SN&R readers chime in on banning smoking, the pro-Sacramento Kings arena group's actions and homophobia

SN&R wrong on smoking ban

Re “Ban smoking?” (SN&R Editorial, January 16):

SN&R gets it right so often, it's disappointing to see the blockheaded editorial opposing Councilman Steve Hansen's efforts to ban smoking on restaurant and bar patios extending into public space. Business owners' fears of lost revenue are cited, but such concerns are always raised about every proposed anti-smoking measure and have always proven unfounded.

Instead of legal restrictions, the editorial proposes a task force to “strategize on progressive ways … to change smokers' habits.” Oh, sure, like that's going to work! We've had programs like that for 40 years. Nicotine is a powerfully addictive drug, and smokers will light up wherever it's legally permitted.

Many smokers become addicted too young to fully comprehend the consequences. Later on, it's a terribly difficult habit to break. So, smokers deserve our compassion. But a way must be found for them to satisfy their cravings without harming everyone around them. A ban on smoking on outdoor patios within public spaces is needed to protect the health of all Sacramentans.

David Urman

via email

Pro-arena group loses cred

Re “Of Kings and jesters” by Nick Miller (SN&R News, January 16):

Everyone is missing the primary issue. That the press conference was held at a cemetery is a sideshow, unless it is found that the mayor’s office was involved in setting it up. And the city clerk has said that the Sacramento Taxpayers Opposed to Pork petitions containing names of dead people is not an issue. However, Joshua Wood claimed that signatures of dead people on the petitions were forged. As quoted in The Sacramento Bee, “Our intentions were to highlight how disgusting it is to forge someone’s name who is deceased in order to get a political gain.” The only way Wood could know at this point that any signatures on the petition were forged is if he or his minions did the forging. So, did Wood and company forge signatures on the STOP petition? Or is this just another lie he made up to get media attention and try to discredit those who want a public vote on the arena deal? Wood’s credibility should be wearing rather thin by now.

Jan Bergeron

Sacramento

Hip-hop and homophobia

Re “Bad rap” by Dylan Fremouw (SN&R Letters, January 16):

Thank you for the continued reminder of why I have and continue to avoid rap as a genre: the cultural homophobia. When you use “gay” as negative slang, how many gay rappers are you hurting?

Brad Carps

via email

Words can cause real harm

Re “Bad rap” by Dylan Fremouw (SN&R Letters, January 16):

I like to believe that it’s possible for public forums to be civil places where debate focuses on the merits of a subject rather than descending into irrelevance and snide remarks. Dylan Fremouw’s choice to call the artists in this article “gay” greatly challenged that belief.

It is one thing to disagree with another’s opinion—intelligent discussions are healthy and informative—but as soon as anyone takes cheap shots at another’s character, they lose all credibility. It is even more disappointing when they use an already disadvantaged group as an insult. The practice is lazy and irrelevant, and the collateral damage within the LGBTQ community, and others, is appalling.

Please, feel free to disagree and discuss, but understand that your words can cause real harm, and the ones you choose in the heat of the moment can strike farther and deeper than you imagine.

Matthew Malone

via email

Shame on SN&R

Re “Ban smoking?” (SN&R Editorial, January 16):

So, SN&R is all for smoking in bars and outdoor restaurants. Could that be because SN&R gets a big chunk of revenue from tobacco advertising? Shame on you. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death and now kills nearly 6 million people every year on this planet. In the United States, it kills more people than AIDS, alcohol, car accidents, murders, suicides and fires combined. It is time for Sacramento to do what so many other cities have done—make outdoor dining smoke-free.

Valerie Barclay

via email