Thursday, February 5, 2009

Dining out safely... or not?

Governor Tim Kaine, House Speaker William Howell, and other key legislative leaders announced a compromise bill to ban smoking in restaurants. The deal allows exceptions for private clubs and restaurants with a designated smoking room that is physically separated and independently ventilated from non-smoking dining areas. This is good legislation and great news for the health of Virginians. There is no debate about the dangers of second-hand smoke. Finally, I guess, the tired bullshit argument about "smoker rights" blew away. I never could find it in the Bill of Rights.
On the other hand, there is Senator Emmett Hanger's bill to allow individuals to carry a concealed weapon into restaurants/bars serving alcoholic beverages. Emmett is a good guy, but this bill is a dumb... no make that a dumber idea. Alcohol and guns do not mix. It is concealed for Christ's sake... how am I to know what the guy sitting next to me is packing? The bill has passed the Senate, will probably pass the House, but faces likely veto by the Governor. One more good reason crazy Bob McDonnell should never reside in the Executive Mansion!
So, you'll no longer be able to blow smoke in my face, but the crazy SOB in the next booth may blow my f#@&ing brains out. Where is the logic?

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