Out of sight, out of mind
Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 10:12 It's customary, at this time of year, to pay homage to the Battle of Ideas.
It's a magnificently organised event, a wonderful networking opportunity, and for many participants it has that priceless feel good factor.
Why, then, did I feel so deflated on Sunday?
Perhaps it was because an important smoking-related issue was sidelined, added to the programme as an afterthought (ie not included in the main brochure), given a lunchtime slot (when everyone was, er, having lunch), and allocated an alcove that was not so much off piste as 'out of sight, out of mind'.
How ironic, I thought, as I counted the handful of people who bothered to attend 'Hot off the press: outdoor smoking bans', that even at an event like this the war on tobacco has been marginalised to the outermost fringe.
It's not the first time either. I did a similar session in the same space two or three years ago.
Curiously, on the one occasion I was invited to speak as part of the main programme I was asked to talk about food not tobacco.
And the time we were asked to support a wrap party we were invited to do so as The Free Society not Forest.
If this sounds a bit curmudgeonly, even ungrateful, I should add that I have never wavered in my support for this impressive annual event. The year I spoke I even discharged myself from hospital to be there! (See That was the weekend that was.)
So at risk of alienating certain people, I think I'm justified in being a bit disappointed that smoking prohibition and the important issues it raises about government intervention and personal liberty has not been given the prominence it deserves.
Reader Comments (4)
Barry's piece was an eye opener and evidence of why govt needs to listen to smokers, especially those in a very vulnerable position.
As for the event, it isn't the only one that appears to believe in selective liberty. When our freedom groups believe in freedom but for the thing they either dislike or don't understand, or worse, are ashamed of then I think we all have a right to feel pissed off.
Sadly, many in the mainstream (both movers and shakers and followers) have accepted the demise of smoking. The relentless propaganda and lies about second hand smoke stimulating fear and supported by coercion have pushed smokers to the margins.
It's time ti assert smokers rights, counter the lies and exaggeration and demand a seat at the table. Outdoor smoking bans just be stopped, indoor bans must be amended. The persecution of smokers must end.
I'm not surprised at the outcome of the event (lies)
The liars have the money and so get away with whatever they say.
They say I shouldn't give a damn about 25% of the population. So be it.
That 25% of the population also has family and friends.
“When our freedom groups believe in freedom but for the thing they either dislike or don't understand, or worse, are ashamed of then I think we all have a right to feel pissed off.”
Or even ... when our freedom groups believe in freedom, but for the thing they either dislike or don't understand, or worse, are ashamed of, we should all (smokers and non-smokers alike) be afraid. Very afraid. Today it’s smokers. Tomorrow … ? It never ceases to amaze me that people in large numbers aren’t already concerned about this. Such is the power of brainwashing, I guess.
Shame on the Battle of Ideas. Perhaps they should re-name the event the Battle of Capitulation next year.