| Type | Comments Since You Last CheckedArticle | Source | Last Checked |  |
 |
Newsvine is msnbc.com's social-news community where you can discuss stories, publish your own column, and connect with other news lovers.
Once again the spectre of government abuse of individual rights rears its head. If the government wants to "cut its losses" because of health claims related to smoking, then it can take two approaches; force the tobacco companies to pick up the costs or require ALL soldiers to sign waivers absolving the DOD from payment of any claim for smoking-related health issues.
We all realize, of course, that the tobacco companies would win this fight, right?
#1 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 7:57 PM EDTThe is just plain stupidity. I think a 7.62mm slug spiralling towards a soldiers position is way more dangerous then the prospect of cancer years down the line, and it gives that soldier the right to smoke a butt.
I would rather see a ban on donuts at police stations!
The way the government is going, are we going to start charging people who should be taking drugs to improve their lives, for example: heart medication. If they don't take thier meds and the 'powers that be' find out they are not, then they will be fined, soley because it will cost the health care system (especially the NEW and Improved??? proposed health care system (which is a way to just bury us) and VA money? When is America gonna wake up and realize that Government in our homes and personal life is NOT what this country was founded on!! Look, not everyone makes the best choices in life but who is the government to tell me what I am allowed to do with my own body and health?? I agree, this is just government taking over everything. Welcome Comrades to the New USA! Its nice to meet you all. 1984 should be renamed 2009.
Our soldiers are over there fighting for our freedom and they stand a chance of losing their freedom to smoke? What a waste of time. I think more important things need to be concentrated on like withdrawing all of our soldiers now. The US are tired of babysitting. Seems our soldiers got straight to war fresh out of basic/AIT but it has taken 6 years and the Iraq soldiers still dont get it. Have Pero draw them a freaken picture then maybe they will get it. Its gonna get to the point that if the government keeps their s%%t up, no one is going to want to enlist/re-enlist. Then where will we be? Draft? Leave the smokers alone. Very discriminating.
Our soldiers are over there fighting for our freedom and they stand a chance of losing their freedom to smoke? What a waste of time. I think more important things need to be concentrated on like withdrawing all of our soldiers now. The US are tired of babysitting. Seems our soldiers got straight to war fresh out of basic/AIT but it has taken 6 years and the Iraq soldiers still dont get it. Have Pero draw them a freaken picture then maybe they will get it. Its gonna get to the point that if the government keeps their s%%t up, no one is going to want to enlist/re-enlist. Then where will we be? Draft? Leave the smokers alone. Very discriminating.
Our soldiers are over there fighting for our freedom and they stand a chance of losing their freedom to smoke? What a waste of time. I think more important things need to be concentrated on like withdrawing all of our soldiers now. The US are tired of babysitting. Seems our soldiers got straight to war fresh out of basic/AIT but it has taken 6 years and the Iraq soldiers still dont get it. Have Pero draw them a freaken picture then maybe they will get it. Its gonna get to the point that if the government keeps their s%%t up, no one is going to want to enlist/re-enlist. Then where will we be? Draft? Leave the smokers alone. Very discriminating.
Umm. I think the bullets are much more dangerous so if you ban soldiers smoking ban war and guns.
They are in dangerous settings and if they want to smoke, let them smoke.
a soldier can't suck on a cigarette, but they won't ask if they suck on something else.
As a retiree on 100% disability from COPD and heart disease that I probably contracted while smoking two packs a day for 20 years in the Army, I'd say save some lives and some tax dollars by banning smoking. Start with the Commander-in -Chief, we care about his health, too.
This is crap, I am so sick of a few telling everyone else what to do with there lives. If you want to smoke then smoke it not illegal, I say our men and women should have to quite smoking when congress and the white house stop drinking. that will end this debate,
Leave them alone it not enough for you that they put there lives on the line to keep you free you now think you have the right to tell them what they can do. You take there freedoms away because there in the service. Screw all the big shots that want to run everyone lives.
How about all goverment and county and city employees?
Lets FORCE all goverment employees, INCLUDING obama!
Now does that make sense?
#2 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:08 PM EDTSure, blame Obama. It seems to be the brainchild of one of the administration's Republican hold-overs.
Good try reactionist! I voted for Obama bigmouth!
Don't turn this in politics.
figures,,, U R So stupid that you need the nit wit to tell you what to do, does he deliver your welfare check to you too????
