I know politics and religion and subjects we aren't to dicuss may I add one more? PLEASE! About This Page:

[mrsmac2001]

SMOKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a smoker and I am sick to death of everyone beating up on smokers. We are not evil. We are not the bane of your existence. We are living, breathing (no pun intended), tax paying, job holding, voting and most of us upstanding, members of our communities.

I know it's "PC" to beat up on smokes but enough already. If someone started talking about fat people, or people of color, or people of a different sexual orientation or religion they would be ran out of the country and banned from the boards but it seems to be OKAY to talk about smokers in such disparaging ways you would believe we were all murderers and thieves.

I don't smoke where I shouldn't. I don't even blow it in the wind in the direction of other smokers. That would be just plain rude. But you know what's even more rude?

People that talk about us in such horrible terms. The-holier-than-thou-I-have-never-smoked-or-I-quit-because-it-was-deemed-evil people!

You know who you are so I won't name names. There are those of us on these boards that smoke and we have to discuss that fact hidden in PM's so we are not stoned by those "Bertha-better-than-yous" (not meaning anyone named Bertha for Pete's sake so don't get you panties in a bunch).

We are lovely people with a bad unhealthy habit. We aren't perfect, are you? I don't flick my butts out the windows. I don't throw them on the ground. I am very conscious of those around me so how about you be more understanding? Gagging and coughing and saying rude things only makes me want to do all those things I shouldn't

So what I am asking. For the love of Heaven and all that is good......BAN THE SUBJECT OF SMOKING AND/SMOKERS along with your religion and politics.

*climbing down off my soap box now*

Can you be adults and climb off yours?

[lukeandbrookesmom]

I am not a smoker, never have been and I agree with you. It is a very sensitive and passionate subject for both sides and it almost always seems to end up ugly. There was quite a nasty posting elsewhere here today and I was shocked - not very Passporter-like at all.

[mttafire]

I dont smoke, Never did.
I have NO problem with anyone smoking. However, When i HAVE to breath the second hand smoke then it IS a problem. Then YOUR bad habit affects others.
Tobacco like "snuff" does NOT affect others. Smoke DOES.
It all really is a non issue. In the near future Disney like EVERYWHERE else WILL ve smoke free. Here in Ohio the VOTERS approved a measure to ban smoking indoors-
Restaurants and all.
As for politics..Debate IS healthy. My dad was a smoker for 40 years!
He stopped in ONE weekend. Why?
Better health! and it saves him a ton. Now he realizes just how stupid it is.
He disagrees with the "Habit" term.. He stated, "If one wants to stop..They can."
Anyways, Smoke all you want...But get used to doing it a home..Cause thats all you're gonna be able to..
Comparing smokers to...RACE, Sexual orientation or any other NON choice of lifestyle is nonsense. Smoking IS a choice....Just like eating too much.

[BelleoftheBallNV]

i think its fair to add this to the banned list...

if they ACTUALLY enforce the other banned topics too...i see alot of *god bless you's* at the end of posts you know...i dont say anything, cos well, why cos a fracas over something not intended negatively, and make it EVEN more difficult for me to fit in here

i will say this, as long as its *safe* for me to exersise my freedom of speech about your (wildly understated) bad habit...i will...its not about it being *evil*....i mean, it has nothing to do with MORALS....its a health issue, plain and simple...i didnt quit smoking cos i was going to (fictional) he//. i quit because i was going to kill myself for no good reason, and because i was destroying my body...that has absolutely nothing to do with the balance of good vs. evil

i also follow the rules to the best of my knowledge at all times.

[mttafire]

Originally Posted by BelleoftheBallNV

i think its fair to add this to the banned list...

if they ACTUALLY enforce the other banned topics too...i see alot of *god bless you's* at the end of posts you know...i dont say anything, cos well, why cos a fracas over something not intended negatively, and make it EVEN more difficult for me to fit in here

i will say this, as long as its *safe* for me to exersise my freedom of speech about your (wildly understated) bad habit...i will...its not about it being *evil*....i mean, it has nothing to do with MORALS....its a health issue, plain and simple...i didnt quit smoking cos i was going to (fictional) he//. i quit because i was going to kill myself for no good reason, and because i was destroying my body...that has absolutely nothing to do with the balance of good vs. evil

i also follow the rules to the best of my knowledge at all times.

