I read an article today that the new politically correct Uncle Sam and the Obama/Bush henchman are taking away the freedom of the men and women who are fighting for it.
The can enjoy the privilege of being in combat as long as they don’t smoke.
I think I’ll join the military and every time things get a little uncomfortable I’ll light up so they will have to send me to another place.
What are they fighting for if it isn’t for freedom?
Among civil rights, smoking seems trivial. Government restriction of trivialities, however, suggests a depth of intrusion which is far from trivial. Government is not my mother.
And Government Issues are still sons and daughters of their country rather than subjects and slaves. Except perhaps to their masters.
What? Folks in discourse about issues typically cite sources. I’ll do it for you: Cigs banned in military? and another, less skewed source: USA Today. I can’t say that I agree with a proposed ban, as I don’t agree with the ridiculous Prohibition of the early 20th century or the War on Drugs. But smoking is counterproductive to soldiers being able to run, shoot and fight when needed, as cigs affect the lungs without question. We wouldn’t expect soldiers to carry their Jim Beam-filled flasks into battle, would we? Unless, of course, we were still in Civil War times, in which case, it would probably be rum or the like.
Hi Jeremy;
I figured someone would pop up with a couple of sources, thank you.
I know its bad for the lungs and everything else, but I smoke. As a matter of fact the enemy would probably be safer with smokers, as the nicotine calms the nerves.
I wouldn’t want to be in the enemy’s shoes if I was deprived.
On the other hand, the military has had a long and close association with alcohol and weed, so who knows.
Hi Peter;
“Government restriction of trivialities, however, suggests a depth of intrusion which is far from trivial. Government is not my mother.”
That is exactly the way I feel about it. Obama, Pelosi, George W, Palin, McCain, non of them are my mother either and it sickens me the thought of them attempting to be.
I’m stunned. I’m not even a smoker, but…seriously? There are times in my life when I’m uber stressed and just want a cig and have one. If I were facing combat I’d probably smoke like a chimney. This makes no sense at all. It’s a person’s right to care or not care for their bodies as they see fit. What…is the government going to start regulating how much people eat? Personal hygiene? Making sure we wear a sweater when they think it’s chilly? Come and apply sunscreen if we’re being scandalous and not wearing any???? These brave people have a right to take a bullet for some bullshit fight but not a right to muck their lungs a little to relax? I find this intrusion to be frightening. What next? My opinion of Obama is slowly melting, melting, melting. Disillusionment. Are we on a slow train to becoming a communist nation? Hell, China pretty much already owns us. I’m ranting…somebody stop me.
Tink’s taking her angry little self elsewhere now.
Thank You Ichabod, who I’m seriously (thanks to 47whitebuffalo!) considering calling Flying Coal-Man! If that meets your approval, of course…
Hi Tinker Bell;
I have observed the erosion in the little things you mention for years. It is sobering to say the least.
There are less opportunities for mankind to vent his or her stresses. That is not good or healthy.