Hillary banned trans fatty donuts years ago. The left wing is always for bigger gov't and forcing opinions down peoples throats. Don't pretend otherwise or you're watching liberal news if you really don't know.
Nice try right wingers. Everything must be Obamas fault. The song of the right. The people who thought this mess up was probably Republicans.
Nice try right wingers. Everything must be Obamas fault. The song of the right. The people who thought this mess up was probably Republicans.
Is Obama not Commander-in-Chief? Is the President not in charge of the military? Then YES, that makes this his fault! You libs always complain about us "right wingers" trying to shove our opinion and morality down your throat, well what do you call THIS?
Every thing was his fault when he took office, I am tried of the excuses it was left to me. If you're the President then everything is your fault. You in charge and it comes back to you. who fault is it then ????????? who is in charge???????
Nice try right wingers. Everything must be Obamas fault. The song of the right. The people who thought this mess up was probably Republicans.
HA! Somebody forgot the song of the left. It wasn't too long ago that the lefties blamed everything from bad weather to traffic jams on Bush; in fact some are still are. But now that their guy is in office the president isn't the responsible one anymore. Typical.
Are they out of their bloody mind, or what? Smoking is legal and these folks are risking their lives over there...for our country. There are a lot of smokers in the military and this is one of the few things they can do to ease the tension they're under. They're adults, they can decide what's in their best interest, and if they want to smoke...hell, let 'em!
#3 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:13 PM EDTThis is assinine, (I used to smoke but quit) first they'll stop smoking whats next soda machines and junk food because they make you fat. Big brother needs to back off.
#4 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:14 PM EDTwe now have the president and gates who as far as i know never served in the military making the rules.when we outlawed booze that did not work so i do not think outlawing smoking will work either. what we need is more intilligence in the goverment not more stupidity. if the military are required to quit smoking so should all the goverment employees quit smoking. but do not worry by the time obama's term is up we will be living at a lower level than a third world country yes we can because of the change he is bringing.
#5 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:17 PM EDTI was just waiting for some idiot to bring our Presidents name into this. Do you realize how ignorant your post is? In the first place stick to the topic, what the heck does your post have to do with banning smoking in the Military? BTW, I am 100% against any kind of smoking ban. We have our brave men and women out there risking their lives for us and they are going to be told they can't have a smoke? this is insane. Big brother is watching everything we do and pretty soon will be in bed with us
idiot statement since this came from A MILITARY COMMISSION.
Well I don't think Obama had any military experience, but Gates is a General, so yeah he's got military experience.
Gates isn't a general... He's the Secretary of Defense--ie, civilian. However, to his credit, he did serve two years as an officer in the most relaxed and best-treated service--Air Force. (Not to say USAF don't do anything, but the report specifically singled out Soldiers and Marines.)
If he did serve in the military, I am sure his troops did not respect him...because he is obviously a NAZI. (meaning he inflicts his personal point of view on everyone else)
Are they NUTS!!???? The Commander-In-Chief smokes ! Isn't it enough that those people are STUCK out there and now they want to add another form of torture to the repertoire? And I'm
an Open Heart Nurse. Give me a break.
#6 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:18 PM EDTYes Gates was appointed by Bush but it's the left in control of all 3 houses. You'll see which side wants to control peoples lives and be big brother when the vote goes through.
Dear right wing morons. This came internally from the military not Congress.
Dear left wing sfb, if you honestly believe that's the true origin of this than you're even dumber than you sound.
Then you ought to be more enlightened, Waterdog.
The Commander-In-Chief smokes !
Ah yes, the democrat's creed, "do as I say, not as I do". Here in NJ we've been dealing with Corzine's version of that for years.
Ahh, isn't it great watching the liberals protect or health and freedoms! LOL! My God, in four years we are really going to ask ourselves, What the F#*% have we done?!" Now I know why there were 9 million guns bought during the first quarter of 2009.
#7 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:18 PM EDTGates is a BUSH appointee. Not a liberal. Good try though.
One Big A&& Mistake America (Oh that spells Obama when abreviated) Yes that is what we have done. God Bless the Old USA. Not that things have been great, but the things going on ARE NOT the answer. Did you hear about the gun store in Gaffney, SC that stayed open on 4th of July to support the neighbors who bougt things out due to the serial killer? Yea, that is an American Right to bear arms. Don't tell D.C. they will find some way to stop that.
