[m42]

Originally Posted by Sean@WMS

Well, oddly enough, it's apparently not possible, at least here in California.

For example, some young entrepreneurs in a college town just a few miles up the road from me wanted to start a hookah lounge -- just a place to sip tea, gossip, and enjoy some nice tobacco and "kick it."

The only "employees" were the business owners.

Now that I just think goes over the top! I'd LOVE to patron a place like that. And why shouldn't they be able to start such an establishment?

Here's where is all get's too irrational and draconian, down right fundamentalist, IMHO.

But what's really happening here?

Representatives have passed into law on behalf of their constituents, but their constituents are thinking "restaraunt" and even "bar" . . . but NOT thinking about and establishment marketing to folks who really would like to go kick it "Middle Eastern" style and sip tea, gossip, and smoke.

Honestly, as Muslims don't drink ( typically ), is this tantamount to xenophobia, racism, and ethnocentricism?

You asked if it was possible not if it was the current state of affairs.

I doubt many people reading this thread will disagree with your assessment that such behaviour is illogical.