bills_fan

Not exactly true. Here is a link to the news report. Shows what each kid was wearing that day. One had a bandana on, was told to remove it because it was against the dress code and did. Another kid had US flag themed sneakers. The report does not specify if the kid was asked to remove his sneakers and walk around in socks all day. Were the kids trying to make a bit of a statement...sure they were. But any kid in the USA should be able to wear the US flag on any day. If we start with Cinco de Mayo...what's next St. Patrick's Day? St. Stanislaus? The day of the Puerto Rican day parade in NYC? C'mon...we are in the USA here. The HS administrators were stupid in taking the bait the kids obviously laid out. If they had ignored the issue, we'd have no news report. Interestingly, the district disagreed publicly with the HS decision and met with all the parents that day. Methinks someone at the HS is in a bit of trouble and it won't be the kids.

Oh those can be fun. And sure, they fit. But I'm also talking about the club district on 27th street, the UES, Bryant Park and many other mainstream places. Many of my non-smoker friends come outside when I go for a smoke just to chat up the hotties. And don't forget the summer rooftop bars that are frequented most by smokers. That season is just kicking off...

Actually, the party is usually outside the bar. Being a smoker is a great icebreaker outside the bar. In NYC at least, many, many hotties smoke...helps suppress the appetite you know. The heavier non-smokers are in the bar pounding 500 calories chick drinks. As for chain smoking all day...gotta fit some work in around the smoke breaks!

Most decent folks would never ever think of doing something like that. In fact, most smokers I know go out of their way to find places where you are permitted to smoke in order to have a cigarette.

True. But the difference this time is that the States are bankrupt and need any penny of revenue they can get. Budget gimmicks only go so far. California introduced a bill in its legislature to permit full legalization of marijuana. The Federal government has already stated that it will not take any enforcement action against sellers of medical marijuana. There is no fundamental difference right now between California and Greece, excpet California's economy is approximately 10x as large as Greece. When Greece (and other nations) joined the EU and relinquished the power to manage interest rates and print their own currency, they effectively became like US states. Greece is burdened by gold plated pensions, high taxes and make good work. So is California. When California feel the budget crunch (next year) you will see full legalization and taxation of marijuana. That is why there is no way tobacco, a huge source of tax revenue for the states, will ever be banned.

The tax revenue will keep it legal and permit the lagalization of marijuana and likely other drugs such as mushrooms within the next decade. On the first bolded statement above, you are wrong. Smokers are not a drain on the health system at all. Lung cancer kills very quickly. Frighteningly quickly as a matter of fact. Which segues nicely into my next point (and answering your question above)...smoking saves YOU (eball and DarthIce)money. Not only do smokers die quickly, and thus not consume their "fair share" of precious health care resources later in life for diseases such as heart problem and alzheimers, most also pay an inordinate amount of taxes. These taxes, in part, have permitted the entitlement state to explode...creating make good government jobs that rarely lead to anything productive, but all have gold plated pensions and benefits. You really don't think these jobs/benefits/pensions will be cut significantly if government revenue from tobacco products ever dries up do you? No, your taxes will be raised porportionally to make up the difference. So, YOU (eball and DarthIce) should hug a smoker today. Thank them for keeping your taxes low and dying quickly, so there will be more health care resources for you. Hell, buy them a scotch if you'd like, just to be neighborly and show your appreciation.

No wait list for club seats. You can get them, just have to pay the PSL, which is a lot.

I could see that position justified more than the current mess. Of course, I would argue the reverse...legalize everything, give folks a place to partake safely and it only becomes a problem when you activities affect others. If I want to do bong hits, and the smoke is only experienced by those who chose, willingly, to enter the place, and I do not operate a motor vehicle while high or otherwise affect my life in anyway...whats the harm? Agreed. Which is why DWI laws are fine. However, a business ought to be able to post a big sign...Smoking Allowed or Smoking Not Allowed. Those who enter, enter at their own risk. Keeps all second-hand smoke away from those who do not want to breathe it and all without an intrusive government.

Point is...it is away from you. Noone is smoking in the stands (at least they should not be) and people head outside the stadium to the gate in order to have a smoke. Coincidentally, this is usually the time when you would be in your seat, watching the game. The smoke is nowhere near you. Any issue with that? Then you would have a private smoking club on every street corner, next to every office building etc. I can live with the "walking outdoors" to have a smoke even though my libertarian self is revolted by the idea that the government is prohibiting an otherwise lawful activity on private property. Think about that for a second....the government is prohibiting an otherwise lawful activity on private property. If something about that does not profoundly disturb you (no matter the subject area), then I really have no words....

