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Motherfucker had a PLAN!
Oct. 1st, 2008 08:14 amMan robs armored car, escapes via inner-tube. (hat-tip to ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
icedrake)
icedrake)Oct. 1st, 2008
(no subject)
Oct. 1st, 2008 12:07 pmSo... smoking in bars and restaurants in Richland County (South Carolina) is now forbidden.
But it's not a criminal offense, either to light up if you're a customer, or stop a customer from lighting up if you're an employee. So, the cops won't be enforcing this.
And, in a move to shock no-one at all, Richland County decided not to allocate any money (at least for now) to have any part of any agency go around and check up, so there won't be any government types making sure the ban is in place.
How then? Why, personal complaints, of course. Yep, rat out a restaurant or bar, and if they get enough complaints about any specific place of business, why they'll... do something. Maybe a fine, or a shake of the finger.
Now, I'm not going to say smoking is good for you. It's not. And I'll be glad of being able to eat somewhere without having to smell cigarette smoke while doing so. Hell, I don't smoke at all. That's not the point. The point is, once again, that Richland County passed a law with no teeth, aimed at telling people how to live their lives. (Actually, Richland County isn't alone in this... several counties in South Carolina have jumped on the no-smoking bandwagon.)
I honestly think that whatever health benefits this gives people who don't have to deal with second-hand smoke will be offset by the number of smokers who end up with colds and the flu this winter because they were outside in "oh fuck it's cold" weather, huddled around a cigarette for warmth.
Yeah, it's an addiction (or can be, at least... I know one guy who maybe goes through a pack a month.) and South Carolina does have (currently) the lowest cigarette tax in the nation, and the politicians mean well (of course, they always do)... but it just seems like banning smoking from, well, everywhere is not going to solve the problem.
But it's not a criminal offense, either to light up if you're a customer, or stop a customer from lighting up if you're an employee. So, the cops won't be enforcing this.
And, in a move to shock no-one at all, Richland County decided not to allocate any money (at least for now) to have any part of any agency go around and check up, so there won't be any government types making sure the ban is in place.
How then? Why, personal complaints, of course. Yep, rat out a restaurant or bar, and if they get enough complaints about any specific place of business, why they'll... do something. Maybe a fine, or a shake of the finger.
Now, I'm not going to say smoking is good for you. It's not. And I'll be glad of being able to eat somewhere without having to smell cigarette smoke while doing so. Hell, I don't smoke at all. That's not the point. The point is, once again, that Richland County passed a law with no teeth, aimed at telling people how to live their lives. (Actually, Richland County isn't alone in this... several counties in South Carolina have jumped on the no-smoking bandwagon.)
I honestly think that whatever health benefits this gives people who don't have to deal with second-hand smoke will be offset by the number of smokers who end up with colds and the flu this winter because they were outside in "oh fuck it's cold" weather, huddled around a cigarette for warmth.
Yeah, it's an addiction (or can be, at least... I know one guy who maybe goes through a pack a month.) and South Carolina does have (currently) the lowest cigarette tax in the nation, and the politicians mean well (of course, they always do)... but it just seems like banning smoking from, well, everywhere is not going to solve the problem.
(no subject)
Oct. 1st, 2008 12:43 pmPhish reuniting for three shows.
Why do I see pot sales going through the roof that week in Virginia?
Why do I see pot sales going through the roof that week in Virginia?
So, I put in for some vacation time
Oct. 1st, 2008 10:18 pmNope, not going anywhere... at least, I'm not planning on going anywhere.
But I asked for the first full week of November off. Yes, I won't be working on Election Day. So I will have time off (presumably) to scream at the TV over election coverage.
It's also the last vacation time I'll probably get to use this year, as after Thanksgiving, the FedEx corporate types start insisting that it's "crunch time" and we usually see all kinds of shit going on. (Although, apparently, this year, we're not going to have as much calendar business.... but I still expect moronic graphic design students for the end of the semester crapola.)
But I asked for the first full week of November off. Yes, I won't be working on Election Day. So I will have time off (presumably) to scream at the TV over election coverage.
It's also the last vacation time I'll probably get to use this year, as after Thanksgiving, the FedEx corporate types start insisting that it's "crunch time" and we usually see all kinds of shit going on. (Although, apparently, this year, we're not going to have as much calendar business.... but I still expect moronic graphic design students for the end of the semester crapola.)