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Read comments (47)The Iowa Smokefree Air Act that became effective July 1 means customers who want to smoke in those places must now go outside.
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That's especially true in the afternoon, she said of the Le Mars bar.
"They used to come in to socialize and have a couple drinks and smoke, and they can't do that anymore," she said.
Even at Louie's Place, which has an outside beer garden where both drinks and smoking are allowed, customers are showing their displeasure with the new law.
"It's slowed down a lot,"said manager Lori Gawmnitz. "People say 'if they can't smoke, they will buy beer and stay home and smoke.'"
At other places like Hugo's bar and Lally's Eastside Restaurant, in Le Mars, customers seem to be adapting to the new smoking rules.
"I hear a lot of people grumbling," said Kim Penne, manager at Lally's Eastside Restaurant. "But most of them go out and smoke wherever they have to or they smoke before they come in."
He hasn't seen any drop in the number of customers that frequent the restaurant, which used to have a section for smoking.
Becky Bunkers, a waitress at Hugo's bar, said occasionally someone will light up a cigarette, but then remember and immediately put it out or take it outside.
"You're just so used to doing it," she said. "It's just habit."
Stu Dekkenga, Le Mars police chief, said when people do step outside for a smoke break they shouldn't leave their drink unattended. That will ensure no one has the opportunity to put something in it.
"Finish it before you leave," Dekkenga said.
Doni DeNueci, president and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association, said the Iowa Smokefree Air Act has led to some surprising results.
For some association member restaurants that have always been smoke free, business is down, DeNueci said.
"They have seen a decline in business because they are not the only smoke free place in town," she said. "For the other end of the spectrum, I've had members who have seen an increase in their business."
She said effects of the Smokefree Air Act are widespread.
"One thing about the hospitality industry is it's used to change," DeNueci said. "Hopefully they (businesses) can weather the storm and make it through, but I'm afraid some of them can't."
Even with the uncertainty of the long term outcome for businesses, those in Plymouth County are doing their best to comply with the Iowa Smokefree Air Act.
In Plymouth County there have been no complaints of violations of the Smokefree Air Act made with the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH).
As of July 22, throughout other parts of the state 47 first notices have been sent to potential violators, said Bonnie Mapes, director of the division of Tobacco Use Prevention and Control with the IDPH.
"These are complaints that we verify and then we send out notice to businesses," Mapes said. "We're making every effort to see they get the information they need to comply voluntarily."
She encouraged people to take advantage of the Iowa Smokefree Air Act's website at IowaSmokefreeAir.gov. There they can submit questions, look for answers and learn more about the act.
Mapes' said her office has fielded 2,538 questions or comments as of July 21 concerning the Smokefree Air Act.
"We follow up on every single one," Mapes said. "They're trying to do the right thing."
That seems to be the case in Plymouth County.
"I think it's just going to take some time for people to get used to it," said police chief Dekkenga.
Ok veryone one needs to get a reality check. In this counrty we are free to walk down the street and not be afraid of getting shot in other counrties this is a daily thing , we are free to have our own faith in China they have to go underground to worship, we have our own money the goverment doesn't own us. Do you know in Singapore if you get caught having gum you could go to jail! or even worse! I think WE ALL have it pretty good and we shouldn't be upset over a smoking banned.I do know that these are bad times but instead of knocking people down let pull then up. Do you know right now while we are all complaining there are people right now dieing of cancer or of other illness I think we all have it pretty good don't you!! One more thing yes if I could to go back to those great days when I was a child I would but we can't its just the way it is. WE all have to be alittle nicer to each other!!
Lady, and I assume you are a lady cos you talk about yer husband and kids but hey, its the 21st century so who the hell really knows.
I live in about the most expensive city in the world to live in and I'm off to work at the crack of dawn on a Saturday, while you live in a nice little town with a pace of life I can only dream about. I don't have time to to tell you how to cure the ills of the country, all I did as I surfed the net was to drop in and say.....some of you are a can short of a sixpack, if you don't get it, get a shrink.
That's it from me, I'm off to surf sites where there is intellegence.
Roamer and Don_Roberts
What is your solution?
What do you suggest be done?
What is the big point you feel should be made?
On your own I want to hear your personal thoughts, not one of the governments! Not one of what has already been done but I want the actual person you are to tell us what you think should be done! How can all our worldly issues be solved in your mind frame?
Now I have poured my heart out here expressing the simple things that even a monkey could understand. I have made points about things we have already lost and struggle with as we raise our children! I have used reasonable and daily events most or should I say 3/4 of the populations do daily/weekly, to express my point and they're all valid!
So explain to me how you continue to think as Roamer put it we are "a can short of a sixpack???"
Explain to us how you can side with a government who will not allow children to be children?
Explain to us how you can allow the government to think for you and expect people to even side with your thoughts because frankly they are not yours?
Explain to us how can you ever solve a real issue if all you can do is complain, complain, complain about what one of us has said and not have anything in your complaints to back it up?
When as most have seen, we do have explanations and back up our statements very well! When I have used examples and the reasoning behind why I have used them! Or simply how I can point out our rights are legitimately being striped and all you refer to is basically "We Need the Government to think for us!"
I guess it just goes to show that sometimes in life some people think, unless you have a huge title, you won't be noticed because if your nothing you truly are nothing!
But that's the difference between you and I! I believe anyone can become something as long as they use their heads along the way! I believe that if you want something bad enough you can make it happen! I also believe that confrontations like these are being documented and heard and maybe some don't want to get involved but do understand the points being made! Maybe they see all the points being said here!
I guess I am just wondering "When Are You Going To Make A Valid Point?"
Show me one example of how our government is NOT stripping our rights!
Roamer I just wanted to touch the issues about health care you stated: "burden the rest of us with all their medical costs"
Re-Read this paragraph:
"And for the matter of the health care system. The reason that it is in disarray goes back to primarily the first statement that we are such a bunch of spoiled brats. If the courts would throw out so many of the frivolous lawsuits that have been filed against good people who may or may not have made mistakes, but have resulted in someone's dissatisfaction, maybe our health care insurance and costs would not be so outrageous. When a hard working doctor has to pay a mojority of his income to liability and malpractice insurance, of course he is going to charge more. I feel that they have earned it."
