Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

spacefreak · 05:58 PM

Gotta love some of these quotes from these pro-Obama Slate and Dallas News articles. I thought smoking was a bad thing to do for role models, and especially bad for Presidential candidates. Reading some of the quotes below, however, it seems that for this Democrat smoking is actually encouraged.

Smoker's Voice: How Obama's filthy habit could win him the presidency

"...if any politician can make cigarettes cool again, it's Obama"

"I think [Obama] will be fine, as long as he doesn't smoke Gauloises."

"If he quits, Obama may lose that wonderful maple-syrup sound just as he begins running in earnest."

Where vice is a virtue

"Obama's smoking may actually help his image"

"... a public image can actually be helped by the occasional evidence of vice"

"Maureen Dowd wrote that the smoking habit was an example of how the senator was 'intriguingly imperfect'"

"Lighting up in public, as Mr. Obama did in front of a reporter last year, is a simple formula for symbolically stripping away the artifice."

"For a Democrat who wants to run in 2008, smoking may well be a tactically perfect vice."

"For the sake of his electoral ambitions, he might want to keep lighting up."

And we have this gem from a liberal in a TV interview on Fox

"Obama is seen as very, very cool. I think a lot of people find him sexy. And I think even in today's America, there's a sense that there's something vaguely sexy about cigarettes. You've got fire in your hand. So to tell you the truth, I think it will only help."

Dakar² · Jan 18, 2007, 05:39 PM

Welcome to politics.

voodoo · Jan 18, 2007, 05:41 PM

Who cares if anyone smokes or not? How about whether a person drinks alcohol or not? Eats too much fat in his diet or not?

Don't give me the lies about second hand smoking. It's a lie. Second hand smoke is perfectly harmless. I'm a biologist. I should know.

No I don't smoke.

V

Kerrigan · Jan 18, 2007, 05:50 PM

Yea, just like eating Philly Cheese Steaks made John Kerry seem like he was "cool" and "down to earth"

Seriously, haven't Democrats learned anything from the Kerry debacle? The candidates they pick are interesting, cool people, but lately they just aren't presidential material. Here's a little tip: nominate a male Wasp.

spacefreak · Jan 18, 2007, 06:13 PM

Do you think Barack Obama smokes menthol (Newports, Kools) or traditional flavored cigarettes?

Kerrigan · Jan 18, 2007, 06:18 PM

If words gets out that he smokes menthol, he'll never get the nomination... yuck!

(I don't smoke, for the record)

Doofy · Jan 18, 2007, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by voodoo

No I don't smoke.

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

(I don't smoke, for the record)

You guys should start - it's a fun pastime.

Railroader · Jan 18, 2007, 10:26 PM

I don't smoke, but I AM ON FIRE!!! [/stop/drop/roll]

cjrivera · Jan 18, 2007, 10:30 PM

well as long as he doesn't inhale...

goMac · Jan 19, 2007, 02:07 AM

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

Yea, just like eating Philly Cheese Steaks made John Kerry seem like he was "cool" and "down to earth"

Seriously, haven't Democrats learned anything from the Kerry debacle? The candidates they pick are interesting, cool people, but lately they just aren't presidential material. Here's a little tip: nominate a male Wasp.

Why does this conjure up visions of George Bush with his iPod? Or The Google? Or the internets?

But I thought it was a Democrat only thing.

Powerbook · Jan 19, 2007, 02:39 AM

Originally Posted by Dakar²

Welcome to politics.

Welcome to America's BULLSH1T journalism!!! What a pile of crap is that???

PB.

smacintush · Jan 19, 2007, 03:15 AM

What strikes me about this is two things:

One, it smells like damage control spin but I don't see any damage. Maybe this is a "pre-emptive strike".

Two, so I guess this is the Clinton strategy? Try to portray this goofy looking guy as sexy?

Sayf-Allah · Jan 19, 2007, 06:52 AM

I wonder, what would be worse.

Having an alcoholic in office or a smoker? Tough choice that....

ps. I love American politics btw.

spacefreak · Jan 19, 2007, 08:27 AM

I find it sort of hypocritical that so many on the left condemn smokers nonstop. Then, when one of their own is revealed to be a smoker, smoking is all of sudden the "sexy" and "cool" thing to do.

OreoCookie · Jan 19, 2007, 08:40 AM

Who cares? If you don't like Obama now, you won't like him when he stops smoking. I think you'll easily find better reasons to like/dislike him …

besson3c · Jan 19, 2007, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by spacefreak

I find it sort of hypocritical that so many on the left condemn smokers nonstop. Then, when one of their own is revealed to be a smoker, smoking is all of sudden the "sexy" and "cool" thing to do.

