$28 Billion Smoker Award Could Be Cut

The Recorder via Law.com via Yahoo! News ^ | Monday October 7, 1:54 am Eastern Time | Dennis J. Opatrny

[Judith Anne]

"Punitive damages are supposed to sting, but not put them out of business," said Fogel. "It's a factor that courts consider."

Now this torques my ticker. Not put them out of business? What kind of hypocrisy is this?

I'll tell you: it's the kind of hypocrisy that wants people to keep smoking so it can keep the money flowing. Smokenazis are not only hypocrites, they're thieves. They didn't make a dime of that money they're stealing through the liberal courts, which encourage them. And they for sure don't want that money gone. Smoking is a choice. It isn't an addiction. Yes, it's hard to break a habit. No, it's not impossible. If someone has a physical problem from smoking and they don't quit, they have mental problems. Rewarding people like that and the lawyers they rode in on is an encouragement to be powerless, weak, and stupid, expecting someone else to pay for it. Welfare for lawyers, in addition.

[Conagher]

It takes two to tango. People seem to want to blame the lawyers, but there's typically twelve citizens plucked from the community there as the triers of fact. If they don't go for it, the best and brightest lawyers in the world are useless.

[Judith Anne]

I agree about the jury--for heaven's sake, though, this victim mentality--"I can't quit, the evil tobacco companies did this to me, I'm weak, give me money because I made myself sick--"

Any number of things can make a certain portion of the population sick--peanuts can kill some people--if some people have a health problem with smoking--or drinking--or eating peanuts--or McDonald's--or Krispy Kremes--for the love of Mike, what is their problem with AVOIDING using the product? Why do the courts reward these people?

The courts don't reward illegal drug users, although there is plenty of evidence that some of those drugs are likely to be abused--they don't give them billions--people who have illegal drug problems don't get teams of attorneys to sue for millions in settlements!

Get a clue, America! If you have a health problem from smoking--quit! If somebody else doesn't--leave them alone!

[Judith Anne]

off /rant! (*I DO get annoyed...*)