JustARealist wrote that and he has a very valid point! When you actually think about it, if so many ungrateful people out there weren't so Sue Happy we wouldn't have so many high priced things to pay for! If some people would just accept the fact that sometimes mistakes are made and our parents and their parents and their parents parents didn't sue every time something didn't go their way, maybe we would have a bit of a better society!
So simply blaming the high medical cost on Obesity and Smokers is a false accusation! To assume they are the reason our health care has gone up that to is false. It's NOT souly them. In reality it is so much more and the fine line comes down to "Everyone Wants A Slice Of The Cheese, No Matter The Outcome For Others" We live in a "I'm Out For Me" kind of country! So you might want to turn that finger that you are pointing around and you might see the culprit behind the High cost of things!
When people who care about what is being done to others not souly for the MONEY, those people are the people who are ignored, removed and discounted as real AMERICAN CITIZENS! The people who actually want things done and maybe try to live within a realistic society, they are the ones shunned. Because MONEY gets us everything we want correct?
To Me MONEY is crap. True Happiness is what matters! My children smiles and their funny little words are happiness! My husband coming home to me every day and giving me a hug or simply looking me in the eyes to tell me he loves me is happiness. The pay checks help with the bills and groceries but the happiness that is within is the happiness that survives!
Not all the money in world could replace that! So keep your money, keep your snide comments about honesty and realism. But remember somewhere down the line when the world takes an even bigger turn, that Moron ConfusedParent tried to warn you! I am a can short of a six pack and you know what? I am Dam proud of it too!!! ;)
I'm with Don_Roberts
Anyone who thinks they can blow smoke anywhere they like or eat themselves into an early grave and burden the rest of us with all their medical costs along the way, cos its their right, is a can short of a sixpack
And your quick wit has rendered me speechless. I guess I was wrong about the average person's spine. Your sure fired insinuation that we should make everything difficult for the average or even below average only furthers the point that we should just give up and conform to the elitist ideas that we cannot govern ourselves.
However, I have yet to hear any actual remedies of your own to our nation's ills. I have heard how you can discount anybody else's opinion but offer no rebuttal other than lay down and let the politicians figure it out for me. Is that seriously the major consensus out there nowadays? Hasn't anybody heard the line "Evil prospers when good people do nothing"?
Thank you confusedParent and Justarealist, your responses have confirmed the opening remark of my last post.
I agree ConfusedParent!!! Thats the one thing that I was trying to say that it is part of our freedom and that our freedom is being taken away one by one. I am a smoker but that doesn't mean that I light up in resturants. To be honest with you thats just gross to be eating and have smoke in your face. But that was my choice not to. And now that choice is taken away and forced.
I just want to quote you Don_Roberts "I have always said that the right to parenthood and voting should be as hard to get as a building consent permit!!!!"
Sweetie maybe you may think everything in life is about letting others think for you! That it's ok for someone who doesn't know you or spend daily amounts of time with you , to allow them to make choices for you! Those people I call Dependent!
As for me I basically raised myself for the most part! It made me soon see that Life is difficult, rough, trying, confusing, worrisome and frustrating! But knowing I've done so much on my own and accomplished so much makes the work day a little easier! For people like that I call them Independent!
So for people in your state of mind assuming it is OK for Anyone but your parents to make your decisions, it truly makes me sad to think you could be so misguided!
What happened to you, to allow all the things our fathers and their fathers and so forth worked so hard for, for you to just roll over and say think, talk and react for me?
The men and women in our lives and in our parents and grandparents lives struggled, fought, and kept their heads high to give us these freedoms! To set a path of success for generations to come, yet somewhere along the line someone got greedy and took it too far! I call them "Our Government!"
My children have a few more years before they are sent off into this world to fend for themselves! To decide if they want college, the army, or a full time job right, out the hatch! They have a billion choices out there but for how long?
I want my children while they are in high school to work and have a job to teach them honesty, respect, discipline, time management, saving and the affects of spending too much! I want them to get a taste of what the real world is like and see that mom and dad work hard to give them what they need, "NOT WHAT THEY WANT!" We feel if they want it and its not a necessity, either wait till Christmas or "BUY IT YOURSELF!"
But if we take away fast food spots, take away all that is Harmful to people who don't know their boundaries, where do we offer our children to work? What jobs will be available for this generation to come?
Yet we keep bars open for what? Alcohol is harmful, it disorients people and makes some people most of the time MEAN! Many accidents are cause from alcohol due to a driver thinking "I'm Just Find I's Not Drunks!" They get out on the open road and WHAM family of 5 taken out! Yet the government isn't going all slap happy on them are they? Bars aren't closing left and right because they are harmful to our society, because people don't know their limits! So why must we close fast food restaurants because some people over eat? Fat or Drunk I pick the fat person first please! But that's right I don't have a choice in the matter! ;)
IF you want to be large, be large you have to deal with it and the scrutiny that comes along with your mental issue! Not only your health issue will you be paying up the Wahzoo for but the cost of anything for you! If you want to be thin be thin but taking it too far also is your issue to deal with! Again your health issue and your moral issues!
See Don_Roberts what I think you fail to understand is, those are these peoples choices. We have so many kinds of Doctors now and days it is up to them to see them! Just as if you were a Alcoholic you see a Doctor/Therapist and get help, If you are an anorexic or bulimic you see a Doctor/Therapist and get help, If you are an over eater you see a Doctor/Therapist and get help, if you are a Sexaholic you see a Doctor/Therapist and get help! Everyone has these options but some people are just not on the right path and feel somewhere in their lives they were failed or they failed themselves! But they need to choose to get help! It is their choice!
It has nothing to do with:
1.) Bars: for the Alcoholics! For they should know their own limits, they have to be adults to drink in them correct? So they should be adult enough to make the right choice! It is not the fault of the bar for serving them; it's the fault of the drinker who cannot cipher their limits! So do we close down every bar in the U.S. because some people can't handle or control themselves???
