[tomball]

I will probably get flamed for my opinion but...

None of this garbage would be in issue if the Clinton Administration wasn't so hell bent on demonizing an industry in order to "redistribute wealth through the courts." He and his minions succeeded. Rather than money spent on researching remedies for smoke related illnesses, the money goes to attorneys who exploit people who have been smoking voluntarily for years.

Now we have farmers out of work, frivolous law suits continue to clog the courts, and our individual freedoms being stripped from us without so much as a chance to defend ourselves.

Oh - and let's not forget the anal retentive huns that have the gall to create laws around cigarettes to demonize the smoker while they are inhaling prozac and force feeding their kids ridlin. Tobacco does not have the side effects of these drugs, but no one will speak about that.

I do not smoke by choice. People who smoke do not demonize me or force me to go somewhere else because I do not smoke. People who smoke are my friends, not foes. I will sit anywhere in a restaurante so long as I can be seated. Going into a smoke filled bar does not bother me. Walking past a tobacco shop is aromatic - not toxic.

Cigarette smokers pay higher taxes through their means of enjoyment. By paying "sin taxes," cigarette smokers fund stadiums and outdoor public events places where they are not even allowed to smoke. Not even a smokers lounge is offered on behalf of their contributions to the facilities. Now these taxpayers can't go outside of their own house to smoke without fear of an alleged neighbor calling the cigarette police on them.

Spare me. I am not offended by people who smoke. However, I am truly offended by those who create laws against those who do.

[metesky]

Geez Tom, why would you get flamed for such a common sense, real people post?

Don't get me started on Clinton though. He's the only president in U.S. history to organize every facet of government to steal money for him and his gang.

We've had some crooks, some rubes, some babes-in-the-woods for presidents and we've had some good ones and some great ones.

Birry Krinton is at the bottom of the pile no matter how you count 'em.

[DumpsterDiver]

I will probably get flamed for my opinion but...

If anyone flames you I'll use it to light my cigarette and then blow some smoke up their....

[Annie03]

Oh - and let's not forget the anal retentive huns that have the gall to create laws around cigarettes to demonize the smoker while they are inhaling prozac and force feeding their kids ridlin. Tobacco does not have the side effects of these drugs, but no one will speak about that.

I liked your entire post but was especially struck by this point....it so well describes the schizophrenic nature of our current society. Brave New World, Aldous Huxley, coming soon..

[Mears]

Great post,Tomball.

[swarthyguy]

Problem is. BOTH parties are hopelessly statist. The Repubs are just as enamored of this Nanny Control Philosophy as the Democrats. A pox on them both.