FREEDOM
Don't like smoke? Go somewhere else

Only a nincompoop would argue that smoking or prolonged exposure to second-hand smoke isn't hazardous to one's health. But the city of Louisville's proposal to ban all indoor smoking at private businesses, including restaurants and bars, isn't about health. It's about individual liberty versus government control over the peaceful choices of individuals.

With today's smoking rules in Louisville, one can easily and freely choose to avoid second-hand smoke by not patronizing any business that isn't smoke-free and by not applying for employment at any business that permits indoor smoking.

It's really very simple. If you don't like a business' smoking rules, don't go there. Boycott it. Take your money elsewhere. What's so difficult about that? That's what my wife and I do.

My wife and I are both nonsmokers and we can't stand the stink of second-hand smoke. And my wife is asthmatic, and she can have an acute reaction to second-hand smoke. Nevertheless, we respect the peaceful choices of others to decide how to run their peaceful businesses. If a peaceful business chooses to cater to smokers, that's its right. We'll just go elsewhere. We don't expect all business to cater to our preferences. We accept the fact that Louisville is a diverse community, and we tolerate other people's peaceful choices.

The Libertarian Party of Boulder County supports individual liberty and personal responsibility. The party opposes the proposed Louisville smoking ban. Please visit our web site atwww.lpboulder.org.

CHUCK and DEBORAH WRIGHT
Louisville