Media pundits/idiots do not necessary represent the right or left as a whole. Hell, there have been 4 cable newscasters demonstrate what it is like to be tased on air, for those of us who figured that 50,000 volts wouldn't hurt, I guess.

They aren't really going after people who like to think for themselves...

goMac · Jan 19, 2007, 10:13 AM

Apparently Obama only smokes 3 cigarettes a day. So either he has pretty good self control, or he's trying to quit, neither of which is negative.

nonhuman · Jan 19, 2007, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by spacefreak

I find it sort of hypocritical that so many on the left condemn smokers nonstop. Then, when one of their own is revealed to be a smoker, smoking is all of sudden the "sexy" and "cool" thing to do.

They're not talking about whether or not it's good or bad to smoke in general or in Obama's case specifically. They're talking about what image it portrays for someone to smoke, and whether or not it's good for them in a PR sense. Politics and the media (and most of society, really) are all about image. Don't try and find any deeper meaning in any of them, it's not there.

Dakar² · Jan 19, 2007, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by goMac

he's trying to quit

Flip-flopper!

ShortcutToMoncton · Jan 19, 2007, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by voodoo

Don't give me the lies about second hand smoking. It's a lie. Second hand smoke is perfectly harmless. I'm a biologist. I should know.

If this wasn't a joke, link please.

greg

spacefreak · Jan 19, 2007, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by goMac

Apparently Obama only smokes 3 cigarettes a day. So either he has pretty good self control, or he's trying to quit, neither of which is negative.

The man hasn't quit. He is still smoking butts. Even the most confirmed smoker will admit that smoking is bad. Real self-control would be to quit outright.

If you know smokers, you'd realize that most who claim to only smoke a few cigarettes per day often smoke plenty more than they care to admit. I know a guy who "only smokes when he drinks". Funny thing is that he drinks 6 nights a week.

Yet another attempt to spin the confrimed cigarette smoking of Barack Hussein Obama as not being negative. Obama's smoking is "Cool", "sexy", and now it's a sign of "good self control".

I still want to know if Obama smokes menthols.

aristotles · Jan 19, 2007, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by voodoo

Don't give me the lies about second hand smoking. It's a lie. Second hand smoke is perfectly harmless. I'm a biologist. I should know.

Bull. Yeah and I'm King Tut. Maybe you should brush up on your chemistry 101 and look up the ingredients in a cigarette and the byproducts from combustion.

No I don't smoke.

Yeah right. A non-smoker defending smoking by spreading FUD. I call bull on that.

nonhuman · Jan 19, 2007, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by spacefreak

The man hasn't quit. He is still smoking butts. Even the most confirmed smoker will admit that smoking is bad. Real self-control would be to quit outright.

If you know smokers, you'd realize that most who claim to only smoke a few cigarettes per day often smoke plenty more than they care to admit. I know a guy who "only smokes when he drinks". Funny thing is that he drinks 6 nights a week.

Yet another attempt to spin the confrimed cigarette smoking of Barack Hussein Obama as not being negative. Obama's smoking is "Cool", "sexy", and now it's a sign of "good self control".

I still want to know if Obama smokes menthols.

So... You're saying the US should have strong anti-smoking policies?

olePigeon · Jan 19, 2007, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by voodoo

Don't give me the lies about second hand smoking. It's a lie. Second hand smoke is perfectly harmless. I'm a biologist. I should know.

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic.

Dakar² · Jan 19, 2007, 04:36 PM

He's serious.

Gossamer · Jan 19, 2007, 04:46 PM

Apparently tar is the only thing in cigarettes that can cause cancer, and that isn't transmitted in secondhand smoke. Did I get that right, voodoo?

Doofy · Jan 19, 2007, 05:34 PM

Pay attention people. A few months back Voodoo posted a huge amount of evidence supporting his claim. Search for it.

spacefreak · Jan 19, 2007, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by nonhuman

So... You're saying the US should have strong anti-smoking policies?

Most definitely not.

I just find it hypocritical that so many chant "smoking is evil", yet when the smoker is a Democatic presidential candidate, smoking is "cool", "sexy", and displays a good amount of "self control".

olePigeon · Jan 19, 2007, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

Apparently tar is the only thing in cigarettes that can cause cancer, and that isn't transmitted in secondhand smoke. Did I get that right, voodoo?

