I am a smoker. I'm not proud of it, but I'm damned tired of being ashamed of it. Last time I checked, it was a product sold legally in all 50 states, even the ones that want to outlaw its use in...... well, everywhere. (A side note to California: Maybe this is why you're so broke; you want to make everyone there so healthy that they live to be 150).Smoking or nonsmoking used to be a dining preference, now it is a label. First an attempt to isolate smokers from the rest of the world, now it's close to becoming a product of black markets and purchases across state lines in an attempt to circumvent the ridiculous amount of"sin" tax that varies state to state. First it was the removal of a cartoon figure from advertising; the evil Joe Camel who could entice toddlers and preschoolers to crave tobacco. Then it was removal from sponsorship of sporting events. Winston Cup? Sorry, might get those NASCAR folks all revved up (pun intended). Go ahead and let them have beer sponsors though, that's a good message; alcohol and speed are, after all, a natural combination.
Here's the thing. We know cigarettes are harmful and potentially lethal. Fine. Separate us from the obviously much more intelligent nons. You don't want us huddled outside together in a tiny toxic crowd, lest some pure- lunged fellow human be exposed to our toxic cloud. Give us an option. Stick us in a broom closet. Make us use certain entrances and exits. All of you second amendment folks, you want to be able to walk around with enough firepower to wipe out a busload of people. What about my rights?
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