The John Adams Society

The John Adams Society

Roger L. Belfay John J. Pope Larry Colson Marianne Stebbins

Chairman Secretary Chief Whip Chancellor

February 2007

"I must point out that my rule of life prescribed as an absolutely sacred rite smoking Cuban cigars and also the drinking of alcohol before, after and if need be during all meals and in the intervals between them.”

--Winston Churchill in February 1945 to King Ibn Sa'ud of Saudi Arabia.

POPE URBAN VII BANNED THE NICOTINE GODDESS IN THE YEAR 1590, decreeing the excommunication of anyone taking "… tobacco in the porchway of or inside a church, whether it be by chewing it, smoking it with a pipe or sniffing it in powdered form through the nose". Pope Urban VII’s reign lasted thirteen days.

Smoking bans are one of many controlling tentacles of a state marching toward universal care. Such Trojan horses of the left mean loss of freedom and more government, the hypocrisy of which is seen in the targeting of cigarette manufactures and smoking establishments, for from them the state can leverage cash over the victim fulcrum of second hand smoke and acquired habits; the supporting research and propaganda for which is largely funded by drug companies who sell smoking cessation products. What next? At the current rate of bureaucracy creep, junk food is soon to be illegal; New York recently banned trans-fat ingredients in restaurants. It is only a matter of time before body odor is regulated under the Clean Air Act, when only those gaily living an inanimate existence as Teletubbies can avoid the prodding and poking of bureaucratic busy bodies.

ON THE OTHER HAND, Hitler hated smoking. Hitler killed people. Is it any coincidence that smoking kills? Besides, do you want the tinge of yellow on your teeth and fingers, or on the walls around you for that matter? How’s your breath? Smokers stink, and if you hang out with smokers, you stink. Case closed. But, take away their smokes and a riot will ensue. So, the eradication of smoking must be incremental, but not too slow, for the evidence shows that second hand smoke is harmful, as it contains more than 4000 chemicals, including 69 known carcinogens such as arsenic, benzene, formaldehyde, lead and radioactive polonium 210. Non-smokers in the presence of smokers share high probabilities for lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and asthma, and often non-smokers have had no choice in the matter when they are the children or co-workers of smokers. At least the rights of people to not have to breathe smoke must be ensured. Ultimately, anti-smoking laws improve worker productivity and reduce health care costs for everyone.

The Chairman, viewing anti-smoking laws as superfluous because smoking is easy to quit (he knows because he has done it thousands of times), calls for a debate:

RESOLVED: KEEP YOUR LAWS OUT OF MY LUNGS

The Debate will be held on Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at the University Club, 420 Summit Avenue, in Saint Paul. The Chancellor will preside over drinks beginning at seven o'clock p.m. The debate will begin at half past seven. While there is no dress code for attendance, gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies should adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen who arrive tieless yet wish to speak, fret not: the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand at least one of his quite remarkable ties for just such an eventuality. Questions about debate caucus procedures or about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at (651) 222-2782 or the Secretary at (952) 486-8059.