Sign up to receive Northern Star headlines in your inbox, delivered weekdays at 6 a.m.
Feedback? E-mail us.
 |
Now that the city has a skating rink, do you plan to use it? |
Blog: Smoke free is surreal
I looked up at the NO SMOKING sign posted at Molly’s Friday night in disbelief, even though I knew the figurative writing had been on the wall for some time.
Policy change takes a long time in DeKalb and this smoking ban has been a long time coming.
Two years ago as the DeKalb government reporter, I began writing stories about a potential smoking ban. Despite their passion, those people never fought for their rights.
It became a running joke with the photo editor that the only thing I would ask readers about was the smoking ban. Students especially enjoyed ranting about the ban, so I liked asking.
What struck me right down to the very end was the inability of local customers and business owners to put pressure on their representatives to alter policy.
I am confident with the right pressure, DeKalb could have gone smoke-free in January, not September. The problem too often is those that yell the loudest do the least and then complain about their fate.
Different bars dealt with the ban differently Friday night. DeKalb police did not begin to enforce the ban Friday and will only enforce the ban on a complaint basis.
The policy disconnect is often between mainstream students that talk about how they hate the policies of this town and the citizens that actually speak up to get their wishes.
» Next Opinion Article: Don't involve your animals in your weekend activities
I am not sure if opposition to such a ban really exists. Out of reference, people really don't like more government. But they engage in such practice every day. I am about as conservative as one would find, but popular sovereignty is popular sovereignty. I am actually confident that a majority of voters would approve of such a measure. It may seem ignorant, certainly for some, but when is something never ignorant to some?
Why can't there be smoking and nonsmoking establishments; so the people can decide with their pocketbook. This is all about government control of all aspects of our lives. You can be sure this is just the begining of such Nazi -type control of the masses. Hitler did the same things during his fascist reign. We are losing our Constitution, our freedoms. If Ron Paul is not elected in 08 we will soon be in a police state.
Paul will never be president because a majority wants to win this war; a majority understands that the government must assume powers beyond the scope of Liberalism; a majority respects the fundamental right to life; and because a majority realizes that you cannot implement fundamental policies without breaking some shells along the way. A great leader will place his or her self beyond the fray and implement policies that, although may appear conspicuous, are for the betterment of his or her ideology and state. That is always how I viewed good leadership. That is why it conflicts so often with the media and why a good leader will not stoop so low. The media really is reflective of that fray since it caters to the fray. Good things simply cannot be done in that environment. Controlled reporting is essential for the delivery of new policy to the fray, since it creates doubt within the fray; but that often is the limit since that reporting may very well call into question your own policy initiatives. Let me last say that the politics within a media center is often as dirty as the politics in any government body. We know that favorites are played; we know that some are left unscaved (the teflon president; we know that friendships and close social networks do influence reporting directives; we know that those networks influence operation employment decisions; and we know that those that may happen to spar with an outlet, often morally justified, later end up right in the heart of those directives. In other words, the media also isn't that good of a watchdog.