We hear from backslapping politicians and those who lobby them that smoking in public is a health issue of crisis magnitude. We must remove this demonic plague. For the children, of course. Its always the children. But after reading and commenting on several message boards around the country on this subject, I find little talk of for the children. Yep. Most adults that wish smoking banned have a much different and more selfish reason. It's simply the smell. We'll use the word stinks. It stinks and we don't want to be around stench. We don't want stink on our clothes, etc.

It's strange indeed that many who follow that line of thought are what we call 'conservatives' and 'capitalists.' Capitalists calling for a ban on the liberty to smoke "because it stinks." Yet, these very capitalists have no problem wishing a chicken processing plant or something similar onto the masses. After all, we all know how lovely wet and rotting feathers accompanied with animals' innards, rotting or not, smell, don't we?

Yes indeed! Capitalists and socialists working hand in hand through SB-90, a bill that tells other capitalists they can't let stink in their own business, even if they chose to! [ Georgia Smokefree Air Act of 2005 ]

Are you aware that an employer -- in a Yankee state no less -- has given his employees an ultimatum: Don't smoke or be fired! He doesn't smoke and either all his employees that do shall quit or be terminated. 'Three cheers!' say capitalists and socialists. An employer has the right to tell employees what they can do on the job and suddenly at their own home as well. This a strange union of thought from two presumably different ideologies.

At any rate, there is a great danger if this is allowed to stand. What is being established now is a new precedent. Frankly, if this non-smoking employer can fire those who smoke at home then an employer who loves to smoke and likewise thinks everyone should do as he does can force all his employees to start smoking or be terminated.

Of course, that isn't likely to happen. But insert some other habit, health issue, religion, whatever you will and suddenly employers are given a new absurd power to force their will on the citizenry. For instance, according to the government's Body Mass Index sheet, a person your height should weigh between so and so. Either gain 25 lbs. if you happen to be under or lose 25 if you happen to be over or you will be terminated. I am a Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, etc. Either you will convert or you will be terminated. I am black/white/Asian/whatever, either you seek medical assistance in attaining a race change or crawl back up the birth canal and try again, and---get it right this time--- because I don't have eternity to wait on you, or you will be terminated.

Sometimes when we are out to save the world from itself, we have to be careful we don't get just what we ask for. Or as Pogo says, "We have met the enemy and he is us."

Carl Sears is a dedicated activist and member of The Wiregrass Rangers Camp 2006 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans in Douglas, Georgia.