The Tobbacolypse: Would it Affect You at All?

[PiperCubAK]

So the Biden administration is considering legislation to limit the amount of nicotine in cigarettes to the point where "they are no longer addictive" and would push people towards quitting smoking or using nicotine gum or other substitutes.

This would mean to me that more people would move towards RYO tobacco which would then come under scrutiny by the administration and potentially mean any pipe tobacco would be limited in nicotine content.

Anyone else worried by this move?

 

[Ryszard]

Really? Even the ones who have served in combat theaters? Wow!

I don't agree with the first statement either, but what does that have to do with anything really? I mean you can suck at a job or have ill intentions despite having served, I've sure known a few bad apples in my time in the military. But let's not get into non-tobacco politics.

 

[warren]

but what does that have to do with anything really?

Certainly true but, the use of 'spineless" was over the top. No doubt he is overwhelmed and has no cogent argument for the support of our wee vice other than name calling. Such doesn't advance the position of we smokers in our feeble efforts to stem attacks on tobacco use. And, it's not the politicians we need to debate, it's the voters. No politician is going to endanger his position by taking the "wrong" side of such an, in reality, insignificant issue.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Really? Even the ones who have served in combat theaters? Wow!

He may have painted with a broad brush but by and large, he's correct in his assessment of politicians. I have the greatest respect for people who served in our military but it would be horribly naive to think all veterans are honest and good people.

 

[Chasing Embers]

but it would be horribly naive to think all veterans are honest and good people.

Yep, they're just folk like everyone else.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Yep, they're just folk like everyone else.

Exactly. I have a 5% asshole rule. Regardless of race, color, creed, religion, nationality or culture, 95% of all people are essentially good, 5% are assholes. That number may be 7% or whatever but I'm convinced over 90% of all people are essentially good.

 

[brian64]

So the Biden administration is considering legislation to limit the amount of nicotine in cigarettes to the point where "they are no longer addictive" and would push people towards quitting smoking or using nicotine gum or other substitutes.

This would mean to me that more people would move towards RYO tobacco which would then come under scrutiny by the administration and potentially mean any pipe tobacco would be limited in nicotine content.

Anyone else worried by this move?

Someone should tell them about the potential benefits of nicotine for dementia.

 

[olkofri]

Someone should tell them about the potential benefits of nicotine for dementia.

And of the dangers to the brain from being around their children when they are smoking something other than tobacco in their pipes.

 

[warren]

90% of all people are essentially good.

That's an awful high percentage based on my experience. Most people are acceptably ethical and honest as long as they think someone is watching. They also believe that actions have consequences and fear of those consequences keep them reasonable straight. I admit to being extremely cynical.

Always expect the worst from people. That way you will never be disappointed. Sometimes, rarely, you will even be pleasantly surprised.

Also, I didn't intend to imply all vets are exemplary human beings. I had to discharge more than one from employment for various reasons. I only wanted to point out that most, who have served under enemy fire should not be considered "spineless."

 

[olkofri]

I only wanted to point out that most, who have served under enemy fire should not be considered "spineless."

I see your point there. However, the term 'rubber spine' is applicable to them if they bend over to please their handlers. Being unafraid of an armed enemy does not preclude being afraid of an obscure yet mighty oligarch who has them politicos by the balls one way or another.

 

[brian64]

an obscure yet mighty oligarch

Or a well known yet creepy oligarch.

The worst of the worst are those who have no fear of consequences because they are above the law.

 

[warren]

Aye, but they better please a sufficient number of their voters or they are too soon without the perks they so love. Again, if we perceive politicians as the enemy you are letting off the voters. We are simply living in a world we have created, voters and, most assuredly, the non-voters.

The worst of the worst are those who have no fear of consequences because they are above the law.

Yet, we keep returning to office those who, in the various laws, exempt themselves from the law. We empower them, reelect them and then want to blame them for doing as we, for the most part, desire. Blaming politicians for acting in their best interests is a waste of time and effort. Blame your neighbors and family for keeping the status quo. It's we who are to blame. It's we who are too lazy to become informed and organize that part of the electorate we can touch and speak to. Further, we smokers, should we try to oppoase the measures we decry are such a niggardly minority that no one needs pay the least bit of attention to our complaints. We simply do not represent sufficient votes/donations for them to even notice us. The membership of this site represents many view points and I have the impression most of us are not "one issue" voters. So, even we can't agree on the issue. Some like me, wouldn't miss tobacco in the least. Others might be counted upon to gargle their gun should tobacco be banned. Then there are all of those somewhere in the middle.

