Posted on 12/10/2004 3:23:49 PM PST by LouAvul
SKOKIE, ILL. — Radio host Mike North (search) took his show on the road for what he believed was a good cause: Collecting cigarettes for soldiers overseas.
North urged his listeners in Skokie, Ill., to donate cigarettes to be sent to the troops. He called the campaign “Smokes for Soldiers” (search) and said he got the idea from the picture of James Miller (search), the 20-year-old Marine in combat in Iraq photographed with a lit cigarette dangling from his mouth.
“His picture was plastered all over the newspapers and I started reading … and he says, ‘I’m just doing what’s supposed to be done, but guess what? There’s a shortage of cigarettes out here,’” North said.
The American Lung Association (search) opposes the “Smokes for Soldiers” drive, saying troops should be sent care packages that don’t kill, and distributed a memo from Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld (search) in which he advised that tobacco should be avoided because it impacts troop readiness.
“Tobacco use presents an immediate and real danger for our soldiers who are on the lines today,” said Joel Africk of the American Lung Association. More than 400,000 Americans die each year from smoking-related illnesses.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Puff ping!
While many soldiers will appreciate his efforts, it goes against all military policies for health and fitness.
Punks. Tell these guys who are working 18 hour days, 6 or 7 days a week, and who might get shot any minute that they need "care packages that don't kill".
BARF.
Smoke 'em if you got em.
Smoke'em.
Maybe so, but they still haven't outlawed smoking in the ranks.
This was all over FOX news yesterday - and there was nothing "fair and balanced" with how Shep Smith was presenting it - the kool-aid drinking anti-smoker that he is.
If they can be killed with bullets and bombs, smoking isn't much of a threat.
I just sent my bro-in-law cigs. If he has stopped smoking, fine, they make for great barter.
If one is a smoker there is nothing more relaxing than finally getting the chance to sit down and light up after being on the move under tremendous stress for a long period of time.
I guess one has to experience the effect to appreciate it. Smoking is a nasty unhealthy habit but if it helps some of the
troops get thru the day let it happen.
Dying from smoking is not our combat forces major concern.
Tobacco!!! Oh, the horrors of war!
“Tobacco use presents an immediate and real danger for our soldiers who are on the lines today,” said Joel Africk of the American Lung Association. More than 400,000 Americans die each year from smoking-related illnesses.
For crying out loud! American Lung are Liars!
I just received this in email:
I hope Marine Lance Cpl. James Blake Miller, from KANE-tuck got his smokes.
GREAT Photo!!!!!!!
I have hundreds of pictures of hubs in VN smoking with his mates. That and the cans of beer they got at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The horror!
Don't these soldier know that smoking can kill them?
I love it! It is one of my favs.
*APPLAUSE*
I wholeheartedly agree. Smoke 'em while you're staring down Death, or use them as barter when needed to get info on the enemy.
Back in the late 70's, they used to put smokes and matches in our MREs! I wasn't interested in smoking but was able to trade them for brownies and packs of gum, LOL!
Everyone and everything has their price in this world...
It struck me about the same, Miss Lion.
Mike is a classic Chicagoan from the great Nortwest Side. He ran a hotdog stand when he was discovered and made his pile the old fashioned way on WSCR as a talker. If he isn't a Freeper, he otta be. God Bless him. He's a great guy.
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