Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.
uncle guido wrote on March 02, 2007 9:01 PM: sounds like alot of people have their eyes closed on the big picture. Go ahead bloomington keep your chicago lifestyle to yourselves and out of rural communities!
Don't worry wrote on February 27, 2007 11:57 AM: You still have the right to complain, which appears to be your favorite right anyway...
so enjoy!
All I want to know wrote on February 26, 2007 9:18 PM: is the Anchor Inn still in business? good food.
David wrote on February 26, 2007 7:52 PM: Having repeatedly been the victim of noise pollution I wish there were more ordinances and laws with heavy fines and serious consequences. There is a reason the military and police use noise as a weapon: it's deleterious and violent. It is not your right, or any one else's, to infringe on another's aural privacy, sonic sanity, and quality of life in general.
Imposing smoke and noise on others is not a "right", they are examples of sociopathic behavior and should be prosecuted and punished accordingly.
same ol' same ol' wrote on February 26, 2007 6:20 PM: Never ever an original thought on either side of these issues.
HAL wrote on February 26, 2007 4:23 PM: Which amendment guarantees one's rights as a smoker?
I don't seem to be able to find that one.
Michael Schumann wrote on February 26, 2007 2:26 PM: To To Michael Schumann: ROFL, LOL HA HA HA! ONE: NO law says you must read a single thing I ever post, anywhere (And I get around).
TWO: Yep, I got opinions, thoughts and ideas - comes from paying attention to the world around me, comes from thinking about things. (I even manage to do some thinking before, while, and after, I write, a trick that some others here may want to try) THREE I do not respond to every post and letter, any more than you actually READ every post or letter. I respond when I see a need.
If a poster or letter writer invites or invokes no comment, they get none. And FINALLY, Most Esteemed Sir, with practice a person really CAN learn to walk and chew gum AT THE SAME TIME! Amazing but true!
You CAN read books, listen to music, surf the 'net, write letters, talk to real people and still post on-line - do a hundred other things too - all in a single day!
no more laws wrote on February 26, 2007 11:29 AM: I don't care what laws they pass as long as I can talk on my cell phone while I run red lights in my gas guzzling SUV. This is America and its my right!
Anchors Away Jeff wrote on February 26, 2007 9:48 AM: You never had the right to pollute the air with your smoke fumes or over-amplified music to begin with. You lost nothing! It is simply amazing that someone confuses common courtesy with a right being lost.
Never consider the rights of the person you are blowing your filthy smoke onto and never consider the rights of the people who have to hear over amplified music from blocks away. How self-centered you are to think of your personal decisions as rights you are able to force on others. You are complaining about losing "rights" but never consider others rights.
Guess your "rights" are just more important than others rights.
I told you not to..
wrote on February 26, 2007 9:40 AM: If you voted democrat,you voted for Socialism and Communism. Its that simple.You chose this TERRIBLE gov blah-joke-avich,now you have to pay the price.
Remember that next time.
Elaine wrote on February 26, 2007 8:35 AM: Leland is right - this is socialism. They are presently whittling but will soon take bigger cuts.
Their feel-good laws will soon affect the rest of you but you'll be wondering how did it get this far. I urge everyone of you to stop complaining, start walking in others' shoes and protecting them as well as yourself. Stop haggling about definitions of "rights" and recognize that you will be next.
OUR COUNTRY wrote on February 26, 2007 6:02 AM: Otis, this is our country and we shouldn't have to leave it just because we don't argree with what our elected oficals are doing. We have every right to stay here and disagree, and even fight to change what is wrong with our country. The point is wheather it be smoking rights, noise control, or whatever, we are being Police to death.
We will soon be at a point of no return. What then? The laws that are passed always exclude the elected oficals.
To Thanks wrote on February 26, 2007 5:44 AM: You say by a majority of residents, where do you get your facts? I vote on every issue that is made available and I did not vote on a ban on smoking or noise. Where do you get your facts to make such a claim.
That sounds exactly like a claim made in print last week by soon to be removed city councilman skip crawford. So thanks either you and skip are conducting your own private elections or maybe the two of you are well connected. I say before you make such a brash statement and us the word majority, you have some facts to back up that claim.
Great letter Jeff and real Americans feel the same way, our rights are being stripped from us everytime a group of politicians get together.