 

[brian64]

Yet, we keep returning to office those who, in the various laws, exempt themselves from the law.

Well, I for one have no faith in the integrity of the electoral process.

But that issue aside, yes, the self-exempt politicians are bad enough, but the "worst of the worst" I was referring to are much higher up the food chain than politicians.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

That's an awful high percentage based on my experience. Most people are acceptably ethical and honest as long as they think someone is watching. They also believe that actions have consequences and fear of those consequences keep them reasonable straight. I admit to being extremely cynical.

Always expect the worst from people. That way you will never be disappointed. Sometimes, rarely, you will even be pleasantly surprised.

Also, I didn't intend to imply all vets are exemplary human beings. I had to discharge more than one from employment for various reasons. I only wanted to point out that most, who have served under enemy fire should not be considered "spineless."

How many politicians who served were ever under enemy fire?

 

[olkofri]

but the "worst of the worst" I was referring to are much higher up the food chain than politicians.

And they're all in this together !!

 

[OneGoodBulldog]

Is this a trick question? I think we have to really scrutinize the post history of anyone who isn't ready to die watering the tree of Flakerty. That's like liberty for flake cut. Don't worry it's just a catchphrase. We should be ready to die for plug, and ribbon too. Hell, even shag cut!

 

[warren]

How many politicians who served were ever under enemy fire?

I know of at least two in the US Senate, more than a couple in my State Legislature. None at this time in my local government. There were many following WWII. One of my senators flew "The Hump." One, from Hawaii, was severely wounded and crippled in Italy. Truman, Grant, Garfield, Kennedy. Jackson and hundreds more from the War of Independence through Afghanistan served honorably with many entitled to the "Purple Heart" among other honors. That is not to imply that all were honest or served in postwar governments honorably. But, veterans have served in many government bodies, on both sides of the aisle. So, I am guessing, thousands in our history returned from combat and. for various reasons, decided to keep serving whether in the village, state or higher elected positions, representing the entire gamut of politics. All, I'm saying is, we shouldn't denigrate entire professions simply because your feelings are hurt, you are on the losing side of some issue or another and can't come up with a reasoned and civil argument in support of your position. There are heroes and rapscallions on both side of nearly every issue.

 

[SoddenJack]

I know of at least two in the US Senate, more than a couple in my State Legislature. None at this time in my local government. There were many following WWII. One of my senators flew "The Hump." One, from Hawaii, was severely wounded and crippled in Italy. Truman, Grant, Garfield, Kennedy. Jackson and hundreds more from the War of Independence through Afghanistan served honorably with many entitled to the "Purple Heart" among other honors. That is not to imply that all were honest or served in postwar governments honorably. But, veterans have served in many government bodies, on both sides of the aisle. So, I am guessing, thousands in our history returned from combat and. for various reasons, decided to keep serving whether in the village, state or higher elected positions, representing the entire gamut of politics. All, I'm saying is, we shouldn't denigrate entire professions simply because your feelings are hurt, you are on the losing side of some issue or another and can't come up with a reasoned and civil argument in support of your position. There are heroes and rapscallions on both side of nearly every issue.

George HW Bush was the last president to serve in combat and I can’t think of a more flaccid and spineless example. All your other examples are from 100 years ago. You could be Audie Murphy on the battlefield, but 2 years in DC and you’re more likely to be found mainlining speedballs of meth and adrenochrome with Hunter Biden and Matt Gaetz in an orgy with underage prostitutes than doing anything that could be mistaken for moral or honorable. I have more respect for drug dealers and pornographers than politicians, can’t remember a single time I’ve required the services of a politician. They’re parasites.

No disrespect intended to you Warren, and I agree with your earlier comments about the voting public sharing at least part of the blame. I’m sure there are some decent people on the local level too. I just feel that anyone that thinks they deserve to be in charge should be met with some level of suspicion and derision. Sorry for the diatribe, going to go figure out what to smoke now.

 

[warren]

I have more respect for drug dealers and pornographers than politicians,

And that, my friends, is a very telling admission.

 

[jaytex1969]

I had a nice cellar but lost it in a tragic boat accident...