Appleton Passes Public Smoking Ban

Wanda and I are quite please that Appleton residents passed the public smoking ban last night. I was surprised that it passed without an exception for bars, similar to the way Madison and Eau Claire have. How nice it will be to go to Appleton bars and not be engulfed by a smokey haze, assuming the new ordinance doesn’t get struck down. From the Post-Crescent article linked below:

“The state’s direct legislation law says you can’t use a referendum like this to repeal a specific ordinance. They (proponents) cite existing legislation at least three times,” Johnson said. “You can’t make law if you can’t obey the law. It’s going to be an ugly court fight, but we have an obligation for the public to fight this.”

Riiiight. They have an obligation to the public, which voted and decided that they wanted the ban. Further up in the article, we learn this about the individual who made the comment:

Robbie Johnson, president of Citizens for Responsible Regulation, which opposed the ban, said his group is disappointed.Johnson said he expects his group, comprised primarily of bar owners, to begin work later this week on a legal challenge to the referendum’s proceedings.

(Emphasis mine)

We’ll see if a judge throws out the will of the voters based on the desires of several local business owners.

• Post-Crescent Article: Smoking Ban Passes
• Link: Voting Results

April 6th, 2005  News & Current Events   Tags: appleton, ban, Politics, smoking, vote, whining, more...

Interview with Green Party Candidate David Cobb

Green Party canididate David Cobb answers 12 questions posted by Slashdot readers. It’s an interesting read, and he seems a little less extreme than Mr. Badnarik, however, the questions and answers lacked substance. I really wish popular third party candidates were included in the debates.

• Link: Green Party Candidate David Cobb Answers Your Questions

October 2nd, 2004  Politics   Tags: election, green, interview, Politics, vote, more...

Bush: “God Speaks Through Me”

Just when you thought the 2004 election couldn’t get anymore confusing or controversial, Bush opens his mouth. Yes, the man I was planning on voting for as a antidote to terrorism has decided to put himself in the ranks of the other religious fanatics. While addressing an Amish community last July, he admitted, “I trust God speaks through me. Without that, I couldn’t do my job.” *sigh* Why can’t we have a leader who runs the country with expert guidance and reason instead of voices in his or her head? So should I vote for the will of God or the billionare communist? So many choices…

• Link: Google Search

September 1st, 2004  Politics   Tags: amish, bush, election, god, Politics, religion, vote, more...