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by Jay
on Sun Mar 02, 2008 1:32 am |
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Here's one online article I found about the smoke-in. This smoke-in was a good demostration of freedom, which is lacking in America.
http://www.thesouthern.com/articles/2008/03/01/local/23579104.txt
Protesters gather to oppose state smoking ban
By Codell Rodriguez, The Southern
Saturday, March 1, 2008 11:46 PM CST
WEST FRANKFORT - Erik Lind drove all the way from Minneapolis to show his disdain for Illinois' statewide smoking ban.
Jon Hemminghaus, owner of Wounded Rig Fiberglass and Gel Coat Repair in West Frankfort, hosted a protest at noon Saturday against the ban that began in January with stump speeches, greeters in Revolutionary War costumes waving the American flag - and smoking. While the smoking took place outside, Hemminghaus said anyone was welcome to smoke inside his establishment.
"This is the only thing you can do to get noticed," Hemminghaus said. "You can sign a petition and write a letter, but it doesn't do you a bit of good."
Lind, who said he was a contributor to a smokers' rights group called force.org, said he made the drive from Minneapolis because he was inspired by Hemminghaus' willingness to fight for smokers' rights.
"It's a fairly rare opportunity, and I wanted to be a part of it," Lind said. "Maybe it will grow from here."
The protest didn't gain much attention from law enforcement, although Hemminghaus did say some police officers checked on the parking situation earlier.
Hemminghaus carried a cigar with him throughout the protest, despite not being a smoker. He said the protest was more about the government telling people what they can and can't do.
"That flag out there," Hemminghaus said referring to the American Flag. "A lot of people can remember when that stood for freedom."
Hemminghaus thanked people for attending and let others take the stage, including a representative from force.org, which doesn't show up as a Web site in a Google search. The representative encouraged those in attendance to fight the ban and gave examples of reasons to fight the smoking ban, including an allegation that the smoking ban that Mayor Michael Bloomberg enacted in New York City in 2003 forced several casinos to file for bankruptcy. However, according to casino directory www.casinocity. com, there are no casinos in New York City.
For Hemminghaus, the main purpose for the protest was to let the government know that he won't let the smoking ban inflict peoples' rights.
"Smoking doesn't really affect me," Hemminghaus said. "It's just taking rights away." |
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Jay
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by Darkseid
on Sun Mar 02, 2008 2:45 am |
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Here's my comment on that website, which I'm SURE won't get approved/printed:
A Google search didn't find it because the smokers rights site is FORCES.ORG!! NOT Force.org. MORONS! Or was that misspelling intentional?? Wouldn't want freedom or free thinking to possibly spread, now would we? |
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Darkseid
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by Jay
on Sun Mar 02, 2008 11:12 am |
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Here's a news media version of a vid from the smoke-in.
http://www.kfvs.com/
Me bets that force.org misspelling was intentional. And that misspelling is a huge insult to serious smokers nationwide. |
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Jay
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by Jay
on Sun Mar 02, 2008 11:25 am |
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Jay
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by runamok
on Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:49 pm |
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Jay wrote: Me found a familiar name posting on this Southern Illinoisan forum with a thread about the smoke-in. (Runamok)
I also attended the rally at The Wounded Rig.
Hemminghaus is a helluva nice guy who's ready to do this some more. I had opportunity to chat with him a bit and he said there are more of these planned in his area in coming weeks. One woman there invited anybody who was so inclined to stop in at her bar just down the road for some illegal smoking afterwards and several, including myself and my friend who came with me, took her up on it.
Forces was there with the "freedom van" and 4 reps, all of whom I met. They were handing out T-shirts and stuff. They had a couple folks (don't know if they were with Forces or not) standing out front in Revolutionary War era garb holding a "Don't Tread On Me" flag and an American flag. News reports said about 130 people were there which was about what I estimated.
Hemminghaus made a very nice opening speech followed by several Forces people. There were quite a few opinions, in our favor, voiced by a lot of the folks during this time. There was healthy applause for all speakers.
The whole thing lasted over an hour and after that some of the media people hung around to interview Jon and the Forces people. My buddy and I drove back by The Wounded Rig at about 2:00 and it appeared that interviews were still going on but I couldn't tell for sure. I gave 'em a couple supportive honks of the horn (which was happening quite often during the rally) and we were on our way home.
Best quote from the speeches...from Hemminghaus: "I figured we'd have, like, 20 people here and we'd grill some burgers and drink some beer out back afterwards" There was a lot of laughter and someone in the crowd hollered "WE STILL CAN"....more laughter.
I think it made a splash....small splash granted, but if there's going to be more of these in the area you folks that live within a few hours drive should make a point of getting there.
I drove a total of 1600 miles this weekend so I hope nobody ever tells me to 'put up or shut up' again (chuckle). |
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runamok
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by gilster
on Mon Mar 03, 2008 6:35 am |
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Great report Runamok, sounds like it was very productive - even though the newspaper report wasn't flattering or accurate, for that matter.
Hopefully more people will do this in the future in Illinois. |
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gilster
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by gilster
on Mon Mar 03, 2008 7:29 am |
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gilster
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by Darkseid
on Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:54 pm |
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Amazing!! They DID print my comment-uncensored. I'm right ahead of the lovely Audrey from CLASH, too, an honor.   |
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Darkseid
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by BWilliams
on Mon Mar 03, 2008 4:00 pm |
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Darkseid wrote: Amazing!! They DID print my comment-uncensored. I'm right ahead of the lovely Audrey from CLASH, too, an honor.
Yup, and mine is about 3 or 4 above yours (in case the wouldnt print yours) ... |
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BWilliams
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by Jay
on Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:59 pm |
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(A comment I read on the article page)
"But when my choices are either don't go out, or suffer from others smoke, or ask the government to protect my rights--I'll choose the latter. "
You got no freakin rights at all motha. If you prefa the govt protecting your rights, then how would you react to govts banning you from eating your favorite fast food! |
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Jay
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