Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for February 23, 2008 FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Gotta admire their candor, but wonder at their "smarts".

You can bet the "smoking police" will now be paying a visit to a certain place of business in West Frankfort...that they might have previously ignored. As for Rod Jetton, guess he figures all the "lazy Missourians" are Democrats and wouldn't vote for him anyway.

Business Owner Snubs Nose at State Smoking Ban

By: Arnold Wyrick

WEST FRANKFORT, Ill. - Shortly after the State of Illinois' no smoking ban was implemented, some grass roots efforts tried to get it abolished. But, to no avail, and all smokers were forced to light up outside and at least 15 feet from a public doorway.

But, one business owner in West Frankfort isn't adhering to the ban, and isn't planning on doing so anytime soon.

"This country was founded on civil disobedience, that's where this country came from. And now people have lost the will to fight," said Jon Hemminghaus. He's the owner of Wounded Rig, a boat and refurbishing company.

Hemminghaus is even refusing to post the mandatory no smoking signs on his business doors.

"They can fine me all they want to, write as many violations as they like. But, I won't pay them. They come and get me and do whatever they want to do."

Now he wants to take things one step further in his fight against the statewide ban. And is planning to host a 'smoke in' in his place of business on March 1st.

"There comes a time when you've just got to stand up for what you believe in and your freedom. Just because these lawmakers and politicians put that law out there, it doesn't mean that everybody has to bow down and say it's a law we've got to do it."

From the KFVS TV Channel 12 Web site...

Speaker suggests trading 'lazy' workers

Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - House Speaker Rod Jetton is standing behind his offer to trade what he calls "lazy Missourians" for hardworking Mexican citizens.

Jetton is a a Marble Hill Republican who first made the suggestion earlier this month at a party gathering in Springfield. He repeated it when asked about it at the Capitol.

Jetton said: "There are some lazy Missourians in this state who really don't want to work, and I think there's a lot of hardworking Mexicans who would love to come up here and make a little money to support their families."

Jetton says too many Missourians would rather enroll in government programs than earn a wage.

The comment comes while lawmakers consider more than a dozen bills designed to crack down on illegal immigration.