By DELILAH SWINFORD

This letter is in response to Mr. Sargent’s April 10th letter. I have started writing it several times and changed my mind; so you know I have really given it some thought. Also, it is addressed not only to Mr. Sargent, but to all the crybabies who are unfortunate enough to be addicted to “stinking” drugs.

I smoked for 19 years, so I know all about your “rights” as smokers. I also know that ex-smokers are known to be the worst as far as complaining. That is because, when we quit, we realize what we were doing to everyone and to ourselves. Contrary to smokers’ beliefs, putting down a window in the car or turning on a fan doesn’t get rid of the odor.

With regard to Sargent’s letter, my family and I don’t go to wildfires and breathe the smoke nor do we go to NASCAR races and breathe exhaust fumes. My husband works hard and long hours; we don’t have time to sit in traffic for special events for hours; parades have been out of the question for years, because people are too rude. You know it’s getting bad when you take a mouthful of food and someone (who had to have been taught good manners) blows his/her nose real loud! We don’t go to bars, so a drunk can’t puke all over us, or we step in it in the restroom. Since I no longer smoke, my breathing and ability to smell have improved immensely. And, food tastes wonderful without that “smoky flavor”.

As for my “lazy backside,” I cook three meals each day, with the exception of once a month when we get take-out delivery. Occasionally, we go to a restaurant to eat (not to drink or smoke). We try to patronize restaurants that are smoke-free, because the food doesn’t taste like cigarettes and, when we leave, we don’t smell like ashtrays.

Perhaps, before you start deciding what the state of Indiana does or doesn’t want, you should ask someone who actually spends all of their time in it!

I’ll bet you complain when you smell someone’s dirty clothing, that they haven’t changed in a couple of weeks or just removed from the hamper to wear “one more time.” They probably don’t have money for Florida or Tennessee, and may only be able to afford to do their laundry once a month, or so.

The next time we get ready to go out for supper, I’ll prepare a pot of flatulence-making beans for lunch and have my husband and son sit next to you at the restaurant. I’ll tell them it’s OK to be rude, we’re “saintly non-smokers” who can’t wait an hour to leave the restaurant before stinking up the place!

My opinions aren’t the same as everyone in Indiana; however, I know mine belong to the majority!

Delilah Swinford is an Anderson resident.