Out-Orwelling Orwell

Philadelphia's smoking ban takes effect today; from 6abc.com: "The city's Health Department will begin enforcement of the smoking ban signed into law this month by Mayor John Street."

I've been to Philadelphia and smoking is the least of its problems. As usual, though, officials always take the path of least resistance when dealing with the city's problems. Corruption and crime run rampant in Philadelphia and the schools surely have problems, but if Joe Sixpack lights up in a bar - look out! Since police are incapable of fighting crime and politicians are incapable of fixing schools and fighting their own internal corruption, they target the easy catch. "Vote for me! I'm tough on smoking! Who cares if your kids can't read, your street has 18 potholes that need to be filled, or the crack house is so busy it needs an occupancy permit; I'm tough on the real problem of the city - smokers!"

Once again, the anti-smoking crowd has out-Orwelled Orwell. If you recall, the one thing Winston Smith was able to do at will, was smoke. He was even allowed to smoke while under arrest.

Those people who are employed to enforce the ban should should be fired and replaced with policemen and the police should be allowed to do their jobs without fear of accusations of profiling or discrimination. But, that's an issue for another day.