2.)Toilets/Mirrors/All You Can Eat Buffets: for the bulimics! For they choose to go and eat until filled to the brim and rush to a toilet stick their fingers down their throats to relive the pain of being overweight in their twisted views of what they see in the mirror! They can get help but that is their choice! It's not the fault of mirror companies, toilet companies and all you can eat buffets! Do we close down every glass house, every toilet making company and every all you can eat buffet so that the bulimics aren't tempted anymore?
3.) McDonalds: for the people who eat and eat and do not choose the bulimic way and instead gain the weight from it! They choose to order as you put it "super-whopper-big-mac, upsized fries, three apple pies, an ice cream and a bucket of soda" For one there is no such thing as what you said, offered at those establishments! So back to my point! It's not the restaurants fault for serving decent food, at decent cost and fast! These establishments were made for on the go kind of situations! It's not their fault a customer takes it too far with over eating! Why should they have to close because some people once again don't know their limits? So we close down every fast food restaurant that may cause people to become over weight?
4.) Strip Clubs/Adult Stores: for the Sexaholics! For they have a need to want sexual pleasure more so then most. When in reality somewhere down the line something bad happened to them and they don't know any other way of dealing with it! So we close down those establishments because why? Because someone doesn't go get help to solve their issues! Again it is the choice of the person, for some know how to control their urges and have disciplined themselves to do so! So we close down every strip club and adult store so that some people aren't tempted by sex anymore?
Basically here is what we lose: Bars, Strip Clubs, Adult Stores, All You Can Eat Buffets, Fast Food Restaurants, Glass Companies, Toilet Companies and anything else I may have left out?
So we can no longer think about sex which stops reproduction of our society, we no longer will have food because everything will soon be made into not good for you, so in turns we starve, we no longer have toilets which I guess doesn't matter anymore cause we won't be eating, and glass companies which is no big deal in reality we will all be that idealistic 65LBS! Guess the anorexics had it right!
Woooo Hooo I am so excited where can I sign up?
Rights People, Like I've Stated before the Simple Rights Are Being Stripped but look if you don't see that now look at the bigger picture down the road!
Simply I like being able to think for myself how about you?
And how foolish is it to assume that these so called "obese" people have not had the opportunity to a warning that being overweight may have adverse affects to their health. I understand that there are some genetic dispositions to obesity in some people, but a majority of those who have made the choice to eat themselves into that state have either made the choice because they want to, or it makes them happy. I am not going to be the one to thell them that they cannot live their life the way they want. I can only state what will inevitably happen to them and go on my way, not mandate them to change their lifestyle so I can sleep better at night. What happens to their life? Should my idea of what life should be, be able to override their ideas? I am not more important than anybody out there, and I have enough trouble controlling what goes on in my life, how dare I think I know what someone else should do better than themself. Just as in smoking or drinking; you can't think that those people don't understand the possible side affects. Everybody in this country I am sure has experienced a GEL ad on the TV or any of the other ways the health system has warned us of the risks. But as Americans, we should be able to make the determination for ourselves as to whether or not it is something we are going to do.
I am not saying that laws are evil and that we should not abide by them, because a majority of them are there for our safety and they do work. What I am saying is that when it gets down to a personal level, the lawmakers should be able to let the individual decide for themselves. Education is the key. If we teach what the affects of our decisions will be, the individual should make the decision on their own. Ignorance is the killer in all great societies.
I trust that any person out there is capable of making decisions on how to conduct themselves based on their life experiences. Yes, some come from bad situations with skewed views from the social norm, but they are just living their lives the way they wish or know how. That doesn't make their life any better or worse than anyone else's out there. They may be happy just the way they are.
I am just wanting people to see the big picture here. The lawmakers of this country are saying to the masses that they know better how we should live our day to day lives and that we are going to have to align ourselves with their ideas or we will be punished. I have learned much of history, and every great dictatorship has the same philosophy. That the people are too ignorant to be able to handle their own lives so the government better step in and say this is what you will do and this is how you will do it, either you conform or you will not be spared. Is that the inevitable road we want to follow for this great country.
There is a couple of things I would like to ad to this discussion. I agree that laws are needed and "rules" for the country are needed. But my problem with it is when do you drawn the line? The reason this country was created was so the settlers could have freedom from living under a king or a dictator. A freedom to make there own decisions, to wear what they want, to speak openly, to do as they seemed fit. We quickly forget all the people that died for that freedom. So many lost there lifes fighting for how we live today.
What gives anyone the right to point the finger at someone and say "No more McDonlds for you cause your fat". We quickly forget that we have the freedom to judge people but we shouldn't have the right to tell them what to do. Our government is doing that right now. They are taking away a freedom at a time. Right in front of our eyes they are simply taking it away from us and convince us that its a good thing.
I tell you what. I am going to recommend a movie to you people its called V for Vendetta. You watch that movie, cause our county is slowly moving in to how it shows in that movie. Its scary but yet we can't do anything to change it. We look to our government to protect us and they protect us by taking freedoms away. Just watch the movie...
Well, nice to see a "ConfusedParent" will give "Justarealist" a vote. I have always said that the right to parenthood and voting should be as hard to get as a building consent permit!!!!
Justarealist, thanks for putting pen to paper with your cures for modern society but in true politician style, you answered nothing, side-stepped the obesity question and quite frankly, painted yourself into a corner. I quote an excerpt from your response......" Also, I travel the country quite regularly for this job, so I have seen the affects of some people's choices. But it is their choice to make and how should I know what is right or wrong for them, am I God himself? Plus it has no affect on my life in general, so I leave the ability to govern their daily actions to themselves.
I am astounded that you think it is OK, or the right of an individual to eat themselves to an early grave!!!! If you saw someone get in a car with a brake cable dangling under their car, you'd warn them, because of the danger to themselves. But if they are struggling to get into the car with a super-whopper-big-mac, upsized fries, three apple pies, an ice cream and a bucket of soda, its OK???
And you say it has no effect on your life? How do you think insurance companies calculate their rates? If more people are getting sick, the rates go up!!! Simple as that!!! It ill affect you in the long run.
