The Drudge Report has a picture of Mel Gibson holding a cigarette. This website gets viewed 6 million times a DAY!
Hurry! Before every kid and adult sees it and starts smoking, call the Health Goons. Destroy your computer before your kids see this picture. Do SOMETHING!!!
BTW, did anyone else catch the new Whoopie Goldberg TV sitcom last night? Whoopie's character does indeed smoke (as does Whoopie). My favorite line was when she was smoking, and some wimp held up a no-smoking sign and said, "Don't you know second-hand smoke kills?" Whoopie glared murderously at the guy and replied, "And so do I." The wimp scurried away.
Hey, Jennifer and Wanda (you tramps) I look just like Mel Gibson (You'll never know-LOL)and I don't have as many kids.
Wanda, I missed Whoopi last night. Bigfoot, the monster truck, was on display at a tire store in town and I took the kids to see it. Was the show any good or is it headed for an early grave?
I enjoyed it because I like non-pc, edgy humor. It got very favorable reviews by some TV critics and got panned by others, but if the ratings last night are any indication, it's going to be a huge hit. According to what I read on Drudge today, it kicked butt in the ratings, drawing twice as many viewers as any other show for the night. Of course, it is still rerun season, so the test will come when the new season starts fully.
I have always loved Whoopi Goldberg. She is an excellent example of someone who has pulled herself up from a very negative life to become one of the most loved actresses in the world (IMO).
Wanda, I think I mentioned this before, or did I, but something in the back of my mind tells me that you are or at one time was, a teacher. From the perspective of a teacher, how do you explain to your students what the antis are up to, why they are marginalizing us smokers, how the information that the world is being fed about tobacco is lies and more lies? The reason I ask is because I was having a drink last night with a buddy who is a teacher and he being a smoker has been getting a lot of some good-natured ribbing but also some pretty nasty accusations from his students about his smoking, and he is really struggling with how to deal with that in his classes.
Wanda,...but also some pretty nasty accusations from his students about his smoking, and he is really struggling with how to deal with that in his classes.
I was never a teacher, but it's one of those occupations I thought would be fun. Here's how I would answer my students:
Good morning class. I've heard through the grapevine that some of you have been making nasty accusations about my smoking. Well, how would you stupid little $%#@^ like my boot up your ass? Any questions?
Just to be sure before commenting, I asked an old friend, recently retired from a career teaching junior high science. He told me that teachers nowadays have to be pretty careful about the language they use in class, and he said that "$%#@^" is clearly prohibited language and could get a teacher fired. However, when tempted, my friend did get away with "@#$$<%" and the students got his drift.
Zula, I didn't teach in public school. I taught college students, though I'm now retired from that. Many of my students also smoked, and the topic never came up.
I can't imagine, frankly, high school students ragging their teacher about smoking--it would be just too wussy and uncool for them to be little purse-lipped types in front of the other students. In fact, that's why the anti-smoking propaganda so prevalent in junior high and high schools has actually caused more kids to smoke. Even many of those kids who join such anti programs as "truth" smoke and laugh about the adult leaders behind their backs. I remember seeing reports of lots of cigarette butts in the restrooms of the "truth" train for teens in Florida. In another state, students wore the free anti tee-shirts that were being given away--and burned holes in them with cigarettes as a fashion (and political) statement.
...about the language they use in class, and he said that "$%#@^" is clearly prohibited language and could get a teacher fired. However, when tempted, my friend did get away with "@#$$<%" and the students got his drift.
Just a tip.
Thanks, Dennis (ROFL). I meant to say @#$$<% and not $%#@^. Slip of the finger.
Truthfully, I was basically quoting a MSgt in the Marine Corps when he heard through the grapevine what we were saying about him behind his back. LOL
quote:Originally posted by Wanda Hamilton: I remember seeing reports of lots of cigarette butts in the restrooms of the "truth" train for teens in Florida. In another state, students wore the free anti tee-shirts that were being given away--and burned holes in them with cigarettes as a fashion (and political) statement.
That's a good one. If you have that on your hard drive I'd love to see it, Wanda. Either way it's a good laugh.
You have to remember before assigning all kids to the Hitler Youth in these anti groups, kids join things for all kind of reasons other than it's purpose. Maybe it get's them out of school for awhile, or they get a free trip somewhere, etc., etc., they often don't care about the issue at all. One way or the other.
Children live in a more controlled environment to begin with, and they know adults use them for their own purposes. They go along ... if something is in it for them.
[This message was edited by John L on Thu September 11 2003 at 05:05 PM.]
Posts: 1085 | Location: Kansas City, Kansas | Registered: Mon March 11 2002
Don't most adults do the same????? Particularly the highly paid antis??????
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You've got a point there Gabz. Most people will go along with almost anything if there is something in it for them. I remember a bunch of antis had a rally a few years back, and they decided to put on a demonstration in front of a bingo hall to protest the smoking inside. They had quite a turnout for their demonstration. I think the papers reported something like 48 demonstrators. Later it came out that there were 3 people from the anti organization and the rest where some people they had picked up at local bars and offered them a pack of cigarettes if they would join them and carry some signs for an hour or so. Most of them were found later back in the bars smoking their cigarettes.
Gee, zula ... what high principled smokers you've got in your town, sounds like they would do anything for a buck. This is a bit much.
"Later it came out that there were 3 people from the anti organization and the rest where some people they had picked up at local bars and offered them a pack of cigarettes if they would join them and carry some signs for an hour or so."
Posts: 1085 | Location: Kansas City, Kansas | Registered: Mon March 11 2002
quote:Originally posted by John L: Gee, zula ... what high principled smokers you've got in your town, sounds like they would do anything for a buck. This is a bit much.
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Good point, John, actually that didn't happen where I live but I saw it in a newspaper. I think the point they were making is that the antis will do anything to make people think they have a popular cause, but often it is only a couple people in the community who are making a big fuss and they sometimes manage to convince the local health people that they should be doing something about 'all' that public smoking.
Well, actually it is never just a couple of people who convince the health departments to do something. Every anti campaign is heavily funded and heavily organized, conducted by professionals (often teams of professionals from organizations such as the American Cancer Society, which in turn gets lots and lots of money from the pharmaceutical companies to organize such bans). The bans aren't coming from any real people. Most non-smokers don't care one way or another. Make no mistake about the anti-tobacco war having anything to do with just "people." It's a business, and if it weren't for the money being generated, there would be no bans and no campaign.
quote:Originally posted by John L: Gee, zula ... what high principled smokers you've got in your town, sounds like they would do anything for a buck. This is a bit much.
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Good point, John, actually that didn't happen where I live but I saw it in a newspaper. I think the point they were making is that the antis will do anything to make people think they have a popular cause, but often it is only a couple people in the community who are making a big fuss and they sometimes manage to convince the local health people that they should be doing something about 'all' that public smoking.
Zula, because of the perceived "nobility" of their cause, these frauds sweep into town like locusts, even getting free offices in state buildings and unlimited access to lawmakers. They are the ultimate "special interest group" and "the people" run a poor second. But the drive is often started by just a few nannies with too much time on their hands and Messiah complexes.
Posts: 1051 | Location: Alta Loma, CA USA | Registered: Sat February 05 2000
