Just one more quick point:<BR><BR>I'll really be impressed with the State of Delaware's concern for human life when they become the first state to outlaw abortion.<BR><BR>While some MAY get cancer from second hand smoke, it is a fact that every time an abortion is performed 3 to 4 weeks after conception a beating, human heart is stopped.<BR><BR>Wonder when we will manage to get our priorities straight?<BR><BR>US

To Al Godon:yes it is difficult to get a hand gun in Germany but apparently not a shot gun, or did you miss hearing about the school shooting in Germany. Proves that crazies or criminals can get a weapon inspite of their tough laws.

Delaware shouldn't have to ban smoking altogether. The other normal states (except california but then who can call that one normal) give their citizens a choice, smoking or non-smoking. When one sits in a non smoking section, one doesn't leave smelling like an ashtray. I smoke only when I', gambling or drinking and I'm sensitive to others' issues but to ban it altogether is non-sense. That's one useless state that is off my to-go list. Maybe they should increase their stupid tolls when we drive the 15 minutes it takes to cross over delaware. That will bring even more people to the state. What a waste of land, they should succeed (sp) to Maryland and call it a day.

Uncle Sam, I won't tell you what to do with your sexual equipment if you won't tell me what to do with mine.<BR><BR>Shoulda known you'd bring that issue up, anyway. <BR><BR>Somebody put this thread out of its misery.

I don’t smoke; other than the very occasional cigar, but what is up with this Gestapo assault on people who do? Smoking is NOT illegal, and until it is I hope people violently oppose legislation against a choice that people make (yes, if you’re wondering, I feel the same way about marijuana.)<BR><BR>I hope some concerned citizens bring civil suits against nazi tactics concerning any BLANKET laws such as this.<BR><BR>Personally I find gum chewing a totally obnoxious habit. I’m tired of people snapping their gum during conversation and I’m tired of stepping in the gooey crap when they decide it’s socially acceptable to spit it out on a public sidewalk. I think there otta be a law…(lord knows, this country doesn’t have enough laws. We live in a society where lawyers make a living by simply researching laws for the congress, senate, and for other lawyers. We elect representatives to go to Washington and to our state capitals to enact new laws. Maybe we should try to reverse that trend and make things simple enough for John and Jane Doe to function in their daily lives without having to periodically consult attorneys…)<BR><BR>Banning smoking in bars but still allowing people to drink? Yeah, that makes sense…in the Bizarro world. I mean, how many divorces are caused by smoking, how much domestic violence, how many accidents, yadda-yadda? Like drinking without smoking is o.k. But not Visa-versa? Now who’s nuts?<BR><BR>Instead do something reasonable. How about this: Determine the seating capacity and square footage of the bar in question. Inform the owners that they have two choices, 1. Is to not allow smoking at all. 2. Is that the bar must agree to buy, install, and maintain “smoke eaters” capable of moving air from a specifically designated smoking area twice the size of the whole bar within a specified time, say every half hour or every hour.<BR><BR>Too logical, eh? If that went into effect what would people have to whine about? <BR>

Carl: Weapon laws in Germany and as far as I know, in many other European countries aren't tough in the sense that people haven't got quite easy access to firearms if they are willing to accept a minimum of background-check. I think there are 8-10 million registred and probably the same number unregistred firearms in Germany. The law is tough upon carrying the firearms in public and upon any use of them in a criminal or even self-defense situation. The weapons used in the school shooting were legally bought by the madman. <BR><BR>As for the smoking, I simply don't get the reason for laws. Restaurants are private enterprises and if enough customers don't want a smoking enviroment, the owners will create non-smoking places. Why should the state interfer?

