Comments on: Big Tobacco Gets Big Win In High Court

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

[scott4261]

George W. Bush is making sure that he is stacking the courts with conservatives. And when the Democrats take the White House in 2008, the Judicial branch of government will still be in conservative hands and it will be for many years. This is just the beginning of a new "judicial activism" from the right. Think I'm joking? You watch...W has put his stamp on the courts for years to come!

[crazyivan32]

ckcool192000 has it right. Let's sue MacDonald's. I gaurantee they've killed more Americans in the last 20 years than cigarettes have. And what's with all this drivel about nicotine and addiction? Gutless whining babies...I smoked Camel filterless for 25 years. I LOVED to smoke. I loved everything about it. I knew it was bad for me. Blah blah blah...And then I quit. It sucked, but I made it, with willpower and an occasional gutcheck. People who talk about "helplessness" in the face of addiction need to grow a pair and take responsibility for their lives and THEIR OWN CHOICES. Choices! Who says we don't live in a democracy anymore? Choices abound. Quit whining. Why shoud tobacco companies have to subsidize personal weakness?

[frankbowers]

Well all can see now the the Supreme Court like the Republican Party/RNC has sold out to the tobacco companies. I think it is time to raise a flag of Germany pst the one that hitler one used comes to mind. This country is going down hill in which the Christian Majority have had a big hand. The best of good byes, Frank Bowers

[goldesprit]

Somebody needs to have a real good look at this judges Swiss Bank Account.

Apparently the jury wanted to give a lot of money to a person who lost a loved one, and the "Judge" decided at the last minute that it was more money than he personally ...liked.

So then, he (or "they") decided that the jury was in error--that IN HIS OPINION the amount was unwarranted, unless the jury was trying (in his opinion) to punish the tobacco company for its over-all business practices, which was not supposed to be the nature of the trial.

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

Does it say on the package that you WILL be assisting in the early deaths of those surrounding you if they can even smell the smoke?
Hoew can a so called "Judge" opin that this sort of thing is really a "business" at all!!!!

This is not 1955---folks. YES--somebody needs to have a real good look at this judges Swiss Bank Account.

[mdc76082]

I can name at least 3 common, everyday household cleaning agents that have a lesser amount of hazardous agents in them, but if inhaled or combined can have mild to severe consequences alot quicker than second hand smoke. They all have warnings labels. In pure form they are deadly. Not talking ingesting. I'm talking about inhalation. But we breath these fumes daily or weekly when cleaning our households. I haven't any bit_chin about our cleaning products. Checked them against the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets).

I give up. I blame it all on Global Warming, SARS and Bird Flu. Now, do I get an honorary doctorate?????

[c885177]

exactly scott 461,
nowhere in that "bill of rights" are corporations even mentioned. let alone given rights over the people, or their courts.

[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.

[ozziepooh90]

bildooreilly
where i live you cannot smoke in a restauarnt of bars at all. Some of the bars here have taken the city to court to be allowed to become a smoking bar.

[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:

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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.