Again, Gates was appointed by George Bush.
I got ya, but this is INSANE!
Agreed. This is one of the most stupid ideas I've heard in a while.
If people want to smoke, its legal. I personally think that all drugs should be legal and taxed. If you want some weed, go to your local CVS and buy it. If you want some acid, go to your local CVS and buy some. Make it all legal. A few people will kill themselves and most people will avoid drugs. The drug dealers will go out of business.
Josh from Brooklyn...Gates has not even seen the report. The study, which was completed late last month by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences, is recommending all of this. The Defense Department said military health officials were studying the report and planned to make their recommendations to Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
Good try though.
Seems like another waste of time and money.
I think war and guns are dangerous - maybe they should be banned as well!
Dear right wing the report came from the military, probably Republicans, and has not even hit a desk.
A Pentagon-commissioned report urges the Defense Department to ban smoking in the military.
The study, led by Stuart Bondurant, a professor of medicine and emeritus dean at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Dear left wing, the military didn't initiate this report, the order to investigate smoking in the armed forces came from the pentagon. Last time I checked Obama was still calling the shots there.
And the study itself was done by an independent party. The military is just reviewing the findings.
I guess Americans should have gone out and bought cartons of cigarrettes instead of guns. I wonder how long it'll be until some service person goes on a shooting rampage from being nicotine deprived?
Hey Josh; Don't know if you ever had anything to do with the military. I did and I was not a good wife....military does not like wives that have a brain....Now since you are hung up on the fact he was appointed by Bush...I don't care...Gates is an Ass hole who probably never spent anytime on a battle field and has no F.....g clue. He is a zealot.
And by the way both party's are doing this together and we keep letting them.
before you start throwing jabs at people smoking and signing health insurance waivers, take a look at your own actions. We expose ourselves to all types of risks in life, including speeding (It would be difficult to find someone that doesn't at least once - and I mean 1 mph over the speed limit), changing the radio station or eating/drinking a soda while you are driving, drinking at least once and feeling the effects or cleaning your toilet at least once with out opening every window in your house to remove the vapors. Do we now expect everyone to sign a waiver when they get a speeding ticket agreeing that if you get in an accident the insurance company will not pay. Should you have to sign a waiver when you buy beer saying if you fall down a flight of stairs after drinking your insurance will not cover it. Should you travel when it is snowing outside and the risk of getting in an accident are much greater, require you to pay for the damage to your car and not your insurance company. Before anyone points a finger, they should look at their own actions and think long and hard how that finger may someday be pointed at them.
#8 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:20 PM EDTYou forgot to mention the wavers that people will need to sign before they get their food & hot drinks at fast food restaurants. Think of all the money that can be saved over the long run. Check out the internet for all of the STUPI acts that people have done that have caused law suites to make things more expensive in this country. I figure within the next 4 years my family & I might have to move to a different country the way things are going. Now for all of you out there who are going to complain.....I'm a Democrat & am very ashamed of myself. But like it or not theyare RUNNING this country. As for the topic at hand, leave the military alone. Whether you are for or against smoking let's not forget that they are also paying for their insurance, not to mention the low pay that they make & the taxes that are taken out of it. The government needs to find someone else to pick on! Leave the people who put their lives on the line for complete strangers alone!!!!!!
Won't be long before all that is happening. We will work and our checks will go to the government to hand out as they see fit. Never thought when I read 1984 in school that I would see it come to be. We all need to stand up and say enough is enough.
I love the irony of this topic. Let me get this straight, it's okay to go out and get shot at, but using tobacco could cause a health problem. A complete 180 from World War II attitudes towards tobacco usage by the military.
#9 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:21 PM EDTIt is completely unjust to ban tobacco for our military personnel while civilians back home are free to smoke if they choose to. If this is such an important national issue, then just outlaw tobacco completely -- total prohibition. Then they can add tobacco to the list of substances we are at war with. Make it just like marijuana or heroin, and then lock everyone up who violates the new law.
#10 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:22 PM EDTThen, like during alcohol prohibition, all previously law abiding citizens will choose to break the law. When laws become impossible burdens to populations, the substance goes underground and black market. THEN Nanny Gov will get no tax revenue. And I am so sure they care about health more than tax revenues. Sure they do.
This laughable... "smoking is bad for youre health while youre in combat risking your life "... a better thought process would be to outlaw war. It would be just as easy to impliment. This is the stupidest thing Ive heard in a long time....thank you all of our politicians for giving us such a good laugh...
