I'm not sure if everyone has been listening to the news lately. It is quite depressing, I admit. One trend I've noticed is the local, state, and federal governing bodies pushing their ideas of "good health" on everyone. By this, I mean, the recent onslaught of "no smoking" ordinances/laws. The City of Hayward recently passed an ordinance against smoking in public, i.e. on sidewalks, in their business districts, etc. They add to an ever increasing list of cities who have jumped onto this "healthy" bandwagon. There's also the state law (or whatever) they are pushing to pass that will not allow people to smoke in their own apartments or on the grounds of apartment complexes. Just shoot me now, okay?

As Shatter points out occasionally, I am older than some in my circles but I'm not Prohibition old by any means. I do remember, though, hearing my parents and grandparents talk about the times they (the government) tried to do away with alcohol. It's also harmful to your health. We all know what happened then...rum runners, bathtub gin, speakeasys, and the mob. I mentioned this the other day to someone and they said, "but there's no 'second-hand' alcohol" to which I replied, "sure there is; it's called DRUNKEN DRIVING! It kills millions of innocents each year all over the world".

I don't ask people to walk right up to where I'm smoking. I don't smoke around small children or older people who are infirmed. I CHOOSE to smoke. It's my right to smoke. Some people choose to run, ride bikes, and exercise. That's their right. I've had runners almost run over me when I am out walking. I've had bike riders almost hit me when THEY run the stop sign at the corner. Smokers are sedate. We sit or stand in a group, talk, laugh, and then we go back to work.

I picture this happening sometime soon:

A car travels out a long desolate road kicking up dust behind it. Finally reaching it's destination, it pulls into an almost filled parking area. The travelers inside the vehicle get out and look around to see if anyone is watching them move toward the building in the center of the field. They stagger their approach to the door, which is marked "Smoke Room", and the first traveler knocks. A window slides open and the traveler reaches into their coat pocket and pulls out a rectangular box and flashes it to the suspicious eyes behind the sliding window. The eyes recognize the pass for entry and opens the door just wide enough for one person to come through. Each of the other three travelers go through the same process to gain entry. The last person can't find their "pass" to get in. A suspicious look clouds the eyes of the doorkeeper and in a flash two very large men come from around the building and sweep the traveler away.

Upon entry behind the "Smoke Room" door the new entrants see a large dimly lit room with overstuffed couches and chairs flanked by smooth tables neatly arranged with multiple glass dishes. Upon closer inspection the wood appears spotted as if burned occasionally but falling embers. They listened and could hear music playing in the background as well as voices of others. The voices stopped when they walked in. Everyone turned to look at them. They opened their "passes" and pulled out their cigarettes placing one between their lips. The first traveler pulled out a lighter and lit their cigarettes. As they inhaled deeply, finally enjoying the feel of the smoke as it entered their lungs, the rest of the room returned to the conversations and the music played on. They were part of the "new underground".

Why, tell me, are we smokers letting the governing bodies do this to us without saying a word?