CJME.com Thursday at 10:00 AM had the question:
“Should Richards be fined for smoking at a no-smoking stadium facility?” The fine for a business violating the public building smoking ban, is $5000, or $2000 for an individual. Obviously Richards and the Stones could afford $14000 over two nights.
I phoned in and said he should be fined, but told in advance he would be if he smokes - giving him the chance to put a positive spin on the law by publicly stating he agrees with the law and is going to take his punishment.
A celebrity needs to be held to a higher standard than the average joe, and we have to uphold the rule of law. No one is above the law, not even rock stars. To the people who said that the Stones might cancel the concert over this fuss, well if the Stones are that petty, then they may cancel if it snows or if Richard stubs his toe on a gopher. Some people are so insecure about their home province’s worth, that they are willing to kneel down to a crumby rock star and would gladly eat off the floor if he commanded them to.
Something not well mentioned is the potential damage the crowd will do to the turf after they try to light up in secret. I wonder how flammable the plastic field is, eh? Wouldn’t a field fire be a disaster?
==
Soulfood has a contest. Create a clever answering machine message for her, and you could win a $20 gift.
@hotmail.com
![[EFC Blue Ribbon - Free Speech Online]](http://www.efc.ca/images/efcfreet.gif)
Stephen Glauser | 29-Sep-06 at 3:18 pm | Permalink
You bring up a valid point about celebrities breaking laws like the no smoking law. Although I believe he should be fined if he does smoke, I don’t think he will be.
Silverwinger | 29-Sep-06 at 4:20 pm | Permalink
I think Keith Richards and all the dirty filthy cigarette smokers at the concert should be drawn and quartered for daring to disobey the anti-smoking law and be banned from Canada for ever. Of course on the other hand the hip and cool doobie smoking crowd can do what they want in full view of of security and police and get away with it.
What a country!
Saskboy | 29-Sep-06 at 4:54 pm | Permalink
As Colbert put it, let’s comprimise. “We’ll draw and halve” instead.
Seriously though, when we start talking about letting celebrities break a law just because it might offend them, you know the rule of law is dead or seriously in trouble.
Tanya | 29-Sep-06 at 7:43 pm | Permalink
Entirely too much is made of this. I don’t care one way or another whether Richards smokes or not and I don’t understand what the big deal is. The anti-smoking Nazis need to find a new cause.
And if the concert gets cancelled I will laugh and laugh.
Saskboy | 29-Sep-06 at 8:55 pm | Permalink
Tanya, you’re right too much is being made of it. It’s the law, and even rock stars aren’t above the law. If the Stones can’t obey the law, after they are even politely informed of it, then they’ll just have to take their punishment. I’d laugh too if they pull out simply because they are tobacco addicts/activists.
Saskboy | 29-Sep-06 at 8:59 pm | Permalink
http://www.abandonedstuff.com/2006/04/19/limited-buying-a-3-step-solution-to-stop-smoking/
Check this out and let me know what you think of the idea.
Soulfood | 29-Sep-06 at 9:32 pm | Permalink
Thanx for the mention! I’ve gotten some great entries so far and am hoping for more!!
And yeah, I really don’t think the smoking thing is an issue. Seriously, there’s no way security could even keep up with people in the crowd smoking. So, if that’s not going to be strictly monitored, then you can’t really fine the people bringing the entertainment.
Tanya | 01-Oct-06 at 11:58 am | Permalink
I seriously hope Richards smokes and doesn’t pay the fine or the concert gets cancelled. Exceptions can be made and I think the risks of second-hand smoke are entirely overblown.
Saskboy | 01-Oct-06 at 12:12 pm | Permalink
If he doesn’t pay the fine, that would make for an interesting bit of trivia elsewhere… “Where is Keith Richards wanted for missing court.” I guess it’s true what they say, don’t let your baby grow up to be a cowboy… or a rockstar.