Smoking Would be Permitted at the Disabled Veterans Rest Camp

Hi All!

Yesterday was Minnesota's 149th birthday and the DFL brought many gifts.

The Senate passed a bill to let the voters decide whether to add 3/8 of a cent to the sales tax (.05 would be too obvious and understandable to the unwashed masses of asses that vote with crayons). I call this the "Wash Our Hands of It" bill. The legislature passes things that are too hot for to handle to the gullible voters in the form of a Constitutional Amendment.

Both chambers passed a Robin Hood bill to nail about 22000 rich folks to provide "permanent" property tax relief for the other 5 million of us. There were so many outright lies uttered in the House that I couldn't know where to begin.

A statewide smoking ban with a few odd and specific exemptions passed both chambers and Pawlenty will sign it. I have never smoked (cigarettes) but I feel sorry for the addicted. This will hit Veterans Clubs hard. Many of these old veterans and their spouses live to smoke, buy pull tabs and imbibe some cheap booze.

Ironic that the bill contains and exemption for exactly ONE disabled veterans' facility in Washington County.

Of course, casinos are untouchable as are Native American religious ceremonies.

More fun from the big, falling apart building on Rev. Dr. Marin Luther King Drive (try fitting that on a business card).

We got a transportation bill with a 7.5 cent gas tax increase (sold as a 5 cent increase but ramps it up in the next couple of years. I would gladly support this if it were dedicated to "TRANSPORTATION", ie. roads and bridges. But of course a good share of this new revenue stream will go to "TRANSIT". Choo Choo trains.

It was all a political "gotcha" game for the DFL as they know damned well that these bills will be vetoed, forcing a "Who will blink first", the Governor or the DFL. No one wants a special session. The weather is too nice and they don't get paid for overtime. The next week will be entertaining.

One bill I strongly support and have done a bit of citizen lobbying for, is the compassionate legalizing of medicinal cannabis. It has gone through 9 committees an passed the Senate on a close vote, with lots of DFLer's gutting out.

It will pass the House soon, by a decent margin.

It is co-authored by mean-spirited conservative Steve Sviggum.

Steve had much to do with getting Gov Tim where he is today. Gov Tim has sworn to veto it and there aren't nearly enough votes to override.

I'd at least think he'd let it sit on his desk and become law without his signature.

To the thousands suffering from chronic, fatal diseases who self-treat pain that is miraculously relieved by smoking a little reefer, nothing will change. In fact, the bill is so restrictive that these folks will ignore the law anyway.

But for the thousands who are too afraid, too worried about getting arrested, or just ignorant as to how much this gift from God can ease their pain, the bill will ease their minds and their pains.

So when he gets back from the Fishing Opener, TimPaw will delve into his box of veto pens and will prevent smoking bad stuff and good stuff. At least he's consistent.

Cheers!