Bloomberg, that crinkled paper stand-in for a mayor, has signed into and unto law that smoking will shortly be illegal in NYC parks, beaches, plazas, and even freaking Times Square. Four points, if you please, and none of which even touches on the ghosts of when glamor was a living, sensational thing:
- The beaches of NYC are disgusting anyway. Not smoking at them is like going to war in silk jammies.
- Quite seriously, this is an extraordinary case of a somewhat legitimate public concern being inflated like the brat girl in Willy Wonka and permitted to kick civil liberties squarely in the nuts. I know many non-smokers who are not shy in expressing that my habit disturbs them. I have never known one to utter a peep when the ENTIRE FUCKING OUTSIDE WORLD is rendering the wee smoke from my wee cigarette virtually non-existent.
- First, they drove the whores out of Times Square (well, the honest ones). Now, smoking. To Bloomberg, I say: if you're going to deny people the need to inhale during the intermission of a terrible Broadway show, expect a lot of theaters to shut down. The need at such times is beyond urgent. I know - I saw Liz Taylor in Private Lives.
- Here's an idea: how about y'all take responsibility for your own health, and have the reciprocal courtesy to allow me to do the same?
