Fiction: 'The Argument Against Pipe Smoking'

[briarfriar]

A short story from thejaggedworld.com Tuesday speaks of a debate on the U.S. Senate floor.

“When I gather with my friends to smoke my pipe at our little watering hole around the corner from my house, a couple of distinctly ‘healthy’ things happen to me. First, I slow down, as smoking and caring for the embers in my pipe takes time. Second, I talk to my pals and truly experience the peace that can only be had when one spends good times in conversations with his pals. Finally, I think about things I don’t get a chance to otherwise. Things like right and wrong, good and bad, holy and depraved. In short, I truly get to be human.”

Read all about it here.

 

[cortezattic]

Thanks for the link. It's always frightening to realize that a freedom we take for granted can be extinguished simply at the whim of a majority opposition. It always makes me think of vegans becoming the majority and outlawing meat (and I think they could make a more cogent case than the anti-smoking mob!) Maybe democracy isn't the best option where reason is concerned.

 

[mso489]

I think the Founding Fathers (and I'm sure the Founding Mothers who influenced them) tied themselves in a knot trying to protect the rights of the minority while instilling majority rule in general. Small state versus large state, individuals under The Bill of Rights. Despite glaring imperfections of slavery and the women's vote, they put down a foundation, but it requires continual development to be realized in the present, not by the decree of zealotry of one faction, but by the whole republic working hard and conceding compromises to gain a national balance. That's the requirement.

 

[ssjones]

http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/an-argument-against-pipe-smoking-blog-entry

 

[beefeater33]

Thanks Braiarfriar...... A noteworthy read, hope to hell it never comes to that..............

 

[okiescout]

The nanny state is alive and looking for more fodder for its ego. It is interesting to see folks so dedicated to making my life "right". It would be more interesting to be a mouse in the pockets of these same people when they "get home and shut the door". The word hypocrite quickly comes to mind. :evil:

 

[smokinfireman]

You can survive the apocalypse with 3 items.... a knife, a pipe and some good tobacco. But according to every newscast in America the stocks and economy just couldn't get any better......