Good points.

[Happymommy]

Lori, I know you know I have issues with smoking because of my son's asthma because we've posted about this before. So, I'm thinking you might be referring to me. After the discussions that took place when the hotels went non-smoking (which I was against that ban as well), I've tried to stay out of all of the discussions because I know how much they upset you (at the same time there were a few posts-- I don't believe they were by you but some things were said that I felt picked on as well-- so I'm happier staying out of the discussions). I don't think anyone thinks smokers are bad people---- I know I do not think that at all---- there are many people who I have loved througout my life who have been smokers. I say ban the discussion--- because it gets so heated, and we have enought aggravation in our non-internet lives. But if not---- try your best to ignore the smoking discussions--- try not to even look at them, that's what I do, and you'll be happier. You're a wonderful person, and everyone here loves you--- even I who can't be around smoke (my grandmother died of an asthma attack, so I take Aidan's asthma very seriously)--- don't think evil of smokers--- not for one second.

[Happymommy]

Originally Posted by BelleoftheBallNV

if they ACTUALLY enforce the other banned topics too...i see alot of *god bless you's* at the end of posts you know...i dont say anything, cos well, why cos a fracas over something not intended negatively, and make it EVEN more difficult for me to fit in here
.

I actually think saying "god bless you" is allowed--- I remember reading a long post about this years ago when I first joined, and it's religious discussion that's not supposed to take place, but to say something to the effect of "I'll keep you in my prayers" was ok. This board is very good about enforcing banned topics.

[wvugrrrl]

I'm with Lori on this one. It's definitely a subject that seems to get people fired up, and not in a healthy way (that was a smoking pun - trying to lighten up the subject matter! ). To me, this subject is a lot like religion and politics, in that there ends up being no resolution; just lots of hurt feelings and/or "agree to disagrees."
I don't see anything wrong with someone asking a question like, "Do you know where the smoking location is in the MK.?", but I do think stating things like, "Gawd, all smokers are going to give the world cancer, especially the ones at WDW!" is a little ridiculous.
The PP message board moderators seem to be pretty good about stopping any heated discussions in its tracks, as long as they're under the parameters about god, religion, ethnicity, etc. I don't see why this can't be another taboo topic - it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with being "PC;" just more along the lines that certain people shouldn't have to feel like criminals because of a habit that 9 times out of 10, they don't even bring up themselves in conversation, but that they always feel they've either got to defend themselves, or go on the offensive. Either way is alienating and unfair, especially on a site that really has nothing to do with smoking, religion, politics, drugs, or whatever your "poison" may be.

[DebiDebiDebi]

Right now, we all just need to step back and breathe deep. I don't know what brought on this particular thread, and I am sorry if you have been offended, Lori. Right now, smoking is not a banned topic, and unless the Administrators choose to ban it, it is and will remain an open topic. HOWEVER...we all need to address such topics with politeness, tact, and with absolutely no finger pointing. We all have strong feelings about strong topics, but we are adults, and need to address these things as such.

i think its fair to add this to the banned list...

if they ACTUALLY enforce the other banned topics too...i see alot of *god bless you's* at the end of posts you know...i dont say anything, cos well, why cos a fracas over something not intended negatively, and make it EVEN more difficult for me to fit in here

i will say this, as long as its *safe* for me to exersise my freedom of speech about your (wildly understated) bad habit...i will...its not about it being *evil*....i mean, it has nothing to do with MORALS....its a health issue, plain and simple...i didnt quit smoking cos i was going to (fictional) he//. i quit because i was going to kill myself for no good reason, and because i was destroying my body...that has absolutely nothing to do with the balance of good vs. evil

i also follow the rules to the best of my knowledge at all times.

