Daley's quote of the week: Greedy greedy
After aldermen compromised on a smoking ban yesterday, Daley had to get in front of a microphone to say something stupid: "If it's the right thing to do," he said, tilting his head this way and that, "why don't restaurant owners do it today? It's very interesting, it's greed, it's very interesting."
As always, his comments made no sense. The ban that aldermen agreed on does force restaurant owners to comply immediately, so why is he talking about restaurant owners? Taverns, on the other hand, have three years to meet some kind of clean-air standard. Um, if they banned smoking, wouldn't they meet clean-air standards? Furthermore, Mayor Daley, if the ban is the right thing to do in all public places, including taverns, why doesn't the city do it today instead of waiting three years? Does this, mayor, have anything to do with greed? Very interesting.
posted by teacherman @ 6:43 AM
4 Comments:
I guess. Dominated by backwards thinkers, Chicago is a city unable to make progressive cultural changes, unless it's sponsored by some corporation, sanctioned by some union, or promoted by some authority figure.
The grass roots movement in Chicago is virtually dead and as a result, the citizens who would have stood to gain from the smoking ban will suffer for another three fucking years while the tobacco industry wreaks havoc on your lungs! Sure, smoking may be enjoyable for the smoker but certainly not for the person next to him. Why don't you just have a beer and then spill it on your neighbors clothes?...same thing.
Unless the people of Chicago actually stand up for themselves, shit like this will continue to paint the city as just a second (class) city, unworthy of the prestige afforded to it by it's wealth of industry and quality of it's citizenry.
The non-smoking restaurant and bar workers and clientele should stand and revolt. Vote with your feet! Let bar owners know that you can't stand smoke and that you have decided to go elswhere! Where is that elsewhere? Home, the Funky Bhudda Lounge, an airplane, outside, Ireland, whereever it is smoke free!!!
Hai
Yeah I guess it is sooo great that California is so damn progressive and we are just two bit hicks scratching our nuts. Too bad that the smog in LA drives people into bars to get a breath of fresh air. Too bad that some schools in SF may have to close down because of a lack of students since families can't afford to live there (NPR 12/7/05). Too bad that public transportation is virtually non existent for 99% of the states population outside of SF and the east bay so everyone spends half their day in their non smoking cars. Too bad that the voters are so easily duped into electing a steriod using actor that can't act or govern but sure can smoke a good stoogie. Yeah we may have problems but I prefer to shorten my life several years by inhaling some smoke rather than spend the extra years with the arrogance that befalls the transplants that inhabit the sunshine state. Fuck, second class is worth it to live with great people, great food(and drink) and damn it great hospitals to repair my cancer infected lungs.
In Ireland, shortly after the smoking ban went into effect, there was a baby boom. Now sure, some of this might be due to the fact that the whole island is a new and imgreened Silicon Valley. I have a second hypothesis. Boy steps outside pub to have a smoke. Cut red headed girl steps into the misty night to do the same. Boy suavely asks for a light. Two strangers meet, fornicate, and go on to have a fine time of it.
Having to go outside to smoke could have a two fold affect: non-smokers feel healthier (and are). Smokers get to occasionally step away from the friends that will likely provide them no action that night to engage in a possible rendezvous with another cute smoker outside the door. Cold outside? Even better, they can huddle together. It's a win/win for all.
I saw this with my own eyes on an island where, five short years ago, one reveler could pull out a pack and insist that every other person at the table have a smoke with him.
FresH20
The other night I went to see Echo and the Bunnymen for the first time. For much of my youth, they were one of my favorite bands to listen to, dark, depressing, yet beautfil. I was amazed how good they were and thought why I hadn't seen them at some point in the last 20 years. Apparently, Ian hasn't been with the band for some period of time. There he stood, hair a mess at the Fillmore smoking a cigarrete in a ballroom of about 3000 people, with the bass drum vibrating the floor beneath me and the guitars swirling around and I thought to myself "Thank God Ian is the only one smoking in this place." (cigarettes)
Hai
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