My friend Ryan and I have started a grassroots effort to preserve private property rights  in the state of Wisconsin by standing against the statewide smoking ban being proposed by Governor Doyle.

We are in the process of building a website: Ban the Ban Wisconsin.  It is a work in progress, so we ask for your patience while we gather news articles, studies and links to help better inform you about what a smoking ban means to you – whether you’re a smoker or not.

As most of you know, I smoke cigarettes.  My friend and co-conspirator, Ryan, does not.  As a non-smoker, Ryan understands that the dangers of secondhand smoke have been exaggerated and lied about by our politicians, special interest groups, and our media.  He understands that ultimately, his private property rights are at risk.

Personally, smoking bans wouldn’t affect me very much at all, in the “comfort” sense.  I don’t frequent bars and taverns, I choose not to smoke in my own home (because of the smell), and I don’t mind eating out at a non-smoking restaurant.  My decision to be a smoker has nothing to do with my thoughts on a statewide smoking ban, but instead has everything to do with a private property owner being told that they cannot allow the use of a legal substance on their own property.

What comes after a smoking ban?  Will you be told that you can’t smoke, drink, or eat Doritos in the comfort of your own home?  If private business cannot allow the use of a legal product on the property, there is absolutely nothing stopping the government from invading your home and your personal life, and telling you what you can and cannot do in the privacy of your own home.

All Wisconsinites who value their freedom and their rights as free citizens need to stand up against this assault on liberty.

If you are interested in being a contributor to Ban the Ban Wisconsin, please email me, and I’ll get you set up with a username and password.  If you’d like to write a guest article, or simply have some information to share, just send it to me via email and I’ll be happy to post it.

Also, what we really need are folks to get the word out.  Ryan and I have designed several pieces of satire propaganda for you to use however you’d like.  We can’t tell you what to do – unlike the government – but stickers, posters, flyers, and other paper-like things printed out and placed strategically throughout the State of Wisconsin and in your place of business would be something we might endorse.    None of the images are copyrighted, so please, use them to your heart’s desire.

We need to band together to protect private property rights for all Wisconsinites.  Please visit Ban the Ban Wisconsin and sign our petition today.