Letter: In defense of liberty and the freedom to smoke

Friday, Aug. 10, 2007 | 7:19 a.m.

As a U.S. Marine Corps vet, I was only one who served to preserve this country's life, liberty and freedoms, but now we have a nanny government that has actually taken away many of our freedoms. One is the freedom to choose where to go to eat, drink and smoke.

When I want to go to a restaurant or bar in my leisure time and have food, and I want to indulge in smoking, there should be a restaurant or bar that offers both of those options.

Competition is great and always has been. Why should only nonsmokers enjoy their leisure time over dinner and drinks? There should be food service establishments that cater to the smoker also.

Everyone should take responsibility for his own actions. All are free to either walk in or out of the business. The nonsmoker could choose restaurants that are totally nonsmoking while the smoker would have his place to patronize.

I served in the military for freedoms and liberties - and freedom of choice - for all of us. I should have that right to choose where and what I want to do as long as it is a legal act.

Prohibition doesn't work - I want my freedoms back. Why serve in the military to preserve our freedoms if these nanny nosies take them away from all of us?

Bradley Kuhns, Las Vegas