I want to add my opinion to the two letters published on Jan. 11 from Mike Lynch ("Stop bureaucrats from making decisions for us") and Brian Thomas ("Don't let our government `protect' away freedom").

We are becoming a police country. Like Brian said, first it was seat belts, now a total smoking ban. I think the total ban went too far.

Smoking is still legal. If the government wants to protect us from ourselves why not make smoking illegal? No, they won't do it because too much revenue is generated from cigarettes.

What saddens me is to go to the VFW and watch our veterans who fought and died for the freedoms we used to enjoy, standing outside smoking at their private club.

smoking police better wake up. One of your freedoms may be next and, believe, me you won't like it and there won't be anything you can do about it.

Carol Sylvester

Bloomington