Should you know what is right or wrong for them.....sorry, you don't have to be God to know, even the dumb, power crazy politicians have worked this one out.
Another excerpt from your cure-all.
"I would like to say that we are a broken society that is full of what I refer to as the "Spoiled Brat Syndrom". Instant gratification is a big part of what is wrong here and I believe strongly that it goes back to moral issues and family upbringing."
So, I take it from this that all the smokers who are moaning about Big Brother controlling their right to smoke when and where they like are products of this "broken society" because they never listened to the parents, role-models, elders and wise ones who told them about the evils of smoking. But you seem to want to protect these indiviuals. Or is it because in this case, it affects YOU.
The mere fact that we have politicians and laws is because we can't be trusted to do the right thing. Sure, 90% or so do the right thing but we all have to sit a drivers licence test because it can't be taken for granted that we have learned to drive correctly. We have speed limits because we can't be trusted to abide by them, we have tax audits, cos some who claim to be patriotic people just like to keep a little more than they should. We have age of concent laws for sex, smoking and drinking because young minds can't be trusted to do the right thing. That's why laws aren't just for the kids, some of those young minds never quite mature !!!
So, there are laws for every facet of our daily lives. 99% will never concern or worry us, there will always be some that raise the ire of society. Abortion, drinking, smoking, the right to bear arms ec., etc..
So, if you really care about your fellow human beings, you will be concerned if they are not making the right choices and that is why you vote in people who you feel have those values.
As every politician knows, You can keep 100% happy some of the time, you can keep some happy all the time but you can't keep 100% happy all the time.
Now and then, there will be laws we don't like but how many of them do you ever see getting repealed? Maybe its just that others sometimes know a better way.
Some of your points I agree with, perhaps it is just the context, in which you have used them that hasn't met 100% agreement.
"WOW" I Know I shouldn't say much more but "WOW" anyone feel that JustaRealist should run for senate??? I sure do! We need more people like you in our society with a good clean head on their shoulders!
Extremely Well Put! Now take those words and feelings and make some actions out of them! ;)
Kudos 100times over on your Comment! I'm proud we have some amazing minds who are willing to speak the truth and lay it out how it is, in our country but better yet in our town!?
In response to Don, I am sorry, I cannot even begin to tackle the problems of American society here, because of the fact that there is not enough space for it. But yes, I leave my house every day to go to a job like everybody in this country should be proud to do. Also, I travel the country quite regularly for this job, so I have seen the affects of some people's choices. But it is their choice to make and how should I know what is right or wrong for them, am I God himself? Plus it has no affect on my life in general, so I leave the ability to govern their daily actions to themselves.
I would like to say that we are a broken society that is full of what I refer to as the "Spoiled Brat Syndrom". Instant gratification is a big part of what is wrong here and I believe strongly that it goes back to moral issues and family upbringing.
I fully believe that government intervention in how we conduct our daily lives should be used only for the protection of the most basic rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. What that is to you may be somethiing totally different for me, but at least I don't want to infringe a minority's ideals on your life.
If you could do basic things as making people proud of being able to make it on their own by cutting many of the needless hand outs that we give to people who are too lazy to do things on their own, we could maybe have a country where we are all seeing opportunity for ourselves and not waiting for the next big check from the government to come.
Maybe impose a flat tax where EVERYBODY pays a 5% tax regardless of their income instead of the top 1% paying 50% of the taxes, you could increase the revenue of the government without increasing taxation of the middle class and the upper for that matter. That would definitely help everyone in the country, even those who do need the occasional hand out. There would be more money in the reserves for that type of thing than anyone has dreamed of. Then we could actually have the money to revamp our, lets face it, struggling educational program. Our children are getting the short end of the stick handed down from my parents' generation. Yes, we have more money in our school systems today than in any other time in our history, but we are spending it on the wrong things. Yes I understand that the football and basketball programs bring in a huge revenue, but we need quality insturctors first. I would much rather my child can spell his or her name than be a star athelete. Our new policy of not letting our children feel the dissappointment of a failing grade is setting them up for failure later in life. They will never be able to handle a failing job, or marriage, or any of life's struggles. This will further their need to cling to uncle sam when things get rough instead of getting off their asses and getting the job done when they need to.
And for the matter of the health care system. The reason that it is in disarray goes back to primarily the first statement that we are such a bunch of spoiled brats. If the courts would throw out so many of the frivolous lawsuits that have been filed against good people who may or may not have made mistakes, but have resulted in someone's dissatisfaction, maybe our health care insurance and costs would not be so outrageous. When a hard working doctor has to pay a mojority of his income to liability and malpractice insurance, of course he is going to charge more. I feel that they have earned it.
There are many ways that increased government has failed us, and I would like to see the demise of most of the problems that have been caused by it. But, by giving our country over to a small group of elitists who feel they know better what is right for me and you than we do, we are asking to be put under the yolk of tyranny sooner or later. I would just like to live in a place where my actions are not under scrutiny by someone else unless I have done something that impedes their ability to live their life to its fullest. I believe those choices should be left to us to decide.
I too am sorry if I offended anyone. I was not trying to make anything about me. I was just trying to shed some light on how it is to be a non-smoker in a smoke filled world. (Not smoke filled but you know what I mean). If I wanted to go out and do anything I HAD to be around smoke. And for a non-smoker it is nice to not have to now, thats what my only big point was. Not making fun of anyone and definately not trying to rub it in anyones face.
You do seem to be a very compassionate person, and also passionate about your beliefs. Until your last comment I had forgot things in my childhood and teen years that are gone now. I too would stay out all hours of the night playing hide and seek with the neighbor kids. I would stay out until my parents called me in. I also remember fondly cruising the loop. Some of my best memories of high school were of hanging out down town. Taking down the gate at the bank so we could drive around it haha.
But I do see where you are coming from. And honestly I do feel for all smokers, and ALL bar owners. Its a complete change of habit and life for smokers. If someone came and took something from me that was part of my daily life I would be so angry too. I never wanted my comments to say otherwise.
