Raves, Rants & Roses

REPLY: In response to the “Smoking Ban in Tyler.” I believe the time is coming when inevitably, everyone will be affected when something they enjoy becomes banned (Friend, C., 2008). In this case; the few that sit on the Tyler City Council feel so empowered they now have passed down a law that simply strips an individual of their rights, as well as rips thousands upon thousands in tax dollars away from the city.

If Americans as a whole and Tylerites do not pull together and realize these bans placed on smokers have gone too far, we may see laws soon that prohibit people from eating too much, or sleeping too little, or skipping their daily medication.

Should we ban cars? After all, it is the emissions from an engine that seem to be far worse than the second-hand smoke from a cigarette. By banning cars lives would be saved because people would have no accidents. Where does it stop?

Although I abide by and respect council’s decision, it does raise the question: will Tyler’s City Council, in the future, feel justified in closing a restaurant due to the fat content in a burger, or will the council decide to regulate the calorie content of latte?
Possibly, when lobsters on your dinner plate go the wayside of the dodo bird, we will have no one to blame but ourselves (Friend, C., 2008).

What is overwhelmingly so distressing is people in Tyler actually continue in supporting these smoking bans that are becoming more dictated by city leaders.
It is truly amazing how people are so willing to give up their freedoms all in order to satisfy their personal desires; but let’s face it, smoking bans are just the beginning of many losses to come in Tyler and the nation; robbing citizens of freedom and money.

We must not forget. When freedom is lost, it is lost forever. How far is too far?

Michelle Santos
Tyler