Returning fire 2!!! (Main Forum)

by Brian Coyne , LINDEN, NSW, Saturday, June 14, 2008, 18:16 (1802 days ago) @ Brian Coyne

Continued...

Finally, and I have just remembered this point which I had written in the post I had lost: Yes, Lillypilly, we can all cite examples of people have have died at a relatively young age from smoking-related illnesses. I have some relatives who would fall into that category also. I do not deny whatsoever that there is a link between smoking and cancer. I also have relatives who have been heavy smokers and who have lived to very grand old ages. Tom Lee cited another example of that in this string this morning. I would argue that research does need to be undertaken and it might well show there is a link between longevity and smoking in a sector of the population also. The problem is that the research isn't done and, because of the atmosphere in society at the moment, this research is neither funded or even encouraged because it cuts across "the mob mentality" of what is thought to be "cool" at the moment in the elite, agenda-setting circles in society.

As I said, I fully appreciate I am on a hiding to nothing even attempting to advance these arguments in the present atmosphere. For most of the time I simply shut up and put up with the considerable inconvenience, and expense, imposed on my life. Fortunately I don't earn a lot of money so I don't have to pay much income tax but I certainly make up for that in the taxes today on my smoking habit. I remain confident that after the passage of a long period of time a much more sensible "balance" will return in society to consideration of this entire issue. A looming other issue not unrelated to it is the question of other drugs such as marijuana. There have been massive hauls in Sydney in recent weeks. You do not have to be blind freddy to not know that there is massive use of marijuana in some sectors of society — including very elite sectors of society. All this marijuana that is being cultivated does have a market. It's not being "sold overseas" and to the relatively small number of "dopeheads" in society. Again, it is another issue about which there is enormous public hypocrisy and just plain refusing "to admit the evidence". (I am NOT a marijuana user by the way. Like many anti-somkers, I can't stand the smell of the stuff. I did try it many years ago when I was in the Army but it is something that has never "clicked" with me. I do know plenty of people though who are regular users in very respectable occupations and very mature individuals. They are not teeny-boppers or even 20 year olds. You don't need to be blind Freddy to know that Milton Orkopulous was not the only one using it within Parliamentary circles. Similarly, I am not a big user of alcohol and Amanda is virtually a teetottler in that department also.)

All I would urge is that people think about these matters that I have raised. They are far from popular perspectives but, I would submit, they are arguments that do deserve some hearing as unpopular as they might be in the current social atmosphere.

Cheers, Brian

Brian Coyne
[Editor & Publisher]