But what I was trying to say when I started to ramble on is I am sorry if I made anyone mad or upset. I was not making fun of anyone and if it came off that way it was unintentional.
You know Amanda83 maybe I was wrong for attacking only you! Maybe I was wrong for being upset and disgusted with the way society has taken its course on us and has had us at each others necks! Maybe there is an alternate solution to this arguing!
But sadly there isn't!
I frankly am sick of the constant I'm right your not attitudes! So I will be the first to say "I Am Not Right In Personally Attacking You!" For that "I Am Sorry!"
With that I will also stand by my thoughts as a citizen, person and intellectual! I agree with so many points proven on here from both Non Smokers and Smokers!
The fact of the matter is rights!!!!!!!!
What you may see as a healthier society and what you see as another amazing siding of the government for you, is what we also see as another right being taken from us!
As for the thoughts of JustaRealist he is correct! I just spent not to long ago in California myself and I am heading back there again in a few weeks. I also have family out there still to this day, so I do get allot of information on the government status there. My grandparents are avid new watchers, have also worked for the government and very intelligent folks!
I have seen how different things are there compared to here! You do have a point about obesity Don_Roberts I could not agree more. My husband and I have a niece who is extremely large and is only in 7th grade. This truly does upset me but I believe that that issue lies with the parents not society! Sometimes as parents we need to quit shoving food down our kids throats and start to pay attention to them or maybe even learn the words "NO" but also look where we live! Here we are more apt to steaks, potatoes, breads and so forth, as there they are allot more health savy! Almost to a sickening state. Here I am a on a good day 6/7 ha ha as to there I would be a wonderful 10! In reality we all want to be thin and look good correct? But yet there it is almost scary how thin soceity is! I am not down grading the California culture nor am I saying it is a bad way of thinking! But I believe the point JustaRealist is getting at is "RIGHTS"
What may seem as a good idea to some at this point may come back to bite us in the butt later!
I enjoy so much as does the rest of this world. But take a step back people and try to look at the big picture!
When we were younger what did we do?
I recall from my life and personal experience staying out till the lights came on, riding my bikes on the sidewalks so we wouldn't get hit by cars, climbing trees, cruising the loop (Good Memories There), occasionally swiping one neighbors lawn ordainment to decorate the next door neighbors lawn and people laughing about it, getting into arguments at school with a student and not calling the cops or pressing charges! Let alone not SUING!
This maybe totally off subject but please try to follow!
Now and days the things I have listed have been basically outlawed or frowned upon! Examples to suet the above:
Children can no longer stay out till the lights come on with out having someone somewhere assuming the parents of the child are neglecting them. So in turns DHS is involved! So were my parents terrible parents for letting us stay out until the street lights came on? Did that make them any less a parent for letting us play outside and not allow us to become couch potatoes or video game junkies?
Riding bikes on the side walk is frowned upon because it cause's issue for walkers! Children are also glared at if they are caught riding their bikes there. That goes for all ages young and old! Since when is it a bad thing for people to ride their bikes on the side walk? Why do children have to be glared at as if they were naughty cause they want to ride their bikes in a safe zone? I've seen the way walkers go past our house even, with their smug little attitudes as our children and neighbor children ride past. Our kids were raised to use their manners and say excuse me and pardon me or please and thank you. Yet when they do and they move over for these people they respond with nothing but a nasty look! I guess that is the confused parent in me again! What did these children do wrong?
Climbing trees is completely frowned upon once again because heaven forbid we raise children to be tough and daring. Yes an arm could be broken or a leg but what happened to raising children not sissy's? It was the most amazing feeling as a child to climb that unclimbable tree and say you did it, granted our parents were nervous but they wanted us to learn correct? Learning is a huge process of growing up! So why have we taken that away from them?
Cruising the loop is now not allowed what so EVER! As one had stated before "ordinance in LeMars for not being able to stand in groups on main street." Wasn't there a time where we all went down town on Friday and Saturday nights to hang out with friends, cruise and show off our cars and systems just for fun? Now what do we offer our children? We offer them parties because they have nothing else to do to keep them out of trouble! Not an excuse I understand but name something these kids can do in this town that would not retreat them back to a house party for drugs and alcohol! We complain about kids in society but we have stripped them of the simple things we did as children/teens!
Redecoration of neighbors lawns is completely and utterly unacceptable! No matter how much it was done in fun or kids just being kids it is now capable of ticketing you and going on your record! Do not for a second think that I believe it is ok to vandalize that is not what I am permitting! But simple things like what I stated have been made into larger issues! It is sad! But when I was younger people got a kick out of a dozen flamingos in one persons lawn or opening the doors to Gnomes staring at you!!! ha ha What happened to peoples since of humor?
And best of all children are no longer allowed to argue, fight or simply duke it out! They must have the police called and charges must be filled as if that isn't enough they will most likely be sued as well! What happened to us when we were kids and duke'd it out? We did it and got over it maybe even played together afterwards! Again back to are we raising kids or sissy's?
These may seem like pathetic, measly little things to some of you but to me it is a clear and proven fact that our rights no matter how big or small they are are being stripped. I as a mother am scared to see what government and society our children will be living in in the future. How about you?
So my little thoguhts are probably nothign to most of you but I am worried about the littel things that have been taken away that have been over looked and what that says for our future on the bigger issues!
Smoking is harmful and hurtful yet I light my cigarette every time I am stressed and you know what it calms me plus its better then taking a laxative! ha ha
I am sorry for years Non Smokers have had to deal with us and I am sorry I didn't realize how much I was hurting you! But for the most part besides in bars it was very well separated from your nostrils!
Lets all try something lets pull together and instead of complaining and whining lets actually try to do something about it! "Great minds think alike" was a famous quote right? Well there have been allot of great minds on these pages don't you think we all could pull together and try to stop what is coming our direction or better yet coming in the direction for our children!?
I've said my peace and in some way I am sure I've offended some one and for that ahead of time "I Am Sorry!"
I know this is off the topic but just had to respond to "Justarealist".
