"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Wednesday 12 November 2014

Remembrance

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Whatever it takes":

Regarding the New York City soft drink size ban. June 26, 2014, the New York Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, ruled that the New York City Board of Health, in adopting the Sugary Drinks Portion Cap Rule, exceeded the scope of its regulatory authority.


I think that common sense ruled in this case. I hope that those fighting to ban smoking in parks take this to heart. 

Posted by Anonymous to Our Town and Its Business at 12 November 2014 08:45


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Here's the thing; I am not aware of pressure from the community to ban smoking in parks,sports fields and patio bars.

We  had a discussion here but the blog is a microcosm. Ka-non regularly takes a position on issues .Others  have chimed in but I don"t sense any passion. 

If we put our mind to it, it must be realized the idea will not fly. Any attempt to enforce such a ban with penalties will not be kindly received.

The  whole schmeer  is  likely but a feeble attempt to distract  from  more distracting issues. 

Like the state of the  provincial economy .


Or degradation of education despite the money being  poured into it.

Or the fact, the government has created a  problem of child care availability by providing child care availability in the schools.

Or the sewage treatment plant planned to be built on Lake Simcoe which will guarantee urban sprawl from Lake Ontario to Lake Simcoe. Exactly what Regional governments were intended to prevent. 

Oh yes, and there's the partially built gas fired power plants that will undoubtedly be needed after all. 

But fear not. Our doughty MLA is on hand to battle the problems. If he  can only  draw himself away from  municipal matters. 

I'm glad Remembrance Day is over. 

Apart from  sad reminders of  death and destruction and futility of  war, I find the politicization and commercializations of the day  just too excruciating .

There are no boundaries. No lines that can't be crossed . No  principles observed. No judgement 
exercised .

Words  and symbols like glory and bravery and heroism are tossed around to stir the masses.And they do...most effectively.

Words cost nothing. 

Grief and remorse, still fresh after seventy years, of those who returned is neither seen nor heard.

Traumatized walking wounded, hopelessly scarred by the modern concept of warfare that never  reveals the enemy are  not attended.

When the young men and women volunteers cheerfully hoisted knapsacks on their shoulders and went off to god-forsaken places ,it seems nobody told  them how it would be. 

Maybe because they never move their backsides of their comfortable pews.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...


It was Mayor Michael Bloomberg who personally wanted to ban soft drinks that came in containers over a certain size. He was absolutely right from a health and obesity standpoint. Obviously the New York Court of Appeals did not agree.

And so kids will be able to drink oversized containers of liquids that affect their health and add weight to their already fat bodies.

Smoking is an individual's choice and banning this from all public places makes nothing but sense.

Obesity and respiratory ailments and cancer all cost the health system billions of dollars.

Through a program of education both at home and in the schools youngsters might be persuaded that a regular sized coke or whatever is quite adequate and that they should do some physical activity to prevent them turning into lard people.

Smokers who end up in the hospital should have to pay the full shot of their hospitalization, doctors and medication costs.

We all have some personal responsibility for ourselves.

Anonymous said...

The smart ones let pictures tell the story. They say nothing themselves.

Anonymous said...

I think banning smoking in public parks etc. is a good idea. You don't have to get hung up on the enforcement issue. It is somewhat self policing.

Just picture yourself having a quiet meal at a local eatery. Suddenly, someone in the establishment lights up a smoke. I don't think you call the police or bylaw officers, but you can be sure that yourself, other patrons and the management will have the offender out the door.

Likewise in an office. Gone are the days when a fellow worker would sneak a few puffs in the lunchroom or a distant hallway. Today, that employee would be informally, if not formally, admonished and not likely to do it again.

So I think similar circumstances would prevail where prohibitions have been imposed.

Anonymous said...

Right. Go after the tobacco smokers and legalize pot.
How Alice in Wonderland is that ?

Anonymous said...

It's an awkward social situation when you would have to tell a soccer parent of one of the players on your daughter/son's team to move away from the field if they are going to smoke. Especially since you'll see that parent week in and out for the season. It would be worse if you had to make a call to get them to stop or move. But if signage is there perhaps it helps with mild group pressure (of the non-smokers) to get them to move on their own accord. (Even more awkward when the smoker is one of the coaches - though usually they are aware and only smoke far from the field - though it doesn't set the best of examples.)

Anonymous said...

11:29
Sanctimonious & judgemental from a perfect family

Anonymous said...

Scott has another good cartoon. He has such a light touch.

Anonymous said...

15:20
On the field at George St School there is plenty of space for everyone. People adjust.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...



It would be far more satisfying if we could look to the future with as much devotion and emotion as was expressed during the past few days.

Anonymous said...

How is this business allowed to operate in a residential subdivision?:

http://www.prweb.com/releases/day-spas-in-aurora/euroecospa/prweb12320467.htm

Anonymous said...

12:12 - Why wouldn't it be allowed?

Anonymous said...

12:12
No problem. We had a doctor who saw patients at home on Wednesday mornings. A very nosey neighbour believed he was a " sex " doctor and was having hysterics. Turned out he was perfectly normal and retired from the navy. They had the parking and did not harm.

Anonymous said...

I don't understand how a smoker can blow a smoke near you and think it's all right. I don't think they know how non smokers feel about the smoke, and especially those who are even allergic. And yes I didn't appreciated being smoked during the ceremony :(.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

12:12
You didn't know how many businesses in town operate out of residences ? I have realtors, salesmen and even a home cleaning outfit in my area.
Sports Aurora's base is the Town Hall.

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

I had a late afternoon day-care place for tiny tykes next door for 2 summers. Only called to growl at them once when some idiots read the kids Nicky Nicky Nine Doors

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

19:47 - I have no idea, that's kind of the point. It just seems odd for a spa to be operating out of a house in a strictly residential neighbourhood.

Maybe Councillor Buck could look into it?