Free Republic

But because it was in Forbes, an “MSM” publication, this piece of garbage will be seized on and pointed to as fact for years to come by cynical folks who know better, like Newt Gingrich, and by those who don’t, like Free Republic commenters or your relatives (you know the ones) who pass on those slap-me-stupid email forwards.

Barack Obama is still struggling to kick smoking, according to his first medical examination since becoming president. Obama is sensitive about his cigarette habit and tetchy with reporters who raise it. But after his 90-minute medical at the Navy hospital outside Washington yesterday morning, his doctors confirmed he had not yet managed to conquer the habit and suggested he "continue smoking cessation efforts". The doctors also recommended "moderation of alcohol intake".

This past week I flew to the Los Angeles area for business. My client purchased my airline tickets for me and made my hotel reservations. I told them I wanted a smoking room. They made reservations for me at a Hilton Garden Inn in Arcadia, and another at the Hilton on Century Blvd near LAX. When I checked into the place in Arcadia, they informed me that they were out of smoking rooms (which they knew I wanted), and that if I smoked in the room they gave me I would incur a $75 cleaning charge. Maybe they could switch...