Ark. governor: Day will come when cigarettes no longer sold

Associated Press (excerpt) ^ | August 2, 2006

[HAL9000]

Excerpt -

LITTLE ROCK - Gov. Mike Huckabee, who successfully pushed for a statewide workplace smoking ban earlier this year, predicted Wednesday that cigarettes eventually won't be sold because of their health risks.

"I think the day will come when we probably won't" sell cigarettes, Huckabee said on his monthly call-in radio show. "If cigarettes were introduced to the marketplace today, they wouldn't be sold. They'd never make it because what we didn't know when they were first created, sold and marketed is just how deadly harmful they were."

Huckabee was responding to a caller's question of why cigarettes are allowed to be sold if they are so harmful. The governor fielded complaints from at least two callers about the state smoking ban, which went into effect July 21.

~ snip ~

[Madame Dufarge]

It would seem that someone who describes himself as a "small L libertarian" would be somewhat more receptive to the concept of individualism.

But I suppose that your snotty response to SheLion (implying that she's lying) would leave you open to the same charge.

[SheLion]

But I suppose that your snotty response to SheLion (implying that she's lying) would leave you open to the same charge.

Same ole same ole chit we here from these ilk daily.  However, look at this:

LOL!!!!!

[Madame Dufarge]

Perfect!

[humblegunner]

If I do smoke I'm always on the look out and I will put it out if asked to.

Me, it depends how I am asked.

I'll flick-a-butt at a rude person.

I've always been considerate of non-smokers, but lately they are getting to be like the taliban.

[elkfersupper]

being drunk (or high) is not in and of itself a danger to anyone else, and hence is none of government's business.

You've let your hatred for tobacco and smokers overide your basic principles.

You are conflicted.

Being impaired while driving is a danger to others, and may properly be banned.

Define "impaired".

[muir_redwoods]

Please pay attention, I've said from the beginning, you are all free to smoke your brains out. PLease smoke more if you want. Smoke until you don't want any more and then smoke a bit more. You can even tell your little fairy tails to each other about how it's not bad for you and how it doesn't lead to cancer.

I will be very content with the results of your choice.

[muir_redwoods]

"The outcome of my choices and the outcome of your choices will eventually be the same, bub."

When you've seen someone die of cancer, seen them every day, write back, bub

[muir_redwoods]

"Could I see your "death reservation" guaranteeing that you won't die of cancer?"

No, but I won't die a suicide like most smokers.

Please smoke as much as you want and see if your children and grandchildren want to start too so they can enjoy the immense pleasure you have been deriving from tobacco. It would be a shame to deprive them of it, wouldn't it?

[muir_redwoods]

I am not in favor of banning them. I am in favor of informing people of a kind of death that makes crucifixion look like a walk in the park. I've seen smokers in an oncology clinic in tears before a treatment. Once the treatments are over the death spiral is hideous.

If you don't know the downside first hand you aren't making a choice, your shooting in the dark.

[elkfersupper]

I will be very content with the results of your choice

Then, since you don't care, why don't you take yourself to some other thread and comment on some other subjects to the benefit of all of us?

[muir_redwoods]

Because I have as much right to comment on your choice as you have to make it. It's a free country and all that.

What's the matter, does the truth hurt?

[metesky]

My mother died of cervical cancer in 1973, when I was 29 and it took over 30 months of wasting away after she was pronounced inoperable. It was the worst 2 1/2 years of my life.

Don't you dare to presume to lecture me on the ways of life and death, you self-centered fool.

I'm sixty-two years old, an old fashioned Eastern Massachusetts street guy, and I've probably carried more people out of more different churches than you've even driven by.

I've been a pall bearer for a Mass Port Authority director and an indicted Mafia hit man and a few in between. The very idea of you flashing that diseased lung at me borders on the absurd and lecturing me on the vagaries of life and death is so meaningless as to be laughable.

When you stop using your personal pain to influence the law and the actions of others, that is to say, when you grow up, write back, bub.

[metesky]

Jeez, sorry about confusing the lung picture with you... So many AHs on these threads it's hard to keep you straight.

[SheLion]

Perfect!

Hahaaaaa!!!

[SheLion]

I will be very content with the results of your choice.

And WE would be very content for you to go back to the DU Forum where you belong! Heh!

[SheLion]

Please smoke as much as you want and see if your children and grandchildren want to start too so they can enjoy the immense pleasure you have been deriving from tobacco. It would be a shame to deprive them of it, wouldn't it?

Tell me:  what's YOUR relaxation of choice?  Prescription drugs or booze? 

[SheLion]

What's the matter, does the truth hurt?

No, truth never hurts us, but you constantly showing your ass is REALLY hard on our eyes. GET A GRIP!

[Know your rights]

being drunk (or high) is not in and of itself a danger to anyone else, and hence is none of government's business.

You've let your hatred for tobacco and smokers overide your basic principles.

You are conflicted.

How ya figure? I'd also agree that using tobacco is not in and of itself a danger to anyone else, and hence is none of government's business.

Being impaired while driving is a danger to others, and may properly be banned.

Define "impaired".

As far as I know, tobacco is nonimpairing; as for alcohol, I believe there is no clear evidence for impairment below about 0.12 BAC, so that seems to me to be the right definition.

[muir_redwoods]

"And WE would be very content for you to go back to the DU Forum where you belong! Heh!"

I've been here longer than you have and you're just completely out of luck if you think you can wish me away.

[muir_redwoods]

"Tell me: what's YOUR relaxation of choice? Prescription drugs or booze?"

Since you asked, I don't drink, smoke anything or use drugs prescription or non. I do have a cup of coffee in the morning but only one. I teach martial arts to relax and enjoy a 4-5 mile hike once or twice a week.

That's what I do to relax, it seems a more respectful attitude of gratide to the One who gave me this body. Others are free to express their appreciation for life and the body they were given to live it in any way they choose. Just as I am free to comment. This is a forum for comment.