Another election and the neo-temperance movement marches on. This time the pleasure police have struck a blow to bar owners in Columbus Ohio. You may own the property and may own the business, but tough shit. You must cater to the oppressive majority (and only the oppressive majority) or face criminal penalties.

I've lived in Ohio and trust me, the number of people who smoke there is much greater than in most places. This will have a definite negative impact on local businesses. But too bad for those folks. The majority rules in this country and if that means taking away their livelihood so that non-smokers will have a wider range of restaurants to choose from, so be it. As long as they are stepping all over people's property rights, maybe they should mandate half price drink specials.

Maybe I am being too cynical on this issue. Still, tobacco is much less popular than fatty foods or alcohol, so there is a real chance of it being completely banned. It was long been my contention that a total ban is inevitable and this is yet more evidence of that. Today it's tobacco. Tomorrow maybe it'll be something you enjoy.