Here is a quote from this contributor, "Now the city of LA is taking the choice of people to go to fast food restaurants away, because they feel that people are not capable of making healthy eating choices for themselves."
You obviously haven't been to LA lately or I dare say too far from your front door. 90% of the population of the US DOESN'T make healthy eating choices!!!!! That is why Santa Monica Beach looks like a pod of whales has beached there, why Venice Blvd looks like Ringling Brothers Circus are parading their herd of elephants up the street. The obesity problem has risen to epidemic proportions!!!!!
I'm not saying government intervention is right but just like the smoking question, they tried to get co-operation from the culprits to no avail so have obviously taken the bull by the horns. At the end of the day, everyone will be faced with higher taxes, higher insurance and frustrations with a health system that can't cope.
Maybe Justarealist can give a better solution than government intervention because every other plan has failed.
I know this topic makes people mad but there is no need for name calling and putting others down. Aren't we all adults?
I would never imagine a church going mother of 3 would go completely off the deep end with her ranting. I may have a big mouth but I am not about to start "throwing stones" and insulting people just because I do not like what they say. If you want to be an example to your children, I would think judging others based on their opinions would be a negative lesson to them.
I have never once berated someone on this site or any other site because of their actions. I simply respond to other people with my opinions. My intentions are not to hurt some smoker's feelings so they go completely psychotic at me. I just find it funny that everyone complains that bar revenue has gone down since this ban so then I will add my 2 cents. Everyone who says "Ill just go to another state, or I'll just go buy beer and sit at home" are the MAIN reason the bar revenue has gone down, not the ban. Yes the ban caused them to want to sit at home and drink and smoke but it was their choice to not just smoke outside. They are affecting the bars.
I also never wrote ill things of you about your books you write on the computer as you implied. All I said was if you cannot take hearing comments from someone on the internet maybe it is time to walk away from the computer. I should not cause someone to spew so much hatrid through her words.
And an FYI for you... I am not Amanda S.
And as another example of the possible implications of these types of laws. Here is one that I know everyone who reads this is going to be affected by. There have been many studies that have concluded that radio waves have profound affects on the human body. Much of which causes cancers and other gentic alterations of the very cells in our body. Have any of you ever picked up a cell phone?? Do you have wireless internet system in your house? How about a cordless phone? These things are all generating RF energy. As do the multiple radio stations in the area and various other communications systems. Not all that long ago AT&T had a nationwide network of high energy microwave system that connected your telephone networks all around the country. These have since been outlawed due to the possible affects of the RF. Guess what your cell phone is? It is a 1 watt transmitter/receiver. That thing you put up to your ear every day, and for how long, is baking your brain, quite literally. These could very well be outlawed in the next decade, due to the harmful side affects, as well as anything in your house that could possibly cause cancer. Your ability to freely contact those you love may be taken from you for the sake of "Safety". Imagine your cyber cafe with no cyber in it. Is that the world we live in that we are so scared of everything that we have to give up our rights so that some group can sleep a little more soundly at night?? I would like to think Americans can choose the amount of risk they have in their life and make their decisions for themselves. Without risk we would all be speaking the king's English right now.
"WOW!!!" Amanda83 would that possibly be Amanda S.?
Yet again your mouth gets ahead of you. I stated what I felt about you constantly whining! My goodness what does it take to get you to shut your mouth, so the rest of the world can just vent about how they feel?
Why does it always have to be about Poor Amanda and I'm so perfect the government won't take anything away from me?
Get a clue princess! LIFE SUCKS FOR EVERYONE! You think that your perfect little world is so protected because you follow the laws to a T!? Mistake Sugar, Big mistake!
We want to be able to have Rights (Meaning Everyone As A Whole) we deserve to think, act and react for ourselves and not have someone telling us "NO, NO, NO!" I'm a married woman with children so I believe I have a well deserved right to do to my body what I want! I've earned that as a citizen, wife, mother and Adult! It isn't illegal to buy cigarettes so why must it be illegal to smoke them?
Don_Roberts I agree with your statement about going to convenient stores and so on yet we let the local bar sink because of our upset! That truly is sad and that should be approached! Something should be said because the revenue only decreases when people choose not to assist! So we let government win by hurting our local establishments? Makes no sense people!
Back to Amanda83:
If we choose to smoke, great that is our CHOICE remember? If you choose not to, great that is your CHOICE remember?
So why keep barking up the same tree and pissing off a bunch of people? Why continue to throw insult to injury and frustrate the people around you more? Why must you constantly make everything about YOU?
Just stop and leave it be! Just let the people who lost yet another right vent with each other and say maybe a couple things and let it die! Why continue you're holier than thow attitude?
You seem to want brownie points for every good thing you do! You're not going to get a golden star every time Amanda, we aren't in Kindergarten anymore!
Your little insult was priceless by the way, about "why don't you head down to the bar and step away from the computer." Well sunshine learn people before you assume their background!
I don't drink! So just because I smoke does not make me an alcoholic, as you assumed from your nasty little comment!
As a matter of fact I am a mother of three, I attend church every Sunday and I live gods law the best I know how (Do Not Misunderstand that I make mistakes but God forgives and understands), I teach my children from home before they head back to school in the fall, I write my books on my computer (which you also tried to graciously insult)I am also a wife and do my best to fulfill my wifely duties! So if I want to light up a cigarette after my busy day "I'm Going To!"
Ha ha you are something let me tell you! Just another one of Gods wonders that preach, preach, preach but yet can't understand "Why They Get Nowhere!"
Maybe you need to re-evaluate your thought process before you cast another stone!
To all the smokers out there I feel for you and your upset and discouragement! I understand how upsetting it is for you, that you feel your freedoms are being stripped one by one! There is truly no way to stick it to the government which only makes it more frustrating! So hang in there at least you have other people by your side to vent with!
Non Smokers I am very happy for you that your day of smoke inhalation is threw! I am happy that you received a freedom from what you didn't want to be around! I am also thrilled that the government has worked in someone's direction but please have a heart for the people who are hurt by this. Instead of throwing it back in their faces, sympathize for they have lost a right and a freedom to what they want!