"Tar" is the composition of the cigarette smoke.

tie · Jan 20, 2007, 12:03 AM

Originally Posted by spacefreak

I just find it hypocritical that so many chant "smoking is evil", yet when the smoker is a Democatic presidential candidate, smoking is "cool", "sexy", and displays a good amount of "self control".

I agree.

Although I'm not sure exactly who you are calling a hypocrite here. I think any serious liberal pundits would never talk about Obama smoking. Maybe Maureen Dowd or some of the dumber ones (I only clicked on a couple links in your post and didn't recognize them).

Hopefully he'll quit. I do think it would be a step backward for the next US President to be a smoker.

macintologist · Jan 20, 2007, 01:58 AM

Originally Posted by tie

Hopefully he'll quit. I do think it would be a step backward for the next US President to be a smoker.

Why? Who gives a flying ****? I think what's more important is his stance on the war on drugs which is THE damaging domestic policy of our time.

Before it was slavery, then it was prohibition, then it was civil rights, now it's the war on drugs.

stwain2003 · Jan 20, 2007, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

Apparently tar is the only thing in cigarettes that can cause cancer, and that isn't transmitted in secondhand smoke. Did I get that right, voodoo?

Well the toxic cyanide just MAY cause a little damage, but if it's in little amounts, I could breathe that in all day!

IceBreaker · Jan 20, 2007, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

If words gets out that he smokes menthol, he'll never get the nomination... yuck!

(I don't smoke, for the record)

occasional smoker here, if I smoke I prefer menthol. about 6 cigs a month or so.

nonhuman · Jan 20, 2007, 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by spacefreak

Most definitely not.

I just find it hypocritical that so many chant "smoking is evil", yet when the smoker is a Democatic presidential candidate, smoking is "cool", "sexy", and displays a good amount of "self control".

I thought it was cool and sexy because it's evil. It's the whole 'rebel factor'.

Zarqawi's Eye · Jan 20, 2007, 09:52 PM

soccer moms aren't going to vote for a smoker

subego · Jan 21, 2007, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by Zarqawi's Eye

soccer moms aren't going to vote for a smoker

Soccer moms are so 20th century.

We're even past "security" moms.

Single moms are the new security/soccer moms.

Zarqawi's Eye · Jan 21, 2007, 05:21 PM

Single moms are living in sin without a male. They should be wearing burqas and not be allowed to vote.

subego · Jan 21, 2007, 06:19 PM

Originally Posted by Zarqawi's Eye

Single moms are living in sin without a male.

Is that...

Is that a tear in that eye of yours?

I know the Missus told you "I just don't need an eye in my life to feel complete", but, gee... I didn't think you were taking it so hard.

It's good you're getting more in touch with your sensitive side, but you do realize not being in touch with your sensitive side is precisely what led her to leave you in the first place.

Originally Posted by Wife of Zarqawi's Eye

I just wish he would listen to me.

It's always fatwa this, fatwa that. Fatwa! Fatwa! FATWA!

When is he going to have time for ME?

Zarqawi's Eye · Jan 21, 2007, 06:34 PM

The cause of worldwide Jihad and the destruction of the infidel West require sacrifice. I suspect many here know nothing of sacrifice, only wallowing in opulence and decadence. My brethren and I toil away day and night to bring ruin to the Crusaders, occupiers, and apostates.

subego · Jan 21, 2007, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by Zarqawi's Eye

The cause of worldwide Jihad and the destruction of the infidel West require sacrifice. I suspect many here know nothing of sacrifice, only wallowing in opulence and decadence. My brethren and I toil away day and night to bring ruin to the Crusaders, occupiers, and apostates.

Now, now. I know talk like this makes you pull back into your shell, but were not going to have a breakthrough unless you're willing to confront your fears.

Originally Posted by Wife of Zarqawi's Eye

You know, it's those Mullahs. When they're all doing shots at the bar, if Zack would bring up how things were going at home, the Mullahs would tease him. Doris told me she overheard one of them saying "if you keep talking like this, maybe we need to make a fatwa on the... FAGINA! Har! Har! Har!" I think it really hurt his feelings. Since then he really had this need to prove he was Mr. Jihad. He was like "Oh yeah? I'm gonna get me 144 virgins in paradise, just you wait!"

