Hold on to Your Cell Phones!

The Senate is to hold a hearing on Monday regarding a possible link between cell phones and brain cancer. The FDA has found no such link, but, evidently, the Senate has nothing better to do.

The powermongers in the Senate are going to consider a recent study stating that cell phone use over 10 years increases a person's risk of a rare form of brain cancer by 50 to 90 percent. The study also says that children are more at risk because their skulls are thinner and more easily permeated by radiation emitted from cell phones.

Now, regardless of what some of you may think, I'm not a conspiracy nut. Okay, not much of one. I wonder, though, whether this is all a way of back-door censorship. Stay with me here.

Let's say, hypothetically, that the Senate panel sides with the study on this. Next could come legislation to ban cell phones citing public safety. Not only from a possible cancer risk but from concern over people driving while talking or texting. It wouldn't be the first time they've used that argument to cram bad ideas down our throats.

Would a move like that be a way to silence the growing number of critics of this administration's policies? You bet. The FCC Diversity Czar has been appointed to help stem the rising tide of dissent, and a cell phone ban would guarantee control of people's speech by eliminating twitter and texting to exchange information.

While such measures are most likely not going to occur, let's be honest. Given this administration's track record of thug tactics and coercion, it's not totally out of the question if they at least give it a try.

Call me paranoid, but at least, for now, you can still call me.

Do You Know What You Get? A CIGARETTE!!!

The title of this post is actually a line from the song "Cigarette" by a group called The Clarks. Pure rock and roll. They're 'burgh boys, and I attended school with Scott, the lead singer. Summertime means at least one concert for me. But if Obama keeps going, they may not be able to do this classic at their shows.

Yesterday, Barry signed the latest legislation concerning tobacco into law, giving the FDA unprecedented power to regulate it. And, of course, he says it's for "the children". While I approve of keeping kids away from tobacco until they're 18 and old enough to decide for themselves, this has no business being handed over to the FDA.

The president said the legislation should reduce some of the billions the nation spends on treating tobacco-related illnesses, "the leading cause of preventable death in the United States." Translation: Yippee!!! More money for me to spend!!!

Opponents from tobacco-growing states argued that the FDA has proven through a series of food safety failures that it's not up to the job. They also said that instead of unrealistically trying to get smokers to quit or to prevent others from starting, lawmakers should ensure that people have other options, like smokeless tobacco. Well put! We smokers will quit when we want to, and if we don't want to, IT'S OUR CHOICE!

It won't be long before Dear Leader starts calling for regulation of every vice we Americans have. They've already started their campaign with the food industry, and now this piece of touchy-feely crap. You watch; alcohol is next. I could be wrong, but given this group's track record...

I'm gonna leave everyone with the video of "Cigarette". Enjoy!!!

Bend Over Smokers!

I am really hacked off right now. Evidently, there is a very real possibility that the FDA will be regulating tobacco. They will dictate what ingredients go into cigarettes and chewing tobacco. Like your flavored chew? Kiss it goodbye. Menthol cigarettes? Bon voyage!

While I will agree that smoking is not the healthiest thing to do, it is still a legal choice that many adult Americans exercise every day. I am among them. Do I advocate children smoking? Absolutely not. In fact, my children do not like the fact that I smoke. But, they know that as an adult I have that choice.

The smoking Nazis make the argument that smokers are a bigger burden to the healthcare system. Sorry, but I disagree. My husband, a nonsmoker all his life, is in much worse health than I am. My blood pressure has never been high, and I can go on a walk with my hubby and be breathing much easier than he is. The visits to the doctor are far less for me than for my husband and kids. And no, it's not secondhand smoke. I go outside and do not smoke in my car.

Also said is that smokers lose more time at work and dollars are lost due to poor productivity. CRAPOLA! I have worked all my life with smokers and nonsmokers alike. Smokers called off MUCH less than the nonsmokers, and the smokers were more willing to do harder work and longer hours.

When will the government realize that if everyone quit smoking, the tax revenue lost would be staggering? Cigarettes are the most heavily taxed product on the market when you consider the percentage of the price that is some sort of tax. What will be the next product targeted? We saw what happened when they banned alcohol.

Let's agree on one thing: Smoking is not good for you. But in "the land of the free", shouldn't people be able to make that choice for themselves? And let the free market decide what people want to buy, not the FDA.

Smoke 'em while you got 'em!!!