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Letters

Destroying rights

By Reggie Bechard
Published: Nov 03, 2009 12:40 am

It is discomforting that people's rights and freedoms are under attack by state and local regulations and restrictions on small, private businesses and private clubs.

The out-of-control state and local governments passed a law banning smoking in bars and private businesses. When the government tells a person how to run his or her life, that is a violation of human rights. America is looking more like Russia by the minute.

Americans need to wake up or freedom and human rights will be lost.

Enough is enough. People need to take their rights and freedom back. In a nation that calls itself the land of the free, how much freedom do people have?

There must be a way to protect society without destroying the rights that Americans hold so dear.

Reggie Bechard, Lewiston

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Comments

T says

Taxpoor, every time "they" pass a new law, I gain freedom, freedom from the idiotic behavior of others.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

T says

"Americans need to wake up"...it's getting a little trite.

"There must be a way to protect society without destroying the rights that Americans hold so dear."

...Yes Mr. Bechard, it's called legislation by the people for the people. It's an American tradition that's been around since....ahh 1776.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

T says

Well this is what we get for living in a country that's been run into the ground by the REPUBLICANS preaching their right-wing fascist agenda and now shoving it down our throats because incase you haven't heard, THEY KNOW WHAT'S BEST FOR US, we are not smart enough to know what we need and now they will lead us to water and we WILL drink because they said we should. C'mon people get with the program and assimilate to THEIR society that they set forth for us. Resistance is futile.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

Old Bill's picture

Old Bill says

Damn! And, all this time, I thought it was the blasted LIBERALS who thought that way! After all, just look at the huge governmant they are forcing on us!
"The democracy will cease to exist when the government takes from those who would work and gives to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

Rinoblast's picture

Rinoblast says

Just like your right to swing your fist stops squarely at my nose, your right to smoke stops when the second-hand smoke enters my lungs.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

Jami says

Good one, Rino. Love the way you summed it up!

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

concerned KD says

Well this is what we get for living in a state thats been run into the ground by the DEMOCRATS preaching they're left wing socialist agenda and now shoving it down our throats because incase you havent heard, THEY KNOW WHATS BEST FOR US, we are not smart enough to know what we need and now they will lead us to water and we WILL drink because they said we should. C'mon people get with the program and assimmilate to THEY"RE society that they set forth for us. Resistance is futile.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

ojhuig's picture

ojhuig says

Darn those Democrats, always wanting to keep people safe.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

unforgivenjimi's picture

unforgivenjimi says

As a smoker, I agree with taking smoking out of bar and restaurants. Restaurants for the obvious reasons that it is a family environment and bars because bars were not providing proper ventilation and where I am a heavy smoker, I was finding myself not needing to smoke at all when I was at a bar because it was being provided for me. My concern, and it has been since the smoking ban passed is this; Now we have people at varying degrees of drunkenness being put outside to smoke and this raises an entirely new set of issues.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

AgingWell2009 says

i do with that...and its to bad smokers cant take their butts with them like my wife and do.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

AgingWell2009 says

I am a ciggarette smoker...i do agree with some of the laws...such as (no smoking in bars,resteraunts,etc. But as far as smoking out in the open air such as at public beaches is going a bit to far...for 1 smoke rises...for 2 Do people even know how much carbon monoxide people breathe in when a car passes by u?

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

ojhuig's picture

ojhuig says

Did you ever go to Old Orchard and try to wade in the water when smoking was allowed? The butts would just be all around your feet. Disgusting. If smokers weren't such pigs, you'd be able to smoke on the beach. Unfortunately, smokers are also litterbugs, so there you are.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

tron's picture

tron says

The biggest problem at beaches, parks etc is that smokers throw their butts on the ground, creating a mess and danger. All it takes is for one kid to chew on one butt for nicotine poisoning which can be fatal.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

ojhuig's picture

ojhuig says

You are not allowed to hurt other people. Period. So that's why you can't smoke in bars.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

Sirmel says

Yes I agree too, but its also the federal gov. But in Russia they are allowed to smoke. In china they are aswell etc etc

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

joeziehmer's picture

joeziehmer says

Question then why do so many blame their governments for allowing lung cancers to cripple and destroy so many lives and ruin so many careers as it is intended to do so both in Russia and in China that problem is growing and spiraling out of control. All the while those manufacturing smokes grow rich off of the profits. Is some one investing into smoke stocks and complaining about the government growing to big... Gee, I wonder?

