Up in smoke

I forgot that there was one issue that I did care aboue: the smoke free Ohio initiative. The voters of Ohio were smart enough to see around the chicanery and hijinx of the smoke less Ohio initiavtive. (FYI for non-Ohio folks, the smoking coalition wanted a constitutional amendment that would make bars and restaurants excempt from all smoking ban laws.)

A smoking ban would not succeed in Germany. They love their cigarettes here. All restaurants smell like food outside and smoke inside. Even when no one else is in the restaurant, it smells like a team of French authors are holding a meeting at the next table.

The picture is of a german smoker doll. I've heard that you put insense in it and it appears to smoke. That's how much they like smoking. They are willing to burn and smell insence just to have a an idol of a man smoking to worship. This particular idol looks much like any given German walking around my workplace. I thought they would wear pants and shirts or sweaters. However, most men wear lederhosen and a fun hat. Generally, their mustaches are bigger than the one in this example.

I look forward to returning to Ohio to eat dinner or have a beer without washing my clothes and showering when we get home. Thanks Ohio!