On June 1ST 2003 it became illeagal to smoke in any public place in Prince Edward Island...here is the fatmans choice of asshole of the month.(Pat Binns).
In a shameful sign of disrespect, greed and arrogance the Tory goverment has turned down a request from Legions for help to comply with the province's new anti-smoking legistlation.
The Binns goverment didn't have the guts to implement an outright smoking ban. It's solution is to allow bars to install specialized,and expensive ventilation systems. those that can afford the systems will, those that can't , like the vast majority of Legions, won't.
And that means that when combined with existing , financial pressures, such as increased power rates and insurance costs, there's a good chance many Legions will not stay in business.
Legions are not asking for tax dollars to be used to subsidize thier operation. What they did was resonable request Treasurer Pat Mella to allow Legions to keep a modest extra percentage of VLT revenue to fund the necessaty equipment.
Mella refused, not surprising given her track record of hypocrisy and greed on the issue. As opposition leader she promised to rid the Island of the machines. As Treasurer her spots changed. Mella has gradually increased gambling revenue to provincial coffers while squeezing the margins paid to operators. She has even gone so far as to put private businesses out of business to pry more gambling money in to goverment hands.
It's fair to ask why should Legions recieve special treatment ? The answer is obvious.Veterans fought and died for the rights we enjoy today. That makes Royal Canadian Legions different. A Legion is not your average bar. No other bar has a cenotaph on the front lawn. There is a cultural and historical importance to ensuring Legions not only stay open but flourish. Ther is a kinship, a shared history and an understanding within Legion walls and you don't have to be a veteran to be humbled by the pictures of those who never returned.
Pictures that only hang at the local Legion. Legion members have earned the right to smoke in their club.
On Remembrance Day each year politicians show up at local centaphs and pledge to remember the sacrifices made. Even last week the province announced it is building three kiosks along PEI's main road. Veteran Memorial Highway, to tell the story of Island veterans.
That is great. But respect should not be limited to one day a year. Adn respect certainly doesn't mean forcing a veteran to stand outside on November 11 to have a smoke in the cold so Pat Mella and the Binns goverment can pad it's gambling revenue....Fatbastured gives this bullshit his middle finger award and i big stick it up your ass Mr Binns