- i agree with the author of this post that smoking when banned in public places, should really be banned. aside from it's a health risk, while it is overly enjoyed by others, it can really stink to some. on that note, i wish deodorants should be deemed mandatory as well esp with the temperatures there.

- a law is a law is a law. however, i understnd the confusion, as it's a place where two sets of laws are trying to guide the population. muslim law and the "western" ways. so it is indeed to some extent like "the house is a no smoking house, then local invite a guest and lights a ciggie infront of the foreign guest" --- is just like women's arms and hair should not be exposed, yet muslims are in their own country is "subjected" to such sights (not that i want that changed, please:). however, this is just a simple law of "smoking not allowed" and dedicated to everyone who has lungs with the possibility of dying from cancer, and should be a no brainer. u see walls, u dont feel the heat of the sun outside, not all the faces u see u recognize and are related to you by blood...so yeh maybe, just maybe this is an enclosed space or a public place and smoking is not allowed.

- i do not agree however that foreigners especially westerners (i am asian and is in lower imaginary hierarchy) are more decadent with breaking the laws just for the sake of breaking it. one, these are foreigners who mainly (as in by population and reason)go there to work and if they get in trouble they get deported. whereas qataris can live and die there according to their choice no matter what laws they break. so i agree when it is said that foreigners only break some laws which they think they can get away with because....*deep breaths*...*grabs a helmet*...*gets a mace*...theyv seen locals do it and got away with it. however, this does not make them look and seem higher than the laws nor the locals...i believe this just makes them chain smokers..and episodic dyslexic.

- i dont think qatarcat is overly critical. i think shes even kind of proud of your country and to be a part of it, however liking something does not take away one's eyes and ability to discern. and absolutely nothing that can be grasped by a human mind is perfect. utter it and it can and will be refuted. and this is a forum and just like any healthy discussions, bound to have differing points. while qatarcat sees the local's point, it does not necessarily mean she would agree with it...and we can only live with it and hopefully not dredge out old quotes. but it's a free forum, im just saying it's an alternative way of dealing.

- an opinion is an opinion whether it comes from one individual or substantiated by a census. when qatarcat says this is the future(1 or 2 individuals way way younger than me) i believe it is a possibility, and the keyword there is "the future", so is still presently hypothetical. a possibility --- just like how bin ladin was just one single voice back then as a teenager, just as how Bush, hitler, einstein, mao tse tung, nero were just one individual back then. and wasnt it demonstrating gradeschool kids who got killed added impetus to apartheid discussion? im just saying that while one shouldnt be overly paranoid, one shouldnt easily dismiss things either.

- so...getting back on the smokers, yeh it stinks to the nonsmokers. This law will keep nonsmokers n smokers from each others throats, as some smokers find it offensive when others cover their nose to keep from inhaling.

...and i still wish deodorants should be mandatory and i would volunteer my dog to be the first official sniffer since he just chewed my shoes anyway!!!

but i digress, everything has been said. everyones gone to bed. post killed. and yes, i must remember this is not my column.

err..qatari,maybe u should set a limit to number of words here. i cant stop typing..them keys wont let go of my fingers....help..............@#$%^&*?>!@#