tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1396682199178122530.post2566772872796998495..comments2023-12-28T22:22:42.307-08:00Comments on Nobody In Particular: BabysittingAaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03128359303310478673noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1396682199178122530.post-61648783935889221002010-01-19T09:23:09.221-08:002010-01-19T09:23:09.221-08:00You've picked a topic the libertarians used to...You've picked a topic the libertarians used to really fight about back in the day. Probably they still do. (It's generally easier for most libertarians to talk cogently about laws concerning behavior than about labor or empire.) On one hand, Nanny Stateism, on the other, public smoking might be swingin' the fist within the circumference of my nose.<br /><br />In public places, this isn't too hard a call, even if you don't invoke second-hand smoke as horrible toxic poison. It's a pretty stinky business for non-smokers, to which they are involuntarily subjected. Similarly, I can't elevate my noise level beyond some point, render beef tallow in my backyard, etc., even if it's probably not making anyone sick, without some dispensation from the public.<br /><br />On private/public spaces (bars, restaurants), it's a trickier philosophical matter, I guess. Second-hand smoke isn't a severe problem (in any one place!) unless you work or live there as a non-smoker. But if you do, does it violate reasonable levels of workplace safety? It's how they got the private establishments here. I personally think people should be allowed to smoke in a bar, and I never minded people doing it around me <i>too</i> much. But damn, it's not what I'd fight the power for. I do appreciate that in my rare excursions, I can taste my food and not reek when I get home.Keifushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00287358319899471490noreply@blogger.com