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The Smokin’ Super Bowl

With Indianapolis mayor Greg Ballard expected to veto the current smoking ban passed by the City-County Council, I argue in my monthly column in today’s Indianapolis Star, that the recent success of the recent Super Bowl clearly demonstrates there is no need to expand the ban.  I’d be happy to hear your thoughts.

Posted: 02|10|12 at 6:40 am by Abdul Hakim-Shabazz
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  • cynical sam

    The ad to the left of this comment block is certainly “smokin’”.  Where is the full screen button? 

    As to the mayor’s veto, “just say no” and “No Greg, No”.
    I would be interested in purchasing one of the veto pens. 

  • Think Again

    Interestingly-written.

    You’re entitled to be wrong.  Again.

  • Abdul’s sad logic

    This article is worse than what I would expect from a Jr.High school editorial in the Weekly Reader.  The Convention Center was already non smoking and many nightspots in the SB.Village went voluntarily smoke free anyway.  To base your unscientific survey on random encounters looking for negative feedback/complaints among visitors already excited with their surroundings is disingenuous at best. I doubt it even crossed their mind when they’re on the Zip-line. 
    Why cite pro-smoking Nicky Blaines doing record business as justification for your argument while non-smoking areas did just as well or better. If I told you a non-smoking establishment also broke all records, should I argue that non-smoking is the way to go and should be adopted by all?  Face it, nearly everyone in the district did pretty well financially, so you can’t make the argument based on financial consideration, especially in a confined area where resources are limited.  I know you’re smarter than the article you wrote.  Your bottom line of functioning just fine with the status quo may be worthy of your agenda; not your logic.  

  • Dave

    Sam’s got a good business idea for Indiana, “Veto Pens.”  Nicky Blaines’ existence is proof the market is working despite nanny statist pathologies (unnatural or perverse interest in the  lives of sovereign, free adults).   

  • Dave

    Sam’s got a good business idea for Indiana, “Veto Pens.”  Nicky Blaines’ existence is proof the market is working despite nanny statist pathologies (unnatural or perverse interest in the  lives of sovereign, free adults).   

  • Are you kidding?

    you have to be kidding. the logic is worse than jAbdul’s if that’s possible.  Existence of something working neither justifies it’s correctness or it’s continued use.
    Abortions must be ok because it works. Owning slaves must be ok because it worked. Dictators, communism, and all other maladies that still exist must be ok because they still work.  Come on..the utilitarian arguments based on what is practicable is not the standard by which we judge something to be worthy of the best of mankind.

  • Scooter

    Light ‘em if you got ‘em!

    It’s a LEGAL PRODUCT!
     
    The business owner should be able to decide if they want their establishment smoking or non-smoking.  The customer will go where they choose, and in turn, business owners will do what the paying public prefers.

  • Clutch Cargo

    We should ban people with big sticks up themselves, for being a trip hazard. Smoke Free Indy would be the number one offender.

  • Are you kidding?

    If it’s legal, do it?  Better think about that some more. You would have made a great slave owner.

  • Are you kidding?

    Love that in depth thinking. Did you trip over yourself in writing that?

  • Dave

    No kidding & the hyper extension of logic to abortion or slaves is more nanny gibberish. Your fellow sovereign citizens are free to associate or not; even in the use of a legal product or legally owned real estate.  Why would you enter smoking establishments where ~99% of those available are non-smoking?  What persuasion should all the churches be and what music should we all listen to?  

    By all means, make your free choice without imposing the violence of government on the rest of us to conform to “your way of thinking.”

  • Tim Dugan

    The only reason Ballard wants to exempt private clubs is because his lawyer friends at the Columbia Club told him to.

  • Ramon

    You are WRONG!

  • Pascal

    One ought not confuse “legal” with “moral”.  American law is no longer based on morality.

  • concerned

    If the private clubs want to make their own choice of smoking or non smoking then choose smoking and go on. But why expose our children to the smoke? Do we not value our workers in every establishment? Obviously we were not all created to be equal in the workplace or if we are under 18. We really should have a real comprehensive ban and stop playing games. Mayor, move into the 21st century and sign this proposal. You and those advising you to veto this proposal will have to live with the fact they have exposed so many people to second hand smoke and the a life with cancer, and heart desease to only mention a few of the illnesses from second hand smoke. Maybe the Mayor and his advisors should spend some time with the elders from these private clubs who can no longer enjoy them because their health prohibits them from entering a space with second hand smoke.

  • Scooter

     Big difference between firing up a smoke, and smoking a slave…

    Better luck next time.

  • Scooter

     Like that thought of that “… big stick…” don’t ‘cha?

  • Think Again

    Swing and a miss, Scooter….

  • Think Again

    Exactly.  One thousand percent YES.

  • cynical sam

    American law is also no longer based on law.  It is now based on personal asset statements.  The more zeros after the decimal point, the more “laws” you may ignore.

  • Scooter

    Well if it isn’t TA. 

    Any references yet on the accusation you put on the internet for all to see, and were called out on?

  • Dave

    “Our kids?”  Haven’t we seen enough of what the state does for “our kids:” destabilized families, “education,” etc.?

