02 Jan 2005 Don’t Read Captain’s Quarters Today

This post on Captain’s Quarters, “Anti-Tobacco Efforts Get A Little Weird,” is amusing, but don’t risk the danger of reading it unless you are a trial lawyer or a state attorney general.

The powers that be decided long ago that voters and consumers should have little say when it comes to our national and local tobacco policies. That — along with lust for money, fame and power — is why they decided that tobacco-related issues should be settled in courtrooms, instead of by legislatures.

So don’t read Captain Ed’s post. You aren’t worthy, and thus you may be injured (either by the consequences of making the wrong decision on the policy about which he editorializes or by unaccustomed pressure on your brain). Smarter people (so smart some of them got paid tens of millions for just one legal case) will decide how the tobacco issue will be handled.

We are serfs. Get used to it. Enjoy it, even. Just don’t have a smoke. Or, rather, do. The sanctimonious states are addicted to tobacco money.

Addendum: Sharing some reader mail on this post:

Dear Amy,

This is a response to your smoking post. Here in Pennsylvania proceeds from the jacked up taxes on cigarettes are supposed to go for health insurance for poor kids. I know smoking is unhealthy but, by continuing the habit, I am doing it for the children.

I have one lit now,

Paul Phillips
Royersford, PA