To Michael Schuman wrote on February 26, 2007 5:38 AM: Michael you always seem to have an opinion on letters to the editor. I am just wondering if you are ever going to find it in yourself to write a positive response.
It is obvious you have socialistic views on everything as you want government to control all aspects of peoples lives, and dictate social policies. Mike I really wish you would get a job or something, I am tired of seeing your self serving posts every other day. Listening to your socialistic views on every topic a letter is written about, is really getting stale sir.
Great Letter Jeff wrote on February 26, 2007 5:31 AM: I could not agree with you more sir. The fact this community is finding every opportunity to impose laws and ordinances is just ridiculous. The name of the game is squeeze the working man, after all they are the ones who can afford homes to pay taxes on, cigarettes to smoke, and stereos to make noise.
The fact we have so many non producers in this community make it imparitive, for producers to pick up the slack. I wonder what downstate is going to be in store for when the next greedy Chicago developer decides to built more high rise condos? Are all downstate communities going to have to accept more ofthe trash that is evicted from the slums?
Look at how crime has increased by these non producing Chicago transplants integrated into our community. Great letter Jeff and it is time we stood up to these crooked politicans.
jimmy b.
wrote on February 26, 2007 4:25 AM: "Life in Anchor"...
...
. it must be grand, a yellow haze over the little berg and idiotic blaster music blasting..
.the good life..
.Otis, Melvin, Mr. Rights and Todd the Bod, you guys could not have been more eloquent.
We only wish that more of the commenters here paid attention in grade and high school and actually understood the constituion of the US and the state of IL...
and actually knew what "rights" really are here in area.
Cheaper Housing? wrote on February 26, 2007 4:18 AM: I just looked at house prices in this newspaper.
The one state you WILL NOT get cheaper prices is OK. Double the prices on the houses that are listed in this newspaper and add a few hundred thousand more and you MIGHT buy one of those houses in OK. A 3 bedroom, 2 bath with bad wiring, holes in the walls, etc.
will cost you 150 grand or more and that is with NO land except where the house sits. Wages? Minimum here is $5.
15. Tax on food is 9%. I WISH I COULD LIVE IN OR AROUND BLOOMINGTON AGAIN!
Todd the Bod wrote on February 25, 2007 10:38 PM: "Smoking is not a "right." Blaring loud noise is not a "right." These are privileges.
" Who says non-smoking and quiet are a "right?"
V: wrote on February 25, 2007 10:35 PM: Hey Jeff, you would have more credibility and less "Republican Rhetoric if you LIVED in Bloomington or Normal instead of Anchor. deal with your own community.
Thanks wrote on February 25, 2007 9:40 PM: Hey jeff, thank you for the laugh buddy. Let me share some news with you. The ban and noise control are supported by the residents of this community.
Not all of the residents, but a clear majority. So, while you see this an erosion of rights, I, and a majority of the citizens, see this as an improvement to our rights. Thanks again for the laugh buddy.
funny wrote on February 25, 2007 5:36 PM: its funny you mention cancer and complain about the smoking ban, when the ban is actually going to save many lifes from cancer, nice use of words my friend!
Rights? wrote on February 25, 2007 4:46 PM: Smoking is not a "right.
" Blaring loud noise is not a "right." These are privileges. Rights are things like free speech, the right to vote, and the right to have peaceful assembly.
Michael Schuman wrote on February 25, 2007 3:55 PM: To Crybaby: Nope. Beat yourself silly, smoke, drink , go deaf - Do whatever turns you on, floats your boat, blows your skirt up - in your own space. Momma correctly taught some of you to share, you just over-generalized her message.
Crybaby wrote on February 25, 2007 3:09 PM: I knew it: Now "Michael Schumann" and other assorted Healtists want to take away your right to 'abuse ourselves'.
to: hey jeff from anchor wrote on February 25, 2007 1:50 PM: You whine too much. You seem to have survived that tumultuous time when you were able to choose which businesses to patronize, based on their smoking status.
Yep wrote on February 25, 2007 1:26 PM: Next thing you know, they'll take away our right to smoke harmless plants.
Leland Lesher wrote on February 25, 2007 12:47 PM: Welcome to the new world order, Jeff. It is called socialism without the wrapper.
