Now I realize that the individual right to smoke a good cigar is in no way related to technology policy.  We have all celebrated important events in our lifes, i.e a well executed exit strategy, with a fine “stick” with our fellow shareholders.  However I felt a need  to address a new policy wave that I fear is starting to build out in California and up in Beantown that will soon awash us all.

As Republicans and Entrepeneurs, we strongly believe in the protection of individual rights especially when there is an attempt by the state to overly infringe on those individual rights.  A core belief that individuals will more than often, through economic and/or social means,  resolve a conflict better than a state imposed “nanny” mandate.  We all deal daily with the over abundance of red tape afflicted on small businesses, whether federal, state or local regulations.  (And I fear there will be a dramatic increase in both tape and taxes after November’s elections if the executive and legislative checks and balances are thrown out the window in a one-party Washington). 

Well I read today on the CRA website that the Los Angeles and Boston City Councils have proposed legislation now working its way through the review process that would (1) ban a property owner’s right in LA and Boston to set aside a designated OUTDOOR smoking dining area for their patrons; (2) disallow an individual’s right to smoke in Los Angeles streets, beaches, parks, outside apartment buildings or in any designated open air areas of motels and hotels; and (3) smoking would not be allowed in cigar shops in LA and all previously exempt cigar bars would be forced to close in Boston.

These City Council moves are being pushed by fanatics with no scientific data whatsoever regarding second hand smoke in outdoor settings.   So if you are going to start legislating based on disagreeable ”smells” and protecting the individual’s health from him/herself, can you please amend the regulations where no more heavily perfumed or cologned individuals can sit next to me while I dine.  And, oh yeah, we better start regulating how many showers an individual is required to take before heading out into the street.  And also I wonder what the smell of coconut oil is doing to my olfactory system – could you please impose limitations where sun tan lotion is applied just to legs only please (and tell Coppertone to place a warning label on the bottle regarding the damage they are doing to my nose).  Speaking of bottle, no more drinking that third glass of wine.  Only two per evening or the LA / Boston health police will have  to issue you a ticket for damaging your own health. 

If you live in Los Angeles or Boston or anywhere in this great land of freedom and you fear your individual rights are being trampled on by the state, it’s that time to stand up and yell “I’M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I’M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!”  Then have yourself a good cigar as you email your local Councilman.