By Emily Geiger

So, I was carousing the web this morning for some juicy news tidbits, and I came across a couple stories that, by themselves aren’t too remarkable, but read together, are a little ironic.

The first was a story about how the anti-smoking ban crowd is whining yet again. Surprising, I know. Now they are saying that the smoking ban is bad because it forces smokers outside into the public where they can be seen on city sidewalks and parking lots. They say this might be bad for our image.

The funny thing is that, implicit in that argument is an acknowledgement that smoking is a dirty, disgusting, undesirable habit. Hmmm… maybe this problem could be solved if PEOPLE QUIT SMOKING. But no, their solution to this image problem is to let smokers back inside to cover up our dirty little habit.

The next article I found interesting was the one about the new ban on visible tattoos for police officers of the Des Moines Police Department. The police chief says the ban was implemented because visible tattoos are unprofessional. Apparently, tattooed officers don’t project a positive public image.

I’d be willing to bet that the folks up in arms over the smoking ban are the same people who think that this new tattoo ban is outrageous. You know, personal freedom and all. Funny how the city’s image is important when it can be used as a ploy for anti-smoking ban rhetoric, but the city’s image doesn’t matter when it comes to the tattoo issue.

How silly of me to expect rhetorical consistency from these people.