Up in smoke

How can a handful of stuck-in-the-50s in-the-pocket-of-big-business mayors dictate that the rest of us either have to avoid certain 'public' locations or face proven health hazards.

First Mayor Smokey Schweighart blocks the smoking ban in Champaign, bowing to the demands of business and ignoring the health hazards to the voters.

Now Corrupt Mayor Daley in Chicago has managed to delay that city's vote on a sweeping smoking ban. One wonders (not much) just who is greasing his palm behind the scenes (hint: the hospitality industry).

Just exactly when did the rights of a few businesses (and mind-numbed mayors) supercede the rights of the people? Despite what the pathetic apologists may say, it's clear that a majority of the people back smoking bans nearly everywhere.

According to Thursday morning's Chicago Tribune, going smokeless is working across the U.S.:

Nearly 2,000 municipalities, large and small, have enacted smoking bans, according to the California-based American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation.

As of July 7, 293 cities and towns required 100 percent smoke-free workplaces, 251 barred smoking entirely in restaurants and 185 prohibited it in bars.

Idaho and Utah prohibit smoking statewide in restaurants; California, Connecticut and Maine in restaurants and bars; and four other states, including New York and Massachusetts, in workplaces, restaurants and bars, according to the foundation. South Dakota has a workplace prohibition, while Florida forbids smoking in workplaces and restaurants.

Daley is backpedaling so fast it's comical. Someone somewhere has their hand in this. Guess who:

Mayor Richard Daley renewed his call for a compromise Wednesday.

"Everybody is for a form of smoking ban," Daley said.

"Everybody wants to be healthy, but [the hospitality industry] has a right to present their petition.

"The smoking ban will take effect sometime, but there are legitimate bars that have a right to want smoking. They have a business and they pay taxes."

So do the people, Ritchie, so do the voters. But then again, voters only count on election day, right? Deep pocket business interests can be heard any time they want.

Isn't it curious that at the last minute suddenly Daley 'discovers' the hospitality industry's rights?

And so it goes.