Never let it be said that the lefties don't like to legislate morality:

The Belmont City Council voted unanimously last night to pursue a strict law that will prohibit smoking anywhere in the city except for single-family detached residences. Smoking on the street, in a park and even in one's car will become illegal and police would have the option of handing out tickets if they catch someone.

The actual language of the law still needs to be drafted and will likely come back to the council either in December or early next year.

"We have a tremendous opportunity here. We need to pass as stringent a law as we can, I would like to make it illegal," said Councilman Dave Warden. "What if every city did this, image how many lives would be saved? If we can do one little thing here at this level it will matter."

Welcome to the latest expansion of the War on Drugs. Proving that legislating morality is by no means the exclusive domain of the religious right, the left is going to get in on the act in a big way by conducting its own little war on controlled substances. So now, how long before we see paramilitary raids on people who are caught smoking in ways that are not allowed under this ban?

Notice how they use the "if it just saves one life" argument. That tired, sore, brutally raped argument that anyone who gets causality knows is patently absurd. I think it's one of those signs that someone just isn't smart enough to take part in a polite discussion if they cannot appreciate the fact that a single decision can have multiple consequences. Causality is often a one-to-many relationship. You may save a life, but end up costing several because of the measures needed to save one life.

I think the left is just touchy about losing out on the "fun parts" now that they are relegated to fight wars against stogies and Starbucks...

Others:
Attitude Central.