Comments on: Big Tobacco Gets Big Win In High Court

Supreme Court Throws Out $79.5M Punitive Damages Verdict Against Philip Morris

[thgdriver]

cbslogin12 I respectfully disagree, It's still a product that you as a free person have a "choice' to partake in or not. I don't believe in that hooked concept, if a person "wants" to stop they can. I am proof of that and I have helped others recently stop for good .

I don't smoke as I pointed out, but I think if others want to smoke and probably shorten their lives it is their "choice' to make. I think they are foolish especially if they have family to be there for.

I feel that in public areas smoking should be banned for the safety of those that don't want second hand smoke.

[cbslogin12]

Check out this article at MSNBC:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14576260/

Excerpt:
"The level of nicotine found in U.S. cigarettes has risen about 10 percent in the past six years, making it harder to quit and easier to get hooked, according to a new report released Tuesday by the Massachusetts Department of Health.

Public Health Commissioner Paul Cote Jr. called the findings "significant" and said the report was the first new release on nicotine yield in more than six years nationally.
The study found the three most popular cigarette brands with young smokers %u2014 Marlboro, Newport and Camel %u2014 delivered significantly more nicotine than they did years ago. Nicotine in Kool, a popular menthol brand, rose 20 percent. More than two-thirds of black smokers use menthol brands."

These companies KNOW what they are doing. No punishment is enough. They are selling poison. The real victims are the second hand smokers who become sick and often die. They did not chose to smoke and yet they suffer the consequences unfairly.

[thgdriver]

I stopped smoking a long while back, cold turkey as they say. These people that are suing are just out to get some free money. It's been very, very, clear for a long time that smoking will kill you. This husband and wife would have us believe they are not responsible for their own actions. If I was on that jury she would not have gotten a dime.

I like to point out that if you saw a glass room choke filled with smoke. Your eyes would tell your brain not to let you walk into that room and take a deep breath.
When you take a suck on a cigarette thats exactly what your lungs think you just did.

Anyhow, I am glad the supreme court came out in the manufactures favor.

[scott4261]

(3 of 3)

6. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trail, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of counsel for his defence.

7. In suits of common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of a trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of common law.

8. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

9. The enumeration of the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

10. The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

[scott4261]

(2 of 3)

4. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

5. No person shall be held to answer for capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.

[scott4261]

1 of 3)

Opinions on these pages go across the spectrum, with some not easily categorized as left or right. Even though some of us have some heated exchanges here, it is clear that most of us love our country.

With that in mind, here are our rights. Learn them while we still have them:

-----------------
These are the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Passed by Congress on September 25, 1789, ratified by 3/4ths of the states on December 15th, 1791:

1. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

2. A well regulated Militia, being necessary for the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

3. No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in the time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

[processor2]

CBS HEADLINE: Supreme Court Justices Throw Out $79.5M Punitive Damages Verdict Against Philip Morris

GOOD FOR THE SUPREME COURT

It says on the cigarette package that smoking will make you sick and cause cancer.

Suing cigarette companies for making people sick would be like suing Playboy for giving people carpal tunnel syndrome.

Neither makes any sense.

....

[km523]

Smoking doesn't kill people while driving, or make you beat your wife, etc..drinking is the problem.

[km523]

The person comparing playboy and smoking needs to stop buying magazines, its NOT the same thing! Why dont people focus on alcohol. Drinking too much can kill you too, expecially getting hit by a drunk driver, I should know....

[actornaught]

jh, thank you for that, honestly, but many many more smokers have no such consideration.

flswanson, you state a more or less legitimate concern. however, i've been through the steel mill closings, a much more critical loss of American productivity, and nothing has taken it's place. farmers would more easily move on to something else.