They do not market it as anything, they just make decisions according to their secret manifesto, that is spread by word of mouth versus anything written down, so that you and others are not able to point and say "see I told you so".
enjoy wrote on February 25, 2007 12:15 PM: awhile back i passed through a couple of those states just a couple houndred miles to the south . They have all of the modern conveniences , all of the same services and a much better scenery .
What I could'nt help but to think was "We of the b/n community are getting ""very"" ripped off" , as everything was much cheaper . So for those of you raised here , you will soon be priced out of your homes to make way for the newcomers and visitors.
Michael Schumann wrote on February 25, 2007 12:12 PM: When I get out running errands I share the streets with many other people.
Often, they are puffing away on a ciggie. OK. They (mostly the guys) also frequently take a break from that ciggie by spitting on the ground.
They (more unisex again) often throw those empty packs on the ground. And ciggie butts? Well, just survey any bus stop, gutter or parking lot.
So tell us then, all you much abused smokers - Is the smoking issue really just about your freedom to abuse yourself, those around you and the environment or is it about our right to freedom from such abuses?
to had enough wrote on February 25, 2007 11:22 AM: I'd like to thank you for moving out of IL. It sounds like you're happier and we don't miss you here.
william wrote on February 25, 2007 10:43 AM: The police will have a quota to fill for noise violations and I don't think they will wait for a stereo to be blasting at 2 a.m. to fill it.
When I retire I am going to move to a community that is a little less controlled by whiners with big bucks and connections at city hall.
Melvin wrote on February 25, 2007 10:13 AM: Some people define freedom as their right to disturb others. Suppose I parked my car in the street in front of Jeff's house at 2 AM and blasted my stereo so loud that Jeff's windows rattled.
And, let's assume that I do this night after night. Jeff would probably be rather upset. But, I would say, it's my "right" to blast my stereo as loud as I want.
It's my freedom. I think Jeff might see this a bit differently then.
zorro wrote on February 25, 2007 9:59 AM: You haven't lost squat!
You and others are being held responsible for infringing on everyone elses rights. I don't want to smell your smoke or listen to your noise, and you have NO rights to be rude and obnoxious. Grow up!
Had enough wrote on February 25, 2007 9:57 AM: Show McLean County what you think and move to a different county. There is one right north of Mclean called Woodford. Their taxes are not as high and they don't breath down your back.
There is a state that is less than 300 miles south of you. The taxes are much less than Woodford taxes. I got tired of Bloomington and the taxes are way too high there.
I chose to move out of state after Blago moved in. Springfield is the capitol but Chicago rules. Jeff, the city of Blomington is no longer the city I grew up in.
They will continue to bring in more laws to control the population. It is growing. The only difference between Bloomington and Chicago is.
.there is not as many hookers on the streets.
HR Pro wrote on February 25, 2007 9:25 AM: The noise ordinance has been on the books for years; it's just now going to be enforced.
And if you don't like it, stay in Anchor!
reader wrote on February 25, 2007 8:44 AM: I lost my faith in the sytem years ago.But ,we do have to live in it, but,not like it
Hey jeff from anchor wrote on February 25, 2007 7:34 AM: You enjoy your country living.
Those of us that live near Bloomington-Normal want to live a somewhat peaceful life. I shouldn't be subjected to everyone else's noise. I definitely shouldn't be subjected to second hand smoke.
I don't mind if someone smokes, it is the people who smoke in places where I have no choice to smell it, and breathe it in. Many people have asthma problems where smoke inhalation can be very detrimental to their health and well being. I am one of those people.
So enjoy your fresh air, and respect other people's rights.
Otis wrote on February 25, 2007 6:25 AM: Jeff: You've overlooked the fact that we still have the most fundamental freedom of all. Unlike some countries, in the USA we are free to leave the country anytime we want.
So, if think you've lost your freedom here, might want to pack the ol' suitcase and head for any other land you choose. I'm sure you'll find freedom in North Korea, Cuba, Syria, or many other places. Have a great trip!
I couldn't have said...
. wrote on February 25, 2007 4:25 AM: it any better myself! The government from the county to the federal level keeps whittling away at our rights a little at a time so no one will notice and a lot of people apparently aren't noticing because very few are speaking out about it.
Until the citizens stand up and fight for their rights, it's only going to get worse. More and more will go out of OUR pockets to line some big shot's pockets.
william wrote on February 25, 2007 2:44 AM: I agree jeff, the people in power have a "vision" for this community, and our opinions be damned.
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