A Rare Old Army Story

[pistos]

Oh, gosh, I hope I'm not repeating myself here.  It could signify an early onset of egg-timers, ah that is, old-timers, ah right, Alzhiemers Disease.  Whatever, I'm middle-aged.

Way, way back in 1986, July 1st as I recall, the military was the first institution to ban indoor smoking.  Smoke outside?  How in the heck will we ever get anything done

Comments

[supedujour]

I like your derranged LTC. Did he do his job? If he didn't, that could change my like to disgust.

I am okay with not making others deal with second-hand smoke at the workplace, but I think it should have been the choice of individual companies whether or not to implement that ban. (And individual resturants)

Great story, though. What could possibly be more interesting than real life?

Edited because my "n" key is sticking.

[pistos]

The LTC in question was an crusty old infantry officer, complete with all the stereotype trappings. I suspect he was "doing time" in an admin position to earn his wings. I hear his men would follow him to the end of the world if he asked. I, on the other hand, did not have an infantry mindset and we clashed constantly. A fair assessment would be, yes, he was effective and did his job.

This story is so typical of the time I served with him. He was an absolute hoot. Of course, it's all much more amusing with time and distance separating our adventures. Some of it wasn't quite so funny back then.

No doubt the business of getting smokers out of the workplace was a good idea. I suppose since we all knew it was the right thing, there was very little protest about the new restrictions. Excepting my LTC, naturally. The danger was that once this social experiment was accomplished, anything could and would go. And here we are today.

[supedujour]

Yes unfortunately, our "social experiments" are not about choice any way you slice it.

I still believe that our government is way too involved in every aspect of our lives, and somehow never manage to accomplish anything that matters.

[curly_purls]

I, too, believe in less government control on things like this. Just look at what "they" are looking into controlling with the possibility of lowering the speed limits, in order to conserve fuel.

We are not short on fuel...we have resources up the wazzu!. If we, as Americans, choose to drive slower to save money, that should be up to us.

As with the food...we, as consumers, should be responsible for what goes in our mouths.

OK, stepping off my soapbox, now.

[pistos]

Getting smokers to smoke outside wasn't a bad thing, had it stopped there. But once the government got a taste of the possible, anything, at any time would be prey to interference

[springsjournal]

I had to laugh because your post is so true. At my job they have banned smoking on the property. They even went so far as to say that if it is smelled on your clothing or skin you can be written up and after 3 write ups termination. HA! I can't believe how far it has gotten. And it is speeding toward telling us when we can fart. I mean it does effect the ozone........