Freedom > Rexroad.com

I got an excellent e-mail from Chris Hunt. Hunt's concern is for second hand smoke in apartment buildings in Woodland. The concern is something that I recognize. I can't stand smoking. I have never smoked a cigarette or cigar in my life.

I don't like smoking but I certainly like freedom.

Here are some things that I don't agree with ---
    Gun control laws
    Anti-smoking ordinances
    Seat belt laws
    Helmet laws for motorcycles

Do I like accidental weapon discharges? No. Like smoking? Not. Injuries from care accidents? Nope. Head injuries? Nope.

I don't like any of these things but I'm willing to let people be free enough to choose to own weapons, smoke at their own risk, and drive unsafely in ways that only impact them.

When I started law school smoking was allowed in bars. My classmates and I often went to the Rubicon in Sacramento because it was smoke free. We chose to go there and spend our money there to be smoke free.

There is no doubt a demand for smoke free cars, hotel rooms, eating places. and other things.

Government continues to think it can protect us from all the risk of life. We as individuals need to be willing to choose to accept risk and the consequences that come with it.

If you smoke -- you should be able to be discriminated against for health insurance. You also should not be coming to the taxpayers for medical care when you have lung cancer.

If you ride a motorcycle without a helmet and get a brain injury it is your responsibility to take care of yourself and your family. I hope you are well insured.

When you buy a house in a neighborhood and accept CC&Rs -- live by them. You don't have to live there.

Government is not the answer to every problem.

This same equation is why I have some major problems with the Patriot Act. We have crossed the line from protecting society to such an extent that it intrudes on personal freedoms.

Comments

By cdos77 @ Friday, May 30, 2008 11:05 PM

Matt,
This is Chris Holt (unfortunately I was called Chris Long a couple of times...not sure why, but oh well.)

Good Points. I enjoyed our conversation over e-mail over the last couple of days. I agree with some/most of your points...However, I liken ETS to driving drunk..the person who is taking the action believes they are "within their rights" They will only hurt themselves right? Not so, it is widely accepted that second hand smoke causes a lot of chronic lung ailments in children, Additionally it has been linked as a contributor (if not downright cause) of most lung cancer. Back to my analogy, a drunk driver could just as easily kill a pedestrian, a biker or another driver in an accident.....so may second hand smoke. It is about time we woke up and realized that smokers aren't just hurting themselves...

By Matt Rexroad @ Saturday, May 31, 2008 6:34 AM

Chris:

Sorry about the Long thing. I have college football on the brain. Chris Long was the DE out of Virginia taken as the second overall pick by the Rams.

I love this debate. It is over good fundamental issues. Thanks for your comment.

Matt

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