Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here
Posted on 02/02/2006 10:22:55 AM PST by SmithL
Salem, Ore. (AP) --
The Oregon Supreme Court upheld on Thursday a $79.5 million punitive damages award to the family of an Oregon smoker who died of lung cancer, saying the amount isn't excessive given the "reprehensible" conduct of tobacco giant Philip Morris in marketing cigarettes.
The decision upholds a lower court ruling and responds to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that asked Oregon courts to consider whether the award in the lawsuit against Philip Morris, a unit of Altria Group Inc., was excessive.
The state Supreme Court said it was not excessive, given "such extreme and outrageous circumstances."
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
All loving parents or grandparents should immediately begin smoking in order to leave a $79 million estate to their heirs.
At a minimum, encourage your parents to start smoking right now.
How convienient. Who writes the judges paychecks?
These judges should be removed and disbarred.
Our government has already considered making smoking illegal and has not done so.
They have instead warned people of the dangers and left it up to them.
The courts have absolutely no business stepping in and trying to destroy a company selling a legal product.
Doing so is a direct attack on our form of government.
Lawyers are going to sue the tobacco industry out of business.
This is a good thing.
Until you have millions of smokers going through nicotine fits and getting meaner than a junkyard dog. I'm gonna tell them that YOU said it was a good thing...hee hee hee...
I agree. Leave them alone. Eliminate any government interference, warnings or protections.
The lawyers would have the carcass stripped to the bone by week's end. The only way the tobacco industry has lasted this long is by hiding behind the government's skirts for the past thirty years.
Puh-leaze. Don't you remember those Tobacco Execs testifying before Congress? The stuff's not addictive.
How is using the courts to shut down any business a good thing?
The courts hold people responsible for the damage they have caused. This is a good thing.
ping
Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here
Thank you Mr. Dean.
Pray tell, what else should the courts do that the congress, the executive branch, and various legislatures have not yet done?
The courts should do exactly what they have done here. They are not legislating here. They are adjudicating this particular case. They are finding a party responsible and assessing damages. This is their job.
You're on the wrong website, buddy....
What about the responsibility of the person that was smoking after being warned it could pose health hazards?
I despise PM as a company, however PM did not force this person to use their product.
The poster is another one of those "ban his vice, but leave mine alone" hypocrites. Next it'll be fast food, stereo systems, and other products that busybodies scream for regulation.
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