[Vision2020] "Please do not continue to confuse people with facts."

[Tom Hansen]

Joe Campbell stated:

"I am unhappy with the details of this particular law -- the 20 foot rule
is just one example. That strikes me as unnecessary overkill. And it is
always a bad idea to pass a law that cannot be enforced."

True, Joe.  The smoking ban may be extremely difficult for local
authorities to enforce.

What I do foresee, though, is a bunch of citizen complaints being filed
with the Moscow Police Desk Sergeant ("Hey, Sergeant Jones, they're
smoking over at John's Alley again.") . . . not to mention a major
increase in unnecessary 911 calls ("Quick!  Get over to CJ's!  I just saw
two of them light up.").

This could expend local police resources that could be better utilized
pursuing real crimes.  By the time the local authorities issue the
ten-dollar citation to "Joe the Smoker", local authorities would have
already spent time and effort dwarfing the ten-dollar "revenue" the city
would realize . . . at a time when budgets are tightening.

Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails."

- Unknown