MM,<BR><BR>As Jack Nicholson said in "A Few Good Men"...<BR><BR>"You can't handle the truth"<BR><BR>And btw, no one is telling you what to do with your "sexual equipment"...only suggesting that you not destroy the byproduct! That red herrign won't hunt!<BR><BR>US

The state gets involved because the playing field isn't level. The pro-tobacco people have limitless resources to press their agenda wherever and whenever they want -- including offering a nice chunk of the profits from cigarette machines to restaurant owners.<BR><BR>And for some reason, people who cherish their vices are more vociferous and heavy-handed than people who give a damn about their own health and others. <BR>You lot are a perfect example. <BR><BR>Have you not been listening? Second-hand smoke is toxic as well as obnoxious. You have no right to expect to be able to intrude into my air UNLESS someone has taken measures to keep you from doing that. <BR><BR>It's appalling to me that one has to go to the courts and legislatures just to be able to breathe air WITHOUT smoke. If you want to be able to smoke where you eat, why not start your own chain of smokers' restaurants and leave the rest alone? <BR><BR>If you don't like the intervention of the state, consider the fact that you thoughtless, selfish smokers brought it on yourselves. <BR><BR>So good for Delaware. I will enjoy everything there just that much more.<BR>

I guess that's why Delaware is such a hot tourist destination--woo hoo!<BR><BR>Ironic how a state that is so quick to execute prisoners is so concerned about human life. And how a state with an abominable history of environmental pollution is so concerned about health issues.<BR>

Delaware is hardly the first place to outlaw smoking - glad to hear that it's joining the ranks!

"A herring won't hunt?"<BR><BR>Uncle Sam, you are such a knee-jerk jerk -- somebody programmed you so well you mistake slogans for "truth." I'm sure you think there's a difference between abortion, capital punishment, and war because it suits you to. <BR><BR>And I'm sure you also decline to pay for the kind of medical and social supports that would make abortion unnecessary. <BR><BR>Oh, that's right -- "just say no" --another slogan that to you is truth.<BR><BR>I don't know why I bother with you -- you have NEVER added a single thing that had to do with travel, rather than reactionary patriarchal politics, to this forum. <BR><BR>I just hate the thought that anyone might actually read your jingoistic crap and consider for a minute that you had any brains.<BR><BR>

I guess from now on people in Delaware will think about banning fast-food, alcohol, parfums -that´s also very annoying to smell in a restaurant!-, microwaves -so hazardous for heart problems. Actually I hate the smell of popcorn and hamburguers, so I won´t travel to Yankiland.

California has had a non-smoking law in public buildings for a number of years. I haven't seen a drop in tourism since this was enacted and restaurants haven't had to close down because of the lack of smoking. In fact, from what I've heard from some friends in the industry, they actually have seen some increase. Non-smokers account for a greater proportion of the population and would prefer not to have to be subjected to unhealthy smoke inhalation and smelly clothes.

Aunt Sam,<BR><BR>"patriarchal politics"...there we have the crux of it, now don't we.<BR><BR>That comes in other terms as well, as in "don't you dare tell me what to do" or "I'll do exactly what I want to do, after all you're a man, you couldn't know anything"<BR><BR>Well I do know that abortion, after 3 to 4 weeks stops a beating human heart...there Aunt Sam dispute that.<BR><BR>You cannot, so you throw the red herrings around! My how your anger erupts!<BR><BR>BTW, you don't know me. You make accusations that you cannot prove.<BR><BR>FYI, I have donated thousands of $$$ and a ton of my time to help young women that I didn't even know in crisis pregnancy situations. From helping to provide medical and prenatal care to asssisting them financially, after the baby was born.<BR><BR>I do not care what you "do with your body", that is your business. I do object on moral grounds to abortion.<BR><BR>Why can you get so upset about smoking in a restaurant because it harms human life, yet you condone abortion upon demand because it's your body!<BR><BR>What a dichotomy!<BR><BR>US<BR><BR>PS My travel advice is just fine, thank you!

Aw, Mike, you thought you were on the "Europe" board. In fact, you're on the "Europe can do no wrong" board. Don't even suggest that Europeans should change anything here, and for Heaven's sake don't suggest that they should do anything that Americans do.

Aw, Mike, you thought you were on the "Europe" board. In fact, you're on the "Europe can do no wrong" board. Don't even suggest that Europeans should change anything here, and for Heaven's sake don't suggest that they should do anything that Americans do.