Revisiting Fred Brown's Outrage in White

    
Fred Brown of the Pipe Smokers Intelligencer wrote an article detailing a trip he took to Colorado, Outrage in White.  He witnessed two individuals smoking outside a smoke shop and makes a logical assumption that there was a local smoking ban in effect even for smoke shops.  This prompted a reader to lash out and defend the great state of Colorado, informing us that there was no such ban.  When standing up for our rights as pipe smokers we should stick together and never assume that you are safe from smoking bans - not even in your local tobacco shop. 

From The Smokers Club...

Colorado: Lakewood Smoking Ban Update
 

The War on Cigarettes (and Tobacco)

   
The War on Cigarettes

I love it when I can link to an article that saves me a rant.  :)
 

TAXES! TAXES! and MORE TAXES!

      
Washington State: Concerning the taxation of cigarettes and other tobacco products.

A tax increase of 75% to 95% of retail on tobacco in the great state of Washington. Gee, what do you think will happen now - the tax revenues start flowing into Olympia? Would you pay a 95% tax on anything? Stupid is as stupid does. This will only result in more business and job loss in Washington. Watch out - the legislature will than be looking for additional sources of revenue when this new tax fails to deliver.

The same argument keeps being sung over and over - the health care burden and productivity loss due to tobacco users. The same could be said of the obese and dare I even say the same can be said with individuals that don't practice monogamy. Think about the health care burden of individuals that acquire STDs and the productivity loss. See where I am going with this. You let these politicians and petty bureaucrats get away with this reasoning than no lifestyle choice is safe. Junk science than can be used to grow the list of what is a burden to society and thus in need of taxation. 
  

What should get more attention!

 

Congressman to hold hearing into baseball and chewing tobacco
     

Look at the photos and tell what should have a greater priority for the congressman.

I can't believe this is what our congress is spending their time on.  Parents are responsible for making sure they teach their children about the effects of chewing tobacco, not a crusading congressman. 

I can hear the wailing and gnashing of teeth now.  Yes, I have seen the nasty photos of the guys with missing jaws due to mouth cancer.  Again, the parents are responsible.  No parents at home?  Than those poor kids have bigger problems than being influence by baseball players to chew tobacco. 

Cloud of confusion envelops Michigan smoking ban

  
Cloud of confusion envelops Michigan smoking ban

This is funny AND sad.  Michigan's economy is in the crapper and they are passing laws that hurt business.  Brilliant!
 

Happy Easter!

  
No ranting this morning - just a profound sense of thankfulness for what today represents.  Christos Anesti! Christ Is Risen!

Of course, being a pipe smoker, I salute the great defenders of the faith that enjoyed tobacco and life.  If the anti-tobacco activists ever read anything that these gentlemen wrote, maybe they'll get a sense of their peace and take a step back, relax and live their lives without the need to dictate to others on how to live theirs.