This is truly a controversy amongst our small community! As always it's like high school bicker, fight and complain!
Everyone Has An Opinion and Everyone Is Upset! I just think some should limit their comments!
I could not agree with you more Don. But be careful what you say or someone might start throwing around insults because of your opinion!
Well everybody,
Here it comes. I have just read this article from msn, and it should come as no surprise that once again the California government is trying to strip yet another freedom from the land of the free for the "illusion" of public safety. I don't understand the idea that Americans will willfully give up their rights to make their own choices by giving the government total control of their lives and choices by supposedly looking out for their best interests. I once believed that people were capable of making choices based on what was right for them. I guess I was wrong yet again. I am a smoker, but I can consciously make the determination of where and when it is right to light up. Like in my house it is wrong because I have three children living there. So I go outside. Now the city of LA is taking the choice of people to go to fast food restaurants away, because they feel that people are not capable of making healthy eating choices for themselves. I could move to China if I wanted my government making those decisions for me. Lets not forget that we live in the greatest country in the history of this planet, one that was created to give people the right to make choices based on the common good of those around us at the same time as bettering ourselves. The choice was left to us. For those of you who are willing to let a politician 200 miles away think for you, I am sorry.
Just love these die-hards vs purist arguments. Now my views are well documented. a former smoker, but I love it. I've defended smokers rights for decades but what they just can't get through their pigheaded brains is that it is their own actions in the past that have bought these actions upon them.
Forget the health issues, the anti-smoking propaganda, these laws are basically the first Anti-arrogance and ignorance laws. It is the meek getting the upper hand and that's what really annoys most of the smokers. The little man has got his way!!!!! They got sick of smoke wafting under their noses while they ate, smoke getting blown in their face while they ordered a drink, etc., etc., etc..
They didn't have to believe the anti-smoking propaganda, they just used it as a weapon to get back at the smokers and claim the indoor air for all rational thinking people.
How many smokers would endure a workplace with fumes so thick it could do damage to their health, (I see that great American word "SUE" raising it's ugly head) and I say could, yet they expect others to have to endure the same environment while supposedly enjoying social intercourse.
Of course I feel sorry for the bar owners and unlike some of the commentators on here, I have never let no-smoking in bars affect my patronage and quite frankly, shame on all of you who have desserted your hard working hosts out of sheer ignorance. You'll go to the service station to pick up a pack of beer, or to the supermarket or to the convenience store. All places that banned smoking without State interference yet you'll let your poor bar owner suffer after they tried to defend your rights. If you cant get off your rear and go outside for a 5 minute smoke, it's not the smoking that's your problem, it's your drinking!!!!
We have a name for your type in my part of the world but if I use it here this post will be deleted.
On the bright side, at least I'll get a seat at the bar next time I'm in LeMars and I'm sure there will still be plenty of bars to choose from.
Wow confused parent you really are just that huh... confused. I did not pipe in first, I simply responded to other people on the topic. If you can't handle it why don't you head down to the bar and step away from the computer.
Thanks Bunches!
No matter what is said here, it isn't going to change the law. I don't smoke, but if someone chooses to smoke, it is their right. We all do something in our lives that the government can take away, so saying that you don't is being very ignorant. Do you talk on your cell phone when driving..probably. There will be more laws on that soon. I could probably list a dozen things that the government controls in our lives, but why bother? Why are we blaming the loss of bar revenue on the smoking ban? Maybe the high cost of gas and groceries has something to do with it. Maybe people need to spend their money on those things then in the bars. I guess if I have my choice on needing gas in my car, or going to the bars, I think I will fill up my car ! Some of the lack of bar business could be the current economy!
The law is what it is...show me some statistically significant loss in sales in the Le Mars bars compared to last year...not some eye-balled estimated count compared to last month. It is summertime!!! I can't wait to see all the intelligent comments about smoking outdoors come winter...
Confused Parent.. I couldn't have said it better myself! :o)
Amanda83...
Look I am really sick of this! I can understand that you wanted to make your point awhile back in the first segment of Non Smokers Act! But come on WOW you are just truly gettign annoying now!
I am thrilled for you and your non smoking family that you are all so Happy! I am sure the rest of this town and surrounding towns are thrilled too I mean come on every time they mention this you have to put in your little opinion. Sorry understatement your "HUGE OPINION!!! But do us all a favor and shut the hell up...
Thanks Bunches!!!
Why would you wish Bad Karma on someone because they choose not to smoke? Because we agree with the law? Does it make us bad people for enjoying clean air?
From a site I found online these are the states and surrounding areas with the same type of smoking ban...
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Deleware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska (June 2009), New Jersy, New mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, and Washington.
This does not include places with partial bans, that exlcude this or that. We are definately not the first state to do it and it is a matter of time before they all go that way as most are already under partial bans.
HA! You guys are all pretty entertaining. I am a smoker and I am a drinker. I won't deny that I loved being able to go to the bars and drink and then have a cigarette when I wanted, where I wanted. But the truth is that we no longer can do that. So, I now go to the bar, drink my drinks and go outside and smoke and come back inside and continue to drink. Is it a hassle, yes. Is it more of a problem going outside than inside, yes. Bartenders are not only having to get your drinks and watch and make sure some idiots are getting into fights but they must watch the doors to make sure someone doesn't try to sneak there drink outside. It looks extremely "white trash" when you drive up or by a bar and see a huddle of people outside enjoying their smoke, however, to people who don't like it, you're just going to have to deal with it, it is what it is, unless you can get more money for bars to be able to make a beer garden outside, but that's not going to happen because bars are losing money, I was in one last Saturday-- with a total of 7 people in there, including the bartender. Now you tell me that sales haven't gone down, when before the smoke ban I could be in any bar and see AT LEAST 20-30. It comes down to everyone being bias either you smoke or you don't. If you do, sorry we have to go outside now or we can sit outside on our own decks and drink and smoke all together. We will let those who don't smoke appreciated the fact that we are letting them smell good and feel better about themselves because they have something to laugh at us about, when really someday their karma will come back to bite them in the butt about some issue or another.
