In the interest of full disclosure, I am a former smoker. I quit almost 20 years ago when a pack of cigarettes went above a dollar - I was outraged that they'd charge that much. Go figure. Anyway, my mom still smokes (like a chimney) and I more than anyone would love to see her quit. But she chooses not to. Despite the second-hand smoke my father complains about.

So having revealed that sordid bit of history, I applaud Scott LoBaido from Staten Island. Who is he you may ask? My hero for today - he was the lone dissenter on the steps of New York's City Hall as Bloomberg signed into law the most restrictive anti-smoking ban in the country. Even with the compromises added to his original bill.

Now don't get me wrong. I'd rather enjoy a beer without a cloud of smoke over my head. But when Bloomberg claimed that he saved 1,000 lives by enacting this legislation, I had to draw the line. It's outrageous and, if actually true, should be enough to make cigarettes illegal everywhere - screw the bar ban. Think of the black market that would instantly appear; think of the government bureaucracy that would be created. We've done less to save a 1,000 lives in the past.

I never like New Year's Eve Day. The end of a year is so...final. I'll be better tomorrow. I'm tired of the year in reviews but I found this review of 2002 quite interesting.

Here's to 2003 - may it be an improvement over 2002. Not that that would be too difficult.