1. 

   Penny Meholick
   October 25th, 2011 - 23:39

   This is illogical. Don’t like murder? Don’t kill someone. Don’t like burglary? Don’t rob anyone.
   No – there are things that an organized society must tell others not to do.
2. 

   Sarah
   October 25th, 2011 - 23:50

   The whole point is that these things affect only the individual who is acting on them. It’s bullshit that most of these things are illegal due to other people simply being bigoted/ignorant. Laws should protect someone’s right to do what they like with their own lives/body.
3. 

   Louise
   October 26th, 2011 - 00:10

   and yet, when someone is drunk and decides to drive, it violates my right to safe roads. I have no problem with Alcohol, recreational drugs. What I do have a problem with is that when people are using those things they generally aren’t being smart about it- and someone could get hurt. If you want to pickle your liver, fine, do that. But don’t be putting myself and my kids in danger.
4. 

   Ginger
   October 26th, 2011 - 19:48

   That would be the reason for different laws regarding being found drunk in the streets and drunk behind the wheel.
5. 

   Chase
   October 26th, 2011 - 22:54

   Live and let live. you shouldnt have a problem with anyone’s decisions until its affecting you in one way or another. Obviously there are a bunch of rat turds out there that make stupid decisions like the before mentioned drinking and driving who should be punished for being a dumb fuck (there isnt a nice way to say that so my sincerest apologies) but it all starts with our corrupt government in my opinion.
6. 

   TerranRich
   October 28th, 2011 - 01:53

   Yeah, I don’t have a right to tell others not to smoke around me or my children, right? I don’t have the right to NOT get lung cancer and possibly die, thanks to ignorant smokers and their self-centered attitude that they have all the rights in the world. I’m sorry, but when somebody’s rights infringe upon the rights of others, that first right is no longer protected. I have the right to live and to not be exposed to chemicals that might physically harm myself or my children.

   If we can tell corporations not to pump harmful chemicals in the air, or dump chemicals in the water, then we can tell citizens to not smoke in certain places.
7. 

   Leasa
   October 28th, 2011 - 02:41

   No, you don’t have the right to tell people not to smoke around you if you take yourself and your children into their home or an area that’s designated for smoking or an area where you know smoking will be taking place, such as a bar. I think it outrageous that you believe that smokers are so self centered and believe that they have “all the rights in the world” when, in this day and age they are treated as pariahs that have no rights at all! Where are all these “self righteous” smokers you talk about? There are few to no public places it is even allowed anymore, including bars! As far as corporations are concerned it is laughable that you believe that we have any control over what them whatsoever. Their billions help to elect government officials who of course want to keep their contributors very happy. Oh, that was your argument for attempting to justify telling everyone else what they should do…Need a scapegoat? Just use the poor or addicted.
8. 

   MrM
   October 30th, 2011 - 14:33

   @Penny Meholick
   You got your concepts mixed up. Before you say it’s illogical, you should understand the difference between actual crimes (murder, burglary) and statutory prohibitions (gay marriage, drugs). They are not the same thing.
9. 

   Jaci
   October 31st, 2011 - 17:09

   Society affords no right to kill or rob, nor does it give the right to drive drunk or under the influence. The initial comment is gibberish.
10. 

    Matt
    November 2nd, 2011 - 10:57

    Guns, drugs [including alcohol], porn and cigarettes all have huge costs on society which we all end up paying for in our taxes. Guns, porn, drugs all lead to increases in crime which taxpayer-funded police have to deal with. Drug use leads to more healthcare needed. All healthcare due to smoking related illnesses should be paid for by the tobacco companies, not innocent taxpayers. This list of ‘freedoms’ is very simplistic, misleading and doesn’t stand up to reasoned debate & argument.
11. 

    bloodcrest
    November 8th, 2011 - 22:26

    Matt: those are the costs of freedom.
12. 

    Jo
    December 15th, 2011 - 13:03

    I’m so glad you ain’t anti gay marriages.

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