Monday, October 05, 2009

So Much for Freedom of Expression

A local government agency is refusing to hire smokers. [More]
I guess I shouldn't give a damn about the "rights" of anyone who wants to work as a tax collector, but I see several issues here, including some little nazi deciding gun ownership is a disqualifying health risk.

I'm surprised no one has tried that yet, actually.

10 comments:

DJK said...

WHaddya mean? Obama did it.

Unknown said...

The City of Tempe, AZ has had this policy since 1999/2000-ish if I recall correctly. I once had an opportunity to interview for a job there (IT sector), but upon hearing this passed it up - IMO its too big brother/nanny state to have your employer tell you how to live you're life...

Anonymous said...

I wonder how far down this road they would like to travel?

There is clear and convincing evidence that homosexual behaviour s a HUGE contributor to contracting aids.

Aids is not curable and it is fatal.

Does this mean they won't hire homosexuals? Does this mean that a prospective employee has to sign an affidavit saying that they have not engaged in homosexual activity more than 4 time in the last year?

Please tell us that this means Barney Frank can no longer get free health care - or even better - has to resign!

Kevin Wilmeth said...

Only the Master Race need apply.

Tom said...

Cleveland Clinic has been doing that for a while...as well as a bunch of other "private" businesses.

Blacks/jews/fattys/women/alcoholics/ex-cons/smokers need not apply.

Don't smoke, extend your life (and government's profits) The nazis were big anti-smokers too what with their charismatic leader and all.


wv=ststop...even the stutterers have had enough.

TJP said...

I'd chime in here, David, but the FTC might accuse me of being in the pocket of Big Tobacco and fine me $11,000 per comment.

Kent McManigal said...

People have the right to discriminate for any reason (freedom of association); governments do not have any rights at all.

Tom said...

People have the right to discriminate for any reason (freedom of association); governments do not have any rights at all.

OK Kent, you refuse to hire that black guy and let me know how that works out for you. You know damn well that the government has stolen that power and has the guns and "authority" to back it up. Unless you change the laws you currently do not have that right if some minority (which smokers now qualify as per definition) or some "protected" minority decides to fight that.

Kent McManigal said...

I also have a right to refuse to do business with any jerkwad who discriminates against people based on "race", sexuality, or whatever. The right of association cuts both ways.

I didn't say that government respects the right of association, but that doesn't mean we don't have it. Government "laws" violate most of our rights today.

fidelity_axiom said...

As a smoker, I would like to stop working around fat people. Fat people do more harm to their children then smokers do, but like Chomsky talks about, anti-smoking regulation has more to do with class-warfare than trying to reform American health.

Gannon said she is giving current employees who smoke nine months to kick the habit or they will have to pay 20 percent more for health insurance.

I would take this to court over as long as I work with fatties.

On my journal I've covered the ways smoking bans have negatively affected Oregon's lottery-based government. here & here if you're interested.