[SheLion]

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.

For crying out loud!  American Lung are Liars!

I just received this in email:

On the TV news yesterday in Chicago was a story about a group in Skokie, IL who set up a collection site for people to donate cigarettes for the troops in Iraq. (Maybe there's a shortage at the PX?  I don't know...)

 

Anyway, what pops up on the TV screen next is a statement from some representative of the Lung Associatiion, protesting this endeavor, spouting off statistics about the number of vets in VA hospitals who suffer from smoking-induced illnesses, etc, and  how much better it would be for this group to send them toiletries and gum rather than cigarettes.

 

I couldn't believe my ears!  These guys are at WAR and don't know if they'll be alive tomorrow, much less ever come home to "suffer" in a VA hospital!!

 

If they want cigarettes, for Pete's sake, we should send them what they want!!!

 

Damn liberals--trying to run everybody ELSE'S lives!  I'm funing!

[annyokie]

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!

[Argh]

It struck me about the same, Miss Lion.

[Gabz]

Damn liberals--trying to run everybody ELSE'S lives!

They ain't gonna run mine - and I seriously don't think those men in Iraq give a rat's behind what they have to say - as they are busting their butts to protect the rights of those saying it.

[Twinkie]

During WWII, my Daddy was on the front lines. He smoked
and drank whatever he could get hold of to smoke or drink.
He quit after he got out of that high stress (to put it
mildly) situation. Meantime, facing death a lot of the
time, he didn't fear riding German motorcycles with the
lights out down mountain roads, smoking and drinking cognac.

[Texan5]

Not only is this protesting of soldiers smoking ridiculous, but it is a load of crap, as well-my husband works at a VA hospital, and the comment about vets suffering from smoking is laughable and untrue.