Is that it? Do you think we're going to tease you?

torsoboy · Jan 22, 2007, 03:02 AM

Originally Posted by ShortcutToMoncton

If this wasn't a joke, link please.

greg

Originally Posted by aristotles

Bull. Yeah and I'm King Tut. Maybe you should brush up on your chemistry 101 and look up the ingredients in a cigarette and the byproducts from combustion.

Yeah right. A non-smoker defending smoking by spreading FUD. I call bull on that.

Originally Posted by olePigeon

I can't tell if you're being sarcastic.

For those who haven't been around long enough to know this story, the long story short is that he (voodoo) is the only inteligent "biologist" in America, and the rest have a secret agenda that telling people that second hand smoke is bad for you somehow fits right into. Yeah, even the ones that do (or did) smoke have the same agenda. And the biologists in every other country have the same agenda as well.

Luckily we have voodoo to give us the facts that the respected biologists are too afraid to give.

Doofy · Jan 22, 2007, 03:07 AM

Originally Posted by torsoboy

For those who haven't been around long enough to know this story, the long story short is that he (voodoo) is the only inteligent "biologist" in America, and the rest have a secret agenda that telling people that second hand smoke is bad for you somehow fits right into. Yeah, even the ones that do (or did) smoke have the same agenda. And the biologists in every other country have the same agenda as well.

Voodoo's in Iberia, not America.

torsoboy · Jan 22, 2007, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by Doofy

Voodoo's in Iberia, not America.

Oh, sorry... here is the fixed version for you:

For those who haven't been around long enough to know this story, the long story short is that he (voodoo) is the only inteligent "biologist" in Iberia, and the rest have a secret agenda that telling people that second hand smoke is bad for you somehow fits right into. Yeah, even the ones that do (or did) smoke have the same agenda. And the biologists in every other country have the same agenda as well.

Luckily we have voodoo to give us the facts that the respected scientists are too afraid to give.

__________________

subego · Jan 22, 2007, 08:27 AM

So, how many cases of cancer/emphysema are there from second hand smoke?

How many people die per year? More than get fatally hit by lightning?

We have bigger problems people, like how smoke is stinky.

voodoo · Jan 22, 2007, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by torsoboy

For those who haven't been around long enough to know this story, the long story short is that he (voodoo) is the only inteligent "biologist" in America, and the rest have a secret agenda that telling people that second hand smoke is bad for you somehow fits right into. Yeah, even the ones that do (or did) smoke have the same agenda. And the biologists in every other country have the same agenda as well.

Luckily we have voodoo to give us the facts that the respected biologists are too afraid to give.

Heh, no there are many who are of the same opinion as I am - an opinion derived from research and facts. The researches that support carcenogenic effects of second hand smoke are without much exception incomplete and biased case-control studies..

They are then used for propaganda, but never for scientific purposes. This is worrisome because of the inevitable loss of confidence in science when the propaganda is exposed to be false.

It is worrisome that the anti-smoking lobbies have to resort to lies.

V

subego · 10:27 AM

Originally Posted by voodoo

The researches that support carcenogenic effects of second hand smoke are without much exception incomplete and biased case-control studies..

Seems to me, even if it does kill you, there are so few people who die from it one would have a hell of a time demonstrating a causal link.

voodoo · Jan 22, 2007, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by subego

Seems to me, even if it does kill you, there are so few people who die from it one would have a hell of a time demostrating a causal link.

Absoloutly, the scale of a causal research is almost cost-prohibitive. The WHO did a comprehensive research and it showed no cause/effect link between second hand smoking and cancer.

Also, as you say, even *if* second hand smoking is carcenocenic - which it isn't - the number of cancers related to second hand smoking are so few it is of no concern. More die from breathing tar from asphalted streets in their towns or cities.

V

Kerrigan · Jan 22, 2007, 10:30 AM

I'm worried that after the Anti-Smoking Nazis ban smoking everywhere, they will fix their sites on coffee and tea, the latter being a great love of mine.

subego · Jan 22, 2007, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

I'm worried that after the Anti-Smoking Nazis ban smoking everywhere, they will fix their sites on coffee and tea, the latter being a great love of mine.

Tea has too much religious significance.

torsoboy · Jan 22, 2007, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by subego

Tea has too much religious significance.

Well, to us Mormons Tea is not allowed. Neither is coffee or smoking or drinking though. So these types of rules don't really make much of a difference to us. The smoking laws are great though because smokes stinks sooooo bad. Go into some place with a smoker in the area and you will smell like smoke for the rest of the day. Buy a house that a smoker lived in and you will never get it out of the walls, etc.