc!tim 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