Laugh away because you wont be laughing at me. I do not do a darn thing that the government is going to take away. You are worried about the government giving false information about smoking but your self contradicted yourself in the same message saying you do not drink but you would go to a bar for a drink and a smoke.
"I don't play darts nor do I drink so I think we should get rid of bars cause they cause people to get drunk and drive home and kill people and themselves."
and then
"We enjoyed going to a bar and having a drink and a smoke."
And all of us that are saying we LOVE being able to go out FINALLY and not stink when we come home are saying that we would go out when it was smoking but would come home stinking. Not that we were being stubborn sitting at home instead. We sacrificed our health to be able to go out and have a good time. If you wanted to go out you did not have a choice in the matter, now we do.
I was pointing out specific things that have been hurt by the smoking ban. And I am not alone. I don't play darts nor do I drink so I think we should get rid of bars cause they cause people to get drunk and drive home and kill people and themselves. And I think we should close bars cause when people get drunk there more likely to get into fights and stab one another. And I think we should close bars because when couples get drunk they walk home and get into fights to where the cops have to be called because the guy got overly drunk and beat up his girlfriend cause she was talking with a guy at the bar.
Smokers are not being stubborn. We enjoyed going to a bar and having a drink and a smoke. They took away our right not to smoke so we prefer to go some where that allows us to. You didn't go to bars cause there was smoking.. Now we are not going to bars cause they don't allow it. So is it safe to say you were being stubborn for not going when smoking was ok?
Again there is obviously more smokers than you think cause business is down in bars. I don't care what time of year it is. Bars are use to making so much on a weekend depending on what time of year it is. I should know since I owed a bar. And when that number is declining ever since the ban started then obviously there is a reason for it.
You can say how nice it is to be smoke free and blah blah blah but the bottom line is if you didn't like smoke you didn't have to go. That's the beauty of America was having that freedom to choose. But where are smokers rights? Just because we smoke we have no choice on the matter. The false information that has been passed by all anti-smoking ads and groups is astonishing. And of course we believe everything we hear and read. And if businesses didn't think smoking was that big of a deal breaker to there profits they themselves would have banned it from there bar. But now you have a government that stepped in and MADE them do it. How is that a freedom of choice?? How can you justify that? You can't. we are getting rights taken away from all of us but since this one doesn't pretain to that group of people. Just wait your time will come to where our government will put a tax on your liquor and beer. And then you will be saying "Hey hold on this isn't right" and at that point I will be laughing because you will feel the same way we do about all that has been done to smokers in the last year..
I am liking going to a bar and not smelling like smoke when I get home. Husker...nice life...huge concern about smoking and no interest in your health...sorry about your dart leagues...more to life then smoking and darts???
Most of the house parties I go to, you have the courtesy not to smoke in the peoples house. Either that or it just must be the smokers that I know, who do not like to smoke in their home and stink it up.
If you went to the bars this weekend I would imagine it was pretty dead since it was the fair and last weekend their was Rivercade or something in sioux city going on.
Summer is not a good indicator of how much business a bar will lose because most people are at BBQs and elsewhere rather then sitting in the bars. And bars are only losing their business because the stubborn smokers refuse to walk 10 feet to smoke. It is probably much more fun to sit at home and drink and smoke.... alone.
Yes it is a "wise choice"
why should we put up with the stupidity of Iowa lawmakers when we can go somewhere else and do what we want? Sioux City isn't far away and many people go there to go out anyway whats another 2 miles to go to South Sioux City, NE? You non-smokers can sit on your high horse and have your bars in Le Mars and we will go where we can do what we want.
The new smoking ban has done more harm than help. The bars in town has had a dart league for as long as I can remember. Now that the smoking ban as been in affect there wasn't enough teams for summer league and there wont be enough teams for winter league. Thats money that the bars will lose during the week. And from what I saw this weekend and last weekend when I went out many of the bars are dead. People are finding out that its more benifical to buy some beer and have a house party because we can do what we want. I have been to more of those this summer than ever. Thanks Iowa law makers for saving me money!!!!!!!
You did not "give" anyone the bars.
Everyone that is whitching and whining about the bars and saying they drive to other states to smoke sound ridiculous. Yep, you are really sticking it to the government by using more fuel to go smoke... Wait thats helping out the government and screwing the bar owners. Wise choice.
OK so let me get this straight we gave non-smokers the bars and now they are complaining about us smoking outside?? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Where are the non smocker rights? We really don't like it when we have smoke in our faces.
The new law is great. But now instead of the smokers in the bar, they are outside the bars smoking. I thought there was an ordinance in LeMars for not being able stand in groups on main street. We go by Bucky's and sometimes there are 10 people standing outside smoking.
Just do as we do. So sick of the State sticking their nose in our lives... raising taxes... We go to Nebraska or South Dakota smoke in their bars, spend our money there, And just for good measure load up on smokes and Beer Just so Chet and his gang can't get any of the tax money.
to clear things up, blanche and i were together in Remsen.
Sarah..I wouldn't expect you to say anything else:). Capital letters, nice effect...I know what I saw and smelled. And I can't even blame it on the alcohol..I wasn't drinking!
EXCUSE ME BLANCHE BUT I WORKED IN ONE OF THOSE BARS THIS PAST WEEKEND AND THERE IS NO SMOKING GOING ON IN THAT BAR!!!!!!!!!! AND I AM SURE OF IT SO BEFORE YOU GO BLABBING YOUR MOUTH GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT OR JUST STAY OUT!@
Hats off to Remsen bars!! Finally someone has the marbles to stand up for our rights!!
I think all the bars in town should be just like Louie's and have an outside area designated for smoking as well as bringing your drinks out there. Everytime I've been in a bar people leave there drinks to sit while they go outside quick to have a cigarette and then return shortly to their drink. However, it sounds like we should just all be driving over to Remsen for that cigarette in a bar! :)
You can smoke in the bars in Remsen if you want !! They seem to be above the law there ! We were in them this weekend, and it was like a smoking convention in all of them. So, can't smoke in the bar in your town, come on over to Remsen!!