Oren M. Spiegler – 6/15/08

This page was last updated on June 15, 2008.

Breathing more freely; Oren M. Spiegler; Beaver County Times; June 15, 2008.

Mr. Spiegler is such a prolific letter writer, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review gave him a little tribute back in 2003. Google “Oren M. Spiegler” and you’ll get more hits than you know what to do with. Unfortunately, prolific is not a synonym for competent. Mr. Spiegler claims to be a Republican.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“Although it is far from perfect and in many respects reflects Pennsylvania’s lack of progressiveness, I am elated that our often-backward state will soon be a one whose public places are largely smoke free.”

[RWC] Mr. Spiegler suffers from the same affliction as the Times editorial board. He has an obsession with banning smoking on private property. In at least one letter Mr. Spiegler didn’t let outright falsehoods get in the way.

Note how Mr. Spiegler refers to private property as “public places.” The Times used this ploy but eventually conceded we were talking about private property.

Mr. Spiegler claims to be a Republican and below claims his “ideology on many issues is libertarian.” If true, his choice of “progressiveness” couldn’t be more poorly chosen. Remember, leftists who don’t like to be called liberal, socialist, et cetera tend to glom on to “progressive” as a description of their ideology.

“The battle has gone on for far too long, but finally, right has triumphed over the vast might of special interests, our elected officials coming to recognize that they have some responsibility to foster public health and safety and to recognize the plank of the state Constitution that ensures a right to clean air.”

[RWC] Mr. Spiegler provides an example of a point I like to make. That is, a lobbying group is only a “special interest” if you oppose the group’s position. Here Mr. Spiegler writes about “the vast might of special interests,” yet apparently doesn’t consider Smokefree Pennsylvania and Tobacco-Free Allegheny (referred to below) to be “special interests.”

For him to be consistent, can we assume Mr. Spiegler is also pursuing legislation to shut down coal- and oil-fired power plants? What about cars, trucks, airplanes, diesel trains, et cetera? What about all the industries in the state? Aren’t they more of a risk? After all, I have to go outside and breathe the air, but I don’t have to go into someone’s private property and breathe second-hand smoke.

“This bill would not have become law had it not been for the tireless dedication of people like Bill Godshall and Greg Hartley from Smokefree Pennsylvania and those from other organizations like Tobacco-Free Allegheny.

“Everyday citizens played significant roles as well, lobbying elected officials countless times and writing myriad letters to the editor.

“Soon after Gov. Ed Rendell took office, I questioned him about this issue as a caller to PBS’ ‘Ask the Governor.’ His response made it clear that smoke-free legislation was not a priority for him at that time.

“However, it came to be, as it did for members of the General Assembly who I know were not on board in this fight years ago.

“My ideology on many issues is libertarian, but I have always recognized that one’s ability to do whatever one wishes stops at the point at which my rights and my health become affected.”

[RWC] What specifically gives Mr. Spiegler the right to prohibit a property owner from allowing smoking on his property? If Mr. Spiegler has a no smoking policy for his house, can someone enter Mr. Spiegler’s house and force him to allow smoking?

“My ideology on many issues is libertarian?” Admittedly my knowledge of Mr. Spiegler’s position on a wide range of issues is very, very limited. That said, I’ve heard too many folks on the left make similar claims and some of his previous writings are consistent with tactics lefties tend to use. Of course, Mr. Spiegler may just be another person who likes to tell others what to do with their lives and property. Oops, I guess that is a leftist. I’m beginning to believe Mr. Spiegler is simply another Republican impersonator.

“If individuals didn’t know the menace of second-hand smoke before June 2006, they became aware of it at that time, when the U.S. Surgeon General issued a scathing indictment of it in a landmark report that The Decider chose to figuratively throw into the trash.

“Once in a great while, Pennsylvania does the right thing and the citizens win. State residents can now breathe more freely as a bit of enlightenment has crept into our state. Hallelujah!”

[RWC] Hmm, yet another piece of liberty has been stripped and Mr. Spiegler shouts “hallelujah.” Does that sound like something a libertarian would say?