Smoldering revolt

In Colorado Springs, bars are in open revolt against the state's smoking ban. Rejecting the government's demand that they snuff out their patron's cigarettes, several taverns are openly advertising their refusal to knuckle under to the state's bullying.

Even though four of the bars have been slapped with fines for their defiance, they show no signs of backing down.

Customers openly smoked at the bar of Murray Street Darts early Friday afternoon, about an hour after a visit from police officers and state liquor inspectors ended with owner Bruce Hicks holding a stack of tickets listing 22 suspected violations of the law, each carrying a $200 fine.

“They are trying to shut us up,” said Hicks, who has tried to organize bar owners to join him in a rebellion against the ban that calls for each to collect $1 from customers who choose to smoke for a “get-out-of-jail” fund. He said he does not plan to change course now.

“Do you think it will make a difference if they give me four or five more?” Hicks asked.

Actually, it might. The state is making noises about pulling the liquor licenses of the dissenters. That should put to rest any doubt that that's what government licensing is all about -- giving the state an extra club with which to beat its opponents. Anything that can be done only with the government's permission becomes a privilege to be revoked by offended officials.

Even so, the bar owners are talking about taking their revolt state-wide.