    Like other things within your natural sphere of influence; you can protect your kids, at home & places that you take them.Some might claim “concern,” about kids exposed to intellectual laziness, deficiencies of critical thinking (diversity superficially defined & other words in Wink ‘n Nod’s Gray Dictionary).  Children routinely attend family & other events where smokers are present.  The responsibility to evaluate & manage those risks belongs to parents; not an outa control, perversely interested, gun wielding state.Utopiannas continue to suggest (emotionally, not logically), that we’re somehow just “one more” regulation away from “greatness.” 

  • Abdul Is Fat

    Abdul -

    Great scoop on Delph running for Congress. Your “sources” really fed you great inside information. You are such an insider. Seriously, have you ever broke a story?

    You are an idiot and I’m glad to hear that Indy Politics continues to fail.

    Thanks,

    I hate you

  • Ramon

    Not in my family they don’t.  We protect our children from smoke and the few who still smoke do it outdoors.

  • Indyernie

    Come on Scooter, you can’t stop here…

  • http://www.emenac.com/outsourcing/call_centre_service/ call center service

    There is no link in this competition and ban on smoking. I am totally in favour of banning smoking in public places.

  • Dave

    What sort of music or offensive media are you willing to ban in public places CCS, or car, bus & train exhausts, or quarantine those with communicable illness (colds, etc.) through further state sponsored monitoring (vs. free person decision making)?  

    It won’t take much time to compile a substantial list, by noon we’d have a list that would protect everyone from everyone- right?

  • Abdul

     Yes, we are failing so poorly I had to hire an accountant.   Thanks for playing, now go back to bed and dream about the tragedy that is your life.  :-)

  • cynical sam

    If your accountant works for any banks you may wish to quiz him/her on GAAP and FASB 157.  The banks are allowed to mark-to-unicorns, I don’t think the IRS will consider you doing so very funny.

  • cynical sam

    Agreed.  Would depend on one’s typing speed.  I wonder if call center service wears deodorant or perfume that I am allergic to and I am totally in favour (nice English twist) of banning in public places.

  • Rico

    And that is YOUR choice. Your home is not a privatlely-owned business where only adults frequent. Too bad they’re not protected from your profound ignorance and disregard for individual rights.

  • Rico

    Absolutley.

  • Abdul Is a Loser

    I like how to didn’t address the fact that you are a nobody that has never broke a story and where completely off when you stated “your sources” were telling you Delph was in. Making up your own political gossip won’t get you very far…just look at the balance sheet for Indy Politics. As for my life; it’s not a tragedy. I’m rich and loved by all.

    You suck.

  • Scooter

    And kere kids, we have an example of what homemade pharmaceuticals can do to your higher brain functions.

  • Think Again

    Childish humor is just that.  

  • Think Again

    And no business operates without governmment rule.s  To regulate kitchen countertops, lest they be dirty.  Exit doors, for safety.  Zoning, to protect neighborhoods.  This is jus tone more potential rule.  And it will happen.  It’s just a matter of time. Because it’s the rigiht thing to do.  Hammer away, dude.  You will ultimately lose this one.  

  • Think Again

    (Why don’t you block him?)  His rants are far beyond the pale.

  • Think Again

    You’re referring of course to your own typing, right?

  • Think Again

    You know, I’ve got this thing going called “A Life,” and I’ve completely forgotten what idiotic mumbo-jumbo you might have attempted to discuss…please enlighten me.  I’ve forgotten. You rattle on so much it’s difficult to tell what you mean…once in a while you stumble upon a gem….

  • Streetfighter

    Great article Abdul, love common sense.
    What we really have is a battle of control over every aspect of our lives! That is really the question.This fight over that control has morphed into quibbling over implementing extreme measures vs. that common sense and the actual insult to ones intelligence by taking your personal decisions away in the guise of “we know what is best for you” and bringing out scores of experts to back it up right or wrong=Food you eat, car you drive, smoking in private establishments, everything you see is telling you how and what to do, trying to take away your decision making. Even the weather man tells you to dress warm. That’s how bad it has become.You all fall for it writing and quibbling over this and forgetting you are all going to die of something no matter what you do or do not do. Big government can’t change that. But beware, the more your let the controllers control implementing extreme measures,  you will create a monster of government –just ask those that live under that system  of government. Which by the way is almost in full bloom in the good ol’ U.S.A.
    So go ahead let them bog you down in minutia so you miss the big picture….won’t be long now……

  • cynical sam

    Ah, TA, remember the ole saw:

    Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than speak and remove all doubt. 

    Some folks apparently are opposed to doubt.

  • Scooter

    There is no way to enlighten a closed mind.

  • Dave

    That’s very well said.

  • Sally

    The new site http://www.sexfreeindy.org will be up and running next week. We are an organization dedicated to stopping sex in Marion County. We are fully behind SmokeFreeiNdy and other organizations that are dedicated to the saving of lives in Indy.

    We support the efforts of SmokefreeINdy !

    http://www.sexfreeindy.org      

  • Ramon

    You are already sex free. No one is interested!

  • http://www.royalessays.com/ royalessays.com

    I am very amazed i have checked out this particular site.