OK, let me chime into this volatile conversation.
First let me say that I think Apple is being overly cautious in regards to the declining of warranty repair to machines that belong to smokers... Just look at their history, as it applies to the invention, the inventor, the apple/microsoft split... most of my Mac friends swear by the product... kinda like Hoster compared to Brand X, It's what you are used too, in most cases, and very rarely have I seen a Mac user switch to a Windows Based computer... but now Mac Users can access the MicroSoft programs, so that argument is kinda mute...
Here in Arizona, they passed the no smoking ban state wide in November of '06. First off I'm a Non-Smoker, and couldn't be happier!
I've been doing Karaoke in Bar's around here since 1994, and was quite sure that I would probably die of second hand smoke, but that was a choice I made in order to do Karaoke, because all the venues allowed smoking, to some extent, and the smokers outnumbered the non-smokers in these establishments. Then the legislators in 2006 rammed a bill through the State House to eliminate smoking, and the smokers forgot to vote, and the bill/ban was passed quite easily... We have had three years of smoke free establishments, and honestly I can see very little difference in the closing or opening of new bars, restaurants, or what we would consider normal Karaoke Venues, or a drop off of the business in established clubs, due to the smoking ban! I think the added pressure of drinking & driving, getting caught behind the wheel while inebriated, going to jail, paying court fees, paying attorney fees, losing your driving priviledges, and /or the doubling of your car insurance rates is a risk that smokers, and non-smokers, have not been able to justify, and are staying home from the bars, after getting busted the first time, or the hassle of making sure a designated driver is present, or the added cost of taxi service and these tough economic times is depleting the customer base for our workplace...
As to the topic of age demographics contributing to the raucus atmosphere in our workplace, it's not true in my 3 or 4 gigs that I currently work at, but it's not contributed to being non-smoking or smokers, but the fact that no matter what your age, there will always be the very few that can't handle their alcohol, and be labled as troublemakers, and have to be dealt with, and thus ruining the fun for the majority that can!
I also vote for not discriminating against us "New York, New York & My Way" ol' fart types, I get just as tired of hearing "Picture" or AC/DC, and cringe when I hear and see some of the Hip Hop lyrics that roll across the screen and come out of the speakers just because the "F Bomb & other vulgarities" can be screamed out, and always gets a rise out of the audience. Too bad, because some of the music is really good!
But as I say, I'm equal opportunity Karaoke and if it's in the book, you can sing it... these x-rated lyrics are about the only thing I refuse to play, or exhibit in my books... so problem solved, even though I know by the language that comes out of the mouths of some of the younger crowd (boys & girls), notice I didn't say ladies & gentlemen, that it would sometimes be acceptable, and yet I still find it vulgar and inapropriate...
Thanks for letting me vent! 'Nuf Said!
