One Smokin' President
So today someone mentioned that Obama smokes like a chimney and can't quit. I knew that he had smoked, but I thought that he had quit right before the campaign. If he does still smoke then that's pretty disappointing. To see someone so intelligent and organized, who had the strength and determination to run for President of the United States against tough odds, fail at quitting smoking just demonstrates how hard it is. So anyone who's tried and suceeded, good for you!
But in another direction, I asked these people that brought this up if it really mattered to them whether Obama smoked or not. One guy emphatically said YES. He expressed concerned about the kinds of policies a smoking president would lean towards... Does that sound right? It is generally agreed upon by the public that smoking is bad for you and that you shouldn't do it. Tobacco companies work for the devil. Those are common ideas these days right? So do you think that a politician that smoked would side with Big Tobacco over such strong public opinion? I think that's looking at things too simplistically. Just because someone smokes doesn't necessarily mean that they think it is the ideal, or that it's right, or will pass laws in favor of it. It's just a habit and, like any, it's a tough one to break.
But in another direction, I asked these people that brought this up if it really mattered to them whether Obama smoked or not. One guy emphatically said YES. He expressed concerned about the kinds of policies a smoking president would lean towards... Does that sound right? It is generally agreed upon by the public that smoking is bad for you and that you shouldn't do it. Tobacco companies work for the devil. Those are common ideas these days right? So do you think that a politician that smoked would side with Big Tobacco over such strong public opinion? I think that's looking at things too simplistically. Just because someone smokes doesn't necessarily mean that they think it is the ideal, or that it's right, or will pass laws in favor of it. It's just a habit and, like any, it's a tough one to break.