Little boys shouldn't smoke...

Well I gotta say that the city of Philadelphia certainly stunned your host with the decision of Hizzonor John Street to immediately begin enforcement of the smoking ban in bars and restaurants. Although there may be a motive behind Hizzonor's madness since, as it was pointed out to me, by doing it this way Hizzonor makes it seem like it was all his initiative and not that of his krypton-wielding nemesis, Councilman Michael Nutter, who introduced it and bulled it through the pigsty of perfidy that is Philadelphia City Council. But hey, politics is a game of one-upsmanship after all.

Personally, having grown up with parents who smoked I could never see the point of it. Filthy habit. Never smoked and never will. Yuk. Plus my dad died of heart disease caused by smoking. I guess that makes it personal.

I did leave the porch over the weekend for a day out in Atlantic City. I'd forgotten that New Jersey had already instituted the smoking ban and I must say it was a joy being in restaurants and bars because of it. Even enjoyed what is arguably the most entertaining bar in Atlantic City, The Dizzy Dolphin at the Hilton, even more.

So times they are a changin', and for the better: from no more cigar chompin' Manny in the Pep Boys logo to Philadelphia finally thinking more about the health of bar & restaurant employees over special interests. It's a good thing.

- Farmer Ted