The House narrowly agreed to the Senate version of a smoking ban, sending to the governor a bill that would ban smoking in bars and restaurants.
“This bill has come a long way,” said Rep. Hugh Holliman, the House Democratic leader and champion of the bill. “It’s had a much debate as any bill has ever had in this state.”
The N&O
Yeah, rights-killing fascist bills do tend to inspire debate, don’t they Heinrich?
Gov. Beverly Pedue is expected to sign the bill into law. It’s a law that might have been unthinkable just a few years ago in a state built on the tobacco industry.
That might have been unthinkable just a few years ago in a country built on freedom and private property rights, but I guess those have become quaint antiquated notions these days.
The original House version allowed smoking only in businesses that prohibited anyone under 18 from entering the premises. That exception generally excluded all bars from the ban.
But the version adopted by the Senate removed the section of the bill that applied the ban to all workplaces.
Holliman said the compromise was “probably as good as you’re going to do on a bill that’s as far reaching as this.” He held open the possibility that he would take another run at all workplaces later.
Oh, I’m sure you will, you little fascist jerk. Because you can’t stand that someone else might have the freedom to do something you disagree with. When “Heinrich Himmler” Holliman introduced this rights-killing atrocity a few months ago, I pondered what might happen if you dosed him with sodium pentathol and asked him what he really though of his constituents. But I don’t think we need to- we already know. This is a man who thinks he’s so damn freaking smart, he can tell private property owners what legal activities they can and can’t allow in their own establishments. He’s so damn freaking smarter than all of you, he’s going to take it upon himself to make consumer choices for everyone.
Hugh “Heinrich Himmler” Holliman epitomizes the most dangerous trend in American politics today- the slow but inextricable tilt towards soft tyranny. His is a smiley-faced fascism with velvet chains that seduces you with open arms… then places you in a smothering bear hug from which you can’t escape. Y’know, Hugh is probably a very nice man. I’m sure he means well and honestly thinks he’s doing the right thing. But good intentions do not excuse the theft of freedom he has orchestrated.
Hugh Holliman, in trying to help you, has shown he does not respect you. He does not believe you are adults capable of making your own decisions. He does not believe that private property rights are sacrosanct in a free country. He does not believe that you are smart enough to decide, on your own, which establishments to patronize. So he is going to decide for you. Why? Because he won an election, and that must make him the smartest person in the world. Because he’s the government and he’s here to help you, as he seems to think you are incapable of helping yourself. And so, with a smile on his face and good intentions in his heart, Hugh “Heinrich Himmler” Holliman has taken a part of your freedom and used it to wipe his ass. As of today, you have less freedom. And if you know anything about government, you know you aren’t likely to get it back.
Today they went after smoking, a foolish and unpopular activity that had few supporters. But what about tomorrow? Today they have decided that private property rights are meaningless if used to engage in an unpopular activity. So what activity will they choose next, and what barrier exists to stop them, now that we have decided that private property rights are expendable once 51% of the people decide it is? Do you anti-smoking zealots have any idea the kind of Pandora’s box you have just opened up?
I hate smoking. I don’t want to be around smokers, so I, myself, choose not to be around them. I don’t want or need Hugh Holliman to do that for me. I am an adult; so are you. I am free; so are you. But thanks to Hugh and his merry band of well-meaning nannies, we are less free by the day. Today they came for smokers. What will they come for tomorrow?

Where Hugh Holliman lives…