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by smallbird
on Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:28 pm |
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Good for Mr.Benjamin...I am sending a small check forthwith to help defray a bit of the expense involved.  |
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smallbird
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by runamok
on Sun Mar 16, 2008 7:58 am |
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runamok
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by gilster
on Sun Mar 16, 2008 10:35 am |
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Runamok,From the editorial you linked above:
[/quote]Benjamin claims that the ban's exemption for theaters like the Guthrie -- smoking may be part of plays' most important scenes -- is too vague to rule out bars. Although he sources legal doctrine to Wikipedia and admits uncertainty about his interpretation of the law's language, he's convinced many bar owners to play along. He said about 100 have held such events to boost business. Playbills are posted and patrons who say they're actors light up.[quote]
If what was said above by Benjamin is true - Wiki references???? and Uncertainty of Interpretation???? We have some serious issues.
I'm cautious to believe the above paragraph because it was written in an editorial and probably doesn't need to be held in the highest regard to fact-checking...[or shall I say the editorial is using a bit of poetic license]
I've read the actual law - these exemptions are valid. Until they re-write the law, IMHO no one is breaking the ordinance as written. |
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gilster
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by runamok
on Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:33 am |
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| That editorial is the first I've heard of any Wiki references or "uncertainty" on the part of Benjamin. |
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runamok
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by johnnycgood
on Mon Apr 07, 2008 12:19 pm |
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Here's another update that appeared on the local news regarding another bar. See the attached link and play the video.
http://kstp.com/article/stories/s398185.shtml?cat=1
One thing I'd like to know is....
The Freedom to Breathe act allows for smoking in "Native American" casinos.
That said, if I'm a bar owner and I have pulltabs in my bar, that is considered "gambling".
Right?
So, if I'm white, are my civil rights being violated and discriminated against because of my race?
I think that would make for a hefty lawsuit against the PC state of Minnesota.
Any thoughts? |
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johnnycgood
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by runamok
on Mon Apr 07, 2008 5:03 pm |
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johnnycgood wrote: Here's another update that appeared on the local news regarding another bar. See the attached link and play the video.
http://kstp.com/article/stories/s398185.shtml?cat=1
One thing I'd like to know is....
The Freedom to Breathe act allows for smoking in "Native American" casinos.
That said, if I'm a bar owner and I have pulltabs in my bar, that is considered "gambling".
Right?
So, if I'm white, are my civil rights being violated and discriminated against because of my race?
I think that would make for a hefty lawsuit against the PC state of Minnesota.
Any thoughts?
The FTBA doesn't actually "allow" smoking in the Native American casinos. The state simply has no jurisdiction over them. Although I will be surprised if the state doesn't try to get them on board with the ban but the state really has no carrot to dangle since the Native casinos don't pay any tax anyway. |
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runamok
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by johnnycgood
on Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:08 pm |
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True. The state of Minnesota doesn't impose their FTBA upon Native American gaming casinos because they "supposedly" have no jurisdiction.
But, in a sense, they do.
Native American children attend publicly funded schools that other non-reservation kids attend. Roads and other infrastructure projects are funded by publicly funded means (taxes).
If a Native American commits a crime, that person is eligible for a fair trial and appropriate punishment, just like everybody else.
So what is the difference here?
Race? |
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johnnycgood
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by runamok
on Thu Apr 10, 2008 7:42 pm |
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Apparently 20/20 sent a crew to Barnacles (the first bar to host theater night) and did some filming and interviewing for about 6 hours. As I understand it, the piece will be aired sometime early this summer. Should be good to see John Stossel's take on the whole thing.
Benjamin's got his court date on 4/28 where he will present his argument to the judge that the theatrical exemption in the Freedom to Breathe Act is "unconstitutionally vague".
If the ruling is in his favor, the only way to change it is to open up the FTBA in the legislature and the antis DO NOT want to do that.
There's not much in the mainstream press (not surprising) about what's going on here but this little rebellion has got one helluva head o' steam right now. |
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runamok
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by johnnycgood
on Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:26 am |
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Good for 20/20. I hope they stir up a little sh#t storm with their report.
Like you said, the local newspapers are sooooo one sided with the anti's it's not even funny.
Here in Elko (very small town) we have 2 bars on mainstreet that are right next to each other. Both bars reside in these 2 old buildings and are both very similar in atmosphere and clientel.
For a while, both bars were doing theater nights until the MN Dept. of Health came by and told them to stop it or face a fine. One bar stopped, the other told them to take a hike and continues to hold theater nights (shown on my KSTP news link earlier in this thread).
I was down at both bars the other night and I decided to do a little survey.
The smoking bar = 26 patrons. The non-smoking bar had ONE.
Tell me again how this smoking ban isn't hurting business owners? Sheesh! |
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johnnycgood
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by runamok
on Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:25 pm |
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runamok
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