Some Ancient History

There is certainly historical precedent for interest groups manipulating the political process for gain and unfortunately negative repercussions for us, the people. Over the coming months I want to make the argument that you have no basis for accepting as truth facts that are generated by the folks in Washington DC. I am not promoting anarchy... I am promoting responsible skepticism that will enable you to make your own decisions.

Remember back to the 1940’s "Here's how to smoke all you want. If you really enjoy smoking, yet feel you smoke too much, you don't have to cut down and deprive yourself of smoking pleasure! Follow the lead of thousands of others - switch to new Julep Cigarettes. Smoke all you want without unpleasant symptoms of over-smoking! A smoking miracle? Yes, it's the triple miracle of mint. (1) Your mouth doesn't get smoke-weary! (2) Your throat doesn't get that harsh, hacking feeling! (3) Your breath avoids tobacco-taint! Get Juleps today - get more joy out of smoking!"Source: "Truth in Advertising Gallery"http://www.chickenhead.com/truth/index.html. Remember Chesterfield in the 1950s "AND NOW - CHESTERFIELD FIRST TO GIVE YOU SCIENTIFIC FACTS IN SUPPORT OF SMOKING."Small Print: "A responsible consulting organization reports a study by a competent medical specialist and staff on the effects of smoking Chesterfields...'It is my opinion that the ears, nose, throat and accessory organs of all participating subjects examined by me were not adversely affected in the six-month period by smoking the cigarettes provided." Source: "Truth in Advertising Gallery"http://www.chickenhead.com/truth/index.html

In 1912 Dr. Isaac Alder presents the first strong link between smoking and lung cancer. And in 1942 the Lancet publishes a paper by researcher L.M. Johnston describing addiction for the first time. So the information was there but it was not easy for the public to access. If fact it was far easier to keep smoking and to rationalize that the "scientific studies" must have credibility or someone would step forward. There is no doubt in my mind that at least some politicians knew that smoking was killing people; however, it was expedient to keep quiet. Whether it was the tobacco lobby or trading political support, you lost and they won. My Mother smoked for 53 years and died from related heart problems exacerbated by lung cancer which she miraculously beat. Maybe the outcome would have been the same, but it would have been nice if she had made her life decisions based on facts not lies.

You know the history of smoking advertisements. The companies had to place warnings on their packages, more studies revealed that smoking was a major contributor to early death, and smoking rates began to drop. The tobacco companies now market to third world countries. I am certain when the mass media and the internet catch up that this overseas marketing will certainly enhance our image overseas.

Do you believe that the U.S. Government was concerned about your health or the burden of paying for your bad choices. I do believe that there are honest people in government. I also believe that if political expediency requires a legislator to look the other way, that's a no brainer that historically has happened over and over again.