Today’s commentary about life in general will be two-fold in design. It’s value packaging!! Two…two…two rants for the space of one! What will I think of next?? Zow-wee!

Ok, enough of that. I’m going to be addressing both the new Arkansas Clean Indoor Air Act of 2006…and the state law (HB 1739) which mandates the use of headlights when windshield wipers are in operation.

So, without further adieu… here’s my take on the smoking law. The Arkansas Clean Indoor Air Act of 2006 (Also called ACT 8) basically says that all employers with three (3) or more employees are subject to this law. All enclosed buildings where less than ½ of the building is considered to be doorways must be smoke-free. Fines can range anywhere from $1000 to $1500 per violation.

Now…. Before you assume that I am against being healthy, let me state that I have been smoke-free for almost a year now. I enjoyed smoking because it was relaxing and pleasant to me. However, it was also killing me and posing severe risks to the health of those around me. For not only the preservation of my own life, but that of my friends and family, I chose to quit. But that’s not going to stop me from ranting against this absurd law.

I’m sure it was constructed with the best of intentions, and that there are as many (if not more) supporters and backers of this law than there are those opposed to it. I can’t help but feel that this is, once again, a blatant overstepping of government into its citizens’ personal human rights. Employers should be “allowed” to enact laws governing the permission to smoke within their privately owned places of business, but should not be subjected to state laws which may hinder establishments specifically designed to accommodate those who choose to smoke. Bars and pubs, billiard halls, and certain restaurants derive income from patrons who might otherwise not visit if their choice to smoke either before or after a meal was taken from them.

I fully realize the fundamental truth behind the health risks of second-hand smoke. I also fully recognize the rights of non-smoking individuals to breathe clean air in businesses. This is not an argument against the health-conscious citizens. I’m merely saying that employers should be allowed to weigh the risks of allowing employees and/or patrons to smoke inside their businesses on a case by case basis. Not because some set of legislators decided that we need to have our behaviors policed in the interest of overall well-being. This doesn’t adequately reflect an accurate overall majority view of this issue, in my opinion.

Take, for example, my place of business. Many shop workers are also smokers. This is their choice. But due to this new law, it is now regulated that all indoor enclosures are non-smoking areas, subject to fines and penalties if this law is violated. The workers argue that they are exposed to far worse airborne substances than mere cigarette smoke. Paint fumes…fuel vapors….welding fumes…smoke from metal oils burning away. Cigarette smoke is a drop in the bucket. Yet, they’re being subjected to local government saying, “We know better than you. Just do as we tell you or pay the price.”

Individual, basic, human rights are at the very core of the values we should cherish. While we, as a society, should be conscious and mindful of the equally basic human rights of our fellow man…we should also realize that we should not be told what is best for us. We’re adults. Our government was designed to be “Of the people, By the people & For the People”. I don’t recall hearing this matter being presented to “The People” for a majority vote. No… it was a legislative matter governed by elected representatives who, themselves, didn’t bother to put the matter up to a majority vote among their own constituents.

I have a prediction that this Law will eventually be amended and/or reconstructed as protests and viable arguments about its all-encompassing and biased construction come to light.

Now we take a little stroll down the line to a much more commonplace, everyday type issue. I know you’ve all seen them. I’ve seen them…sometimes almost too late to avoid them. Yes, we are talking about these moronic, booger-eatin’ abortions of commonplace logic. They, for some unknown reason, choose to not only dismiss any thought for their own safety… but inherently endanger every fellow driver on the road. By stubbornly refusing to use either their headlights, their wipers, or both…during inclement weather… they shroud their vehicles in road-spray and the curtain of dark gray rain that permeates the roadways. This makes it difficult for them to see us, but it’s twice as hard to see THEM.

Why, one must wonder, is it so difficult to activate two switches when they encounter rain? If a driver has no respect for his or herself, that’s one thing. But, if for no other reason than the prevention of serious and life-threatening accidents, they need to respect other innocent drivers and use their lights and wipers!!

There’s no other excuse than simple, unadulterated laziness on their part. And I, for one, am tired of seeing them zipping down the interstate like a big gray cloud, oblivious to anyone or anything but their own agenda.

The law was enacted to try to curb this dangerous and thoughtless behavior. But, I have yet to hear of anyone or see anyone ticketed for this. With the threat of rain looming on the horizon for central Arkansas today, I’m sure these inconsiderate, knuckle-draggin’ bastards will be out in force once again.

New feature on the blog: Stupid Word Of The Day
Gubernatorial - No truer terminology could be associated with a political race of any kind. They're all goobers.

More later...of course.