The Minnesota State Senate seems to have confused what the word "public" means as it has passed a "public" smoking ban. The ban is on smoking in most indoor "public" places. The only problem is that this includes private bars and restaurants. It seems that the legislature in most states have seemed to forget that privately owned establishments are not "public" places. They are owned by private individuals. And being a private place nobody is forcing the public to enter there, like say the Department of Motor Vehicles or the County Courthouse.

How long do we have to wait before someone challenges the constitutionality of these laws? Hello ACLU? Where are you? You challenge the constitutionality of the Hazleton ordinance - with a massive amount of lawyers - that pulls the business licenses of those who hire illegal aliens in this country, but you totally ignore laws that are impacting the private rights of businesses to allow a legal activity to occur in their establishment.

We need a business to stand up to this BS like Hazleton stood up. They can open a legal defense fund, to which I'm sure many businesses nationwide would donate to, and challenge these laws all the way up to the US Supreme Court.

Star Tribune

The Minnesota Senate voted 41-24 on Tuesday to approve a sweeping, statewide smoking ban that would eliminate most indoor smoking in public places, including bars and restaurants, beginning Aug. 1.
What it does

The bill prohibits smoking in public places, aboard public transportation and at public meetings. Violations would be petty misdemeanors.

The measure allows bars, restaurants and bingo halls to build outdoor smoking patios. Electricity and heating would be allowed on the patios but not food or beverage service.

Next up for Minnesota, a ban on the sale of chocolate in donut shops. I mean what's the difference? Chocolate is probably somehow linked to obesity - which is not healthy - offends people who are on diets - and can smell it from miles around - and donut shops are privately owned.

Sounds ridiculous doesn't it? Not really. Once legislators start being able to enforce what private businesses can do it's only the beginning. Look at New York City's ban on trans-fat. That probably sounded pretty ridiculous as well.

Tipped by: Captain's Quarters who has changed his stance on this issue and has some excellent comments going on including one that points out there is already anti-obesity legislation being pushed.