as for "God Bless You" etc, this is what the Passporter Guidelines say about this topic:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Religious and Political Topics
Please refrain from making religion or politics a topic of conversation on our message boards, except in those cases where it directly involves your travels (i.e, finding religious services, visiting holy sites, discussion or attractions and events of a political or religious nature such as the Hall of Presidents, the Candlelight Processional, Christmas season, attending political conventions, travel to places with political unrest, etc.). PassPorter welcomes everyone, but when religion and politics are discussed, the end result is that some people do not feel welcome and may be afraid to participate. We also ask that you do not make prayer requests, as this excludes those who do not pray from participating -- instead, you can ask for thoughts, "pixie dust" or good wishes, which anyone can offer. Typical expressions of religious or political belief and affiliation are welcome. You are welcome to say things such as, "I will pray for you," "I'm a Republican (Democrat, Christian, Buddhist, etc.)," "Christmas is my favorite time of year, and I love going to Midnight Mass," etc.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For now, I would ask that a truce be called. Until our administrators return and can address this in a way that they feel is appropriate, I would ask that everyone respect one another, and use kindness in how we post.

[mrsmac2001]

Actually some of you who thought it was you were not. In fact 99% of the people on here treat me lovely and I wouldn't hurt them for the world. I understand smoking is bad. If I had my druthers I wouldn't smoke either. That being said.

I just get tired of being treated (as a smoker) as a second class citizen.

I have enough stuff going on in my life right now without having to feel like this is not a place that welcomes me anymore.

I do love y'all, well most of y'all!

[Teresa]

Lori - just wanted to add my support. I don't smoke, but one of my best friends - the lady DH and I have chosen to raise our kids if something happens to us - does. Like a chimney. Her DH also smokes. I've known them for 22 years, and they are some of the nicest, most caring people I've ever known. None of their 3 children smoke.
I don't allow smoking in my home, but realize that it is a stress reliever for some. When smokers are at our house, I set up a place outside for them to sit and smoke. When I'm at their houses - I shut up and deal.

I'm sorry that you are feeling picked upon. Never a fun thing. I know how I felt when the religious discussions got heated and I'm really sorry you had to deal with that feeling today.

[Lemap760]

Sorry you feel offended Lori. I guess this is one of those topics that will always come under fire (pun intended for humor ) like the pro-choice/life debate, gay rights, etc.
Feel free to blow off some steam anytime.

[revral]

I too am sorry you've been offended Lori and I sincerely hope I haven't been an offender. (that doesn't sound right) If I have offended you than I am truly sorry as that was not my intention.

[disneyknut]

Hi Guys!
I feel I should also remind everyone of another of the guidelines of the PassPorter message board.. One in particular being "refrain from personal attacks"

Be Kind, Be Honest
Don't issue personal attacks, use profanity, or post threatening, abusive, harassing, or otherwise offensive language or images. You also may not impersonate another individual or communicate under a name that you are not entitled to use.

As a long time member of this board and also a message board moderator ( this forum being one of them) I feel that the PassPorter moderators and particularly Jennifer & Dave have made this a wonderful, safe & kind place to be in the most part DUE to the guidelines & I feel that my co-moderators and myself DO enforce these guidelines strictly. Personal attacks being one of the most strongly enforced.

As for adding smoking to a 'banned' list of topics that is simply not feasable as we would then have to ban other habits that certain people might find offensive such as over-eating, over-consumption of alcohol etc.

What I do think we all need to be made aware of is the WAY you respond to these so called "hot" topics.. if you think that you might upset another person with your response or subject starter , then you probably WILL upset them & it would be best to not respond or start that kind of topic at all.

Lori, I do not know what made you so upset & I am sorry you felt offended, but know that any guide or Jennifer & Dave are ALWAYS available privately to discuss any matter that upsets you or you would like to bring up. That same availablity holds true for EVERY PassPorter member!! As the guidelines states sometimes a matter can/should be held privately via e-mail or PM.

Thanks guys for understanding!

[RobDVC]

To each their own.