A Fond "Fare Well"

Due to Berkeley's draconian new anti-smoking ordinance I can no longer risk spending any of my recreational time there. To Berkeley this means, also, I will not be spending any of my money there, either.

Saddest of all, I will not be seeing my new friends at the Albatross. It's been fun. Especially my success-against-the-odds as an undercover cop in Cash 'n' Guns!


I've enjoyed meeting all of you. Though practically strangers all of you made me feel welcome.

A special thanks to Gabe, for taking the initiative to start this group. And "Linda", was it? Thanks for the tip about the Oakland group. I understand you accidentally left your Scrabble set behind--I hope you got/get it back!

Fondly,
Jim

Sorry to see you go Jim. I enjoyed gaming with you on those Friday nights at the Albatross. Thanks for coming out!

So is this a political stance or something more personal? I wonder if such ordinances signify the tightening of freedoms in Berkeley or are they part of a larger realization by communities about the various damage and costs of smoking to both individuals and those among which they live. Anyway, I don't want to go all political. I just want to say that you are fun guy and great gamer. Good luck in your travels. Hope to see you again some time!

Mostly it is personal.
A first "offense" is a $100 fine. The second is $500. I certainly can't afford that. I have not known Berkeley to go light on parking tickets. I have been given a ticket when 1 MINUTE after meter expiration I was walking up to my vehicle. When I plead for mercy the meter cop said to me, "Sorry, I've already started writing it, I have to finish it." $45.

There are political and societal elements as well. There are many people who will abuse others if they think they can get away with it. Like the people who see that you are smoking, they are 40ft upwind, they glare at you with condemnation in their eyes and make a show of having a coughing fit. People like that are worse for MY health than the cigarettes, and there's no shortage of them in Berkeley. This is not about health, it's about easy targets. Alchohol abuse does far more harm to society and to people not drunk than "second hand" smoke does. and despite the propaganda, the first-hand smokem already takes a far worse toll on the smoker than on anyone else.

Finally, the city council SAYS this is about clearing the homeless population out of the commercial centers of town. Where are those people to GO? People without sufficient resources to to keep roofs over their heads and put regular meals in their bodies and Berkeley wants to slam them with multi-hundred dollar fines to drive them from town? Maybe they can resort to home invasion in the suburbs... Where is the compassion in supposedly "progressive" Berkeley? Apparently it does not extend to the poor, the mentally and physically disabled, the addicted, or traumatized veterans if they happen to smoke. Unless of course they have money. God bless America.

Even if I weren't a smoker (who never smokes indoors, even in the foulest of weather), who strives to be courteous to others and minimize the impact of the habit on others, I would be ashamed of Berkeley for treating human beings this way. That Berkeley, as a city, would choose to institutionalize an attack on people-and they have publicly said they are targeting a population, not a behavior or substance-and claim that they are "helping" people and "protecting" society is revolting and hypocritical in the extreme.

I am issuing Berkeley a 50 incarnation ticket for an ethical violation.

*whew* OK. Off my chest, for the moment. Got a little political on you there. Sorry, but that was unavoidable if I were to address the question honestly, which I have tried to do. Unlike Berkeley.

I DO hope we shall all meet again as friends, whether in a smoke-free zone or not.

Jim,

I couldn't let you leave w/out first saying something here:

Now, I don't know much about anything(much less, about politics), and who I am to comment on such topic.... Though, I can go all deep w/your post, here is not a place to do it.

In succint, political abusement, societal cruelty, and human injustice:

*Smoking law enforcement~ Only in the best interest of the non-smokers.
(The next time if someone make a show of having a coughing fit, offer him/her a pack of your cigarette).

*Meter ticket~ Watch that meter!Think of it as your p. ticket is a ticket to his/her meal, as s/he may not have issued tickets in v. in ages and that s/he may have a family to feed(not alone-h/h self!.
(Hope this never happens again, but if it does, flash/offer h/her a "random" attorney-biz card b4 s/he can complete the write up!)

*Hyprocrites~ There is nothing much you can do about that...but just hope and wish they die happy knowing the hyprocites ppl that they are/were!

All to say, the Earth is round but not everyone is well-rounded(in morality and compassionate sense)...
Though you didn't come out in time to feed your meter, you did your part by feeding the meter officer.
About your nicotine habit, though, it is non of anyone's business what you do and you have every right to fo what you do, I do hope that you are considerate about the... for the "youth", right?

For the short amount of time that I have known you- spoke to and played games with, you are a fun and a kind soul! And knowing that you had my back at one point, it is now my turn to have your back(if my support is at all of any ficillitation 2U).

Btw, I will sound cliche, but with that Linda lady, I am guessing she prolly has not read any of the message here as (again, guessing) this might not be her main meetups and (guessing) she has other meetups to occupy/operate with. You might want to personally contact her...(that is, if you have not done that yet or that if you want to...). She seems like a very nice person and you deserves all the support that you may need...

Take care!

-Net

Thank you, Net,
I appreciate your note of support, and I will miss you. I have enjoyed gaming with you very much! Keep Alameda gaming strong!