Let’s hope that the fifth time is the charm. For what? The state ought to impose a statewide ban on indoor smoking. No exceptions, please. Everywhere should fall under the rule. The Texas Tribune reports that the Texas Legislature is likely to take up the issue for the fifth consecutive session when it convenes in … Continue reading Statewide smoking ban: Round 5
Recently, I had lunch with a friend at a downtown Amarillo restaurant. The diner has been around for many years. I walked in, greeted my friend Gary, who then said, “Sorry about the cigarette smoke in here.” Yes, the place smelled of smoke. The smoking section was separate from the rest of the place, but … Continue reading Time to revisit smoking ban?
Get ready for it. I am about to say something positive about the president of the United States. Donald J. Trump is absolutely correct to call for a ban on the sale of those “flavored” e-cigarette devices (I think that’s what you might call ’em) in an effort to stem the use of vaping among … Continue reading By all means, ban those ‘flavored’ vape devices
Hmm. That smoldering around the White House is beginning to reveal its source … maybe, perhaps, possibly. Then again, maybe not. Donald J. Trump Jr. has just released a head-scratching set of emails that detail some information he received from the Russian government about dirt it had dug up on Hillary Rodham Clinton, who was … Continue reading Is that a smoking gun over there?
So, I ran into state Rep. Four Price’s mother-in-law this week. She told me Price, R-Amarillo, is in Austin “prefiling legislation” in advance of the next Texas Legislature, which convenes in January. “I hope he files that ban on texting while driving,” I said, adding that the state needs to get tough with those who put … Continue reading Texting ban needs to occur
I don’t smoke, having quit the habit cold turkey 34 years ago in one of my proudest achievements. Long ago I lost the desire to light up. In fact, the older I get the more militant I have become about smoking. I detest it now where before I merely disliked it. The more militant I … Continue reading Rethinking smoking indoors
I am not too proud to acknowledge making a mistake. Such as when I railed on the blog about smoking indoors. I once thought that Amarillo needed to enact an ordinance that banned the activity everywhere. Other cities had done so; even communities where residents are as politically conservative as this one. Then it occurred … Continue reading Light ’em up, just not around me
Back when I was working for a living as editorial page editor for two newspapers in Texas, one of my ongoing tasks was to boost voter turnout for municipal elections. For the most part, I butted my head bloody — figuratively, of course — trying to get residents in Beaumont and then in Amarillo to … Continue reading Trying to gin up voter turnout for May election
Brian Eades is about to call it a public service career in Amarillo. I wish he wasn’t leaving, but a man’s got to do what’s best for himself and his family. The best thing for the City Council member is to pull up stakes and replant them in western Colorado, where he’ll open a medical … Continue reading So long, Dr. Eades, and thank you for your service
Today is a landmark day in the history of Amarillo, Texas. It’s the day the city began enforcing a no-talk-on-handheld-cellphone ordinance. Amarillo city commissioners did something in 2012 that took them out of their comfort zone. They enacted the ordinance all by themselves. They didn’t refer it to voters for their permission, as they have … Continue reading Get off the phone and drive … or else