Joseph Ziehm
Lewiston, ME
"Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a master in heaven. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;" Colossians 4: 1-2

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

Taxpoor says

WHAT? You didnt know that (the land of the free) has been changed to the land of the FEE. You are right but people are to ______ to know it. Every time they pass a new law we lose more & more of the freedom we once had. I bet the insurance co's are the ones behind the seat belt law. The less injury the less they have to pay out. The state only cares about the seat belt law so they can collect fine money but making us think they are looking out for us. I am sick of big brother looking over my shoulder. Sure we are free to go to any church we want but that dont cost the state anything. BIG DEAL Does not affect me so thats a right I dont use. What is free any more? Unless you have a hurd of kids and support a boy friend live off the state. I dont smoke and I do ware my belt but where does it stop?

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

T says

Every time "they" pass a new law, I gain freedom, freedom from the idiotic behavior of others.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

joeziehmer's picture

joeziehmer says

Tax what about those who survived because of seat belts while others laid dying before and what of those who hardly care and have killed their own children by not having them sit either in a safety seat or in a seat belt? I smoked for awhile, did chew, and enjoyed big fat cigar's for a long, long while and after quitting noticed a dramatic change in my paychecks and in my all around health and fitness. It is not about collecting fine money maybe you should stop with the gin and lemonade in the morning friend.

Joseph Ziehm
Lewiston, ME
"Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a master in heaven. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;" Colossians 4: 1-2

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

joeziehmer's picture

joeziehmer says

Your complaining about smoking, let me see second hand smoke is a danger to children, it is a danger to those not smoking, and as well those smoking it is slowly stripping them of their rights to life. The whole tobacco industry has made such a profit that it is not funny on how people feel whenever that is in effect. David the Patriot Act allowed undercover officers to infiltrate groups which opposed the Iraq war could do the APA format but right now just lazy. Also, what of the German citizen who was detained simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time by both the MI boys and CIA farm hands? Also, David remember Ian Flemming even stated in personal life and through life experience that torture does not work on terrorist which is an actuality the only pure example that works is psychological forcing such as leading a terrorist into believing that they may have DID or other MPD disorders to get them lax into question and answer sessions. Here is the examples for you as well remember the Syrian pilot who was detained and nearly deported even though that country had marked him for death after he spoke up about the Muslim corruption in his own country!

Joseph Ziehm
Lewiston, ME
"Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a master in heaven. Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;" Colossians 4: 1-2

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

David A Gagnon says

Nancy1, are you trying to say that we don't ostracize smokers. Look at what we have done to the smoker in the name of protecting him from himself. Now compare that to the other two categories and see what you come up with. What we have done to the smoker far exceeds what has been done to obese and alcoholic when it comes to personal freedoms.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

Nancy1 says

David, did you even read my post? Like I said, I can't get fat from breathing second hand fat cells, nor drunk from breathing an alcoholic's fumes. But I CAN get sick from breathing the results of a smoker's chosen habit. Only a very self centered person would call that ostracism. I have no sympathy for someone who thinks their unhealthy choice should override the good health choices of others.
I also think smokers should be banned from smoking near entrances to stores. Why should nonsmokers have to pass through noxious stinking smoke to get into a store?
For that matter, I think anyone who is covered by tax supported health care (Mainecare) should not smoke.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

David A Gagnon says

Nancy1, what should we do with alcoholics and obese people. Should we take away their right to eat and drink whenever they want. Cause we haven't and yet, they are as big a burden on health care, as smokers are. Obesity is a major contributor to diabetes and heart disease, yet we don't ostracize those people. And same goes for alcoholics. How many people die from alcohol related deaths every year on the highway as compared to smokers secondary smoke on others. Yet nothing is ever done about that problem. Alcoholics are still killing people at a higher rate than smokers.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

Nancy1 says

David, ostracize? More like stepping into reality and making people responsible for their own behavior. Neither alcoholism nor obesity is exactly accepted in our society. I absolutely wish obese people would get healthier and alcoholics would stop ruining their health. But thankfully I can't get fat from breathing second hand fat cells, nor drunk from breathing an alcoholic's fumes.

Obese employees ARE beginnng to pay higher premiums for obesity.
This link from NC
http://www2.wnct.com/nct/news/local/article/smokers_obese_state_workers_...

"starting next year, employees who smoke will pay about 10 percent more for their health insurance than other workers, unless they enroll in a program to quit smoking. Starting in 2011, state workers who have a body mass index of 40 or higher will also pay 10 percent more than other workers unless they sign up for a program to lose weight."

