PhillyChimp

I was reading the Letters section in the DN today and I came across this 'gem':

YOUR editorial, "Smoke in our eye," asks: "Is there any excuse for Philadelphia not finally joining the 21st century on this health issue?"

Yes, there is an excuse, and a very good one. Smoking bans have usually passed in other areas not on the basis of sound science but on the basis of massive spending by special interests. For example, in Washington State last year, the American Cancer Society invested over a quarter-million dollars to "buy" ban-petition signatures through paid gatherers.

Here in Philadelphia, it's more subtle, but just think about how many expensive TV commercials you've seen with cute little children coughing from thick clouds of smoke. The fact that by far the main venues to be affected by a ban will be bars and strip clubs doesn't slow the use of the "Save the children!" propaganda card.

Smoking ban laws are bad laws not just because they eat away at our social structure and freedoms or because they cause economic damage, but because they are based on lies. If you're an American who cares about the integrity of our government and our system of laws you should take the time this week to let your councilfolks know that you don't want Philadelphia to follow the misguided path laid by some of our neighbors.

Michael J. McFadden, Philadelphia

So, let me get this straight, McFly...I mean McFadden, smoking bans pass becuase 'special interests' like the American Cancer Society invest money in getting them passed? That is to say that the American Cancer Society works to get smoking bans passed becuase they have an interest in the ban.

Why could that be? Perhaps the ACS thinks the bans might, I dunno, fight cancer.

But maybe you're right, McFly...I mean McFadden, the big, evil anti-cancer lobby can't be allowed to keep influencing government like this. After all, somebody needs to stand up for the little guy - somebody needs to stand up for cancer.