#11 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:23 PM EDT"Outlaw war" -you are so right, Joe S.!
The government is already doing enough to make life miserable. We all agree that smoking is not good for your health, but there are worse habits to have. And since these guys do all of our dirty work,they should be allowed to smoke if they care to. It would take a few years of smoking to do the damage a bullet will do. These guys and gals do all of our fighting and nothing should be forced on them. Any cigarette could never be the equivilance of what war can do. Let them enjoy every moment they can With absolutely NO restrictions!! You all certainly have my support! Eat drink and be merry,(and smoke if you want to) WE are a long time dead !! God bless all of you!!
#12 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:24 PM EDTPS: You will have lots of time to decide what you want to do with yourself, When the fighting is done!! I have been smoking 70 of my 80 years of life, and I enjoy a good smoke !!
Ok only way I'm for this is if they ban tobacco products nationaly and leagize pot.
Maybe if some talaban smoked a joint with some of our guys theyd say. Yeaaa screw this fighting @!$%# lets go fishing.
Jkin of course
#13 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:26 PM EDTThe ever expanding controlling government. Amazing. When exactly did we lose so much freedom?
#14 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:27 PM EDTIt started with the expulsion of the Term Limits I belive. And then the special intrest lobbist jumped inot the mix.
The ever expanding controlling government. Amazing. When exactly did we lose so much freedom?
January 2009.
I'd say smoking is the least of the health concerns our military personnel are facing. Is this what the Pentagon thinks is important? Could they be any more out of touch?
#15 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:29 PM EDTWhile the Pentagon offers quit-smoking programs, “tobacco control does not have a high priority”
I couldn't agree more. Just because it's the issue d'jour doesn't mean it needs to be a priority at all.
I think it sucks! Stop being so controlling. Their lives are picking up our tab for freedom. Perhaps we can do our own fighting
#16 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:30 PM EDTyes - smoking has no place in something as serious as the military
#17 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:30 PM EDTNeather does Political Correctness; but whos pushing this ?
You, kind Englishfanatic, obviously, are not in the military. I appreciate your point of view, but you really need to look at the aftershock of this ban. Many of our Soldiers who are out their defending our country, willing to die for people they don't know, do smoke. Probably not the majority anymore. There are some things that are bad for all of us, including drinking, so perhaps we should ban any kind of alcohol intake for the soldiers as well? Really. Maybe all of the USA. Yea, that worked really well during Prohibition, but hey, it did make for some really good mob organizations and gangsters. This is not about just the military, wake up. Smoking doesn't give you a high unless its pot, which by the way, is not addictive.
I'm pretty sure they don't allow military personelle to drink in Iraq or Afghasnistan.
Tell you what Mr. English Fanatic, why don't you get you a big red button that says that,n pick the USMC base closest to you, and ask for an opinino, there.
I am sick and tired of jerks like you and think it's about time to do something about people like you.
what do you plan on doing to people like him ???
how bout you .jar head ???duh
gladdy asks "When exactly did we lose so much freedom? "
Answer: When we became a Nanny State.
The national agenda is for big government to protect us from our own stupidity and to make sure everyone has all the basics covered -- food, shelter, health care...whether as individuals we do anything productive or not!
#18 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:31 PM EDTWow! What a brilliant move. We have an all volunteer military, and now let's immediately alienate at least 20% of the population that smokes.
#19 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:32 PM EDTThe article said 1 in 3 soldiers smoke in the military, so it would be 33% of the volunteer military! And don't forget, if they get out cause they can't smoke, they are still eligible to be called-up for another 8 years per their committment agreement. So in essence, they would be FORCED not to smoke for all that time if the military implements this and didn't let them go. Fighting for WHAT freedoms???
Stupid, stupid, stupid. Yes, smoking is hazardous to your health but so are IEDs, machine guns, and suicide bombings. These men and women need some way to destress. Smoking is the only outlet most of these soldiers have. Aren't there more important things for the Pentagon to work on. If not, I think we could find a much better use for our tax dollars than the wages' of these Pentagon workers.
#20 - Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:34 PM EDTYou're in Easy Mode. If you prefer, you can use XHTML Mode instead. |
Log In | Register
Our tax dollars are picking up the tab for their health care. It's only logical to discourage a proven health threat.