Clinton says

1. "If I'm in a place where I can't smoke and I really gotta have one, I go the hell somewhere else... if it's so easy for a smokers to do, why is it so hard for a non-smoker to do??"

Its so hard for me to do because there just ain't any no-smoking folk venues in my area - Are you saying that because I don't smoke I should not be allowed to attend folk clubs???

and also 2. "But in a place where smoking is unrestriced... if yer a non-smoker or allergic... tough... life sucks... get a helmet... Just don't go there?!?! Isn't that the mature thing to do rather than going to such a place and expecting to get your own way???"

In a place where there is no disabled access - if you are disabled - tough - life sucks. Is this realy acceptable???

Sorry but these arguments do not realy stand up to close scrutiny.

I will happily give you a good argument for smoking - You pay more taxes than non-smokers and should therefore get some additional benefits! It's the only one which I could use and keep a straight face when I used to smoke. I'll think of counter sooner or later but it is a tough one!

I do agree with your general theme though - lets have non-smoking and unrestricted smoking venues. I would be more than happy with that as long as there are some non-smoking folky venues. After reading the thread I think we need to have a 'one week on - one week off' trial at our club - would that satisfy everyone???

Cheers

Dave the Gnome