2 Jun 2008 @ 12:47, by Enocia Joseph
Two days ago, I heard in the news that the government are proposing to outlaw cigarette vending machines in order to discourage children from smoking. They are also considering removing cigarettes from shop display. Smokers are protesting that this would infringe on their right to smoke.
I can see both sides of the argument. Although I used to be a staunch anti-smoker, I also very much respected the right of the smoker, as long as they weren't smoking near me. When I realised cigarettes had no power to harm me, I wasn't bothered any more; though I did prefer to be in smoke-free environments. Smoking has now been banned in all public places in England. Banning cigarettes vending machines does seem a bit extreme. Surely, smokers do have the right to have access to their cigarettes?
Yesterday I was going to go out but I decided to stay home and just watch television. As luck would have it, there was an episode of StarTrek called Errand of Mercy, which turned out to be very relevant to the news item I had watched the night before.
After negotiations between the Federation and the Klingon Empire has broken down, the Enterprise is sent on a mission to the planet, Organia, to warn them that the Klingons are likely to attack and take over their planet. Captain Kirk and his first officer, Spock, beam down to the planet to meet with the Organian council, but the Organians are not concerned at all. After Spock has explored the planet, he reports to Kirk that the Organians seem to be stagnant and have not evolved in thousands of years. Kirk urges the Organian to heed his warning about the Klingons. Kirk tells them he has weapons and modern technology that they can use as protection but the Organians tell him they don't need any protection.
Soon the Klingons arrive and take over the planet, yet the Organians are not concerned. Kirk is now very frustrated with the Organians whom he regards as sheep. Why can't they be like goats who are prepared to fight to protect their way of life? Kirk and Spock are eventually arrested by the Klingons and put in prison where they await torture and possible death. They are rescued by the Organians. Kirk is puzzled why the Organians on the one hand don't want to fight, yet they have rescued them from torture.
When the leader of the Klingons discover Kirk and Spock have been rescued, he orders his men to kill 200 Organians. He proposes to continue killing Organians until Kirk and Spock are given up. The Organian council insists they do not need to fight. Kirk and Spock decide they would rather die fighting the Klingons than have the entire Organian race wiped out.
Just before the battle is about to commence between the Federation and the Klingons on the planet and in space, they discover they can't use their weapons, which are too hot to handle. The Organians then tell both sides that they will not permit their war to continue and force them into a truce. Kirk and the Klingon leader are furious and accuse the Organians of interfering in their affairs. Kirk defends his right to continue the war with the Klingons. The Organians tell them the war is not going to happen and ask all of them to leave as their presence is very painful for them. The Organians confess that they too used to be like them but have since evolved to a peaceful race. The Organians were never threatened by their weapons; they reveal their true nature as pure Energy who had only appeared as humanoids to give Kirk et al a point of reference.
The Klingons and the Federation represent anti-smokers and cigarette smokers, where each group wishes to express their right to smoke and be in a smoke-free environment. Like the Organians, I'm not fussed either way if people smoke or want to smoke because I know cigarettes have no power. If I don't want to be in a smoking environment, all I have to do is put out the intention and my aura will either repel smokers or will remove the smoker from my environment. I've seen this happen many times.
I believe in the right of individuals as sovereign light beings to have the freedom to choose to be a sheep or a goat. While I honour individual's right to do what they choose, I have the right to change an environment that doesn't resonate with who I am being. That's why I'm constantly blessing as I go. If by transmuting an environment from fear to love I have infringed on someone's inalienable right, then that's just too baaad.
I am a peaceful sheep.
Baa!
Enocia
Related articles: Showing Mercy; Life is a Walk in the Park; The Joy of Commuting; Opposites Do Not Attract; Cause or Effect?; Non-Judgment and Faith; A Reminder to Be Myself
See news items: Johnson bans drink on transport; Should time be called on public drinking?
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