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Keep America free!

It is hoped that you have enjoyed the preceding 4th of July parade photos. Freedom means a lot to a lot of American people. Unfortunately, some people would argue that some of our freedoms are being taken away slowly but surely. An example is the smoking ban debate that is going on in Ripley, across the state of West Virginia, and across the U.S. While smoking really can't be good for a person, there are a lot of ways we can die prematurely. Let's face it, a person could fall off of a car or a float in a parade and get killed or seriously injured, (especially since they aren't wearing seat belts and are often standing up), but does that mean we want to ban a parade because someone might get hurt? (I would hope not!)


Most people would probably agree that our court systems have enough case loads without businesses having to defend themselves against legal actions taken by health departments (for violating the smoking ban). Shouldn't restaurants and bars have the freedom to say if they are going to allow smoking or not? Afterall, you don't have to go to their restaurant or bar if you don't want to (that is your freedom of choice). Is it possible that more people die in the U.S. every year from the lack of affordable health care than from second-hand cigarette smoke?

Businesses in Jackson County and across the state should also be alarmed to know that even though they are a business owner and they own the property where their business is located, they may not be able to have a business sign for their business (without having to pay a sign permit fee). If you haven't heard about several businesses in Jackson County having to remove their business signs, then read the website dedicated to this issue at www.LastOneOutTurnOffTheLights.com. Now if the highway departments want to tell business owners that they can't have signs for their business, then perhaps they have forgotten that it is their job to pick up the trash along the highways. Some of the roads in Jackson County are filthy. The Ravenswood - Millwood - Mount Alto area (along Route 2) was featured on www.PleaseDoNotLitter.com in 2006, and can you believe it ....... again in 2007. Some of the photos are almost unbelieveable. Most people would probably agree that trash and old tires along the highways and in the streams could be a major health issue.

In conclusion, some people aren't happy that health departments and highway departments can tell businesses what they can and can not do. Let's ask them all to get out there and pick up the trash along the highways and make the state a better and more beautiful place to live ....... and continue to let the people make their own choices. That's freedom!

Keep America free!

Note: All comments within this online article are the opinion of David Riffle.
For questions or comments about this online article, call (304) 273-1020.






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