I have a new cause

[Droopy]

To hell with Dubya. There isn't anything I can do about him. Nothing has made me feel more powerless than watching the political scene over the last 5 years or so. I've done what I can do.

Coming home from Toledo, Ohio tonight I stopped in the Petro Travel Plaza in North Baltimore, Ohio. I didn't have anywhere I needed to be and I wanted to cash in on the reward points that I had earned from fueling at the Petro. I had over $160 in store credit. I was also hungry and thought I'd have a nice, hardy truck stop meal. I hadn't eaten in a truck stop in over five years. I just do short haul runs now. I'm home every night.

I stopped by the reward kiosk and cashed in some of my points then headed toward the restaurant. I could smell the smoke before I even entered the place. Keep in mind that this was around 10:00 at night when the restaurant isn't nearly as busy as it is during the day. I could see a haze of smoke that was blanketing the restaurant.

The non-smoking section was a joke. It was actually on a platform in the middle of the restaurant surrounded by the smoking section. It looked like it seated 20 people. The rest of the restaurant easily seated 100 people. I still smell like smoke as I write this.

I understand why Petro allows this sort of thing. About 75% of my truck driving brothers and sisters smoke and Ohio law does not prohibit smoking in public places. And I understand why so many of my truck driving brothers and sisters smoke. Driving for 11 hours at a time is either stressful or boring both of which emotions are conducive to smoking. The reason I know that is that I was a smoker until a couple of months ago.

As you've probably seen and heard there are many anti-smoking campaigns going on right now. I hear their commercials on the radio all the time. They are trying to get laws passed in Ohio that prohibit smoking indoors in public places. I'm going to see what I can do.

[NMMNG]

1. I admire your cause, it is a worthy one

This thread will likely be the beginning of a flamewar but so be it. I'm on your side!

[aePrime]

2. I read every word of your post

and I can't tell if you're for or against the laws that prohibit smoke in indoor public areas.

[Droopy]

3. Read a little closer

[aePrime]

6. I've read it three times

I still find that it's ambiguous. You seem to be describing something that you are against, but then you defend your smoking brethren, like they need to smoke to cope with the job.

[Droopy]

7. I'm just saying that I understand.

But I quit and I think they should too. That's why I support anti-smoking campaigns. I didn't mean to be ambiguous.

[aePrime]

10. I know you didn't mean to be ambiguous

and I wasn't trying to be snide. I was just letting you know that I found it a little unclear :). Of course, I am having a lot of trouble keeping my eyes open (it's past my bedtime), so it could just be me :).

Good luck in your endeavor!

[Heidi]

4. Nominated. I'm a smoker

but I think it's rude and unhealthy to smoke indoors. It's probably also rude and unhealthy to smoke outdoors, but it seems less intrusive and I always _ask_ the people around me before I light up. Indoor "smoking sections" are, indeed, a joke.

Go, Droopy. :thumbsup:

[Droopy]

5. Thank you

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. Great story, my dear Droopy...

I was just about to head off to bed...when I saw your name here in the Lounge...

I always want to see what you have going on, so here I am...

This is a terrific cause...There are a lot of groups working to change the environment on indoor smoking...

Americans for Non-Smokers Rights, ASH...and the list goes on...

My husband has supported them for years, and we are very happy that in California, no smoking is allowed indoors anywhere...

It is such a relief to be able to go out and not have to ask about non-smoking sections, such as they were....

Good luck with your new cause!

Kicked and nominated...btw....

:kick:

[Droopy]

9. Thank you

Yeah, I used to think the smoking ban in California was such a pain in the ass when I went out there. Now I wish we had the same thing.