FYI, in Japan, where the country has socialist medicine, the people ARE being made to keep their weight down.

http://www.workforce.com/section/00/article/25/63/43.php

From the link: The law that went into effect April 1 forces companies and government, the two sources of health insurance in Japan, to measure the body fat of employees between the ages of 40 and 74.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

Nancy1 says

Reggie, smoking is one of the reasons health care is broken. You smokers choose to ruin your health without regard to the high cost of treating all your various smoking related problems. How about you choose to keep smoking but your insurance chooses not to pay for any health problems caused by it? And how about if your doctor chooses not to see you for anything smoking related?
YOU need to wake up and realize that you are killing yourself in a very expensive and avoidable manner.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

David A Gagnon says

Lil have you not seen these articles. Sen. Harkin: 'We need the Fairness Doctrine back' . Senator Deb Stabenow of the same opinion. Obama's communication Czar Mark Lloyd on video proclaiming the same beliefs and praising Hugo Chavez on how he took control of the media in Venezuela . Cass Sunstein proclaiming a Fairness Doctrine for the internet. Supreme Court overruling the DC gun ban. Supreme Court has accepted to hear another case concerning the gun ban in Chicago.
A quote from Mark Lloyd
“It should be clear by now that my focus here is not freedom of speech or the press. This freedom is all too often an exaggeration. At the very least blind references to freedom of speech or press serves as a distraction from the critical examination of other communication policies. The purpose of free speech is warped to protect global corporations and block rules [by the government], fines, and regulations, that would promote democratic governance.”

Paranoia you say?

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

Lil's picture

Lil says

Paranoia? Yes. Where is the legislation? Note that the Senate voted to repeal the DC handgun ban in March of this year. Sounds like expanding gun rights, not taking them away.
______________________

"A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned to walk forward."
Franklin D. Roosevelt

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

cranky yankee says

Well Reggie, here's the deal. Smoking is a personal decision, completely voluntary and NOT required to sustain life (though there's a lot of smokers that think it is). Breathing, on the other hand, is not voluntary and IS required to sustain life. Just because big corporations make and market a product, just because millions of people are addicted to that product and just because the product was/is legal (opium used to be legal in this country), doesn't automatically give anyone a right to use it. Further, even if they have a "right" to smoke, I have the right to the reasonable expectation that the air I breath is not fouled with someone else tobacco emissions.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

David A Gagnon says

All right poor man, now show us what part of the Constitution Bush was shredding as compared to what this current President has done and is currently in the process of doing. You've made the accusation, now please state which article, which amendment was shredded in your eyes. Please show me when and where your freedom of speech was attacked the way this current administration is in the process of attacking your freedom to speak out. Show me where the Bush administration attacked your second amendment rights the way this current administration is coming after your right to own a firearm. Show me in the Constitution where it allows the government to take over parts of the private sector of our economy. Please show me where Bush either committed or attempted to commit what this current President has already committed or is in the process of or planning to do. You think you had it bad under Bush, wait till Obama and company get through with you. And please don't give that crap about torture. None citizens do not have rights under the constitution and as for unlawful combatants read the finding report fron the Council on Foreign Relations pertaining to the Geneva Conventions. And Bob67 you also have the right to leave if a smokers smoke is bothering you or you fear it is affecting you. I think we should remove everybody's right to have a beer, for fear that he may get out of control and harm me in some way, does that make me right.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

Lil's picture

Lil says

Show us all where you come up with such paranoia! First & second amendments, show us all the legislation passed the limits your speech or takes away your firearm.
______________________

"A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned to walk forward."
Franklin D. Roosevelt

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

the_poorman's picture

the_poorman says

reggie - where were you with all your concern about disappearing rights when Bush was shredding the Constitution?

Any problem that can't be solved with taxcuts, republicans pretend doesn't exist.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

Gil's picture

Gil says

Another lie from the poorman. Where is your proof that Bush 'shredded' the Constitution?
"Reasoning with a liberal is like trying to pick up a turd by the clean end. " Pirate

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

Honu's picture

Honu says

. .Bob ? He is . Everyone retains the right to remain stupid :)

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

Pirate says

The parrot wants to know if chairman mao is your hero.

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

Bob67 says

Reggie,
When your private right, smoking, harms others,as 2nd hand smoke has been unquestionably proven to do, it is not your right being harmed, it is others rights to good health being protected! Come on your not really that ignorant !

Posted 2 weeks ago (permalink)

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