Happy to do so, if the venue permits it.

Yep. Says it all.

Are you really serious? For real? Dude....Lori deals with a lot of idiocy on these boards. She is a true fopotball expert and a good writer. I think your attitude really irks me. Take you Tebow and leave. Head over to the Denver board and have fun. My friggin' god...all the friggin' morons are out here today. Well played Simon. Well played.

Haven't had a good cabbage filled pierogi in a long time. Now you made me hungry!

I can stare at Lucy Pinder all day long. Good choice.

And that is the problem. The jackazz decided to light up in the seats. He should be gone. If you want a smoke, you simply walk outside near the gate. Doesn't bother anyone, as the non-smokers are either inside the stadium watching the game or at the concession area. Only the smokers walk far away to the gates. No problem with that...it separates the people who want a smoke from those who don't want smoke near them. I really don't see how that policy adversely affects anyone as long as everyone follows the rules. Not sure about that. The state says you cannot smoke indoors. OK. But the stadium has outdoor areas as well. The stadium restricts smoking to small areas near the gate. Not that state, to my knowledge. And I have no problem restricting smoking to the small areas near the gate. My issue is when they ban even those small areas and you cannot have a smoke without actually walking outside the gate into the parking lot (and re-entry is prohibited BTW).

Did you try the store where you bought it? If it is a reputable store, they may give you a decent price or at least give you store credit for the ring. Hell, they make a great return on it, sell it twice in 3+ years and make you happy by giving you something back for it. Its worth investigating (assuming you did not buy it online or at some junky mall store that is now out of business).

Bravo. But thats what these yahoos don't get....until its something they do or care about...then whoops!

What he said. Right in the middle of downtown and walking distance to good restaurants/bars.

True. And agreed. I wish this place had tighter moderation (no offense mods) and we could have intelligent dicussions. Then, the media types like Tim, jw, the WGR guys etc. could have a place to interact with fans. Look, I'm not saying its the perfect board, but Sons of Sam Horn gets it right. To post on the main board, you need to be a long-time poster and observe certain standards. The baseball discussion is fantastic...with little insights that you may not know or learn. Many media-types post under their own name and some post anonymously. There is also a second board, where new members can post. The discussions are less insightful, and more like this place, but particularly good new members are invited to post on the main board. I only wish this board was like that. EDIT: Tim, thanks for posting here. I will miss your insights in the thread, but will still read the blog.

Yeah, that is the way it is at the Ralph. Right by the gate entrances. Doesn't hurt anyone else and there is no smoking in the stands at all. Can't see how anyone can complain about this. Also, they have large ashtrays where the butts are disposed of. Jack...any word on whether this is a reality?

Week 1 Buffalo vs. Miami - WIN Week 2 Buffalo vs. Green Bay - WIN Week 3 Buffalo vs. New England Patriots* - LOSS Week 4 Buffalo vs. NY Jets - LOSS Week 5 Buffalo vs. Jacksonville Jaguars - WIN Week 6 BYE Week 7 Buffalo vs. Baltimore Ravens - LOSS Week 8 Buffalo vs. Kansas City Chiefs - WIN Week 9 Buffalo vs. Chicago Bears - LOSS Week 10 Buffalo vs. Detroit Lions - WIN Week 11 Buffalo vs. Cincinnati Bengals - WIN Week 12 Buffalo vs. Pittsburgh Steelers - LOSS Week 13 Buffalo vs. Minnesota Vikings - LOSS Week 14 Buffalo vs. Cleveland Browns - WIN (finally) Week 15 Buffalo vs. Miami Dolphins - LOSS Week 16 Buffalo vs. New England Patriots* - WIN (break the jinx) Week 17 Buffalo vs. NY Jets - LOSS 8-8...not bad...the heartbreaker losses to the Jest knocks us out of the playoffs, but gives us hope for next year.

Been to see the Bills play B'more twice. Ironically, this year is just like last time...on my b-day. Tix are easy to get. I drove from NYC to the stadium with no tix. Within 15 minutes I had 3 scalpers surrounding me, undercutting each other, for 4 seats on the 35 yard line, 15 rows from the field. $250 later....I was pleased.

Understood. I have no idea if it is public or not. If not, no worries.

Lori Who is on the committee? Would they ever consider Cookie or has that ship long since sailed?

A single malt scotch, usually LaGavulin or LaPhroaig...neat.