I went no on the cigarette tax as well. More gut reaction than anything else, but it just seemed like too much of a burden on the users, not any on the producers, and too ambigious as to what happened to the money.

Also? I am profoundly opposed to strapping GPS locators to the ankles of sex offenders for the rest of theirs lives (Prop 83).

Yeah, it was confusing because the PRO arguments made it sound like the GPS locators were a big new thing, except authorities can already use them; it's just that the prop would make them permanent, which, like you said...kind of weirds me out, especially in cases where people who aren't so much "sex offenders" would have to register as such. Plus, the opposition points out that this same thing has failed to work in other states, which is as sound an argument as any.

And I say that as someone who is considered obese by health professionals. And also pays higher insurance premiums due to my weight.

What? You're not obese. That's dumb.

Shredded fat free shredded mozerella is decent enough if you don't expect it to taste much like mozerella, and think of it as an exotic white cheese.

This works well in recipes and sandwiches and stuff to add a bit of creaminess. The fat free cheddar grosses me out, though.

The non-smoking laws around here have encouraged me to go to restaurants that I never would have gone to before, because I couldn't breathe when I was there.

most fat free cheesse have the wrong texture( rubber) , some don't taste, and others don't melt. I uses some lower fat cheese and do the trick of strong cheese flavor ,(blue, feta, parm) use a little. It works.

I've read through a number of the profiles on megan's list. Some people are truely horrid. to Be honest, even when reading the profiles of some of the others, I can't tell what they did . So , I'm suspcious of ankle braclets. And I'm not so sure an ankle braclet is going to stop anything from happening. You just might know where something has happened

NOT being able to smoke would keep me out of events and venues, too. If I chose my smoking over my enjoyment.

I'm not saying that those with asthma or those with a sensitivity to the smoke that causes them severe health problems should choose to go into smoke-filled events if it is bad for them, but why should I be banned if I do choose to smoke?

What? You're not obese. That's dumb.

According to BMI, I am.

NOT being able to smoke would keep me out of events and venues, too. If I chose my smoking over my enjoyment.

Because you can choose to go outside to smoke, but no one else around you at a restaurant can choose not to smoke your cigarette if you're smoking near them. I haven't noticed less people in restaurants since the law was passed.

According to BMI, I am.

According to the BMI, I'm a dead whale walking.

I thought this was Natter. Politics here, kid-talk in Natter.

According to BMI

Which I think we've established as a poor standard by bullshit consensus.

I'm not saying that those with asthma or those with a sensitivity to the smoke that causes them severe health problems should choose to go into smoke-filled events if it is bad for them, but why should I be banned if I do choose to smoke?

I agree that there should be some middle ground. But, unfortunately, the bigger part of the burden of this issue will fall on the smokers. Because a lot of respiratory ailment sufferers are unable to make this kind of decision for themselves. At least until we can control air or filter out the contaminants to the point where it won't harm others.

I understand your dilemma. I really do. I have a sister who cannot go 15 minutes without a cigarette. She doesn't ride anywhere in the car with me because I won't let her smoke. I know she's terribly addicted but if she can't survive a short car trip without a cigarette, I'm not the one that's going to suffer for it (or let it affect my kids).

DH took a "lifestyle" quiz at work. It was probably to narrow down higher insurance risks. His weight was flagged as an issue. We really try to work on that but it's difficult. We'll most likely end up paying higher premiums because of it eventually.

That said, we're not giving up cheeseburgers.